Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) (20 page)

She looks up at me, smiling. At first it’s a small smile, but as the smile grows, the dimples in her cheeks become more obvious. The smile reaches her eyes, setting them alight. In this moment, I know she’s everything I need, want, and more. I take her hand tightly as I lead us into the house.

As soon as we enter, I hear music playing and the sound of my mother singing. I’d like to say she has the voice of an angel, but that would be lying. She sings like she’s tone deaf, but it doesn’t matter, I still love it. For as long as I can remember my mom has loved to sing and dance, and she doesn’t care how she looks when she’s doing it. It’s one of the things I love most about my mom. Despite being utterly dreadful, she still gives it everything she has. I bang the door closed, making her aware that we’ve entered. She turns around, her face lighting up at the sight of us. She waves her hand, gesturing us into the family area. I look down at Ken and can see she’s stifling a laugh.

“Get your asses over here, you two. I’ve been waiting for you to come back for hours. I need to hear all about this surprise!” She dances around the coffee table, making her way over to the stereo and turns down the music. She comes back and takes a seat in the chair beside the couch. She drops down dramatically, her hands flying in the air. We make our way over, sitting on the couch. I look over at the table and notice the half empty bottle of red wine. I narrow my brows and turn to my mother.

“Have you been drinking?” I ask seriously. She laughs loudly, but I’m concerned. My mom never drinks on a week night. “Is everything alright, mom?”

She looks over at me pouting and waving her hand. “Stop your fussing, Cole. It’s nothing. I’m just letting my hair down and relaxing a little.”

I narrow my eyes at her.

“Hey!” she blurts. “After the afternoon I had a work, I needed this drink, believe me. Oh, and your good news? Presumably it is good news,” she says, leaning forward, resting her head on her hand.

“Well we think so.” Ken smiles.

“So…” Mom’s eyes dart between me and Kennedy. “What is it?” She rubs her hands together excitedly.

“We’ve decided to move in together. You know, have our own place,” I rush out.

“But…” she interrupts.

“Mom, let me finish.” Her face drops as she sits back in the chair, waiting for me to finish.

“So, Pete’s aunt offered to let us rent her apartment at a fraction of the price. It’s fully furnished and the offer was just too good to turn down.” I search her face for some sign of emotion, but her expression remains neutral, not giving anything away.

“And where is this apartment?” she asks tentatively.

“It’s not far from the University. You know those new builds? The Mediterranean style ones.”

Her eyes widen in reaction. She sits upright, shuffling to the edge of her seat. “Really?” she asks.

I smile widely and nod.

“Wow, Cole, those apartments are lovely, but I don’t know how you’re going to afford it there.”

“Like I said, Pete’s aunts doing us a huge favor.”

“Well,” she pauses, tapping her fingers. “I guess I should say congratulations.” She jumps up, wrapping her arms around me and Kennedy, squeezing us like only a drunk woman would.

“Seriously, guys, I’m really happy for you. I’m gonna miss the shit outta ya, and it’s sure as hell gonna be quiet around her from now on, but seriously, I’m happy for you.”

I laugh out loud. “Mom, your repeating yourself. You definitely need to step away from the wine.”

She slaps the top of my arm. “Watch it, boy. You’re still living under my roof.” She giggles, falling back into the chair, looking like she might fall asleep any second. I turn to look at Kennedy, who is yawning widely, her hand flying up to her mouth as she tries to hide it.

“You guy’s should be thinking of calling it a night. You both have school tomorrow, remember?” Mom points between the two of us.

I nod, reaching down to take hold of Kennedy’s hand.

Kennedy reaches down, quickly placing a light kiss on the top of mom’s head.

“Night, mom,” I shout back over my shoulder, throwing my hand in the air, gesturing a wave.

I walk in front of Ken, pulling her weight behind me. I glance over my shoulder and fuck she looks tired. I can’t wait to curl up and hold this beauty in my arms. There’s no better fucking feeling than having her here, next to me, knowing she’s mine.

The sudden sound of the door closing jolts me awake. I bolt upright, rubbing my eyes, trying to work out what the hell is going on. I look up to see Kennedy standing there, looking a little sheepish. Her body is wrapped in a towel and her hair is dripping with water.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“What time is it?” I ask yawning.

“Time to get up and get that fine ass of yours moving.” She winks, leaning over, kissing me lightly on the lips. Droplets of water drip onto my bare chest.

“Shit, that’s cold,” I shriek, pulling the bed covers over me in attempt to protect myself from getting any wetter. She tugs on the sheets, uncovering me before she shakes her hair, getting me all wet.

She giggles as I yell out. Making a mad dash for the door, Kennedy closes it quickly behind her. I jump up, using the bed covers to wipe the water off my chest. A smile spreads from ear to ear across my face. It’s good to know I can wake up and be this fucking happy. I can’t remember the last time, that something as simple as this, filled me with such a good feeling. I pull on my shorts and head over to the bathroom. I hear the sound of the hairdryer and I shake my head, the smile never leaving me.

I quickly shower, brush my teeth, and head back over to my room to get dressed. On my way across the hall, I peep in Kennedy’s room, as the door is slightly ajar, but there’s no sign of her. Damn that girl works fast!

I pull on my clothes, use the towel to dry off my hair, and eagerly head downstairs. I feel desperate to see her, as if it’s been a lifetime that we’ve been apart, not minutes. The smell of eggs and bacon hits me as I head down the staircase.

Damn! That smells good. I wander in; mom, dad, and Kennedy are all chatting and eating breakfast at the table. I stop for a second, paying attention to my dad. And fuck! He’s smiling! I don’t know whether I’m more shocked at the fact that he’s smiling or whether it’s because he’s actually here. He’s never here for breakfast.

Kennedy turns and notices me there. She nods and I grab some breakfast before sliding in next to her at the table.

“Well, good morning, son,” mom sings adoringly.

I smile widely. “Mom, dad.” I turn to him. He smiles. He’s mouth doesn’t move but the skin around the corner of his eye creases. I’ll take it as a smile and it’s probably the best I’m going to get. He’s so unreadable. I never know what version of dad I’m going to get. I mostly expect him to be angry or some shit about the whole apartment thing.

“So, I told dad about the apartment, and we are both really happy for you. Isn’t that right, Frank?”

He looks at mom, dead in the eye, pausing with his fork to his mouth, before shooting her a snarky smile. “Of course.” He turns to me and Kennedy, fake smile in full flow.

I don’t press it. The last thing I want to do is rock the boat. I’m just glad he isn’t yelling at us.

“So, you guys packing tonight?” dad inquires.

I look at Kennedy as her face drops. Her mouth hangs open and I can’t help but laugh at her a little.

“Ppppacking?” she stutters. “I totally didn’t think about packing,” she chuckles. “Well you know, I have very little to pack.”

Mom busts out laughing. “Have you seen Cole’s room?”

“Fair point.” She looks over at me. “Better get packing, babe.” She pats me lightly on the back.

“I have some boxes down in the basement for you guys. I will help you tonight,” Mom offers.

“If you’re not busy today, mom, you could do it while we’re at school, yeah?”

“Not likely!” she says, standing and taking the empty plates to the sink area.

Kennedy

I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Actually nonstop.

Today I need to speak to Pete. This thing, whatever it is, has to stop. The whole trip to school, I sit silently, thinking about how I’m going to approach him about it.

Shit. I’m not looking forward to this.

We pull into the parking lot, and Cole jumps out, sprinting around the huge truck and to help me out.

“Mi lady,” he jokes, trying to speak with an English accent.

“Why thank you, sir.”

“Sir…Hmmm. I think I like that. You should call me that more often,” he teases, linking my hand with his. He kisses me intently before I hear footsteps approaching. I turn to see Jake and Pete walking toward us. I quickly separate myself from Cole and our company, keeping my eyes down as I walk on my way to the entrance where I see Ash waiting for me. I skip along, trying to get to him, and away from Pete, as quickly as I can.

“Errr, awkward,” Ash screeches. I give him a knowing look, before hooking my arm in his and walking into the school corridor, toward the lockers.

“So, first day back, Barbie. How does it feel?”

I give him a sideways glance. He knows just how much I hate school. It will be an even shittier experience for me without Abbey here. “I wish Abbey was here.”

“Me too, girl.” He leans in closer, his voice so quiet I strain to hear him. “How’s the Pete thing working out for you?”

“I have to talk to him,” I say, matter of fact. “It has to stop. He needs to know it’s never going to happen.”

“But it already did…”

I hit him hard on the chest. “Comments like that do not help, Ash. Seriously!”

“What?” he wails. “I’m just trying to lighten the situation, Ken. I know this is hard for you, doll, but don’t overthink it. If you’ve made a decision, then so be it!” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him as we walk toward our first class.

I smile at him, holding on to his hand resting over my shoulder. The last thing I want to be is that annoying, moaning, depressive, knocked up girl. As the saying goes, if you can’t make it, just fake it.

“I spoke to Abbey’s mom yesterday. She’s feeling super positive about Abbey’s condition.”

“Really?” I say, excited to hear some positive news about Abbey.

“Sure. She’s stable and has been for a few days now. They think she might be able to come home, well, be transferred to the hospital here in Newport.”

I think back to my visit with Abbey, and hope beyond all hope that she could hear me, and maybe, just maybe what I said really did make a difference. I hold my hand to my chest, turn to Ash, and pull him to me. He stands there limp. His arms remain by his side as I squeeze him tightly.

“This is such good news, Ash. I’m so happy”

“What’s that?” a familiar voice bellows from behind me. I swiftly swing my head to the side and see a smiling Pete standing beside me.

“Well?” he asks again. His head is cocked to the side, and the sexiest, jaw dropping smirk I’ve ever seen graces his lips. I’m pretty sure my cheeks are as red as blood as I feel them heat up instantaneously.

“Yeah, well… err, so…” I fidget nervously; doing everything I can to avoid his eye contact. And that smile. “Abbey has stabilized and they’re hoping she can be transferred to the hospital here.”

“That’s fucking awesome,” he sings enthusiastically, closing in on me and resting his hand on the bottom of my back.

I shiver, the mere feel of his hand sending me into a frenzy. My breathing speeds up and I know I need to speak to him. I told myself I would stop this. I quickly move away from him, breaking the contact. I glare at him as I look into his eyes.

“We need to talk,” I grate out.

“We do, do we?” He raises his eyebrows, holding his arm out as an indication of the direction we should go. I walk down the hall, taking small tentative steps. Shit, I’m nervous, really, really nervous. I feel my face flush. I don’t know if its nerves or the anticipation of being so close to him. I look back over my shoulder and Ash waves at me from a short distance. I screw up my face and hope to god I can do this.

I’m snapped suddenly from my thoughts, as Pete grabs my arms and I jerk to a stop. He pulls me, guiding me down the hall to a quieter spot where there’s no one around. He leans against the wall, arms and legs folded. I don’t know why but I’m irritated by him and his body language, like he thinks this is some stupid game.