Page 15 of Storm

“That’s it?” she asks, scrunching up her nose.

“That’s it.”

“That can’t be it. You have to have something you love to do.”

“I don’t. I don’t have a family aside from this club. My dad died when I was younger, never knew my mom. Didn’t have any grandparents that I know of,” I tell her.

“No siblings?” I shake my head.

“No.”

“Sad life.”

“Says the girl that doesn’t have any friends,” I smart off.

“I have friends.”

“Do you? Like real friends? Someone who knows all your deep, dark secrets?” I ask, looking her in the eye. Kenz quickly looks away from me and back out at the water. I grunt my response. I knew she didn’t have anyone that close. There’s no way a girl like her would let anyone know what she harbors deep inside. I would know, I’m a little like her.

“It’s not a big deal, Kenzee. Sometimes we don’t need others in our business or our lives.”

“How would you know?” She asks softly.

“We’re a little alike. After I went to prison, I felt like that. No one there really knew me, and that’s why I kept to myself.”

“That had to be hard.”

“For you too. You lived through somethin’ that not many could.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Kenz.” With that, we both stop talking, and I turn back to watch the waves as they crash against the shore.

Chapter 6

Kenzee

“Keep your hands up,” he yells at me once more as he moves around me.

“I am.”

“No, you’re droppin’ them and the first thing they’re gonna do is take advantage of that.”

“I’m not dropping my hands!” I argue with him. He smirks at me, and we keep going until he pops me a good one in the face. I stumble back from the force and reach up with my gloved hand to rub my face.

“Asshole,” I grumble.

“Told you to keep your hands up.”

“How long have you been doing this?” I ask as I step back into him.

“Since I was ten. My dad had me trained young. I still go to the gym so I can keep up with my trainin’.”

“Ten? Jesus. That must have been rough,” I tell him.

“Not at all. I loved it. I knew how to defend myself, and it kept me in shape the rest of my life.”

“And in prison?”