Page 18 of Banking on Love

“Relax. We are safe, scaredy-cat.” She rocked in her seat making the cart shake. My heart raced and I felt like I was going to be sick. This little girl was going to be the death of me.

“Kim– Kim– Please. I’m about to throw up.” My words weren’t meant to be a plea, but nonetheless, it’s exactly how they sounded.

“Okay. Okay. I’m sorry,” she said softly, sitting back in her seat. She looked like someone had kicked her puppy.

Way to go asshole.

“Sorry. Wasn’t trying to upset you, Kimberly.”

“It’s okay,” she smiled brightly. “So, where ya from? You have a funny accent.”

“Subtle,” I laughed. “I’m from New York.”

“Really?” she asked anxiously. “That’s so awesome. I’ve always wanted to go there. Kallia and Kenz too.”

“Oh yeah?” Her words intrigued me. Maine wasn’t too far from New York. Less than half a day by car. It’d be easy for the three of them to do a weekend girls’ trip.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “But dad can’t be left alone.” The last of her words were a whisper. She looked away from me and stared off in the distance.

“Times been rough?”

“Understatement,” she huffed then looked at me.

“Things will get better,” I assured her, not knowing what else to say. It was like I had opened a box of emotions and I was the last guy on Earth who was capable of consoling someone.

“She wasn’t always broken, ya know?” Kimberly whispered. She looked at me. “When mom died, she took on caring for Kallia and me… Dad too. But she deserves to be happy. Ya know?”

My heart ached by Kimberly’s faint words. There was so much pain in her voice. Not just a few bad days’ worth of pain but a lifetime of suffering. An emotion I was quite familiar with and the reason why I was in Cupid’s Cove.

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. My mother busted her ass to meet ends meet and my father was a deadbeat, who was gone before I ever knew he existed. I spent most of my days running the streets. Fell in with people who I thought were my friends– including my cousin, Tony– and made decisions that as a man I was now ashamed of.

When I found myself handcuffed and slammed against a police car a few weeks ago, I realized it was time for a change. I refused to spend the rest of my days behind bars, especially for a crime I didn’t commit. It was Tony who had robbed the jewelry store at gunpoint. Not me. And as much as it had killed me, I had told the truth and now, he was behind bars waiting for his court date to be sentenced

Fuck,I groaned at the thought of him going to prison but quickly shook the thought away. He made the decision to rob that place. No one forced him to so why the hell should I feel guilty?

“You all deserve to be happy,” I finally said, smiling across at Kimberly.

“Maybe,” she shrugged. “I just know that I’m not going to be like Kensi. As soon as I graduate from high school, I am out of here!”

“Kensi know your plans?”

Kimberly’s shoulders lowered and her gaze dropped to the floor of the cart. Defeat was written all over her face. She took a deep breath.

“No. I don’t want her mad at me,” she sighed.

“I don’t know your sister very well but I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t be upset with you. I’d even be willing to bet that she’d be happy for you.”

“Really?” she smiled. Her entire demeanor shifted. She went from sad and pitiful to full of life. “You think so?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I grinned.

“You aren’t so bad after all, old man!” she teased and despite myself, I laughed.

“Thanks, Kimberly. Thanks a lot.”

Chapter Nine

KENSI

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