Page 94 of Second First Kiss
“Really?”
Brynn gave a soft smile. “Really. I just know how much he cares for you, and I don’t want to see him hurt again.”
“If anyone’s going to get hurt here, it’s going to be me,” Kat said honestly.
“Nolan would never hurt anyone,” Brynn assured her.
“And Kat would never hurt him,” Milly jumped in to defend Kat, which warmed Kat’s heart. She’d never had many people rush to defend her. But when it came to Milly and Gemma, they were the Three Musketeers, all for one and one for all.
In Kat’s life words mattered, but so many people threw them around when they weren’t true. Nolan was more of an action guy, and his actions showed her that he cared for her.
Her phone rang and she pulled it out of her purse. “It’s Tessa.” Her alarm bells went off. “She’s supposed to be at cheer practice.” She answered. “Hey, sis.”
“Thanks for calling,” Tessa said, a weird undertone to her voice. “What do you want?”
“You just called me.”
“Oh no, I’m just hanging out here with R. J.”
Kat went into protector mode. Something was up and she immediately fished her keys out of her pocket. “Are you okay?”
“No. No, not at all. In fact, the turtle got out this morning.”
Kat’s heart dropped. Those were the code words she’d given Tessa when she’d been younger to use in an emergency.
“Where are you?” Kat asked.
“At home.”
She covered the phone and looked at Brynn. “Call Nolan and tell him Tess is in trouble. She’s at home and R. J. is there.” Then back to Tessa, “Put the phone in your pocket and leave it on. I’ll be with you the whole time.”
Kat parked her car three houses down the street, wanting to be as incognito as possible. She needed access to the backyard to be in striking range before R. J. had a chance to make a move.
She raced up the street, sure to stay on the front lawns so as not to make a sound. By the time she made it to her house she was soaked with sweat—partly from exertion but mostly from fear. Fear was a powerful motivator.
So many what ifs spun through her mind like the tilt-a-whirl at the state fair. Like what if she’d been firmer with Tessa about R. J., would they be in this situation? What if he hurt her? What if he was there to get back at Kat by using Tessa? What if she said no and he got rough with her?
On the way, she’d strained her ears to listen to their convo through the phone, but a lot of it was muffled by Tessa’s pocket. She’d pick up words here and there. From what Kat could piece together, Tessa had forgotten her cheer shoes and come home to get them, surprising R. J., who was sneaking around in the yard.
Had he been the one in the shed? And why?
“Why don’t I give you a ride to practice and then after I’ll pick you up and we can go to dinner. Pizza or maybe the Brown Bear Diner?”
“That sounds nice, but I am not really feeling all that well. I don’t think I’m going to go back to practice after all,” Tessa said, her voice shaking, and Kat prayed for her to hold it together. Just until she could come up with a plan.
Kat peeked her head around the corner of the house.
Shit. Tessa had her arms wrapped around her stomach like it was all that was holding her together. And R. J. was just a few feet away. Close enough to grab her if things got sketchy. So while Kat wanted to get her sister, it was better to stay hidden until things changed.
“Then why don’t you let me tuck you in.”
“No!” Tessa said, taking a step back.
“What’s up with you?” R. J. said, sounding suspicious.
“I told you. I don’t feel well.”
He took another step forward and Tessa jumped back, confirming R. J.’s suspicion. He grabbed Tessa’s arm. “Looks like you’ve been talking to your bitch sister. I heard she’s been asking about me around town. You believe her, baby?”
