I sit up and scowl at him. “Why would I want to stay in this house with her?”
“Because a girl needs her mother.”
“You expect me to stay here when she brings that asshole over? She told me they’re in a relationship! You’re just as crazy as she is.”
“Watch your mouth,” he warns.
“No!” I say. “I’m legally an adult. I’m not staying here!”
His voice is even. “Well, you can live with me, but I’m not taking the house. And I don’t know how much you’ll like the area, but I’m probably moving near Grandpa and Grandma.”
My grandparents live north about three hours away, near Flagstaff. I only see them on birthdays and Christmas.
“So, you’re leaving me too?”
“No one is leaving you, Kay. I’ll just be a few hours away, and your mom wants you to stay with her.”
I rise to my feet and straighten my dress. “You both left me a long time ago.”
“Kaley,” he says, pushing himself off the floor. “You just need a little time to get used to the changes. Do you want to go see Dr. Sekelsky?”
I let out a harsh laugh. “Your shrink? No. I don’t need a shrink right now; I need to get out of this house.” I grab my necessities out of my bag and shove them in my purse before storming out of my bedroom and down the stairs.
“Kaley Christine,” he calls after me. “You are not driving anywhere when you’re this upset, do you hear me?”
“I’m eighteen, Dad, and I don’t belong to either of you anymore.”
“Excuse me, young lady? You have no job, pay no rent, and live under my roof. You are not driving right now.”
“It’s not your roof anymore, remember, Dad?” I say with a sneer.
“Watch your tone. You know what I mean, Kaley.”
“I’m sorry,” I say in defeat. I know I’m not getting out of this house by being disrespectful, so I soften my tone. “I’m fine to drive, just please let me get some air.” It pains me to put more stress on him, but I need to get away.
His posture sags. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. I’ll probably see if Emily’s home.”
“It’s a school night,” he reminds me.
“I won’t be gone long,” I say, holding back a new wave of tears. I know if I start crying again, he’ll take my keys.
“Fine,” he says. “Please don’t be out late.”
I step forward and give him a tight—but brief—hug. I want him to know that I love him, but I’ll lose it with anything longer than that.
I’m not sure how long my dad let me cry in my room before coming up to console me, but it’s already nightfall when I step outside. As soon as I get into my car and turn on the engine, my tears spill out. I weep as I back out of the driveway, frantically wiping my face to see the road. I drive down the street until my house is out of sight and pull over.
I shuffle in my purse for my phone and pull it out. I scroll down to Emily’s name as teardrops fall onto the screen. As I wipe them off, it scrolls down to “Garrett.” I glance at the time before tapping the screen.
Elijah answers on the first ring. “Hello?”
I try to steady my voice, but can’t catch my breath. “Hey,” I choke out. “I’m so sorry for calling.”
“What’s the matter?” I hear the alarm in his voice.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes. Kaley, what’s wrong?” The concern in his voice is like a tiny flame, flickering warmth underneath the ice in my heart.
“I’m so sorry to call you like this.” I try to take a deep breath and hope he doesn’t think I’m some young, piteous girl.
“It’s okay. Tell me what’s going on. Where are you right now? Did Bradford do something to you?” he says, his voice becoming protective.
“No. I’m in my car,” I say.
“You shouldn’t be driving this upset, Kay.”
I groan. “I know.”
“Come over.”
A twinge of excitement nudges through the throbbing in my chest. I pause, trying to form words over the swelling in my throat.
“It’s okay, I don’t have to come over,” I say at last. “I was on my way to Emily’s, I just—I don’t know. I just wanted to hear your voice. I’m sorry; I know I’m being irresponsible by calling you.”
“Just come over, baby.”
Hard to say no to that.
“O-okay.”
“I’ll see you in a few.”
I hang up the phone and pull back onto the road, continuing to wipe the tears that compromise my vision. What am I going to say to him when I get there? I’m a wreck. I should’ve just gone to Emily’s; I’m a blubbering mess.
Then it hits me. What the hell am I going to do with my life? My future keeps changing. Just when I was getting used to the idea of staying home and going to ASU, my parents blindsided me once again. Home no longer feels safe. I can’t live there with her. And I know I can’t handle seeing another man in my house. I’m queasy at the mere thought of him pulling up the driveway to pick her up for a date. I suppose I could live in the ASU dorms, but it’s so close to home it feels silly. And without Emily as my roommate, it doesn’t sound like much fun anyway.
As I turn onto Ironwood Drive, I open my glove box and pull out the garage door opener. But when I turn into his driveway, the garage is already open. I pull into the left side and cut the engine. The garage door closes behind me as he opens my car door. He’s wearing a black cotton T-shirt with thin, gray athletic shorts—delicious as usual. I climb out of my car, and he pulls me into him. I throw my arms around his waist as the sobs flee my chest.
“My mom had an affair and my dad’s moving away,” I say, muffled into his chest.
“Oh, shit,” he whispers.
My knees give way, and he supports my weight as he slowly guides me inside to the couch. He sits down, leaning against the armrest and gathers me into him. I melt into his hold, his mouth pressing against the top of my head as I cry. His presence soothes me, and I eventually regain my breath.
“I’m sorry,” I say, finally looking up at him. Oh, he’s painfully handsome. I cringe at the thought of what I must look like. “I’m a mess. I should’ve just gone to Emily’s. You don’t need to deal with this.”
“Kaley, you’re never a bother to me. I’m glad you came over.” He kisses a tear that caught on my cheek, and I giggle.
“Taste good?” I say, smirking.
“Mmm, salty.” He grins, and I laugh. “There’s my Kaley,” he says softly as he brushes the hair out of my face. “Talk to me, baby.”
My heart flutters against the ache, and I wipe away the remaining tears. I catch him up on everything, from my mom announcing the affair at an elderly tea party, to my dad revealing that he’s moving up north, and how I can’t fathom living with my mother.
“How come?” he asks.
“I can’t handle it, Elijah. Can you imagine her boyfriend coming around? I just can’t.”
He smiles.
“What?” I ask.
“I love hearing you say my name.”
I rest my hand playfully on my hip. “Are you even listening to me Elijah Garrett?”
“Yes, I promise,” he says with a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry, you distract me sometimes.”
“I swear, you are the only person on the planet that could cheer me up right now.”
His expression sobers, and he gives me a light kiss on the lips. “Good.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“I’d do anything for you, you should know that.”
“Apparently,” I say. “Why don’t we talk about the day you had, mister?”
He belts out a laugh. “Kaley, you make me do crazy things.”
“Oh, so it’s my fault?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “I wanted to punch that kid in the face. He’s lucky we were on school grounds.”
“Nice,” I say, wincing. “You call him a kid when he’s only five months younger than me.”
“Oh, you’re all woman, trust me.” He squeezes my thigh. “I won’t let anyone talk to you like that,” he says, his face hardening. “And any hint of violence toward you? I’d lose my job in a heartbeat to protect you.”
“Don’t you dare,” I warn.
“Well then, he better stay away from you.”
I run my hand across his solid chest and lean in to kiss him. He explores my mouth with intensity, grabbing a fistful of my hair. I rearrange my body so I’m straddling him. I’m still in my little yellow dress, and the only thing between me and the thin fabric of his shorts is my scanty underwear. He traces his fingers up my thighs, slipping his hands underneath my dress, gripping my waist and edging me closer to his hips. I inhale sharply when I feel him against me and kiss him with urgency. His breathing becomes rapid as I slide my hips back and forth against him, the familiar ache building beneath me. He breaks from my lips, releasing a husky groan. A small whine escapes me, and I lean in for more.
“Kaley,” he says out of breath. “I can’t—you make me too crazy.”