Page 164 of Fierce Storm
“I would have been here. For you, I would have come.”
“I know. I’m not doubting that. I’ll never doubt that.” She holds out a hand again and I hesitate taking it. My palms are sweaty from how worked up I am, and I don’t want her to know that just yet. Instead, I brush the tips of my fingers from her open palm to her hair, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.
“Will you tell me about it now?” I whisper as I pull away, sitting down beside her.
“That depends.” Her face twists.
“On what?”
“On whether or not you promise to stay calm.”
Since no part of me is calm right now, I can’t exactly promise that, so instead I nod.
“Thank you.” She accepts my answer before a sigh escapes her.
“I think we need to start talking more, Keeley. I said I didn’t want a casual relationship, and yet, that’s exactly how we’re acting. I need to know what’s going on in your life. And your head. It’s the only way we’re ever going to make this work.”
“Likewise.”
“I know.”
“I’m usually an open book, Sal. You know that.”
“Keels, you?—”
“Wait. I’m not finished. I’m an open book, but in some cases, I’ve ripped out the pages, preferring to pretend they never existed.”
A thought hits me and I speak before thinking. “You told Paige?” I wince, trying to hide my pain and jealousy, but Keeley sees right through my façade, like she always does.
“Please don’t be upset with her,” I beg. “She wouldn’t tell me what. Just that there was more to the story.”
“I’m not upset. I completely understand. I’d have done the same. The thing is, I told Paige because she wasn’t likely to go after him.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I’d told you or Easton, within twenty-four hours he’d probably end up on the back of a milk carton.”
“You think we’d make him disappear?”
“I think you’d want to hurt him, sure. In fact, Iknowit. I can see it in your eyes as we speak.”
“You’re right. I want to hurt that fucker more than I’ve ever wanted to hurt anyone. But you told me to stay, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Didn’t Paige tell you to leave it too? With the Mikklesons?”
“Not exactly, but…” I trail off, unable to lie to her. “I can’t guarantee that if an opportunity presents itself, I’ll be able to walk away.”
“So if Vance walked in here a week from now, you’d…”
“Have words.”
“Words?”
“With my fist.”
“He’s a recently retired football star. I think he can take you.” Keeley laughs, making me sit back. “You don’t even know what he did.”
“It doesn’t matter what he did. He hurt you. And that’s what counts. That’s enough.”
