Page 72 of Undeniably

“Hey, Keaton just texted that he’s five minutes out. I’m going to go wait for him out front,” I tell Tinsley.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. I’ll see you later.”

I grab my bag from next to the stairs and start for the door.

“You waiting on the porch for him?” Reed asks from over my shoulder.

“Yeah, I figured you guys might need some time without me around.” I shrug.

“Might be a safe bet. I’ll wait with you.” Reed opens the front door.

“Thank you,” I say as I slide by him, heading straight to my car to throw my purse inside. As I turn and walk back towards Reed, I’m not sure what to say.

“How are you adjusting to being back?” His face is blank, showcasing the mask he’s perfected over the years.

“Pretty well I think.” I bite my lip.

Better than good.

“Good.” He nods, glancing at his phone, distracted.

“How have you been?” I ask to fill the silence.

“I’ve been good,” he mumbles.

“Sage seems nice.”

He looks up from his phone with a goofy smile on his face. “She’s the best. I love that crazy woman. Speaking of Sage, she said she caught you and Keat in a compromising position earlier.” His raised brow and naughty smirk lets me know she told him every detail.

“Ugh.” I blush. “I don’t want to even think about that.” I groan as I cover my face with my hands.

Reed chuckles. “Maybe Keaton should up his game if you don’t even want to think about it afterward.” When he sees my startled look, he continues, laughing hard. “I don’t know if you're aware, but there's this thing on a doorknob called a lock; you should use it sometime.”

“Thanks for the advice.” I let out a small laugh.

The joking mood dissipates as two sets of headlights pull into the driveway. “While I have the chance, I just need to say I hope you stick around this time. No more leaving in the dead of the night,” he says with a hint of warning.

“I don’t plan on leaving, promise.”

He nods before walking over to the car Sage is driving and opens the door for her. “Hey, baby,” he says before giving her a kiss. I turn away, not wanting to interrupt their private moment and walk towards Keaton.

“You okay?” I ask softly.

“Yeah, as well as I can be.” He sighs before rubbing his hands over his face.

“Whatever it is, I’m sure it will work itself out.” I rub his arms in a soothing motion.

“I hope you’re right.” He pulls me in for a tight hug.

“Keaton, time to come in. We need to talk.” Reed turns to me. “Have a good night, Morgan.”

“Night,” I tell him and Sage. I watch them walk into the house before turning back to Keaton. “Looks like it’s time to head out.”

I want him to tell me to stay, to ask me to be a part of this. I know it’s selfish. I haven’t been a part of this family for a long time now, but I want to be. I want to be in there facing shit head on right along with them. I want to ask if Victoria is okay or if I can help in any way, but his next words shatter any of those crazy ideas.

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”

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