Page 74 of Keeping Kyler
“Hundred bucks says you’ll be sick of her fussing over you after a month,” Kent retorts.
“Never,” Keaton loyally replies. “I will never say that.”
Ky stands up at the sound of an approaching car. He pulls Keaton into an improvised headlock, mussing up his hair. “Brother, I’m proud of you even if you do act like a pussy most of the time. Don’t ever change.”
Kent emits an amused laugh. “Hell, this family is screwed. I blame you,” he says, pointing his finger at me.
“Me?” My voice betrays my surprise.
“Yeah, you. You have everyone acting all emotional and touchy-feely. It’s gross.” He grimaces, and I laugh.
“I know you don’t really mean that, and one day you’re going to eat your words.”
“Hell will freeze before that day comes.”
I roll my eyes as Brad steps into the space. A chill of unease flitters across my skin.
“Hey, you ready to head out?” he asks Ky.
“Yeah. Just let me grab my bag.” He turns to face me. “We’re going to the track. You wanna come with?”
“Nah. You two go. Have fun.” We all know that would be outside the realm of possibility if I went too. I stand up and peck him on the cheek. “I have some stuff I want to do, and I need to call Rose back.”
“’Kay. I won’t be late.” He kisses me on the lips.
“Man, you are so whipped,” Kent sneers.
“Whipped and proud,” Ky replies, winking at me. It’s ridiculous how much his admission thrills me.
After they have left, I pull Keven aside. “Do you have some time to spare before you leave for Harvard?”
“What for?”
“Come with me and I’ll show you.”
I bring him to my bedroom and power up my laptop. Then I show him some of my research. “You’ve been busy,” he says.
“I’ve had plenty of time on my hands this week. What do you think?” I touch the screen, running a finger under the list of names I found on Memorial’s alumni website. It was easy to find Peyton and Addison’s mom from previous student records on the site, and I used that to dig up some old photos. The same group of girls appears in several pictures so I’m guessing they were friends. “Can you trace any of these people?” I ask.
“Watch and learn, little girl,” he says, pulling up some cryptic-looking login page. “Watch and learn.”
“Less of the little girl if you don’t mind. I’m almost eighteen.” I pout.
In a directly transparent move, he stares at my boobs. “Oh, believe me, I’ve noticed.”
I elbow him in the ribs. “Oh em gee, I didn’t have you pinned for a sleaze. Now I know where Kal and Kent get it. You are lucky Ky isn’t here, and you’d better deliver the goods or I’ll have to set him on you.”
“Puh-lease, as if I couldn’t take him.” He flexes his biceps, before bumping my shoulder. “Besides, you know I did that on purpose. I’m only joking. And, for the record, I haven’t been checking you out, not that it’d be wrong.” He sends me a saucy wink. “I’m not your blood relative either.”
“You didnotjust say that.”
He laughs heartily. “You are way too easy to wind up.”
“Shut it, jerk face, and just work your magic. Time is a-wasting.”
Twenty minutes later and Keven has discovered that one of Wendy’s old school friends is a waitress at a diner on the outskirts of town. “What do you say? You up for paying her a little visit?”
Keven checks his watch. “I’m not sure I have time. Rain check?”
