Keith’s strong hand on my back keeps me from falling over.
A sense of relief hits me as I squeeze Mere. Knowing she’s safe eases some of my anxiety.
“Oh my God, Clem. I’m so sorry. I was so scared.” She buries her face in my neck and sniffles.
“I’m fine.” I pry her away and wipe her tears. “I’m okay. Nothing happened to me.”
Keith’s grip on my waist tightens and for a moment. This feels weirdly good. Him, me, and Mere.
Stop it, Clem. You silly girl.
Keith sees me as nothing but a friend of his daughter and that thought suddenly saddens me and hot tears fill my eyes.
“Oh, Clem.” Mere hugs me again and this time I hug her back with the same intensity.
She finally goes into Keith’s arms. He runs his hands over her head, face, and shoulders, as if checking she’s fine. Her chin trembles and Keith crushes her to his chest, releasing a deep sigh of relief. I can’t look away from the pained expression etched on his face.
His eyes pop open and meet mine. When I don’t look away, he blinks twice before turning his head in the other direction.
Something shifted between us last night, but I know even though he feels the same, he’ll never acknowledge it.
Carter lightly taps Merida’s shoulder. “Adams family, will the reunion continue outside or will you all step in?”
I like his lighthearted attitude.
I also don’t correct him that I’m not an Adams.
After Carter left, Keith ordered breakfast from the diner on the Kings Security campus.
I’m biting the blueberry pancake when his phone rings. He gives me a strange look before picking up the call.
“Hello, Oscar.”
I freeze hearing my brother’s name. He might have tried to call me. I remember the last time I saw my phone it was buried under the couch cushion. I shiver at the memory of it.
Whatever Oscar said isn’t to Keith’s liking, as I watch his lips flattening and face contorting in suppressed anger.
“Calm down. Your sister is here and safe.” Keith shakes his head before handing me his phone.
“Where are you? Why the fuck are you not picking up?” my brother growls before I can even say hello.
“Ozzie—”
“Don’t you Ozzie me, Clementine. Mom is blowing her top and everyone is blaming me. How can you go AWOL on me?”
My lips quiver hearing my brother’s upset voice.
I’m about to leave the table when Keith pulls the phone from my hand.
“Your sister had a tough day. If you can’t be considerate, then give her some fucking space.” He rehashes the incidences of the previous night to my brother before placing the phone back in my hand and storming out of the apartment.
“Jesus, Clem. Kidnapped? What the hell happened?” I don’t know if Oscar is upset, angry, or concerned.
“There was a misunderstanding,” I say hesitantly.
“You were kidnapped over a misunderstanding?” Oscar snaps. “Fuck, Clem, what did you do? Mom will go crazy when she hears about this.”
“Oscar, I really can’t talk right now. Can I please call you later?” My throat burns. He isn’t worried about me, but Mom’s reaction.