“Well, not all day. Remember, I have to go to California late this afternoon.”
The smile slides off his face. “Where you and Brooklyn are going to see how you feel?”
“Where we’re going to see his mom and then I’m going to convince him to get the hell out of Malibu. As for the how we feel part, I don’t know what will happen.”
“I don’t want you to go, Boots.”
“Aiden, I’m sorry. I know this has been rough for you. My spending time with Knox. Fake kissing Damian at midnight. I’m trying so hard to get my life back.”
“But at what price?”
“I wish I knew. Just promise me that whatever happens, you won’t hate me.”
“I could never hate you.”
“Depending on how it all ends, Aiden, you might,” I say, already envisioning my plan for tonight. If I’m going to have to be in Malibu anyway, I might as well use the trip to piss Vincent off some more.
Aiden shakes his head then kisses me. Kisses my lips. Kisses my neck. Kisses slowly down my body.
My body responds like it always does, but my head—well, my head just isn’t into it. My brain is on overdrive. Trying to figure out how to get Damian here safely. Deciding where Cooper and I are going to live. Wondering if I should go with my original plan of renting a yacht and a helicopter.
Aiden pushes his hand between my legs, spreading them apart to allow his mouth access.
Oh, wow.
Wait. What was I thinking about?
As his tongue—that godly tongue—works it’s magic on me, my brain ceases to function.
Okay, it’s functioning but it’s got just one train of thought.
Fuck me.
Make me forget everything.
Run away with me.
Marry me.
Have babies with me.
We can live in a shack on the beach.
I don’t care if I ever see my family or friends again.
Just please don’t stop.
Ever.
As I’m about to climax, my brain awakens harshly and a memory stops me from thoroughly enjoying myself.
I’m lying in bed with B. We’re in France. It’s the morning after our first time.
“I’ve been thinking about not going home. About living here. Or traveling the world.”
“You kinda need to finish school first, don't you think?” he says.
“I’ll do it like you did. Like, online or something. I don't want to go back home.”
“You can’t run away from your problems, Keats, because eventually they’ll come and find you.”
And I know without a doubt that he was right. My problems are coming to find me.
“We’re so good together,” he says, gazing into my eyes. “I’m not sure how I’m going to survive without you. Remember what I told you on the beach? How you have my heart?”
“I remember, Aiden. And I don’t know where I’ll be exactly, but I’ll text you, I promise. Whenever I can.”
“You better. It’s all that will keep me going. Are you sure you can’t come back to school?”
“I accidentally led someone to my loft. I’d die if I led Vincent to Eastbrooke. I don’t think he’d care who he hurt in the process of getting to me.”
“Do you have any idea how you’ve changed my life? What you mean to me?” He looks teary. “I’m going to miss you.”
“Aiden, I can’t do this.”
“Do what, baby?”
“This whole goodbye thing.”
“I’m sorry. I just want to make sure you know how I feel before you go.”
I jump out of bed. I can’t take this any more. It’s killing me.
Pretty shitty.
1pm
Cooper and I are getting ready to head to the airport when I get a call from Tommy.
“Keatyn!” he says frantically. “Where are you?”
“At the hotel, getting ready to leave for the airport.”
“You can’t go. Kiki was kidnapped. The dog sitter was hit on the head and knocked out. They took her to the hospital. There was a note in her backpack.”
“What did it say?”
“It said, My dearest, K. Lying. Flying. Plane goes down. Boom, splat, on the ground. Woof. Ruff. Dogs do say. Rounds two and three go my way.”
“Ohmigawd.”
“What? I don’t get it, do you?”
“I think he had something to do with my dad’s death, Tommy.”
“Are you serious?”
“Does Mom know? Did she ever suspect that? Was there ever any question?”
“Not that I’m aware of. I just remember hearing there had been some kind of mechanical failure. Holy shit. Do you think his obsession goes that far back?”
“Maybe it does. Maybe Vincent thought he was like Matt and didn’t support Mom’s dreams.”
“Your mom has never mentioned anything about your dad not being supportive.”
“His career was going well and he wanted mom to slow down. He thought she should quit for a while so I could have a normal childhood. I remember them fighting about it.”
“Wait, are you talking about Matt Moran?”
“No, Matt. Mom’s boyfriend in A Day at the Lake. He didn’t support Lacey’s dreams. That’s why Vince wanted to kill him.”
“This is from the movie?”