Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) (33 page)

I lean forward, my anger barely under control. I grit my teeth. “I should have killed the fucker when I had the chance.”

Jakes head turns from side to side as he checks to see if we have any sort of audience. “What you talking about, dude?”

“Nothing,” I sigh. “Forget I even said anything.”

I watch as his face changes, his expression now to one of realization.

“Man, tell me it wasn’t you…”

I look him dead in the eye, shaking my head.

“It was you.” He steps back, one hand pointing at me as the other rakes through his short brown hair. “Man, this is so fucked up.”

I look at him, knowing he knows, knowing he realizes what I did. “You can’t say a fucking word to anyone, Jake. Promise me!”

“I can’t even…” his words trail off as he turns, throwing his hand in the air and walking into class.

He stops just short of where Dennis is crunched down on the floor. “Dennis, dude, you really need to get your fucking shit together.” He looks over his shoulder at me, shooting me a disapproving look before heading into the classroom. I walk toward the door, grabbing my backpack from the floor.

“Truth hurts,” Dennis splutters, but I ignore him, reaching to open the door. “Well it will when the truth finally comes out about that little slapper of yours.”

I feel the pulse in my neck speed up, but I grit my teeth and walk into the classroom. Thoughts of what Dennis said play over and over in my mind. I shake my head, trying to clear my mind of Dennis’ poisonous words in attempt to convince myself that he’s just trying to cause trouble.

Kennedy

I sit beside her bed, clutching on to her hand as I glance around the room, taking in the surroundings. I feel like I’ve been talking nonsense for the last thirty minutes, but I will sit here talking all day if it helps my friend out of this damn coma.

“I really wish you could talk back.” I lean into her, my voice hushed, not really wanting anyone else to hear my ramblings. “It’s not the same without you,” I whisper, squeezing her hand lightly. “I never thought I’d say this, but damn girl, I need your advice. You know, like a proper girly chat. Hard to believe, huh? Well you better believe it. I feel like I’ve lost my right hand women, so you better just snap outta this.” I chuckle nervously, desperately trying to hide my emotions.

I look to the side of the bed. Abbey is still hooked up to all sorts of machines. I haven’t got a clue what half of them are for. I bring her hand to my mouth, kissing the back gently as I sit waiting for Ash to arrive. I watch as her chest rises and falls, the rhythm hypnotic.

I hear the creak of the door opening, and I snap my eyes away from my best friend and focus on who is entering. Ash pops his spikey black hair around the door. His face has a smile which is ear to ear. His ring covered hands move to his mouth as he gasps with excitement, looking between me and Abbey…

“I can’t believe she’s finally here. She’s finally home,” he chirps. He walks over to the other side of the bed, leaning over the rail to plant a lingering kiss on the top of her head.

“Well, girl, you look damn better than the last time I saw you. The cuts and bruises have healed,” he says dramatically. Ash looks over to me, smiling sympathetically. “Dammit, I need you to wake up, Abbey. All this Kennedy drama is sending me into a spin.” He lets out a huff of laughter. His eyes meet mine once more, his eyebrows raising, and I know he’s going to bring up the whole “Cole hitting Dennis again thing”.

“So, have you had a chance to speak with him anymore about what happened?”

“Nothing more to discuss,” I croak.

He narrows his eyes at me. “Girl, has he not told you?”

“Told me what?” I ask.

“About what Dennis said?”

“Well Cole didn’t go into any specifics. He said he was being is usual asshole self, shooting his mouth off.”

Ash holds his hands up. “Listen, I’m not trying to worry you, but I’m pretty sure Dennis nearly blew the whistle on you and Pete,” he blurts out nervously.

“Wwwhaatt do you mean?” I stutter, feeling the panic rising from the pit of my stomach and taking hold of me. “You know me and Pete never actually did anything, don’t you?” I ask defensively.

“But he kissed you, and you kinda kissed him back, Kennedy. I don’t think Cole will think that’s nothing.”

I press my lips together, nodding in agreement.

“Just imagine if the boot was on the other foot, Kennedy. You’d not be happy about Cole getting all close and touchy feely with some other chick.”

I swallow down hard, knowing that it would devastate me if Cole ever did something like that.

“I know I should probably talk to him, try and explain what’s happened between us, but I feel like we’ve only just got in a happy place. I want to come clean, but this will tear us apart, not to mention ruin his relationship with Pete. That’s the last thing I want.”

“But chances are he’ll find out soon enough. Especially with Dennis running his mouth off like he is. Is it not best to get it all out in the open? You never know, he might not react as badly as you think he will.”

I glare at him. The both of us know exactly how he’ll take it.

He shrugs, “You never know.”

I look down at Abbey. “See, this is why I need you to wake up. I know that you’d know exactly what I should do.” I sigh, leaning against her, wishing she could be the one to help me.

The week at school passes by pretty quickly and I’m really making progress with my school work. I have been staying late to catch up when Cole has practice, making use of the time. I’m glad it’s finally the weekend. I’ve arranged to see Hope again. We have an outing to the local park planned. I know that’s nothing special to most people, but to me this means more than anyone can ever understand.

I never went to the park. I never played on swings.

I had my childhood stolen from me, so even the smallest of outings makes me feel like I’m ensuring Hope’s childhood will never be like mine.

I rush upstairs to change out of these clothes and into something more comfortable. Not that I’m sure any of my clothes are actually comfortable any more. My baby bump seems to get a little bigger each day. I rifle through the few things in my closest, before I chose a free flowing summer dress and a loose fitting cardigan.

I stare at myself in the mirror, focusing on the bump, knowing it is more noticeable than ever. I touch my stomach, taking in a deep breath, trying to remind myself I can do this. I slowly walk down the stairs deep in thought. I freeze about half way down, the sound of Cole’s irate voice stopping me in my tracks. I slide down, perching on the step, intrigued by the heated conversation taking place downstairs.

“I don’t know why you’re making a big deal out of this, Jake,” Cole snips.

“Jesus, Cole, you ran that bastard over! I don’t care what you say, you know you could be in some serious fucking shit for that.”

I gasp in surprise, my hand covering my mouth at Jake’s words.

“Shh, keep your voice down.”

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me right now! You’re seriously telling me she doesn’t know!”

“I never got the chance, Jake. This shit has fucked up my mind. The guilt of what I did and the consequences if caught have tormented me. I was going to come clean, but then she was snatched, remember?”

“I’m just worried about you, bro. You can’t let your anger get the best of you like that. You need to calm the fuck down where Dennis is concerned.”

“He’s fucking tapped, man. It’s like his life’s mission is to wind me up.”

“Yeah, and you’re walking straight into his trap.”

“It’s the things he says, it fucks with my head. Especially when it comes to Kennedy.”

I sink deeper into the step knowing that, once again, this is all my fault. I get to my feet, thinking now might be a good time to make an entrance. I slowly walk down the rest of the stairs, making my way into the living room. I look over to the boys at the breakfast bar, a look of concern on Cole’s face.

“Hey, baby,” he calls to me nervously.

I look at him, quickly acknowledging him with a smile. Truth is, I have no idea how to approach this. Do I just come out with it and say I overheard their conversation, or do I wait a little while and speak to him when we’re alone?

I stand staring at him, my arms crossed over my chest, my feet glued to the spot. “Is it true? What I just heard you say to Jake?”

“Listen, baby,” he walks around the counter, his hands held out toward me. He takes small, cautious steps, walking slowly. “Give me a chance to explain.”

“Explain,” I yell, “Yeah, you try that, Cole. You try and explain to me how you managed to run Dennis over, then keep it a secret from me. Because I’d love to hear all about that.”

My hands shake as I take smalls steps backward until my legs hit the bottom step. I’m not sure what is making me angrier; the fact that he could actually do something like that, or the fact that he hadn’t told me.

“Uhh, guys, I’m gonna head out,” Jake mutters, heading straight for the door.

I fall back, sitting on the step, my eyes focusing on Cole. He moves closer to me, dropping down right in front of me. The creases in his forehead and the pained look in his eyes tells me this isn’t easy for him.

“Please, let me explain.” He reaches forward, trying to take a hold of my hand. I snap my hands away, my glare giving him a clear warning.

“Is this who you really are, Cole?”

“Of course not,” he states. “I mean, obviously I’m a bit of a hot head where you’re concerned, but believe me when I say, Kennedy, I’ve never done anything like this before. But hearing what that bastard did to you was like fuel to the fire. I admit,” he holds his hands up, “that I lost it. For that I feel terrible. The guilt of what I did fucked me up big time. I know it doesn’t make it right, but fuck, baby, he hurt you.”

“Why not tell me? Why not come clean?”

“I was going to. That’s exactly what I was intending to do. I was coming clean. But I was too late. You were taken, Kennedy.”

I close my eyes, my head dropping as my mind floods with confusion.

“I’m scared, Cole.”

“Of me?”

I nod. “What if you lose your temper with me?”

“No,” he growls. “I would never hurt you, Kennedy. Never.”

“Who else knows about this?”

“Jake. Only Jake.”

I lock eyes with him, shaking my head. “I can’t believe you would do something like that, Cole. Shit, you could be in so much trouble if the police ever find out.”

“Don’t you think I know that? That’s exactly why no one can ever find out about this.”

I look at him, confused how this beautiful and kind man could ever do something as terrible as running someone over. I rest my shaky hand on the step, pushing myself up to a standing position. “I can’t do this, Cole. I’m sorry.”

“What do you mean?” he asks, his voice full of panic and hesitation.

“I need to clear my head. I need some space,” I announce, before turning, trying to make my way up the stairs.

“Kennedy, please.” He grasps my wrist loosely, but I shake him off. I can’t even look at him. I pick up the pace, racing up the stairs, and into the bedroom. I close the door, resting against it as my heart hammers at a thunderous pace.

I try to calm myself, to steady my breathing but nothing helps and my breaths become sharp and short. I feel the anxiety rising. I open my eyes, noticing my backpack just at the side of the bed. I walk over, my hand clutched to my chest before dropping to my knees and rifling through my bag. I fish out my phone and dial Ash’s number. I listen impatiently as the phone just dials out.

“Shit,” I groan, as the line goes to voicemail. I hang up, staring blankly at the phone. I glance down at the phone again and begin dialing. The phone only rings twice before he answers.

“Kennedy? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“No,” my voice falters. “Can you come get me?”

“Yeah, sure. Anything. Where are you?” he asks in a panicked rush.

“I’m at the apartment. Will you meet me at the end of the street?”