Page 16 of The Secret We Keep
“Morgan?” I take a step closer to her when her big, ice-blue eyes widen. She looks frightened. “Are you okay?” I look down spotting the puppy in her arms. “Kevin?” I’m hotfooting it towards her without another thought. “You found him?”
Morgan’s breath catches like it always used to whenever we were standing this close. It wasn’t often, but I never missed the way she looked at me. Like breathing was impossible. It was always a rush of validation for me. Deep. Electric.
I’d allow more of a moment to take her in if it wasn’t for the fact she’s holding the runaway.
“Kevin?” Her voice is quiet. Rigid but gentle.
Taking my family’s new addition into my arms, both of us freeze when our fingers brush together in a slightly awkward passing over of the puppy. “Mum’s new pet,” I tell her quickly, feeling every unspoken emotion still drifting on my skin. “She just called to say he got out.”
Morgan tucks her hands into the sleeves of her jacket. “He was cold.” She looks away from me, her eyes soft when she looks down at Kevin. Clearly she’s concerned for him.
I swallow the lump in my throat and ruffle behind his ears, hooking him under my arm. “He feels toasty now. Where’d you find him?”
“All the way out by Rogan’s.” Her head dips. “I carried him.” I watch as she looks towards my parents’ place before looking over my shoulder. “Anyway, I’m glad he’s okay. We should get going.”
It takes me a beat before I’m registering Danny and our other buddy, Jake, snickering to themselves like a bunch of girls. I look their way, and Danny gazes at me, eyes wide like he wants to get going.
“Hi, Morgan,” he says, raising a hand.
Morgan smiles but doesn’t say anything.
I take a step towards him before I look back at Morgan, my heart slamming behind my ribs. “Wait here.” I give her a warm smile before I take a few strides to my old friends. Mum’s urgent call to go looking for Kevin cut our night down the pub short.
“Problem?” I ask them. They look at me like I’ve got a screw loose.
“What are you doing?” Danny asks me quite seriously.
I look at Kevin, lifting his head towards Danny. “Taking this nuisance home. What does it look like?”
He and Jake exchange a look. “Is she alright?” He tips his chin towards Morgan.
I don’t bother looking at her. “Why wouldn’t she be?” My hackles unexpectedly rise faster than a bat out of hell. But I shouldn’t be surprised. I was always the one who used to come to her or Fi’s defence if ever the girls needed me. My arsehole mate doesn’t have a younger sister, so he wouldn’t understand.
Danny grins. “Calm down, lad. I never see her out. That’s all.”
I look at her then. “She found Kevin.”
Morgan tucks her hands into her sleeves.
“I’m going to put the little shit inside, then I’ll make sure she gets home. I’ll catch up with you idiots tomorrow.”
Again, another look between them, and I feel like we’re back to being fifteen. “Unless you want me to walk both of you home first?”
Danny sighs, resigned. “Ever the hero.”
I’d laugh if I thought it was funny. “It’s late.” I suck in a breath, wanting to get back to Morgan.
Jake steps closer, holding out his hand for me to take. “I’m heading back to the city tomorrow afternoon, but I’ll message you later.”
I clasp his hand tightly. “Alright.”
“And have a think about joining us for a kickabout,” Danny says. “Going to need every player we can get, seeing as this prick won’t play.” He hoicks a thumb at Jake.
My lips curl up. “I will.”
Jake nods, and they both turn.
Armed with the missing puppy, I make my way back to Morgan. “Come on.” I smile and urge her to follow. “Mum will want to thank you in person.”
