Page 75 of Undeniably

“Depends on the day. Some days it seemed to drag, and some days it seemed to speed by.”

His phone rings so he pulls over into an empty parking lot.

Dad’s calling.

Keaton picks up his phone. “Hey, Dad.” He pauses. “Yeah, the game’s tomorrow then graduation is on Sunday. I’m going to win us the championship.” The boyish excitement on his face makes me smile.

Within an instant, that smile falls, and I watch his face contort into anger. He says nothing before hanging up the phone and throwing it as hard as he can at the dashboard. The phone bounces up, causing the windshield to crack. We sit in silence as he stares at the crack, his hands griping the steering wheel tightly. After a moment, I reach over, griping the hand closest to me.

Keaton jerks, his gaze meeting mine as if he forgot I’m here.

“Are you okay?” My voice is slightly shaky, but I try to be as soothing as possible. I’ve never seen Keaton so angry.

“Just peachy. Thanks for asking,” he grits out between his teeth.

Gently, I pull his hand across the gearshift into my lap. There, I turn it over, caressing his hand while he processes whatever’s going on in his head.

After several moments, I feel him relax. “My parents won’t be making it this weekend. To the championship game or graduation.”

I still my hands, not quite brave enough to look at him. His fingers enclose around my mine as he continues. “I don’t know why I expected him to. He came last year, but it was Reed’s weekend. He’s never once showed an interest in a single thing I have ever done. I don’t even know why I texted him the information. It was stupid. So fucking stupid.”

His dad. This is about his dad.

Glancing up, I find him leaning his head on his hand as he looks out the driver’s window.

“It’s not stupid to want your parents to show up and be there for you. Have you tried expressing how you feel?” I ask as if I’m my mother.

My mom is big on expressing your feeling instead of letting them stew.

He pulls out of my reach as he turns furious eyes on me. “You wouldn’t get it. You have two parents who are fucking amazing. Your parents give a shit if you get into the prestigious dance school you’ve always wanted to go to. They care if you stay out too late or if you get caught making out with a boy. I could fuck my way through Chicago, and my parents wouldn’t bat an eye unless it affects their business. Do you know why my father came to our game last year? Reed. Reed’s the heir to the Yates fortune and business. Reed’s already fucking running it, and he’s barely legal. They show up for Tinsley too. You know why? Because she’s a pawn. Perfect, pretty Tinley will catch a fair price at market once they marry her off to some pompous asshole with a bank account that rivals our own. What about Keaton? Keaton’s nothing. A mistake. Shouldn’t have even been born. The spare heir that isn’t needed.”

Both of us have tears in our eyes. Unbuckling my seat belt, I climb on my knees, practically climbing onto the center console to grip his face between my hands.

“You’re not a fucking mistake, Keaton. Fuck them. You have every right to feel the way you do. You will probably always feel this way. They fucking abandoned you. All of you. You’re not the spare heir. You’re not the mistake that should have never happened. You’re one of the best people I have ever met. You love deeply and protect those you care about with a fierceness that would scare the devil himself. You say you're nothing, but you’re the glue that holds your family together. I see it. Sage sees it. You’re important. You’re important to me.”

I feel tears spill down my face while his matches my own. Reaching out, he uses one hand to cup my face, pulling me closer. Our lips crash together, our emotions taking over. His hand runs down to my neck, while the other grabs my leg, urging me over the center into his lap.

Before I can make the move, there’s a loud tap on the driver’s window. We burst apart as we both look over.

Seeing the uniform, I settled back into my seat while Keaton rolls down the window.

“How can I help you?” he bites out.

“I wanted to make sure everything was okay.” The man’s eyes flicker to me with a knowing look on his face.

“Everything’s fine.” Keaton rolls up the window.

Before the police officer can step back, Keaton puts the car in gear, taking off. I have to admit, the show of power turns me on.

“Will you be there?” Keaton’s quiet voice reaches me.

“Hmm?” I mumble, shaking away the X-rated thoughts of Keaton floating inside my head.

“Will you be there? At my game?” He doesn’t look my way, acting as if my answer won’t affect him.

I know better. He knows I know better.

“Of course I will. I’ll be the one screaming your name the loudest.”

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