Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) (38 page)

Hit on my girl. The girl I’d pledged my love to. The girl I saw myself being with forever. And I can’t believe she fell for it. That she found something in him that I couldn’t give her. I know she loves me and I know that I’m fucking crazy about her, but I’m scared of looking like a fool. No, scrap that, looking like a fucking idiot for being okay with this. I’m not okay with it. I don’t think I ever will be. I race around the apartment getting everything I need before rushing out. Shit, I’m already late for school.

I park the truck in the parking lot, heading straight to my first class. I knock on the door and apologize to Miss Chambers, our history teacher, for this disruption. I look around for a spare seat.

Fuck.

The only spare desk is right in front of Dennis. I take a deep breath and saunter over, sliding into the desk. I look around another student to Jake who is sitting at the other side of the room. He nods his head toward Dennis and rolls his eyes. I shoot him a knowing look, but try and concentrate on the lesson I’m already late for. I begin to jot down the notes from the white board, turning my workbook to the correct page. I suddenly and unexpectedly find myself thrust forward, Dennis’ foot pressing against my seat. I grit my teeth and sigh heavily. This prick has a death wish or some shit. I turn my head a little, trying not to attract any attention.

“So glad I got your attention, dickless.”

“Fuck off, Dennis. I have nothing to say to you,” I whisper.

“You really are as stupid as you look, aren’t you?” he taunts. “I notice neither Kennedy nor Pete are here today…” he fades off. I turn my head around, telling myself to just ignore him.

He kicks my chair again. “I bet they’re in your apartment now, fucking each other’s brains out.” His voice is practically in my ear as he leans forward.

I clench my fist, trying to expel some of the anger that rises involuntarily. It spreads like an ignited flame through me. I stop and breathe slowly, needing to get myself under control. There’s one thing I know; it doesn’t matter how many times I take my anger out on him, how many times I retaliate, he will still come back for more. I’m powerless. Nothing I can say or do will stop his relentless torments, so I grit my teeth and do the best I can to ignore the bastard.

Class passes quickly despite Dennis’ attempts at winding me up. I hear the rumble of him as he jumps out of his seat when the bell rings. I look around at him, stick my foot out, and revel in watching him nose dive straight onto the floor. His bag and books go flying out in front of him. The whole class erupts with laughter as he stands up, brushing himself down, trying to pick up all the books scattered on the floor.

He glares at me, his eyes narrowing. “Fucking cheap stunt, dude. Fucking pussy. You won’t get away with this! I’ll make sure of that.”

“Language, Dennis,” the teacher warns as he walks past and out of the door.

I smirk widely, holding up my hands and shaking my head. “Nothing to do with me, bro,” I lie. Dennis storms off, shaking his head. For a second the revenge feels sweet.

Jake walks over giving me a firm pat to the back, so much so, I jolt forward.

“His fucking face, man,” he whispers, his silent laughter causing his body to tremble.

“Fucking prick has been winding me up all lesson.”

“You did good, man, in not beating his ass. I’m proud of you.”

We start walking out, heading to our next class. “It took my mind of Abbey, I guess.” Jake exhales heavily.

“Dude, she’ll be good. I know it.”

“I just feel like I should be there, but I have that calculus test to take today. If I don’t I’ll fail. My parents are already kicking my ass about my grades.”

I smile and nod, knowing that Jake has always had to work hard for his grades. The time after the accident really pushed him back.

“I’m going after school to see her, but my head’s just not in school right now.”

I wrap my arm over his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. “She’ll come through this. She has to.” I smile. “I can’t have my best friend miserable as fuck any longer,” I tease.

“Hey,” he warns playfully. “Sorry, man, I know I’m a miserable fuck. I just feel like as soon as I found her, I lost her, you know?”

“I get that.” I nod in agreement. Because I really do get it. I feel like the moment I got Kennedy back, I lost a part of her to Pete. The feeling cuts like a blunt fucking knife.

“How are things in your head?” he asks, tapping the side of my forehead. “You spoke to Pete yet?”

“No way, man. I heard all he had to say. How he thinks he’s fallen for her. How he pushed those feelings onto her. Blah, blah, fucking blah,” I say mockingly, the frustration of reliving the conversation with him driving me crazy.

He looks at me with daggers. “And she told you the same thing?”

“Yeah, why? Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask, studying his face.

He puts his hand on my chest, stopping me from walking any further. “So they both have the same story, and what? You really gonna throw in the towel on your relationship because your friend has a crush on her? Seems pretty simple to me, man.”

“Well it’s not simple! Dude, don’t shrug this off as nothing. For fuck sakes, they kissed! Why would she kiss him?”

“From what I hear, he kissed her. I’m not even sure she kissed him back. Are you?”

I screw up my face. “Not really the point though, is it?”

“Fucking hell, man! Stop over thinking this shit. Don’t mess up on a nothing kiss. You guys have been through too much to just throw it away on a whim.”

I understand what Jake is saying, but he’s infuriating me. It’s not that simple. I only wished it was.

“I guess I’ll have to face the music sooner or later.” I look up as Jake nods enthusiastically.

“I suppose you won’t need our spare bed then tonight?”

“I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion yet, but I do plan on going to the apartment to try and get to the bottom of this whole damn thing. I think it depends on whether or not she has feelings for him. I mean real feelings. If she loves him, well, that’s something I can’t ignore.”

Kennedy

I’m exhausted and my face is red, the stain from my falling tears, something that even concealer can’t disguise. Reliving and telling a room of people about my time at the commune drained every ounce of strength from me. I want to get back home and crash. I quickly text Ash and tell him that I’ll come later to see Abbey, after a quick nap to revive myself from the exhaustion of today’s events.

I feel the phone buzz almost immediately in my hands. I can’t figure out how he manages to type out a text so damn quickly.

Ash:
Still waiting. Doesn’t look like she’ll be out anytime soon. Get some rest! See ya soon, Barbie!!

I drop my head back against the head rest, my eyes heavy, closing almost automatically.

I feel a hand shake my arm and I jump in a fright, forgetting my where I am. My head frantically turns from side to side, trying to gather my bearings. I inhale sharply before my eyes cast upon Jocelyn’s face. I hold my hand against my chest, willing my heart to slow down as it thumps ferociously.

“Dammit,” I grate out.

“Sorry, sweetie, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No, it’s fine. I think I’m just a little jumpy after today.”

Surprisingly, Mr. Peterson turns to me. “Kennedy, you did a great job today. I know how incredibly difficult it was for you, but honestly, you did an amazing job,” he says in his stoic, authoritative voice. I glance up, shooting him a sad smile.

“I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, Mr. Peterson. I’m lucky to have you on my side.”

He smiles, something I rarely see from him, and the kindness in his eyes reminds me of the same I see in Cole’s.

“Always,” he says before turning and placing his hands back on the steering wheel. Jocelyn places a loving hand on his shoulder, smiling at me with pride.

“Go get some rest.” She points to the apartment. “That’s an order,” she laughs.

I unbuckle my seatbelt, lean forward, and kiss her lightly on the cheek. “Thank you will never be enough.”

I push the car door open, grab my purse, and head to the apartment, waving over to Jocelyn and Mr. Peterson as they drive away. I dig into my bag, retrieving the keys to the apartment, and push the key into the lock. I try to twist the key, but it doesn’t turn. I remove the key and try the handle. The door opens. I feel my adrenaline spike at the thought that Cole came back.

I walk in, push off my shoes, and drop down my purse. I call out his name but there is no answer. I guess he must be in the shower. I’m nervous but excited to see him. I hope that since he’s back, he’s ready to talk this all out.

Hopefully this time I can get him to understand that it’s only ever going to be him. I walk into the living room, pushing the door closed behind me.

Within seconds of closing the door, I’m pinned up against the wall, fighting for a breath. I kick my legs, my feet no longer on the floor, my eyes meeting with his.

“I think it’s time we ended this, Kennedy.” His words are menacing and he means every single word.

I can’t speak.

I’m suffocating.

I feel my vision blur and my body becomes heavy. I pull at his hands around my neck until I have no more strength. I feel my weight suddenly drop to the floor, my body limp and lifeless. I gasp and struggle for a breath. I swallow down hard, trying to soothe my throat, clearing it to speak.

“Dennis, no…” my voice fades and is barely audible.

“No what?” he roars. “Get used to the idea, Kennedy. Today you die!”

I press my back against the wall, my eyes never leaving him as I watch him pace up and down the length of the apartment. I need to get to my phone. I need to get out of here. I look over to Dennis, noticing that one side of his shirt is tucked into his jeans. I intently watch as he moves, trying to see if it’s what I think it is in his waistband.

As he walks right in front of me, I get a clear look at the weapon. I cover my mouth, trying to stifle my gasp as I see the handgun tucked inside his jeans. He looks over at me, his eyes dark and permeated with evil.

“How did you get in here?” I ask, confused at how the door could be unlocked.

“Well you made that easy for me.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” I say, shaking my head.

“Some fucker left the door unlocked. Don’t you think that’s just asking for trouble?”

“But it couldn’t have been, I locked the door.” I stutter, the thud of my erratic heart causing my whole body to shake violently.

He walks over to me, pulls his hand above his head, and strikes down, hitting me across the face. The force of contact makes me drop to the floor. His feet connect, over and over, with my upper torso and face.

“I ask the fucking questions here, Kennedy! Not you. You know, I finally saw my dad for the first time in a long time today.”

My mouth drops open as he continues to talk about Christopher.

“He’s not the monster you’re making him out to be.”

“You’re wrong,” I cry, pushing myself up from the floor.

“No!” he yells. “You have everyone wrapped around your little fucking finger. Everyone thinks you’re this little angel. When, really, you just run around ruining lives. Somebody has to stop you, Kennedy.”

He reaches down, gripping a handful of my hair, and drags me along the floor. I scream loudly as I try gripping onto something, anything. My nails dig into the carpet as I fight with everything I have.

I watch as he pulls out the handgun, his other hand still painfully gripping my hair. I scream and shout, crying to get attention. Maybe a neighbor will hear me. But my voice is lost and becomes barely audible as I strain to be heard. My heart beats and breaths are rapid. I’m on my knees, the end of his gun pointed at my head. I hear him screaming at me, but his voice is just noise as my brain begins to shut down.

“Answer me, you fucking bitch!” he roars, grabbing my chin and turning my head up to meet his.

I stay in stunned silence, too scared to move, with no energy to speak. I feel the sting of the gun as it hits the side of my head. The trickle of warm blood runs down my face. I lay there blinking, trying to focus, but I just can’t. I feel like I’m drifting in and out of consciousness, willing myself to grasp onto life and never let go.