Maybe they’d stolen his bike while he and the others were busy loading Dr. Stratford into Kinley’s trunk.
He’d been turning over the possibilities in his mind ever since. They’d sunk in, deep, and probed harder and harder until every thought hurt, deep in his brain.
His aunt put his hand over her heart. “Oh, you poor dear. Did you tell anyone?”
Mattie shook his head. “It was embarrassing.”
“Should I call the police?” his aunt asked. She pulled her cell phone from her pocket. “The police chief adores me, you know. I donated a large amount of money at a fund-raiser last year.”
“No!” It burst out of Mattie. “Please, I don’t want the attention. Please.”
She raised her hands. “Okay, okay. Then you’re taking the car. I know you walked to class today. Your parents would never forgive me if something happened to you in my care.”
Mattie looked down at the key in his hand.
It was too late for all of that.
“Take it out for a spin,” his aunt urged, patting the hood like the car was a giant animal. “See what she can do.”
Mattie nodded. At least it would get him away from her horrible, well-meaning questions. “Yeah.”
He forced himself to hug her. And he found that once he was wrapped in her arms—someone really and truly grown-up, someone who loved him—he didn’t want to let her go.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
When she released him, her eyes were shiny with tears. “I know you appreciate it, Mattie. Now go have fun, okay?” She grinned at him and dabbed at her eyes.
Mattie climbed into the car. But before he had even started it, his phone vibrated.
Derrick had posted a photo.
He clicked on it.
It was Derrick, dancing with another guy. Derrick, in the shirt Mattie had given him for his birthday. Derrick, who was clearly forgetting all about Mattie.
#Danceitup #Lovemylife
Mattie put his phone into the cup holder and circled out of the driveway.
He waved at his aunt, and the gate at the edge of the property opened slowly in front of him.
Mattie turned out onto the road.
And he wondered what it would be like to never, ever come back.
Kinley
Tuesday, June 16
“The door is locked, right?”
Tyler was lying on the bed, right next to Kinley. One of his hands was playing with her hair, and the other was draped across her.
“It’s locked,” she promised. “Besides, my parents are at a fund-raiser. They have no idea you’re here, okay?”
She’d made sure of that. She’d actually pretended to be a little sick earlier. Not that it was even necessary. It’s not like Kinley ever had anywhere to go. Any friends. Though her father had looked at her a little oddly the few days since the Tyler incident.
“I think your dad might actually try to kill me if he sees me again. I used up one of my nine lives just trying to get away from him.”
Kinley giggled and snuggled closer to him. “So you’re a cat?”
Tyler meowed, and she laughed harder. She needed him. As long as he was here, she could be okay. She could go without thinking, without being. Everything would be fine.
Just fine.
And when she started thinking about that, thinking about Tyler was the only thing that could turn her mind off.
She knew this was all too fast. But she didn’t want to stop. She didn’t want to give it up.
“You’re fun,” he said into her ear. “I like you.”
She turned on her side, so she was close to him. And her lips were close to his. “I like you too,” she said. “And I don’t say that to many people.”
“Please. You love everyone. I bet you tell them, too. Your barista. Your mailman. The neighbors.”
Kinley pretended to gag. “Please. I basically don’t like anyone. You’re a rare case.”
Tyler raised an eyebrow. “Would you say I’m special?”
“Maybe?” Kinley said. “Would you say I am?”
“Maybe.” Tyler studied her. “You’re definitely pretty and smart, which is a lethal combination. And you’re a very good kisser.”
Kinley wanted to bury her face in her pillow, but she forced herself to look into his eyes. “I don’t know. I think I could use more practice.” Her eyes strayed to his lips.
“Oh?” he asked. “Need practice, do you?”
“It’s very serious,” Kinley said. She touched his mouth with her fingertips. “We have hard work to do.”
“Are you trying to get me to kiss you?” Tyler asked. His eyes studied her face, and her mouth hinted at a smile.
Kinley squinted at him. “Is it working?”
He touched his lips to hers, slowly, softly. “How was that?”
She shrugged. “Try again.”
He laughed this time, really laughed, so loud that if someone had been in the house they would have heard him. “Practice makes perfect, right?”
“I like practice.”
He slid a hand behind her head, and he kissed her.
He kissed her right.