Beauty and the Outcast (New Hope)

I pull up the driveway to see Ace’s car parked out front, letting me know Faith is home. I pull around to the side garage, parking and heading inside. Kennedy is on me the second I walk in the door.

“Let me see.” She motions to my hands.

“It’s fine. Where’s Faith?”

“You can see her in a second. We need to talk first.”

“They had it coming. I defended myself.”

She rolls her eyes at my response, likely knowing I’d baited them. “Not about that. We’re going to be fostering someone this year. I want to make sure we are all on the same page.” One of her eyebrows lifts up, letting me know she means that she’s checking to make sure that I’m going to behave myself.

“A family? Why aren't you using the apartments?” Kennedy has put up a few families in the guest house from time to time.

“It’s a girl. She’s by herself.”

“Okay.”

“Not okay. You’re going to be extra nice to her or you’re going to stay away from her.” Oz joins the conversation. I’m never getting out of here at this rate.

“You really think I’d fu—” I pause to correct myself. “I’d mess with some random girl for no reason?” Kennedy’s eyes widen.

“Of course not! But she’s extra skittish. I’m pretty sure her stepfather was abusive, but I can’t get much out of her.” I clench my teeth. Nothing makes me more pissed off than someone beating on someone half their size. Once upon a time that was me. “She’s a sweet, shy girl, and you can look intimidating.”

“I got it. Promise.” Kennedy gives me a warm smile.

I might get in trouble a lot, but I never lie or break my word to them. That was one of the first things Oz said to me when I came here. Don’t lie to him and everything else could be worked out at the end of the day. I’ve stuck to that, earning some of his trust. He knows when I say something it’s true.

“Thank you, sweetheart, because she is already here. Now can I make you something to eat?” she asks, falling right into the mom roll. I never admit it out loud because I’m not some touchy feely, lovey-dovey type person, but I am grateful for Kennedy and Oz. They have given me a sense of normalcy in my life.

“I’m good.” I move to go ahead of her to find Faith.

“Why is he in such a hurry?” I hear Kennedy ask Oz before I hit the stairs, taking them three at a time.

I can already hear giggling as I head down the long hallway where both Faith’s and my rooms are located. Kennedy and Oz are all the way on the other side of the house.

“This is all too much,” a soft voice says. The bedroom door stands half open. They aren't in Faith’s room but the spare bedroom. This must be where Kennedy is letting the new girl stay. I reach for the door but freeze when my sister starts to talk.

“Whitney, it’s not too much. It’s perfect. It’s going to be so much fun having you here.”

I’m so screwed.

No fucking way. I drop my hand that was about to pull the door wide open. Instead, I slide to the side to peek in. There in the middle of the room, looking as breathtaking as ever, is Whitney. As if she senses me, she turns her head to look my way. I’m too stunned by her beauty to move. When her eyes meet mine, she doesn't look too surprised to see me. I pull open the door all the way.

“Knox.” Faith gives me a tight smile. “This is Whitney. She’s going to be staying with us.”

Whitney looks anywhere but at me.

“I’m really sorry about the hallway today. It caught me off guard. I was an asshole.”

She finally turns her head to meet my gaze again.

“Hold on. Did you just apologize?” Faith cuts in.

“It’s okay.”

“It’s really not. I promise no one will mess with you at Montgomery Hall Prep from this point on.” She scrunches her button nose. She’s so fucking tiny. How could someone even think to raise a hand to her? They better hope they never cross my path.

“I’m in the twilight zone.” Faith keeps going, not helping me in the least.

We all stand there in silence for a long moment. I don’t want to leave, but I also don’t know what to say either. Shit, I’m bad at this.

“Well, that was nice of you,” Faith says, walking over toward me. “Now if you can give us girls a moment.” She starts to close the door. I step back, letting her close it in my face.

For the first time in my life, I don’t want to be an asshole.

At least not to Whitney.

5

Whitney

I know he is staring at me. His eyes are like a touch on my skin. No one else at the dinner table notices. I don’t understand why he’s doing it.