Page 79 of Law Maker
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Kaia and I were finally alone. The second I got home, I went straight to her. My stomach twisted as I stood outside her door, clutching a gift bag. I’d been too wound up to head home right after training, so I stopped at the mall, hoping the distraction would cool me down.
Drawing a deep breath, I knocked and pushed the door open. Kaia sat up fast, scattering a pile of highlighters. “Ash!”
“Miss me?” I set the bag on her nightstand and perched on the bed. She climbed onto my lap, looping her arms around my neck, pressing close. I buried my nose in her hair. Watermelon and warmth wrapped around me, melting the day’s anger away.
“Did you go to the track?” she asked, palms cupping my cheeks.
“Yeah.”
“And did you…” She hesitated. “Talk to Dawson?”
“I did.” I traced her cheekbone with my thumb. “Don’t worry about him. He was just surprised. My fault—I should’ve told him sooner.”
She exhaled slowly. “Good. His opinion matters to you. I’d hate if you argued because of me.”
I rolled my eyes and crushed her against me. “You matter to me. I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. Not even Dawson.”
“And still.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “He probably wants you with someone older. Someone who’s not a failure.”
Her hair slipped forward, shielding her face. I brushed it back. “Where the hell did that come from, peque? I don’t want anyone else. And you’re not a failure.”
“I don’t get it.” Her voice shook. “I’ve been studying since I got home, and I don’t get it. I don’t get math. The PSAT’s in April, and I’m going to score low, Ash.”
I leaned back on the pile of colorful pillows, pulling Kaia with me. “I can quiz you. Or tutor you. Maybe you need an actual tutor. No shame in asking for help.”
Her fingertips traced idle patterns across my chest. “My father says I don’t pay attention in class, and he’s not wasting money on tutors. Funny, right? I wish he’d stop wasting money on therapy. I’ve told you more than I’ve ever told Dr. White.”
By now, nothing Russell said or did surprised me. I’d bet Dawson would change his opinion fast if he knew how the bastard treated his daughter.
“I was good at math in high school. I can walk you through the stuff that trips you up.” I kissed her forehead. “Now grab the pink bag on the nightstand. I got you something.”
Kaia lit up, scrambling off me so fast I thought she’d topple. Paper rustled, then she squealed. “Books in Spanish. Oh my God, Ash.”
She hurried back, clutching the stack of classics. I wrapped her close as she flipped through pages, pausing to read aloud whatever caught her eye.
I lived for moments like this—for the pure joy on her face. Since Dad died, there’d been a hollow space in my chest. With Kaia, it wasn’t as big. Every time she smiled at me, it shrank a little more.
FEBRUARY 6TH
The racing season’s almost here, and Asher trains every day. I admire his grit—the way he throws himself into the work. Watching him chase his dream makes me want to succeed even more.
College is my ticket to freedom, to real independence—and to us finally dating out in the open. For now, all we have are stolen moments and the nights we spend wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing or talking until I drift off.
Those long talks and the dance lessons do more for me than therapy ever did. So is going to Dr. White’s really worth it?
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Kaia
“Kaia.”
Sharon’s loud voice spooked me. My diary and a handful of pens slipped from my hands, scattering across the beige rug. I scrambled to gather them.
“Sorry.” She chuckled, stepping toward me. “I lost track of time. We’ll be late for your session with Dr. White unless we leave now.”
I grabbed my denim backpack from the bed and shoved my phone inside. As I reached for the diary, Sharon tilted her head. “A diary? I had one at your age. Every girl in my class did. We even swapped them and read each other’s secrets.”
