Walk with Me (BookStrand Publishing Mainstream) (8 page)

“That was taken at the NCAA title game against Louisville in 1980,” my uncle says in his usual humble lilt. I enjoyed going to the games with Uncle William and at one time I even knew all the names of the players, but I could never talk stats with him.

Donovan puts the picture down and walks over to the table with keen interest in my uncle’s wealth of sports knowledge. “Last I heard he was fired from the Bobcats. That they fired the whole coaching team.” Donovan sits down and fills his plate with food.

My uncle finishes a bite of chow mein and wipes his mouth. “I think there’s some talk that he might be joining the SMU Mustangs.” The rest of the lunch centers on sports talk, and I enjoy watching the casual banter between my uncle and Donovan.

After we all fill ourselves with chow mein and broccoli beef, I clear the plates while my uncle sits on his bed and Donovan settles on the couch. “Where’s your peroxide, Uncle William, so I can clean the blood from your shirt?”

He points to the hall leading to the bathroom. “It should be in the cabinet outside the bathroom. If you get most of the blood out the cleaners can do the rest.”

I get to work scrubbing the shirt. “I got most of it out.” I walk over to the couch. “I hung it in your shower to dry.”

My uncle smiles at me. “Thanks, hon. How’s the car running? The transmission giving you any more trouble?”

I sit down next to Donovan but we don’t touch or hold hands, which is almost painful. I’ve been driving my uncle’s car since his caretaker now takes him to dialysis and to run errands during the week.

“Yes. It sticks more often now. I think it may be time for me to buy myself a car. I’ve been squirreling away almost every penny I make.”

Donovan chimes in. “My cousin runs a car dealership in Santa Monica. We can go down this Sunday to take a look at what he’s got if you want. I’m sure he can get you a good deal, if there’s something you like.”

“That would be great,” I say to Donovan, but I’m also surprised and leery at his offer. The most Cruz ever did for me was bring me a helmet to wear. “When does he work? I can go either before or after work on Sunday.”

“I’ll call him and find out, and then let you know.”

“Why don’t you do that then, Matilda? Go see what Donovan’s cousin has in stock and get a price.”

“Yay, I’m getting a new car,” I say frivolously, letting my shield slip.

I stiffen next to Donovan, concerned I may be revealing too much of myself, but he smiles at my childish display and places his open hand on my lower back and rubs supportively. I turn, facing him, and plant a quick kiss on his cheek. I catch him looking at his watch and remember we need to leave so he can be to work on time. “Sorry, Uncle William, we have to go. Donovan has to be at work by four thirty.” Popping off the couch, I walk over to my uncle and carefully hug his frail frame.

Uncle William returns the hug and whispers in my ear. “I got an interesting call from your mom earlier this week. I’ll talk to you about it next time.” I blanch at his comment, saying nothing in return. Things have been going so well with my new life, and my uncle’s place has always been the neutral zone. I don’t want them ruining it. What could she possibly want after all this time? You’d think she’d get the message by now.

My uncle turns to Donovan. “What kind of job do you have that starts at four thirty?”

“I’m a cop for Santa Monica.”

My uncle’s eyes go wide and his eyebrows shoot up. “Really, you’re a cop? You look more like the banker or lawyer type. Well, be safe out there. It’s good to know Kenna has such nice friends in her life. Maybe I’ll see you again soon…” My uncle’s eyes shift to me, searching for clues, as he reaches out to shake Donovan’s hand good-bye.

So far we like hanging out together and Donovan somehow knows just how much I can handle. If things continue like they are, my uncle will see him again.

“Good-bye, sir.” Donovan shakes my uncle’s hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you, too. And if all goes well, you’ll probably see me this Sunday when we drop off your car.” We leave with our short visit on a good note.

We hold hands the entire drive home. I craved his physical touch during our lunch and I almost jumped out of my skin with pleasure when he brushed my back with his hand. But I may have to just settle for hand-holding and a good-bye kiss for now.

Sure enough, when we arrive back to my place Donovan doesn’t get out of the car. He gives me a quick, passion-filled kiss, followed by soft little pecks. “Thanks for taking me to meet your uncle. He’s a really cool guy.”

“I know. He has been a big part of my family and partly raised me when my mom was working or when she was busy on the weekends,” I add between our good-bye pecks.

Donovan drops my hand and smiles. “Okay, now get out of my car so I can go catch some bad guys,” he jokes. “I’ll call you with my cousin’s schedule for Sunday.”

I chuckle at his comment. “You’re funny. I like you.”

I reach down for my bag and lean to open the door as Donovan grabs my arm and pulls me to him for an unexpected kiss. When he releases me, I’m dazed and a little muddled from the whirlwind kiss. “I like you, too.” He scans my face and smirks at my reaction.

I blink, clearing my head. “Bye,” I say with more self-control and exit the car. I stand on the sidewalk, steadying myself as he drives off.

“Tell me again why Donovan is buying you a car?” Danielle questions me while applying a thick coat of mascara to her long lashes, making them look like delicate paintbrushes fanning against her sultry, violet-shaded lids. The purple color highlights the blue in her eyes, adding to their
I’m taking no prisoners tonight
look.

We’re both trying to get ready at the same time in the little one-sink bathroom we share for tonight’s big police awards banquet at the Miramar. Donovan called me the day after our lunch with my uncle and asked me to accompany him to this formal event.

“He’s not
buying
me a car.” I stand behind Danielle’s blonde head, trying to get a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I’m blow-drying small sections of my hair straight on the left side of my head. “Donovan is just
helping
me buy one.”

My uncle’s car served its purpose, but owning my own would make me feel more independent.

“Oh, that makes more sense,” she says. “I thought either he was a real idiot for buying some girl he just met a car or he was really desperate to get into your pants.”

“God, Danielle, that’s rude.” I slap her arm, but she just laughs.

“Careful or you’ll ruin my masterpiece here.” Danielle moves to her lips, lining the rim with a pale pink color. “I thought you were going to ask my dad to help you with the car thing anyway?”

“I was, but they’ve been so great about renting the room and all that I don’t like to ask more of them.”

Danielle shoots me a disappointed look through the mirror. “I wish you wouldn’t feel that way about my parents. They wouldn’t open their home to you if they didn’t want to help you. As a matter of fact I think it’s good for my mom to have you here. I think it makes her feel like she’s setting things right in her world.”

“Thanks, Danielle. I’m lucky to have you and your parents.” The way Sunny stood up to my mom the day after I escaped from her controlling grasp and Richard’s brutal hand confirmed she had my back, which isn’t easy for a sweet, passive woman like Sunny. My mom’s plan to manipulate Sunny into throwing me out and leaving me homeless backfired, thankfully.
God forbid my mom let me leave her and the hell she allowed Richard to master and create a peaceful life for myself.

“You guys have been seeing a lot of each other, haven’t you? I mean he must be really into you. I hardly ever see you anymore.”

I shrug my shoulders, now working on the right side of my hair. “I don’t know what’s going on with us. I like him. He’s funny and we have a good time together. I think he kind of gets me.”

Danielle pulls a lip stain from her makeup bag, filling out her lips. “You know he goes to choir practice with the guys at work on some Tuesdays?”

“Our first date was on a Tuesday and he never mentioned anything about singing in a choir.”

Danielle laughs at some inside joke. “No. Choir practice is what they call it when they all go out to a local bar after shift and hang out drinking. They usually go after morning or night shift so they choose bars that are open all day or ones that open early in the morning. That’s where a lot of the patrol bunnies hang out looking to hook up.”

I don’t like the image this information is burning into my mind. I can picture Donovan in all his gorgeousness kicking back with his bros and a skank sitting on his lap feeling him up and whispering dirty little things in his ear.

“Yeah, well we aren’t exclusive and we haven’t even talked about plans for this Tuesday. So he and I are both free to see other people.” I play like I don’t care because I don’t want Danielle or Donovan thinking I’m jealous or clingy, but the thought of Donovan kissing some skank and then kissing me like he does almost makes me gag.

“Are you going home with Tyler tonight?”

“No, he booked us a suite at the Miramar for the night, but I may stay tomorrow night, too, so I probably won’t see you for a couple days.”

I raise my eyebrows to the ceiling. “Nice. A suite, huh?”

“Yeah, my big spender,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows at me in the mirror. “But part of that is an insurance policy on his job, too. He wants to have a couple drinks tonight and doesn’t dare drink and drive. That could be a career ender right there.”

“Yeah, I got that impression from Donovan, too. I’ll text you with what happens with the cars this Sunday, though.”

I step back and admire my handiwork, regrouping with a couple breaths. I don’t have a claim on Donovan, so I need to chill out and take things one day at a time. I turn side to side, following the bathroom light reflecting off my slicked straight mane. My makeup is simple—black eyeliner and mascara, accentuating my dark eyes, and a slash of red gloss on my lips to match my dress. I can’t believe my eyes. I don’t recognize the vision reflecting back at me. Tonight I don’t look like the poor, struggling student that I am, lost alone in the world, but a young woman with prospects and options in life.

I spent a couple hours after work yesterday searching through gently used formal dresses at a resale boutique in Venice. My final selection was an off-the-shoulder deep-red gown, fitted at the bodice and waist, falling straight to my midcalf, something the elegant and sophisticated Lucy Hale would wear to a red carpet event. I also scored a pair of nude-color heels from Payright Shoes. I’m so proud of my finds—an entire outfit for less than twenty-five bucks. It’s amazing what you can find for very little money, if you’re willing to do some hand washing and spot cleaning.

I’m in my room, putting together my borrowed handbag, when I hear the front doorbell ring. My eyes dart to the clock. Six on the dot, must be Donovan. I can hear his velvet voice talking to Sunny, so deep, strong, and confident. The familiar sound reverberates in my chest and squeezes my lungs, making breathing difficult.

I enter the living room and Donovan turns around from his seat. Our eyes meet and he flashes me his all-American smile with side dimple. He stands and greets me as I step into the room. He takes my hands and brings one to his lips for a tender kiss, permanently fixing the silly grin to my face. “Hi,” he says, standing back to admire my dress. “You look stunning.” His words are more veneration than compliment.

“Thank you,” I whisper back. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” I cock my head to the side. Donovan is wearing your typical tux with black tie and cummerbund, but the dark color against his tan skin and dark hair brings to mind Robbie Amell.

My stomach flutters with excitement. The more I’m with Donovan and his world, the more I’m starting to believe fairy tales can be real, because right now I feel like Cinderella, readying herself for the ball. But broken girls like me don’t deserve a Prince Charming, if such a thing exists. Do they?

“Are you ready to go?”

“Hold on a sec, guys. I want to get a picture of you two before you leave,” Sunny speaks up, reminding me we aren’t alone in the room. While she’s digging through her purse for her phone, Danielle walks into the living room, a vision of grandness and beauty. Her sapphire-blue dress and short blonde hair make her resemble Princess Diana.

After a few poses and shots with everyone’s camera phone, Donovan and I leave Danielle alone to wait for Tyler. In the car, Donovan reaches over, taking my hand in his, and squeezes gently. We sit in silence with his thumb stroking my knuckles, discharging an electric current up my arm and directly to my chest, giving little jolts to my heart. The female voice on the car stereo is singing a song about the ambition of love. A woman going after the man she wants. It reminds me of the quote by Nora Roberts. “If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.”
I play the last words over in my mind. They resonate within me, forcing me to look at parallels in my own life.

At a stoplight Donovan brings me out of my own head. “I’ve missed you. Two days seems like a long time not to see you.” He leans over to give me a gentle kiss that blooms into more, matching his words.

My breath hitches and I exhale back, “I’ve missed you, too.” Being with him is so easy and right.