“She’s doing just fine without him.”

“That isn’t your decision to make. She needs her father.”

“You’re wrong, Keiran. It is my decision to make, and she doesn’t need that coward.” I hung up without waiting for a response. Let him be on the receiving end of rude behavior for once.

I double checked to make sure Kennedy was okay before heading for my bedroom. Once inside, I closed and locked the door, ran to my bed, and screamed my frustration into the pillow.

How could he do this?

No one knew what bringing Keenan back here would mean.

CHAPTER THREE

FOUR YEARS AGO

PROM WAS EVERYTHING I thought it would be and nothing like I wanted. All night, I was surrounded by friends. There was laughter, music, dancing. The colorful lights and ornaments had lit up the gymnasium. Everything should have been perfect, but it all had felt so wrong.

If it weren’t for Willow, I wouldn’t have even bothered, but according to her, I needed to make a statement. I had been fully prepared to play dress up and enjoy the night. I had even looked forward to witnessing Keiran slow dance. It was supposed to have been amusing, but when he gently led Lake to the dance floor and took her into his arms, it only served to remind me of all that I had lost from love. I could tell he was nervous, but the way he stared into her eyes and her at him—as if they were the only two people in the world, seemed to help him through it.

They had been together for all of two minutes while Keenan and I had been together for two years yet, somehow, their bond seemed truer. I think it was at that moment I began to resent the idea of love.

There was a saying that love doesn’t love anyone.

Whoever said that was a fucking genius.

I walked inside the house alone after being driven home from prom by Keiran and Lake. My parents were away on a business trip, so the house was quiet and dark. I didn’t want to be alone, but there was no one available to call. Willow unexpectedly had to leave prom early after a rather angry phone call from her mom. All she managed to say before leaving was that she had to get home right away. Dash surprisingly offered to take her, and even more surprisingly, she went without a fuss.

I had high hopes that those two would quit fighting the inevitable. It was a hope I didn’t bother to keep secret.

I made my way into the kitchen and snagged one of my dad’s beers. I preferred something much stronger, but eventually, my parents became smarter after catching us stealing the drinks for the fifth time. They now changed the combination to the cellar every week.

Memories of a simpler time, when love was simple and new, invaded my conscience, and suddenly, I wished for those days again.

I wasted no time shedding my dress and heels. My favorite pajamas were spread out on the bed so I grabbed them and headed for the en suite bathroom for a much-needed soak.

My last thoughts, before I succumbed to sleep, were if I might have been better off never going to the prom.

Some time later, cold air greeted my skin as my body was lifted from the even colder water. I was fighting the disorientation left over from sleep and the hands that were carrying me.

“No,” I protested while not entirely sure what I was fighting.

“I see you haven’t gotten over telling me no yet.”

The deep voice registered at the same time as the shock of having him here. “Keenan?”

He didn’t bother to answer as he carried me out of the bathroom and into my bedroom, but I witnessed the hardening of his jaw. I also saw all the bruises.

“What happened to you?” I shrieked and shivered from the cold. “Wait, I need a towel.”

The impact of my body hitting my bedsheets was the only answer, and when I managed to turn over, I had to fight off an even colder chill.

Keenan radiated anger, and I knew I played a huge part in it. He still wanted me to be someone I couldn’t anymore. It wasn’t the betrayal he accused me of—it was survival. He had my heart and always would, but if I continued to be with him, he would steal my very existence.

“I’ve seen all you have to offer. You don’t need a towel.”

“Yes, but I was wet, and now I am wet and cold.”

A slow grin appeared and a quick rub of his chin followed by, “I promise to warm you up soon enough,” was all I needed to give in to fear.

“And how do you plan to do that?” I asked unnecessarily. We both knew what he came for. The only question was whether or not I would give in. I met Keenan’s stare and had the strange feeling the choice wouldn’t be mine to make.

“Later. We have things to discuss.”

“Things?”

He turned his back and walked silently to the window to place his hands on the glass. His head hung low, and when I peered through the dark, I could see his shoulders rise and fall with his deep breaths.

“Why?” The single worded question spoken brokenly would be forever etched in my memory. There were so many answers to that single question, but there was only one I think he needed to know.

“Because you hurt me… for the last time,” I added. This wasn’t like all the other times he’d hurt me, and I took him back.

“So it’s that easy for you, huh?”

“Easy?” I was off the bed in a flash, dragging the sheet with me to ward off the chill and preserve some modesty. “You think this is easy?”

“I really don’t care if it is or not. Discussing our breakup is low on the list of things I want to do to you right now.”

“Then why are you here, Keenan?”

“I want to know why you don’t want me anymore.”

I clenched my hands around the sheets to keep from reaching out to him. I wanted to touch and comfort him, but then I realized this was how he was always able to get me to go back before.

“It’s not you I don’t want,” I whispered before allowing my voice to harden along with my resolve. “It’s the emotional baggage I have to carry by being with you, and the fact that you slept with my teacher along with every girl in Six Forks.”

“Fine.” He whirled around to face me with frustration lining his features. “I fucked her. I fucked her and many other faceless girls. I can’t tell you why when I can’t even remember their names.”

“You need to leave, Keenan. We’re over. Forever.”

It was like a dark shadow clouded his eyes as he stalked closer. I was locked in his possession long before he touched me. My body lifted until I was on my toes as he tightened his hands around my arms. “I’m not going anywhere.” He took my lips in a brutal kiss that was painful in more ways than one. My sheet was ripped from my body and left to float to the floor. “And neither are you.”

* * * * *

PRESENT

“Mama. Up.” I felt the blankets lift from my face and peeked with one eye to see a conspiratorial grin beaming brighter than the morning sun.

“So what is it this morning?” I grumbled as I struggled to awaken fully. “My shoes? The wall?”

“I made bubbles, Mama.”

“What?” She jumped down and ran off into the master bathroom. It was the only door I didn’t keep gated having thought it was safe. “Kennedy Sophia Chambers. If you did what I think you did, you’re in big trouble, little girl.”

When I heard the unmistakable sound of water splashing, I rushed into the bedroom. I tripped twice while attempting to untangle my feet from the sheets. My heart was racing for the few seconds it took me to make it into the bathroom.

“Mama. Look!” Kennedy was standing safe, sound, and proud next to the large garden tub. Amidst the bubbles were various toys and dolls floating. Some had even sunk to the bottom. It wasn’t the toys, however causing the pounding near my temple. Nearly the entire bathroom floor was covered in sudsy water, among other things.