“I don’t want to talk about it.” She barrels past us and out the door.
“She’ll come around. Liv always has to be an ass first,” Luke says.
When we reach the car, she’s scowling in the backseat. Liv and Luke share a black Honda Accord, but he drives it mostly.
I have an old Ford Escort, but I only use it when necessary since Luke often drives us to school and back. He opens the door for me, and I get in.
“Liv, you could continue to ride up front. I wouldn’t care,” I say.
“Luke would. I don’t know why you think things aren’t going to change.”
I don’t respond since she’s being a baby. It’s going to be a stressful day. Luke takes my hand the second we’re out of the car. We are so going to get stares.
I don’t like to say we’re popular, but we are well known at school. Actually, everyone knows Luke, and I imagine most girls in this school would like to date him. Liv darts ahead of us, and I’m not surprised.
“I’m sorry, Kenz. I’ll talk to her.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. She’ll think you’re taking sides again. Liv’s not jealous of you taking me away. She’s worried the opposite will happen.”
“That’s ridiculous. She’s always pissed at me over something, so she wouldn’t care about that.”
“Luke, you’re twins. You’re close and have grown up together. Let me talk to her.”
He leans over and kisses my temple as we enter the school. “You’re sweet, Kenzie. It’s one of the reason’s I’ve always liked you. She’s treating you like shit, yet you’re worried about her.”
Our tightly laced hands are soon noticed by some of our fellow students. Luke and I are often together, so not everyone catches on, but the ones who see our hands are glued in on the new development.
Luke chuckles. “We’re going to be answering a lot of questions today.”
I get what I need out of my locker, and the second I turn around, Luke’s lips are on mine. The butterflies stir again, especially since I’ve never kissed a boy in front of people.
“Damn, I was beginning to think we’d never see the day,” Dalton says as he pats Luke on the shoulder. I feel my face heating. “It’s about time you two wised up to what everyone else has known since elementary school.”
“Yeah, we’ve figured it out alright,” Luke says, without taking his eyes off of mine. “And you can help spread the word to every guy in this school that McKenzie Baker is taken.”
Dalton chuckles and meanders off.
“You’re not going to be even more protective are you? You’ve got me.”
“And I’ll be working to keep you,” he says with a boyish grin.
“I’m not going anywhere other than to class.”
“I’ll walk with you.” Our fingers intertwine again, and I think Luke might be enjoying this a little too much as we stroll down the hall. I’m flattered that he wants everyone to know I’m his.
***
I smile at Luke on the way to my lunch table. I’m nervous, wondering how Liv will be.
“Look who it is. I can’t believe we had to hear this news from other people,” Amanda says.
“I’m sorry. We had to wait to tell Liv, and that only happened last night.”
“Yeah, she’s been sulking all morning,” Shelby adds. “And here she comes.”
“Hi, Liv.” She sits next to me as usual, but she doesn’t look my way or answer. “Liv, please speak to me.”
“Sorry, hi. I’m surprised you’re at our table,” she says with an attitude.
“Why wouldn’t I be? I always sit here.”
She doesn’t answer and begins to talk to Amanda and Shelby. I hear them telling her about their time at the drunkfest.
How long does she plan on punishing me? I eat my food in silence, and I’ve never wished lunch away this fast in my life. It’s sad that I’d rather be in class.
Chapter Eight
Luke
“Hi, baby.”
“Hi,” Kenz says, sounding aggravated. She’s sorting through books in her locker and doesn’t turn around.
“Kenz, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Look at me.” I take hold of her arm and turn her around. “What the hell happened?”
“I guess Liv is going to punish me for a while, if not forever.”
“That’s it. I’m talking to her.” I begin scanning the hallway.
“No, Luke. I’ll do it when I can get her alone. You’ll only make this worse.”
“OK, but if she doesn’t cut this shit out soon, I’m steppin’ in.” I hook my thumb around her pinky as we head to the car. As soon as we’re in, my phone buzzes. “And it begins. Liv is already going home with Dalton.”
“She probably asked him, so she wouldn’t have to see us together,” Kenzie says with a sigh.
I squeeze her hand. “This will work out. I’ll make sure.” Gently, I kiss her cheek ... her neck ... then her mouth. The sparks fly, and I wonder how we ever kept them contained. “I have to get you home.” My hand rubs her thigh, or I bring Kenzie’s fingers up to kiss them. Mine never leave her body as I drive.
“Do you want to come over to my house? Mom is going straight to her second job today,” she says.
“Sure.” I follow her over after parking the car, and once we’re in her room, I remember that it’s been a long time since we’ve been alone in here.
She hurries and makes her bed. Having always loved purple, every inch of the four walls is decorated in it. I scan her corkboard of photos. There are several of the two of us or us with Liv. She comes over, and I pull her into my arms.
“Kenzie, I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
I gaze down at her sparkling blues that don’t show the same pain they used to. “I realized I haven’t asked you about your dad in a while.”
“Luke, I imagine you were afraid if you brought it up it would upset me.”
“Yeah, I did think that every time I considered it.”
“You were there for me during the times I needed someone the most. I’ll always remember, Luke.” Taking my hand, she drags me over to the bed and stretches out before patting the spot next to her.
Smiling, I climb in without hesitation. Kenzie scoots against me and lays her head on my chest, our legs wrapping around each other like a rope of Twizzler candy. It feels good to finally have the physical strength to keep her safe. I’ll never let anyone hurt her like her dad did all those years.
***
Age 14:
“Yes, Mr. Baker, she’s here,” I say before he yells in my ear to send Kenzie home. My fist clenches as I hang up the phone and march upstairs to Liv’s room.
“Kenzie, I’m sorry, but that was your dad. He said you have to come home, and he sounds angry.” I watch the fear consume her face, her eyes full of worry as she climbs off the bed.
“McKenzie, let’s tell your mom when your dad isn’t home. Maybe she’ll divorce him,” Liv says.
“No. What if he hurts her when she confronts him, or what if she doesn’t believe me? Worse yet, what if I have to move?” She’s biting her lip hard. “I’m getting older. I wonder what would happen if I fought back.”
I might vomit. I’m paralyzed, unsure of what to say or do as Kenzie walks past me and out of the room, but I can’t stand by and watch him hurt her another day.
Liv’s talking to me, but I can only focus on the image of Mr. Baker hurting Kenzie. Running out of Liv’s room and down the stairs, I hear her calling for me, but I keep going.
I cross our yard and the neighbors until I’m standing in front of Kenzie’s front door. Hearing her crying and her dad yelling pushes me over the edge.
The accumulation of pain I’ve felt, and most importantly, watched her feel, is eating me up inside. I turn the handle and it’s unlocked, so I storm in.
My heart is pounding, and I want to kill the man, when I see him holding a handful of Kenzie’s hair in his h
and. She’s bent over the wooden kitchen table as he strikes her with the belt, the snap raising the hair on my arms.
Ensuring there isn’t evidence, he’s usually strategic in how and where he hits her. He pulls back his belt before I grab his arm.
“Don’t you hit her ever again!”
Mr. Baker looks stunned, when he turns his head and sees me, but the fury soon returns to his eyes. Kenzie says it’s as if her dad is someone else when the dark storm washes over his face.
Over six feet tall with a broad build, he’s a business man who is built more like a construction worker. His blonde hair is thinning, and he smells of alcohol.
“Get off of me, and go home, Luke. This doesn’t concern you.” He attempts to turn back to Kenzie, but I won’t let go of his arm.
Determined and angered, he jerks it toward him. It flies back, hitting me right in the mouth, causing me to release him. I hear Liv crying as I stumble back.
Blood begins to drip from my mouth, so I hold one hand over it. The other is in a fist, and I want to hit him with it.
Mr. Baker’s expression changes to one of panic as he releases Kenzie. She rises and turns to look at me, tears running down her cheeks.
For a few seconds, the four of us stand motionless in the kitchen. Liv and Kenz are crying, and Mr. Baker and I are having a staring showdown.
“Luke, I–I’m sorry I hit you. I didn’t mean to. I was only trying to get my arm free. Let me get you a paper towel and some ice for that lip.”
He runs a hand through his hair before he nervously goes to the kitchen counter. The metal from the belt buckle clinks loudly as it hits the counter, causing Kenz to jump.
“I don’t want any help from you, and Kenzie is going back to our house to spend the night, or I’m telling my parents what you do to her,” I threaten angrily.
Mr. Baker turns and studies me, weighing whether he believes I’ll tell. He has to have at least a hundred pounds on me, yet I now feel like the powerful one.
“Get your things for school tomorrow, McKenzie, and the three of you get out of here,” he says, knowing he’s cornered.
Liv and I go upstairs with her, and without a word, Kenz gathers things from her bathroom, while Liv finds her some clothes. I grab her backpack, and we hurry down the stairs and out the front door.
“Luke, what are we going to tell Mom and Dad?”
“I’m going to tell them I finally stood up to that bully down the street, Samuel.”
“What if you get in trouble?” Kenz asks.
“I won’t. Dad hated how that kid picked on me when we were younger.” The adrenaline is still coursing through me, and I realize I’m grinding my teeth when we reach the front door of our house.
Luckily, when we walk inside, my mom is not in the family room. We sneak past the kitchen, where her back is to us at the sink, and run upstairs.
I go into the bathroom to clean my mouth. No sooner than I start to shut the door, Kenzie is standing before me. “Can I come in?”
“I can handle it.” I attempt to shut the door, but she stops me.
“Please, Luke. I feel terrible.”
Sighing, I let her in and leave the door open. I don’t need my mom finding us alone together in the bathroom.
After running a washcloth under cold water, Kenzie takes it out of my hands and begins wiping the blood from my mouth.
“It looks like your bottom lip is all that’s hurt.”
I reach up and rub the back of her head.
“He had a tight hold on your hair. Are you OK?” Just picturing her over that table makes me furious again.
“I’m used to it, Luke.”
I swipe the washcloth from her hand.
“I can do it,” I say as I look in the mirror, cleaning around the cut to my bottom lip. I feel Kenzie’s eyes on me the entire time. When I’m finished, I turn and look at her.
“That’s the last time, Kenz. If he touches you again, we’re telling. I mean it. We should have years ago.”
“OK, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, so please don’t apologize again.”
She’s gazing at me differently, her eyes intense. Cupping one side of my face, she kisses the corner of my mouth that’s not injured.
Her lips linger, and I feel something besides anger. It’s excitement, and I want to kiss her back.
“Thank you, Luke. I’ll always remember what you did for me.”
“I did what was right. I have to go.” I shove past her and out of the bathroom. I’m confused over what the hell happened between us ... what always seems to happen when we have time alone.
McKenzie
“Luke, are you OK?”
“Huh?”
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking about your dad. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t be. Being in this room brought it back.”
“I remember us being in this very spot the night after he moved to New York. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
***
Age 14:
I hear a knock, and I want to ignore it.
“Go away,” I say between sobs. My back is to the door, and I’m gasping for air between cries. The next thing I know, I’m being rolled over in my bed and pulled up into Luke’s lap.
His back is against my headboard, and he has me snugly in his arms. This only makes me cry harder. He strokes my hair, and I occasionally feel him kiss the top of my head.
“I’m sorry, Kenz. I feel responsible after what happened yesterday, but I’m glad your dad is gone.”
“I still feel bad that he hurt you, Luke.”
“Don’t. It wasn’t your fault, and if he ever shows his face around here again, I swear I’ll kick his ass and win this time.”
I can’t help but chuckle. Who knew sweet Luke was a badass?
“Mom won’t let Liv come over. She said you’ve been through enough and can’t afford to get the flu on top of it. We begged until she let me. I wasn’t leaving you alone.”
“He’s been seeing this lady in New York for three years, Luke. Their little boy is two. He’s choosing them over us.” I sob again.
“He’s an idiot, Kenzie. He doesn’t deserve to have you as a daughter.”
I wrap my arms around Luke’s waist and press my cheek to his chest. “A two year old is cute and fun. He always wanted a boy. He was so mean to me, and I’m wondering if I’m not loveable.”
Luke lifts me by the arms and looks me straight in the eyes. “Kenzie, you’re the sweetest girl I know. Don’t ever think this was your fault. Your dad will regret leaving you and your mom, but you’re better off.”
“It hurts, knowing he probably left because he can’t beat on me anymore, but I’m glad he’s gone, too.” Snot and tears drip from my face onto Luke’s shirt.
I glance down. “Sorry.” Luke lifts his t-shirt and wipes my nose with it. “Luke! I can’t believe you just did that. Gross.” He sits me up and yanks off his shirt.
“Here, now you have a tissue.” He grins at me, and I can’t help but giggle.
“You’re weird.”
“I got you laughing.”
“True.” I lay my head back against his bare chest. It’s warm, and it feels strange to be this close to him, but I feel safe and wanted. Luke takes hold of one of my hands and laces our fingers.
“Like I have for as long as I can remember, Kenzie, I’ll hold your hand whenever you’re scared, and I know you’re scared right now, but we’ll get through this. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
I don’t know how long we sit like this, but I notice Luke has fallen asleep. “Luke, wake up. You should probably get home.” As my legs lay in between his, I lift myself up from his chest.
Glancing down, I notice that one of my hands is still entwined with his, and the other is holding his shirt. “I’ll wash this for you.”
He’s staring at me intently before he leans over and presses his lips to mine. They stay there for a few seco
nds, and my heart is pounding. Has he been thinking about me since I kissed him in the bathroom yesterday?
“Kenzie, please don’t ever blame yourself for this. Your dad is a mean man, and it’s for the best that he’s gone. If you need me while Liv is sick, tell me. I have more shirts I can loan you.” He gives me his cute smile again.
“Thanks, Luke.” I like him and want him to kiss me again, but I think Liv would hate me if he did.
***
“Kenzie, it’s your turn to come back to earth,” Luke says, running his hand down my hair.
“I have something to show you.” Going to my dresser, I open the bottom drawer and sift through it until I find the t-shirt. I hand it to Luke before he opens it up and holds it out away from him.
“No way. Is this the shirt I was wearing that night?”
“Yeah. Sorry I never gave it back. I have a confession to make.” He appears lost in thought as he stares at the shirt. My words finally click with him, and he looks up at me.
“What is it?” he asks, smiling.
“I slept in it until ... until a year and a half ago. I stopped that day we sat in your car in the rain.” I feel my face warming, so I glance away.
Reaching out, he grabs my wrist before yanking me down on top of him. His tongue plunges into my mouth, and he kisses me passionately as my fingers delve into his hair. Like every time we’re against each other, I feel as if I can’t get close enough.
“You were already mine then, Kenz. I should’ve made it official that day in my car. I’ll always regret it.”
Luke
I wouldn’t be surprised if my heart exploded. I have it so bad for McKenzie Baker.
“I wish you’d kept wearing my shirt. I like knowing you did all that time.”
She props her forearms up onto my chest, so I can see her face. “We were fourteen when you gave it to me. I wore it a long time, but since we were older, it felt weird. I was also afraid Liv would show up one morning and find me in it.”
My hands shove into her hair, and I hold her head still. I need her to believe my words.
“I was afraid of messing up our friendship, Kenz. That and Liv are the only reasons I didn’t try to have more with you. I’ve always wanted you.”
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