Page 46 of Unstable

Unless you count the first time we met, which I don’t, because he was just a ten-year-old boy repeating what he’d heard his dad say. And he was kind of flirting even then.

I pull out a chair and join him at the table, leaning toward him on both elbows. And slowly, my small smile of appreciation grows wide, full of genuine admiration. As if I’m seeing the real him for the very first time, tons of memories I’d never recognized for what they were racing through my mind. One in particular sticking out, and perfectly applicable to right now—so of course I’m going to play on it.

“Tea taste alright?” I ask simply, my agenda hidden.

He swallows and grins. “Perfect.”

“You sure?” I drawl, a coy edge now sneaking out to lace my question.

One of his brows arches and he cocks his head. “I’m sure. Why? I was standing right here so I know you didn’t poison it.”

“I wouldn’t poison you.” I roll my eyes. “Too hands-off, where’s the fun in that?”

I laugh when his eyes widen. “I’m kidding. I was just wondering if it tasted as perfect as my award-winning pie? You know, the one you bought for fifty dollars at the fair, earning me the blue ribbon?” It takes heroic effort to keep a straight face.

His eyes briefly shift down and left, because he’s about to lie to me—which he does. “Yep, just as good. Your pie was delicious, and the look on your face when you won? Worth every penny, Henny.” He winks with clever pride.

“Keaton?”

“Yeah?”

“When I got home that day and started cleaning up my mess, you know what I discovered?”

He looks away again and his Adam’s apple bobs. “What’s that?”

“The big bag of sugar I used to make it…was salt.” I let it hang in the air, while my heart swells with a new, foreign fullness.

“Really?” He tries his best to feign shock, and I can’t contain it any longer, bursting out in laughter.

When I’ve gathered myself, I look at him and assess what he might be thinking since he’s stayed silent the whole time. What I find has my breath catching in my throat. His mouth is curled with a reverent tenderness, his eyes twinkling with pleased knowing. Knowing that I’m starting to realize.

“That pie was awful, but you never said a word. Refused to take away an ounce of my happiness or hurt my feelings.” My voice is calm, his gaze unmoving. “Like you’re doing now. I’m asking you, Keaton, to trust in my strength and tell me. What was Merrick doing?”

Resolve washes over his expression and he nods, telling me he does…trust in my strength. “He was cheating on you, Hen.”

“How?”

“Not important.” He’s shaking his head adamantly. “Details don’t matter, cheating is cheating.”

“Keaton, how?” Me and my morbid curiosity again.

“He was…all but having sex with Krista. I interrupted them just shy of it.” He talks fast then slams his hand on the table. “Dammit, Henley, you didn’t need to know that much. I’m sorry, I don’t know why I even answered you.”

“So,” I cover my face for a second to muffle my snort, “his dick was hanging out while you beat him up?”

“That’s your immediate thought?” He chuckles too. “Not the reaction I was expecting, but I’ll take it. And no, I let him get the limp little guy tucked back in before I threw the first punch. I’m not a sadist. And I damn sure didn’t want to take the chance of that thing touching me.”

I lose it again—laughing ‘til tears run down my face. I haven’t laughed this much in a long time, and it feels great.

I never loved Merrick, I know that now, and he obviously never loved me either. He made a fool of me, and I let him. Ignoring the nagging in my gut that never went away because…it was just easier. So hell yes I’m going to take a minute to enjoy the humor to be had in this story.

And Keaton? Needing no credit, glory, or leverage to win my favor—never took the easy road, he just took care of it. Had my back while my back was turned.

“I always suspected.” I wipe my eyes. “I guess, deep down, I just never actually cared enough to care. Thank you, Keaton, for caring.”

“No thanks needed, Darlin’. Always have, always will. And I gotta say, again, you’re taking this much better than I thought you would. Is this the deliriously numb stage and any second you’re gonna fly into hysterics? I don’t want to relax if fireworks are coming.”

“Nope, I’m good. I lost faith in Merrick a long time ago, if I ever really had any. I am a little confused though.”

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