Page 75 of Finding Kyler
I hover at the end of the stairs, and Kaden’s enraged eyes meet mine. Subtly, he shakes his head in warning. Kalvin looks between his dad and his brother before huffing and stalking back down the stairs. He shoves past, elbowing me in the shoulder.
“Um, ow!” I massage my sore shoulder.
“Sorry.” Kalvin huffs out an insincere apology before stalking toward his bedroom.
Kaden looks his dad up and down with transparent disgust. “You make me sick.” Then he bounds down the stairs and straight out the door. I rush down the corridor to my room before James can even make eye contact with me.
A half hour later, Alex comes knocking on my door. She sits at my dresser, facing me. “I’m sorry about all that earlier, Faye. Hormones and tempers flare up from time to time. I tend to steer well clear.” She gives me an apologetic smile, but there’s lingering sadness behind her eyes. I wonder if it’s because she knows more than she’s letting on or she knows she’s avoiding reality.
She folds her hands neatly in her lap. “I’ll be in Milan this week, but I wanted to talk to you before I left. You know I don’t approve of your choice regarding Wellesley Memorial, but it’s your decision and I respect that. Good luck tomorrow.” She gives me a small smile. “I was also wondering if you’d made any decision in relation to the Kennedy Charitable Trust?”
I uncross my legs, planting them on the ground in front of my bed. “Thank you, and yes.” I fist clumps of the duvet in my hand. “Is it possible to split my donation between two charities?”
Her eyes blink rapidly as she mulls it over. “I don’t see that being an issue. What did you have in mind?”
“I wanted to donate half to the Middleborough Track and half to the local Alcoholics Anonymous center.”
She looks surprised. “Kyler’s track?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“No, not at all.” She splays her fingers over her knees. “I didn’t realize you were familiar with it.”
“Ky took me yesterday, and I was really impressed with the place, although it’s in obvious need of funding. I know they are on the verge of closing down, and it’d be a shame for the children to lose access to the facility.”
Worry lines crinkle her eyes. “I didn’t know they were in financial trouble. Kyler should’ve come to me.”
Jayzus, was Ky right?Did James stay quiet about this as a twisted form of punishment?
“That seems like a worthwhile cause, and I’m sure Kyler will be delighted,” she continues. I nod, even though I’m not doing it for him. Her face softens. “And the donation to the AA is because of your parents?”
I nod again, staring at my feet, uncomfortable under her scrutiny. “If the truck driver who killed my parents had had the support of a group like AA, then maybe he wouldn’t have been drunk behind the wheel that night.” A single tear leaks out of my eye as I lift my chin to face her. “I’d like to help support their work in the hope that it might save someone else from going through what I went through.”
“Oh, honey.” She crosses to me, enveloping me in her arms. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
I spend the rest of the day hanging out with Keaton. After he beats my ass playing COD on Xbox—successive times no less—we watch back-to-back repeats ofGossip Girlon Netflix in the cinema room. It makes the antics in Chez Kennedy look like child’s play in comparison.
I rub my hands over my swollen belly as I groan. “No more.” I push the bowl at Keaton. “I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much popcorn in my life. I feel sick.”
He laughs. “Told ya not to overdo it.”
“I know. Eyes bigger than my belly.”
“Hhm,” Keaton says, puckering his lips as he fastens his gaze on my stomach. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
I grab him into a headlock. “You’ll pay for that one, buddy.”
He very quickly overpowers me, tickling me until I break into a fit of girlish giggles. I raise my hands in surrender. “Waving the white flag! Stop before I pee my pants.”
“Gross visual.” Keaton wrinkles his nose as he snickers. My heart swells as I think of how much he’s done for me. Without any conscious effort, he helped me settle in here. Made the transition that little bit easier. Of all my cousins, our relationship is the most natural, the most normal. The most cherished.
“Can we be serious for a minute?” His brows flick up curiously. I gulp over the football-sized emotional wedge in my throat. “Thank you so much for being you.”
I’m surprised when his eyes turn glassy. “I’m so glad you came to live with us, Faye. Honestly, you’ve no idea how much. I already feel like you’re my best friend.” His voice shakes a little, and I’m glad I’m not the only one getting mushy and sentimental.
I pull him into a quick hug. “Me too. I’ve always wanted cousins, and now I know why.”
A choked sob escapes his lips and I hug him tighter. “I love how I can be myself around you without any fear.”
