Tear Down These Walls

by Carter, Sarah

  Standing up, Kellen sighs, “I have my suspicions on who broke into your apartment. The detective wants to talk to us about that.”

  “Okay,” Teagan exhales. Kellen steps up and pulls her back into his arms. She lays her head on his chest. “This sucks. I can’t afford to fix this crap.”

  “I will take care of it,” Kellen whispers. “Don’t worry.”

  Vigorously, Teagan shakes her head. “No, I will not be like Celine. I love you for you. I am not using you for your money. Save it for Kya.”

  “That’s why I don’t mind helping,” Kellen says. “You aren’t after me for my money.”

  “No, Kellen,” Teagan reiterates. “I will pay for it.”

  He gives her a look. “How?”

  After a few seconds, Teagan replies, “Magic?” Kellen laughs loudly. “I will put it on my credit card.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Kellen groans. “Why pay interest when I have the money to cover the damage?”

  “I don’t want your money,” Teagan whines. “Please, I don’t want to get into the habit. That isn’t right.”

  “Teagan, I have to pay out to Celine every month and hate it. Let me spend my money on something that’s important.”

  She looks up at him. “Spend it on Kya.”

  “I think she is spoiled enough,” Kellen chuckles. “Anymore and she will turn into a monster.”

  “I don’t think she is capable of that,” Teagan states humorously.

  Raising his eyebrows, Kellen says, “Take her through a toy store once. You will change your opinion on that.” Teagan giggles. “Just let me take care of you.”

  “I will pay you back,” Teagan sighs.

  “You can always work it off. That offer still stands,” Kellen retorts with a smile. “You can keep me company in my office,” he winks at her suggestively.

  “I will actually work,” Teagan declares. “No monkey business.”

  Kellen snaps his fingers. “I was hoping you could work it out in other ways.”

  “Keep dreaming,” Teagan snorts.

  “Oh I will!” Kellen exclaims. Teagan bursts out laughing and shakes her head “I will get your car in the shop today and get it fixed. You can drop me off at work and use my truck. All right?”

  With a heavy exhale, Teagan extends her fingers and counts off her list as she says, “I have school, then work, and study group tonight. You have class.”

  “I also have company vehicles,” Kellen laughs. “Just use the truck until your car is fixed.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He smiles kindly. “Of course.”

  “Thank you,” Teagan whispers, pulling him down for a kiss. When Teagan pulls away, she whispers, “You are a great distraction.”

  “I say we go upstairs and continue distracting each other,” Kellen exhales, pulling her hips against his.

  She giggles, “Stop it. The detective will be here in a little while.”

  “I will talk to him,” Kellen states. “Just tell him what you know, and then try to get to class on time.”

  “I thought I was taking you to work,” Teagan replies.

  Shrugging, Kellen says, “I will call someone from the office. I am the boss and all. They have to do what I say.”

  “Are you guarding anyone this week?” Teagan asks, shivering.

  “Yeah, Thursday and Friday,” Kellen answers as he rubs his hands up and down her arms to warm her up. “Kya is going to have to stay at my sister’s. I will be gone over night.”

  “If your sister will watch her while I’m at school on Friday, I can watch her Thursday and then pick her back up after school.”

  Kellen’s smile broadens. “I appreciate it, but you don’t have to.”

  “Wouldn’t she rather be at home?” Teagan asks.

  “Yes, but my sister can watch her. She takes her to the studio with her. She lets her paint on canvases.”

  “Now, that’s a painting I want to hang in my apartment,” Teagan giggles.

  Kellen laughs lightly and brushes his nose against hers. “And I love you for that.”

  “Also, my car is less likely to get damaged at your house,” Teagan sighs.

  Pulling away, Kellen looks at her through narrowed eyes. “Did you actually think I was going to let you stay here now?”

  “Let me?” Teagan scoffs.

  “Teagan, I’m sorry, but when it comes to your safety, I am going to be pretty damn particular,” Kellen states. “You may find it overbearing, but it’s the way I am. I want you safe. Normally, I wouldn’t be this way, but someone has it out for you, and I don’t know how far they are going to take it.”

  She puts her hands on his chest. “Kellen, I have an alarm, four Tasers, and two cans of pepper spray. No one will mess with me.”

  “Please,” Kellen says sternly. “Just come and stay with me. At least until we figure this out.”

  “Kya is going to get the wrong impression,” Teagan whispers.

  “No she won’t,” Kellen snaps. “Teagan, please, don’t fight me on this. I want you safe. I want you somewhere where I know nothing bad will happen to you.”

  Teagan sighs as she turns on her heels. “Okay, I will go pack a bag now.”

  “I will wait for the detective,” Kellen states. “Did you see anything or anyone when you came out here or anytime today?”

  “No, I never looked out my window. I would have told you if I had.”

  “I just need to make sure,” Kellen replies. “Go pack. I will wait here.”

  Teagan nods and turns to her apartment building. When she gets inside her apartment, the warmth washes over her, and she sighs, “All right, what do I all need?”

  Going into her bedroom, she takes out her luggage from under the bed. It doesn’t take her long to pack clothes and toiletries. By the time she is finished, Teagan has filled two bags. She leaves the apartment after setting the alarm.

  She finds Kellen outside, talking to a man in a white button-down shirt and black pants. Teagan carries the bags over and huffs as she sets them down. Kellen turns to her and laughs. “Did you pack enough?”

  “Yes,” Teagan giggles. “I’m a girl. I need a lot of stuff on a daily basis.”

  “Obviously,” Kellen snorts. “Anyway, Teagan, this is Detective Adams.”

  Detective Adams extends his hand. “It’s nice to meet you Miss Murphy.”

  “Who do you think could have done this, Detective?” She shivers and pulls her jacket closer to her again.

  “We were just talking about the suspect list,” Detective Adams says, flipping his notepad closed. “Everyone has an alibi for when your apartment got broken into.”

  “Who’s everyone?” Teagan asks.

  “Harry, Jarrod and Franco,” Kellen replies.

  Teagan steps back. “You think it was one of them?”

  “That was my suspicion,” Kellen says.

  “We checked. They all had alibis for the day that your apartment got broken into,” Detective Adams interjects. “There were no prints in your apartment. We suspect they wore gloves.”

  Teagan runs her fingers through her hair, unable to hide her frustration. “So, we have no clue who did this?”

  Tilting his head, Detective Adams says, “Well, we are going to look into everyone again. I was talking to Mr. Grayson here. He told me that you don’t have anyone else in your life that would want to do this?”

  “No!” Teagan exclaims “It’s not like I make enemies all the time! I don’t owe anyone money I don’t do drugs. The worst things my friends do are get drunk and act stupid. I have never committed a crime. I have no idea why someone would be out for me.”

  Detective Adams looks at his pad of paper. “You had no other altercations with anyone lately.”

  “No, except for his crazy wife,” Teagan snorts.

  Both Kellen and Detective Adams raise their eyebrows, and Detective Adams replies, “Your wife?”

  “We’re separated,” Kellen explains “We have been for two years.
She walked into my house uninvited the other morning. There was a heated conversation, but honestly, Celine isn’t smart enough to do this.”

  With a frown, Detective Adams flips open his notepad again and starts to jot down notes. “Her name is Celine Grayson?”

  “Yes,” Kellen says. “She lives at 694 Glacial Drive. It’s the Davidson Apartment Complex.”

  “Whoa,” Teagan exhales. “No wonder she needs all that money.”

  Whispering back, Kellen softly says, “She has very expensive taste.”

  Teagan steps closer to him and says, “One room there makes my apartment look like a closest.”

  “I know,” Kellen snorts under his breath in a short, white puff. “She won’t be living there much longer; I can guarantee that.”

  “I am going to look around and takes pictures of the car,” Detective Adams declares.

  Kellen nods and turns to Teagan. “Let’s put your bags in the truck. You need to get to class.”

  “Okay,” Teagan replies, picking up a suitcase.

  They carry the bags to the truck and put them in back. Kellen starts laughing. “You really are moving in.”

  “I need everything in those bags,” Teagan retorts with humor.

  He smiles down at her. “I will make room in the closet.”

  “You already have a lot of stuff in there,” Teagan teases. “It’s an awfully big wardrobe for a guy.”

  “I will take down all the fighting gear,” Kellen says. “That will open up room for you. Of course, I may have to empty half of my clothes, too. You did bring two suitcases.”

  “Ha ha, very funny,” Teagan draws out sarcastically.

  He leans over and kisses her gently on the lips. “Get going. I don’t want you missing class.”

  “I know,” Teagan says. “I should be back to your place around 9:30.”

  Taking his keys out of his pocket, Kellen holds up a gold key. “This is the key to the house. Consider it yours. I have another one at work. I want you to take me seriously on this…” He pauses and locks his eyes on Teagan. “You are allowed to come and go whenever you want. It’s your home now, too.”

  “Kellen,” Teagan softly whispers.

  “No, I am serious,” Kellen reiterates. “It is as much your home as mine and Kya’s.”

  “Honey,” Teagan laughs nervously. “That is my home, my apartment.”

  Kellen puts the keys in her hand and says, “Then our house is a home away from home. I want you comfortable with being there.” He looks down at her hand and chuckles.

  “What?”

  He laughs some more and then sighs, “I have to give you the code to the security system.”

  “Oh, well, if it’s a problem then don’t,” Teagan stammers.

  “No,” Kellen laughs. “It’s not that.” He pauses and then murmurs, “It’s your birthdate.”

  Shocked, Teagan gasps, “What!?”

  “Celine would never have guessed it,” Kellen states, giving her a huge smile. “It’s actually backwards, but yes, it’s your birthdate.”

  “Wow.” Teagan can’t find anything else to say but that.

  “Creeped out?” Kellen asks, grimacing.

  Teagan shakes her head and says, “No.” Now, she starts laughing. “Want to know the password to my computer?”

  “What is it?” He inquires. She turns a nice shade of red and opens her mouth. Quickly, she shakes her head and closes it. “Come on, you need to get to class. Spill the beans.”

  “I am going to die of mortification,” Teagan giggles. “BUT….the password is…Teagangrayson.”

  A glint forms in Kellen’s eyes. “I like the sounds of that.”

  “Oh shush,” Teagan laughs. “I have to go.”

  Bending over to her ear, Kellen pulls her against him. “You know,” he whispers. “We can always ditch our responsibilities and christen your apartment.”

  She turns her face to his and exhales a swirl of white. “There is also the back of your truck. I still have a half an hour.”

  “I thought there was some hot beverage calling your name,” Kellen murmurs.

  “I much rather be calling out your name,” Teagan emphasizes.

  With a growl, Kellen pulls her closer. Suddenly they hear, “Mr. Grayson, may I speak to you about your wife?”

  “Wow,” Teagan exclaims. “MOOD KILLER.”

  Kellen looks at Detective Adams, “I will be right there.” He smiles down at Teagan. “I will make you scream all sorts of things later tonight. Have a good day at school.”

  “Don’t get into trouble today,” Teagan teases. “I will see you later.”

  “Bye, Baby.” Kellen bends over and gives her a deep kiss.

  Letting go, Teagan says, “Bye.” She takes the keys and goes to the driver’s side of the truck.

  Later that night, Teagan pulls into Kellen’s driveway. There is a black SUV already in one spot. After parking, she yawns and shakes her head Grabbing her backpack and stuff, Teagan makes her way into the house. She is very quiet because she knows Kya is probably in bed. The alarm isn’t set, but most of the house is dark. Teagan furrows her eyebrows. “Kellen?” She barely calls out.

  There isn’t an answer, so she heads upstairs. The bedroom door is shut. She sees soft light from underneath it and it intrigues her. Teagan opens it and walks in. A face splitting grin passes over her face. There is a fire roaring in the fireplace and a hundred tea light candles are lit all over the room. Happily laughing, Teagan sets her bags down. “Kellen?”

  He appears out of the closet. “Hey,” he whispers, startled to see her.

  “What is all this?” She asks, smiling up at him

  Kellen walks over to Teagan and pulls her against him. “Well, I know you had a rough day, so I am going to pamper you tonight.”

  “I have to get my suitcases,” Teagan laughs. “But this is awesome.”

  “No, no, no suitcases,” Kellen replies. “I will get that. You are right on time, so your bath is still warm.”

  “What are talking about?” Teagan asks curiously.

  “Go into the bathroom, take off your clothes, and get into the bathtub,” Kellen says softly. “I am going to show you how much I love you tonight.”

  Not knowing what to say, Teagan shakes her head. “Okay. Is Kya asleep?”

  A mischievous grin crawls across Kellen’s face. “She better be, but my sister is a naughty aunt.”

  “She isn’t here?” Teagan squeaks. He gives her a very heated stare and mouths, no. She instantly grabs his pants and yanks on them “On that note, take these off.”

  “Later,” Kellen laughs. “Go…get in the bathtub. I will bring in your suitcases.”

  Bewildered, Teagan says, “Okay.” She takes off her jacket and lays it on the bed. Turning to him, she asks, “Are you sure you don’t want help?”

  “No,” he chuckles. “Take off your clothes, slide into the bathtub, and relax.”

  “Okay,” Teagan agrees with a grin. She starts to make her way into the bathroom, stripping off clothes as she goes. The only light in the bathroom comes by candlelight. “This is so sweet,” Teagan whispers to herself. She takes off the rest of her clothes and gets into the bathtub. The water is hot, and a moan escapes her lips.

  A few minutes later, Kellen appears in the doorway. “I am going to hang up your clothes.”

  “NO!” Teagan yells. Kellen raises his eyebrows. “I mean, leave it for me. You should come in here.”

  He saunters over and sits on the ledge of the tub. “No, you are supposed to be relaxing.”

  “It would be much more RELAXING with you in here with me,” Teagan murmurs.

  Kellen grins. “Oh, I bet.”

  “Come on,” Teagan says, moving over by him. “Come in here with me.” He shakes his head. She gets up on her knees. Steam rises from her skin. “I am naked and wet.”

  “I know,” Kellen teases. “You are supposed to be relaxing. There will be ravishing this evening, trust me.”

 
; With a happy sigh, Teagan slides back into the tub. Kellen reaches down and turns on the jets. Humming to herself, Teagan relaxes against the jets. She looks up at Kellen and smiles. “This is nice.”

  “I am glad,” Kellen replies, swirling a finger in the water. “So, how was your day?”

  “I now have a surprise test on Friday,” Teagan groans. “Work was boring and pointless. No one came in. The study group went well and will help with said test.”

  “Awesome.”

  Looking up at him, Teagan asks, “And you?”

  He exhales heavily and says, “I did paper work, A LOT of paper work. I will be doing the same thing tomorrow.”

  “Awwww,” Teagan replies. “Poor baby. You know what you need?”

  “What?”

  She gives him a seductive look and whispers, “You need to take a relaxing bath.”

  “You know what will happen if I get in there.”

  “Exactly!” Teagan exclaims. With a devious smile, she notes, “Remember the last time we were in a Jacuzzi together?”

  “I don’t think I will ever forget that,” Kellen states contently. “But this bath is for YOU.”

  In a sudden rush, Teagan splashes Kellen with a wave of water. He stands up in shock. “Oh…I am sorry. Geez, now you need to take your wet clothes off.”

  “You really aren’t you going to relent, are you?” Kellen asks. Teagan shakes her head and pulls her hair up off of her neck, securing it in an elastic band she grabs off of her pile of clothes. Rolling his eyes, Kellen pulls off his shirt.

  Gleefully, Teagan yells, “Yeah!” He continues to take off all his clothes. “My, oh my, I have a hot boyfriend.”

  “Well,” he starts, as he takes off his socks. “I have a gorgeous girlfriend, who is, as she noted, naked and wet in a bathtub, urging me to join her.”

  Teagan slides forward as Kellen gets in behind her. When he is ready, he pulls her back against him. She grabs his arms and wraps them around her. Teagan leans her head against him and whispers, “NOW, this is relaxing.”

  Kellen kisses the top of her head. “It really is.”

  They sit there for a little while, just enjoying each other. Finally, Teagan says, “Tell me something.”

  “Like what?”

  “Why did you get into your first fight? If you were such a mean scrapper.”