“Well, don’t look at me like that,” Crispin whispered, catchingKell’s glare.
“Fuck you,” Kell grumbled, not at all liking, actually hating,the sight of Becky so intimately reclined againstCrispin.
By the time thecredits rolled, none of them could tell you what the movie wasabout, since Becky was now completely out cold and flopped overCrispin’s chest, her hand tucked cosily under his chin. Crispintoo, had apparently dozed off, his hands resting casually on herback while Kell was left seething with inexplicable anger at thedisgustingly touching scene.
“Thank goodness,” Crispin mumbled, rousing awake when Kellplucked Becky from his clutches. “Get this clingy thing offme.”
“Right,” Kell muttered sarcastically, carefully balancing Beckyin his arms. “Come on, love. Time for bed.”
“Bed… Kelley,” she murmured happily, snuggling into him andclutching his long hair in her fist.
“That’s right, Kelley,” he whispered, touched by the fact thateven in her state of semi-consciousness, she had recognized him.Tucking her into his chest, he carried her effortlessly up thestairs. “Sweet little thing,” he murmured. Before he could stophimself, he leaned in and planted a kiss on herforehead.
Chapter 7
Friday morning,Becky woke up early and crept downstairs, following the rich aromaof freshly ground coffee. “It’s not Saturday,” she said, pleasantlysurprised to find Kelley in the kitchen. He was already dressed inhis ultra-Goth pseudo-military gear, eyeliner and all.
“Hey, you,” Kell said, leaning up against the counter, watchingher sidle up to the kitchen table. Could she be more adorable? Shewasn’t like most girls he knew. Becky had an air of innocence abouther that never ceased to impress him. For instance, she neverthought twice about walking around the house in her flimsy PJs. Herlittle rounded curves, so very obvious through the soft fabric. Oh,how his fingers itched to reach out and touch her.
“You’re up early. Classes don’t start up for a fewhours.”
There weretimes, though, when the others were around that he wished she wouldbe a bit more aware of her state undress, yet when it was just thetwo of them, like this, he found nothing wrong with her pyjamas orher trusting personality. In fact, he treasured it.
“The coffee woke me,” she said with a drowsy smile, rubbing thesleep from her eyes. “It smells so good.”
He smiledsoftly and poured themselves each a hearty mugful. Placing themdown on the table, he sat down next to her.
“Looking forward to seeing your grandmother this weekend?” heasked, watching her as she took a sip of her coffee.Such a pretty little mouth…
“I’m not going,” she said with a slight hitch in hervoice.
“Why not?” he said, suddenly wishing he hadn’t asked. Hecouldn’t stand to see the despondent misery in her eyes. She’d beenso looking forward to her trip home. That’s all she’d talked aboutlast week. He even offered to drive her to the trainstation.
Becky frownedand forced herself to keep from falling apart. Ever since the startof the school year, she had been counting the days until she couldsee her granny on Thanksgiving. Now it wasn’t going to be possible.The realization of how truly alone in the world she was finally hither.
“Granny’s sick with the flu,” she said, biting her bottom lip,forcing it from quivering. “They’ve quarantined the seniors’residence so no one can visit.”
Seeing theuncertainty on her face and hearing the disappointment in hervoice, caused a wince in Kell’s heart. “That’s too bad, but Isuppose they do have to follow strict rules when it comes to thingsof that nature.”
She noddedsolemnly and sniffed. “What about you, Kelley? Are you visitingwith family this weekend?” she asked, looking at him with liquidgreen eyes. Oddly, she realized that he had never discussed hisplans with her. In fact, she knew so little about him. For amoment, he only stared at her. She started to think he wasn’t goingto say anything. Then he smiled sadly and toyed with one of themany pewter rings on his long fingers.
“I am my family,” he said finally, turning his attention to hiscoffee. “I’m the last of the line.”
“Oh… sorry. I didn’t realize.” Her heart broke for him.Suddenly, she felt compelled to hear more of his past. The man wasalways such a mystery. “What happened to your parents?”
“They died a few years ago,” he said cryptically. “All of them,mother, father, brother, sister, all gone.”
“Oh my God!” she gasped. “How?”
“Carbon monoxide leak in the furnace,” he said, looking oddlyguilty. “I got off lucky because I left my window open that night.Funny thing is… it was winter, freezing outside. I never slept withthe window open. That night, though, I’d been smoking pot in myroom. I didn’t want to be found out so I opened the window.” Hechuckled, then frowned. “If only I hadn’t opened the window. Ifthey’d only smelled the pot… they might have woken up in time. Theymight have been spared.”
“Or you might have died along with them,” Becky said, placingher hand over his. “I’m so sorry, Kelley.”
He tensed andjerked his hand away. “So am I,” he said, standing up abruptly. “Ialways was a disappointment to my parents. Even in the end.” Heleft the kitchen then, grabbing his car keys and heading out theback door.
“Wait, Kelley…” She scrambled after him into the yard. The coldOctober air sliced through her pyjamas, and she clutched her armsaround herself.
“Get back inside, Becky!” he ordered, hearing her footstepsbehind him. “It’s still dark out, it’s freezing and you’re notdressed.”
“Wait… where are you going?” she asked, hesitating at theirritation in his voice.
Without anotherword, Kell got into his black Charger and started the engine. Theheadlights flooded brightly, lighting her up in the process. Aftera moment of hesitation, the car engine revved up with a menacinggrowl, the wheels skidded and ground on the gravel driveway, as hebacked out and drove away.
Confused andhurt, Becky stood shivering a few moments before turning backtowards the house. When she reached the door, she found Crispinholding it open for her, a scowl on his otherwise handsome face. Hetoo was already fully dressed in his Victorian-inspired finery.
“For God’s sake, Becky! What are you doing running aroundoutside in those flimsy pyjamas?” he scoffed, then pointed at herfeet. “Barefoot and
