Page 3 of Secret
CHAPTER TWO
Kasey pulled in front of the house, but waited until the song that was playing ended before turning off his car. He was restless today. He'd woken up early and headed to the gym, but even that didn't help cure whatever was getting to him.
That was the problem, he didn't know what was bothering him and keeping him so restless. It was the oddest feeling. He just couldn't settle his mind. It was almost a feeling like he was supposed to do something but had forgotten, and would end up having hell to pay because he didn't do whatever it was. But, of course, there wasn't anything he'd forgotten.
As he climbed out of the car, he smiled as the door opened and Faith came running out to greet him.
"Uncle Kasey!" She ran up and hugged him.
He wrapped her in his arms as he hugged her to his chest. She'd just started hugging him about a month ago. It had been over two years since she'd been kidnapped and abused. Slowly, she was starting to trust again, and he was excited to have her trust him. "How are you, Stripes?"
She blushed at the nickname he'd given her since she was always wearing stripes or talking about stripes. The girl had a passion for zebras and stripes. Why, he had no clue, but he enjoyed the friendly teasing it allowed him to have with her.
"I'm good. Dad and Xander are out back." She pulled away from him. "I want you to help me." She looked up at him, her eyes filled with hope.
"With?" he asked cautiously.
"I want a trampoline, but Dad says they are too dangerous and I'll break my leg on one. You have to help me convince them that I won't." She started to walk inside beside him.
"But what if I agree with your dad?" He paused as they stepped into the entryway. "I have a secret. I broke my arm on one when I was about your age." He'd actually been a little older and drunk with his friends, but she didn't need to know that.
"Noooo!" She puffed her lip out in a pout. "I thought for sure you'd help me."
"Stripes, you know I can't go against your dad. I do have an idea though. I'll talk to your dad tonight and see if he's up for it, okay? It's the best I can do."
"What's the idea?" She twisted her long, dark hair over her shoulder.
"I'm not saying in case he says no. No reason for you to be let down again. I promise to try, but that's the best I can do." He narrowed his eyes at her. "Have you asked Beau? Being a doctor, he might be able to make your dad think it's safe." He knew Faith and Beau had formed an odd friendship over the year. Faith was always following Beau around when they were at the team house, asking millions of questions of the team doctor.
She sighed. "Yeah, I asked him. He started in on how many kids come into the emergency room with injuries. He didn't help me at all. He made it worse." She rolled her eyes.
He fisted his hand to keep from reaching over and messing up her hair. Her hugging him was one thing, she chose to do that, but he still wouldn't make her uncomfortable and touch her first. "Sounds like you might be outvoted on this one, Stripes."
"It's not fair. Everyone has a trampoline."
"They just don't want you hurt." He gave her a sympathetic smile.
She sighed, but shrugged. "I like your new haircut. It makes you look better."
He ran his fingers through his now short hair. He'd cut off his shoulder-length hair, tired of the black-dyed, gothic look. He was now back to his normal light brown. It was hard to get used to short hair again, but it would make life a lot easier. "Did I look bad before?"
"Not bad, but it made you pale. You looked sick, like those people in that medical show Xander likes to watch." She stared up at his hair. "I like it like this."
"Good, then I'll keep it like this just for you." He nodded toward the back of the house. "We better go find your dad before they come looking for us."
"They know I'm safe with you." She led him toward the backyard.
Kasey smiled, but Faith's words really hit home. She didn't feel safe with many people. She still had major trust issues, and rightfully so. The girl had been through hell. The fact that she agreed with Xander and Matt that he could be trusted was huge. While she had never really been scared of anyone on the team, she hadn't been welcoming to them either. He was glad that was changing.
A wolf whistle had him looking up.
"Look at you." Xander whistled again. "You meet some girl who finally decided you needed a style overhaul?"
Kasey turned so Faith couldn't see and flipped Xander off. "I decided it myself. I don't need any woman telling me how to dress."
"That's a matter of opinion." Xander grinned. "Seriously, it’s a good look on you. Grab a beer and have a seat."
"Steaks will be done in a few." Matt waved from his place in front of the barbeque. "How have you been?"
