He almost snarls. “I only wantyou. Stubborn, hard-headed female. Don’t think I know why you asked me to go for a walk.”
I bite my cheek. He might be right. None of the others would have. But I only feel a little guilty. This is important.
I bang against the door harder than I might have otherwise. My bravery fades as I stare up at the fancy doorway.
Brett’s doorway. Or it was, once.
But now it’s his sister who opens it. Her eyes widen, and I brace. “Hey, Nia.”
“Kennedy?” she breathes. Her lips move up, into a smile.
She nearly knocks the wind out of me with the force of her embrace. My throat tightens. “I’m so glad you’re okay. After what happened—,”
“Not your fault.” I clear my throat. “Not even a little bit. I don’t have long, but… is your mom home?”
She blinks. Her eyes tighten a bit. “Yeah, she’s here. You mind waiting out here? She’s being a little funny about scents in the house at the minute. You get it.”
Yeah, I do. “No problem.”
“Kenny,” Max hisses my name as Nia vanishes.
I turn to him, folding my arms. “Wait for me on the path? Please?”
He sighs. “I’ll be right by there. You need me, you call.”
Maybe I feel more than a little guilty. But I swallow it as May Rivers steps into the doorway. Her eyes widen, and I wonder if Nia told her it was me. “Hi, Mrs. Rivers.”
The last time I saw her, she spat at me in the street.
This time, her eyes seem a little clearer. Her face tightens, but she nods. “Hello, Kennedy. Are you… feeling better?”
I shift. “Yes. Thank you.”
“How can I help you?” Her voice is cool. “Is… is Theo with you?”
I shake my head. “No. Sorry. This is… it’s about Theo.”
She gives me her full focus. “Did something happen?”
I swallow down the fear. Straighten. “Yes, actually. He gave up his college fund to pay for my care while I was in the Center. And… I was wondering if you would consider giving him Brett’s.”
A myriad of emotions flashes across her face. She settles on shock. “I beg your pardon?”
“Brett was the reason I was in there.” I hold her gaze. “And Theo was trying to make it right. But he shouldn’t have to lose out on my account. I couldn’t stop him using it, because I didn’t know.”
“And you think I should give himBrett’smoney.” Her voice chills to somewhere below freezing. “Because he’s not here to use it.”
I keep my chin high. I have nothing to be ashamed of. “Yes. At least… think about it. Please. For him, not for me. I wouldn’t touch a cent of it.”
She watches me for a moment longer.
And then she slams the door in my face.
Max is at my side before I finish turning. “Theo will lose his shit.”
“Theo doesn’t need to know. Not about this.” Because I know his mother won’t tell him. And I doubt Nia would, either. “I was trying to help, Max.”
He sighs. Presses his lips to my head. “I know. C’mon. Let’s go home.”
