Thoughtful(36)

“No…no problems here. Just…a lot of work, and not a lot of downtime.” He sighed, like he was suddenly exhausted. “I’m doing the best I can, mate.”

From the tone of his voice, I knew he was telling the truth. I gave him some encouraging words, then dropped it. I was their roommate, not their counselor.

Concern over hearing from Denny was slipping from Kiera’s list of stresses as school neared. I could almost see the tension building in her each day. She was more anxious about the first day of school than she had been about anything else so far, and I was sure Denny not being here for it was only making the feeling ten times worse.

Kiera’s apprehension exploded in an eruption of stress one afternoon. It was a theatrical blowup that I probably wasn’t supposed to see, but I’d walked into the kitchen at just the right time. She let out a loud “Fuck” and knocked all of her school brochures onto the floor.

I had to laugh at the over-the-top display. “I can’t wait to tell Griff about that one.”

She flushed with color once she realized I was there, then she groaned when my words sank in. I nodded at the mess on the floor while she recovered from her embarrassment. “School starting, huh?”

She bent down to pick up the fallen papers, and I did my best to ignore how good she looked bent over. “Yeah,” she said with a sigh, “and I still haven’t really been on the campus. I have no idea where everything is.” She straightened, and a forlorn look of Denny-sickness was on her face. “I just…Denny was supposed to be here for this.” She frowned, either irritated at herself or irritated at Denny. Maybe a bit of both. “He’s been gone almost a month,” she murmured.

I studied her, noting the sadness mixed with anger and embarrassment on her face. I think she wanted to be strong and independent, but for some reason, she lacked the confidence. I couldn’t figure out why. She was beautiful, smart, funny, sweet…She had nothing to be afraid of. But I also understood needing someone else around to make you feel complete. I understood all too well.

Kiera looked away from my scrutiny, and in a soft voice, I told her, “The D-Bags play the campus every once in a while.” Her eyes returned to mine, and I smirked at her. “I actually know it pretty well. I can show you around if you like.”

Her instant relief was almost palpable. “Oh, please, yes.” Suddenly looking mortified, she cleared her throat and shifted her feet. “I mean, if you don’t mind.”

Her hazel eyes were a tranquil shade of green in this light, alive with warmth, caring, and hopefulness. How could I possibly say no to those eyes? “No, Kiera, I don’t mind…” I’d do just about anything for you. Which both makes me happy and terrifies the shit out of me.

I took her to register for her classes the next afternoon, then took her on a tour of the campus a few days later. Wanting to impress her, I may have overdone it on the campus tour. I’d just wanted her to feel as comfortable as possible when she started there. She ate up every word I said though. Maybe that’s why I really did it. I liked having her hanging on my every word. It made me feel sort of invincible.

I was showing her the building where her European Lit class was going to be when a voice broke through the quiet hallway. “Oh! My! God! Kellan Kyle!”

I knew just from the octave of the voice that it was a fan shouting at me. I cringed, wondering how this was going to play out, but ever considerate of my fans, I turned around to look. A springy-haired redhead was practically running down the hall to get to me. I really had no idea what she was going to do once she reached me. I considered grabbing Kiera’s hand and making a run for it, but I didn’t have time. The tiny girl was surprisingly fast. She had her arms flung around my neck and her mouth all over mine before I even knew what hit me.

While she peppered me with fevered kisses, I racked my brain, trying to place her, but I couldn’t for the life of me recall who this girl was. “I can’t believe you’re visiting me at school.”

Okay, she went to school here, so that narrowed it down…not one single little bit. The girl glanced at Kiera beside me and I tensed. She’d better not try to start something. Luckily, the girl wasn’t too interested in who Kiera was.

After flicking her eyes at her, she curved her lips into a frown and muttered, “Oh, I can see you’re busy.” Reaching into her purse, she scribbled something on a piece of paper, then shoved it in my front pocket. Her fingers ran along the inside of the pocket, searching for me, and I fidgeted just a bit. A girl kissing me in front of Kiera was one thing; fondling though, that was kind of awkward to have Kiera witnessing.