Fool Me Once

Kolton, on the other hand, doesn’t seem the least bit afraid. “It’s already been done. If you want to argue about it, speak to the dean.”

Kolton takes my hand. “Let’s go,” he murmurs. I follow behind him, and once we turn the corner, I spot Keegan and a couple of the officers standing there.

“You were here the whole time?” I ask dumbly.

“Of course,” Keegan says. “But I know you want your space.” He shrugs. “I told you you’d be safe no matter what and that someone would be on you.”

“Thank you.”

I leave everyone standing outside and enter the classroom, unsure how I feel about everything. Being hurt is such a complicated feeling, especially when I’m hurt over him doing his job. Over him doing something good like catching a drug dealer. I know his lies aren’t the same as my dad’s. But they still cut deep.

During the lecture, I find my mind wandering to my conversation with Keegan’s mom yesterday. She said it was Keegan’s story to tell. While I’m hurt by everything that went down, I think I should at least hear Keegan out.

When Zane and I get home, I find Sierra sitting on the couch in her sweatpants and hoodie, reading a book on her iPad. “Off work today?”

“Yeah, I spoke to Kolton. He said Brenton approached you. How are you doing?”

“I’m okay.” Before I continue, though, I tell Zane to go potty and get ready for his nap.

“Okay, Mommy!” He runs down the hallway.

“I can’t believe he actually thought he’d apologize and I’d forgive him.”

“I can’t believe he was doing that shit right under our noses.” Sierra huffs. “I feel as stupid as you do. You know he used to sell when we were in high school?”

“What? No, I didn’t know that.”

“Yep, but I just thought it was him being a stupid teenager. I never thought he would continue.”

“He thinks I’m going to come around, but it’s not happening.”

“Kolton mentioned you and Zane moving in with Keegan. He said it would be safer.”

“What else did he say?”

“That’s it. He wanted to explain the entire story, but he said he can’t until Keegan speaks to you. They feel you deserve to know the truth first.”

“I was thinking about talking to him. To at least hear him out.”

“I’m not going to tell you what to do, but I think that would be a good idea.”

“And if we moved into Keegan’s place, would you move with us?”

Sierra traps her bottom lip between her teeth.

“S?”

“I was…” She shoots me a guilt-filled half-smile. “I was actually thinking I could move in with Kolton.”

“He asked you to move in with him?”

“He did. He said the only reason he couldn’t ask sooner was because of everything going on, but now that it’s done, he wants me to move in. But I told him I had to speak to you first.”

“I would never keep you from moving in with him,” I tell her, suddenly feeling a rush of sadness.

“Are you upset?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I guess I’m just a little sad. It seems like everything is changing. I just learned Keegan is a cop and now you’re talking about moving in with your boyfriend. Brenton was my best friend for years and now he’s being cut out of my life. It’s just a lot to take in, you know?”

“I know.”

“Mommy! I’m ready for bed,” Zane yells, and Sierra and I laugh.

“I wonder if all kids love to nap the way Zane does.”

“I doubt it,” Sierra says. “Watch, you’ll have another kid one day, and he or she will despise naptime and you’ll never have a moment to yourself.”

“Wow, you’re not only knocking me up, but you’re cursing me. Thanks.” I stand to go tuck Zane into bed, and there’s a knock on the door.

“I’ll grab it while you tuck him in,” Sierra offers.

After giving Zane and Bear a kiss, I turn his light off and head back out to the living room. “Who was it?”

“Brenton.”

“What? He came here?” My eyes dart around the room as if he’s still here.

“Yeah, but he only made it to knock on the door, when a police officer stopped him and made him leave.”

Damn Brenton. Something tells me he’s not going to stop any time soon. “I think maybe I should take Keegan up on his offer to move in there with Zane.” At least living at Keegan’s will mean a gated community, plus, Brenton doesn’t know where he lives. He could always follow me back, but I think we’d be a lot safer there.

“I think so too,” Sierra agrees.

“I’m going to speak to Keegan today. Let him explain. I don’t know where we’ll stand afterward, but at least that way you and Kolton can move forward.”

I head into my room and lie down on my bed. I pull up my text messages and send one to Keegan asking when we can meet to talk. He responds almost instantly that he’ll be off in a couple hours and he can come by.