“Go inside. Lay low for a couple of days,” Dad said.
“What about work?”
“I’ll talk to your mother.”
I hesitated when I looked at him again, and then asked carefully, “Why are you protecting him?”
“I saw the way you looked at each other that day at the barbecue.” He cleared his throat, brushing aside his reasoning. “He better have been worth it.”
A fresh wave of emotion threatened to bubble over, but I quickly wiped at my eyes.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
He nodded once without a word before I climbed out of the car in complete disbelief. The disbelief rendered my emotions void long enough for me to make it up to the apartment without breaking down again.
Once the apartment door was closed behind me, I almost let the emotions slip again but heard muffled voices coming from Kira’s room. It sounded like an argument, one I shouldn’t listen to, but I drifted closer anyway. Until I was right outside her bedroom door, keeping my steps silent.
The door suddenly flung open, and I stepped back as Aiden barged out. He halted mid-step when he saw me, Kira’s duffle bag in his hand. He looked furious.
Glancing past him, I could see Kira sitting on the end of her bed, wiping fresh tears from her face. There were no fresh bruises — the one from a week ago was a deep yellowish-green on her cheekbone.
“What’s going on?” I asked slowly, taking a cautious step aside.
“None of your business,” Aiden hissed, turning to Kira. “Can you get up? We’re leaving.”
I bristled. “Don’t speak to her like that—”
His eyes narrowed on me. “I said it’s none of your business.”
“It is when your arguing can be heard throughout the apartment,” I said sharply.
Aiden’s face reddened with frustration, making the blue in his eyes pop with subtle rage. “Careful, Lily. You don’t have your boyfriend here to protect you anymore.”
I didn’t allow myself to flinch at the retort, instead drawing my attention to Kira as she joined Aiden’s side. Her hand found his and she squeezed it gently.
“Lily, it’s fine. I’m just a little emotional today,” she shrugged, forcing a smile through the tears. Her movements were far from nonchalant as her shoulders remained stiff.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
Aiden rolled his eyes impatiently. “Kira and I are going on that road trip. Is that okay with you?”
“And that’s what you both want?” I looked at Kira, trying to gauge anything from her expression.
Her smile didn't falter but was hiding something regardless. “It's just taken me a little longer to get on board with the idea—”
“Which is why we’re leaving now before you change your mind again.” Aiden didn’t hesitate to take Kira by the upper arm.
“Where are you going away to?” I faked a smile of earnest curiosity.
Aiden gritted his teeth. “Why do you have to know?”
“Because it’s a good idea to tell someone where you’re going in case you get into trouble,” I said. “My father taught me that just sending a location is good enough.”
Kira shifted on the spot before Aiden released her arm. “It’s a road trip north. We don’t have a set destination.”
“So, text me at every rest stop.” I directed that at Kira.
Aiden reluctantly agreed and steered Kira from the apartment after a rushed goodbye.
