“So where are they?” Everyone was so sure that my parents didn’t bail but there was never any sign of foul play. How could they just vanish?

“I wish I knew.”

* * *

Once we were through the door of my house after returning from Whispering Pines, I turned on Keiran who stopped short, just inside the door, and looked at me curiously. “Stay away from her,” I said simply.

The entire ride back I battled feelings of regret. I had exposed my grandmother to Keiran. Now he had one more person to use against me if he chose. He now knew who she was and where she was and worse…she wouldn’t remember who he was.

He wore an indifferent look on his face when he shut the door. “Are you going to give me a reason not to?”

His lack of reassurance was unexpected and dangerous to my peace of mind. “Keiran this is my grandmother! She’s old and helpless. How can you even think to –”

“I wasn’t. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t, so I won’t tell you otherwise.”

“But what reason could you possibly have to go after her?” Out of the only two people in this room, Keiran was the dangerous one yet all the hostility and anger radiated off of me. His nonchalance for human life was chilling.

“I want you to stay away from my past. I know you’re still digging but it ends now.”

“Where is this coming from?”

“I’ve asked you before. I’m telling you now.”

“Just tell me whatever it is that you don’t want me to find!” I yelled, losing patience but he was gone before I finished and the sound of the front door slamming was my only answer. I slid to the floor in defeat when I realized that Keiran would never open up to me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Where were you all of Sunday? I called you a hundred times.” I listened to Sheldon fuss as we walked down the hallway. It was lunch period and I’d just got out of volleyball, which wasn’t as fun without Willow. She texted this morning to say she was sick and skipping school.

“Sorry, I just had a lot on my mind and needed time to think.”

“Bummers. I wanted you to come with me to my audition. Felix is looking for a face for his new clothing line.”

“I’m really sorry, Sheldon. How did you do?” I asked, feeling like shit because I forgot about her audition.

“Canceled. I was too nervous. Dash had offered to go with me but he disappeared too.”

“Are you sure modeling is what you want to do?”

“It’s been my dream since I saw my first show. Dad says I have to go to college first but after that my dreams are my own.”

“Are you okay with that?”

“I guess so. Going to college isn’t so bad.” I shook my head and started putting my bags in my locker.

“Sheldon you have to think –”

“Is that a bite mark?” she asked, interrupting what I was about to say.

Shit. I’d become so used to Keiran leaving bite marks on me that I stopped noticing. I looked down to see my oversized sweater had fallen off my shoulder exposing the red patch and indentations where my neck met my shoulders. I quickly pulled it back over my shoulders and finished stuffing my books into my locker. I avoided her gaze and heard her laugh.

“Kinky. I like it,” she chuckled. “Dash told me you guys went to see your grandmother. I’m shocked.”

“Why are you shocked?’

“Because of Keiran’s obvious disdain for anything resembling a parent.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because he didn’t know his father and his mother dropped him off on a stranger’s doorstep?”

But bad parents don’t cause someone to become this troubled without something much worse happening. There were so many holes that only he could fill. “I wish I could get him to talk to me.”

“If anyone can get him to open up it would be you.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You’re the only one who affects Keiran in any way. He would talk…for you. You just need to know the right words to say.”

“Sup beautiful ladies?” Keenan came and hooked his arms around our shoulders with a cute grin on his face. “Do you know just by standing there together you’ve already fulfilled one of my fantasies? Now I just have to figure out how to get you two naked…with me in between.”

“Before or after Keiran and I take turns killing you?” Sheldon quipped.

“Semantics. What are you two whispering about?” he cast suspicious glances between us and attempted to look intimidating. I’m pretty sure he could if he wasn’t such a goof.

“Our periods,” Sheldon answered gleefully.

“Eww, babe.”

“You asked.”

“But you didn’t have to tell me that!”

Aaaaand they’re arguing again. I listened to them bicker back and forth. Sometimes I think they argued on purpose. Sheldon told me that makeup sex was out of this world but I’ve had Keiran’s angry sex so I don’t think it would be wise to pick fights with him. 

“Guys I’m hungry,” I said interrupting their argument. “Anyone know where Keiran is?”

“He’s with coach. He told me to take you to lunch if he’s running late.”

“So I guess that means you’re still my body guard?” I asked, slightly annoyed. Did he still not trust me?