I remembered the conversation I overheard him having last Friday but none of it put me closer to figuring out what may have happened to Trevor and Anya. Keiran was dead set on making me leave his past alone but his past didn’t seem to be much of a past at all.

“They don’t say much around me anyway,” Sheldon continued, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Keiran said I had a big mouth. Can you believe that?” she yelled drawing the attention of a few players and cheerleaders.

I raised my eyebrows and pursed my lips. “No…I couldn’t imagine.” I said sarcastically. She gave me an indignant look and went back to fixing her shoes. “Are you guys practicing in here today?”

She nodded, “It’s raining outside. You didn’t notice?” she gestured to the double doors leading outside. She left with a quick “see you later” and headed to the other part of the gym. Our gym was unique in that it multiple sections so it wouldn’t impede on the basketball practice and other events.

I looked over to the court in time to Keiran make an effortless shot at the halfway line. Keenan began to gloat as if he had just taken the shot and I shook my head. Keiran made eye contact with me and called for a break.

“What’s wrong?” he asked approaching me.

“Besides my raging headache and impending jail sentence?”

“Sure,” he said rolling his eyes.

“Then nothing. I think I’m going to head home.” I stood up on my tiptoes and pecked his lips. He wore a scowl and looked as if he was going to protest as I picked up my messenger bag.

“Go to my place.”

“I’ll be fine at home.”

“What did I say?”

“You’re not my father, Keiran.” He gripped my chin hard and stared down at me without saying anything. “How am I supposed to get in?” I rolled my eyes him. He bent and dug into his gym bag and produced his key ring. He popped one of the three keys and handed it to me. “Straight there.”

“Well I’m kind of hungry so I was thinking about grabbing a burger on the way,” I said just to piss him off.

“Monroe,” he warned over his shoulder as he walked away. Mission accomplished.

* * *

I pulled into Keiran’s place and noticed a large black pick-up truck parked in the driveway. Keiran didn’t mention anyone being over at his place and I contemplated calling him before going inside but I knew he wouldn’t get my call until practice was over.

I got out with my bag…and my burger and entered with the key he gave me. I didn’t hear anything or anyone when I walked in. I walked deeper into the house with slow steps. Just as I reached the edge of the stairs, the backdoor opened down the hall and a tall, imposing man entered. We both froze as we stared at each other in surprise.

After a couple minutes of staring each other down he closed the door and moved closer. I gripped the banister and battled between the choice to fight or flight.

“Who are you?” he finally asked. His voice was smooth and husky and as I looked closer I decided he was quite handsome in his faded jeans and white, collared shirt. He also looked amazingly like my enigmatic boyfriend and his volatile cousin. I suddenly realized that this must be their uncle. John Masters. I continued to gape at him, his question hanging between us.

“You must be here for Keenan. I assume he is cheating again.” He sounded more resigned than angry.

“Actually, I’m a friend of Keiran’s,” I said, finding my voice. I caught the look of surprise as his eyebrows rose.

“Is that so?” I nodded and he continued to stare. “Where is Keiran?”

“He has practice.”

“Ah yes. Basketball. So why are you here?”

“He asked me to meet him here.”

“What is your name girl?”

“Lake Mo—Monroe.”

He rubbed his chin and continued to stare me down. “Why is it that I’ve never heard of you before?” Maybe because you’re never around? “I’ve never known Keiran to bring girls home. Much less entrust them with a key.”

“I – I should go.”

“But then Keiran wouldn’t like that would he?” My feet were rooted to the spot and I mentally shook off my nervousness. “Don’t worry, girl. I’m not going to hurt you. I am never home and my nephew barely spares me a glance.” He looked at me curiously before he asked, “How old are you?”

“Eighteen,” I answered while wondering why my age mattered.

“I don’t believe I know your parents,” he said but it was more of a question.

You wouldn’t. I don’t know them either. I thought I did. “Carissa Anderson is my aunt and guardian.” A look of pity crossed his faced and I hated that. I hated when someone pitied my parents or me. They didn’t deserve it…neither did I because sometimes I did hate them.

“I see. Well that’s something you and Keiran have in common.” He walked off towards the kitchen, leaving me confused.

The encounter was strange, making me feel nervous and awkward. I practically ran up the stairs and quickly locked myself in Keiran’s room. Pulling out my phone I sent a quick text to Keiran letting him know his uncle was here. My headache had only worsened since leaving the gym so I slipped under Keiran’s covers and let sleep overcome me. I’d worry about the rest later.

* * *

I heard the first light thud followed by a second and I automatically wiggled my now free toes still covered by socks. My eyes refused to open as I came awake but when I felt the familiar scent I’ve come to love my eyes finally flew open. Keiran was standing over me, still dressed in his practice uniform. He usually showered before he left practice so I figured he rushed here. Most likely to see if I obeyed him and came to his house.

“What did he say to you?” I blinked a few times before I fully comprehended what he was asking me. John was here earlier and our conversation rushed back to me

“Well, he was a lot more pleasant than you were when we first met.”

“Lake…”

“No, Keiran. He didn’t. We talked for a little while but that was it.”

“What did he say?” he gritted.

“Nothing much. He just wanted to know who the strange girl was walking into his house with a key. Why didn’t you tell me he was here?”

He ran a hand over his head. “I didn’t know. Apparently they called him to schedule an interview since Keenan is still seventeen.”

“Oh. Right.” Sometimes I forget that I was a few months older than Keenan. I sat up in his bed and ran a self-conscious hand over my hair. I didn’t get the sexy bed hair that Keiran did. I was thankful my voice wasn’t as croaky as usual when I woke up. “Is he still here?”

He nodded and opened a dresser drawer. His back was turned to me so I didn’t see his face when I asked him but I did notice his back muscles tense. “He is talking with Keenan right now about school and all the other fatherly shit I have no interest in.” The bitterness in his tone did not escape me.

“Why aren’t you and John close?”

“Why would we be?”

“He’s your uncle.”

He shrugged and lifted a fresh shirt out of the drawer. “Not my problem.”

“I don’t think it’s good for you to be so distant.”

“Why do you care?”

“Because I care about you.” My voiced was now raised from the frustration I felt.

He blew out an annoyed breath. “You shouldn’t. Why would you?”

“You have to let people care about you. You can’t just keep your emotions bottled up and ignore them. Sooner or later they will come out.”

“I told you that I do feel emotion. I feel anger and I feel hatred. Isn’t that enough?”

“No. You have to stop punishing yourself.”

He shook his head. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew why I punished myself, as you put it.”

“Try me,” I challenged. Sheldon thought I could get him talk. I wanted to test that theory.

“I’ll pass.” He picked up my forgotten burger and walked to the door. I was totally busted, I thought as I watched his retreating form.

“Keiran?” He stopped at the door but kept his back turned, his head turned to the side. “How is anyone supposed to love you if you can’t even love yourself?”