Page 18 of Every Single Broken Piece
He comes to stand beside her chair and places his hand on her shoulder. Leaning down, he kisses the side of her head as if he’s trying to show me she belongs to him.
I’ve seen him around. I think the couple across the street are his parents, but I don’t know for sure.
Kelcie gestures at me. “This is Levi. He’s my neighbor.” She waves at Colby. “This is Colby. He’s a friend from school.”
I might be mistaken, but it sounds like she’s putting emphasis onfriend.
Like always, my tone is brisk. “Hi.”
Colby gives me a chin lift, then he turns his attention to Kelcie. “Want to have dinner with my folks and me?”
She starts shaking her head before he’s even done asking. “No, thanks. It’s been a long day, and I want to relax out here.” When it lookslike he is going to argue, she adds, “Besides, people brought food over, and I have enough to last me a week.”
She glances at his hand on her shoulder, giving me the impression that it bothers her.
My skin begins to crawl on her behalf, and I have to bite back the words when the urge to tell him to get his hand off her surges through me.
Kelcie turns her head to me, giving me a pleading look. “You’re staying for dinner, right?”
Without thinking twice, I nod.
She glances at Colby again. “Say hi to your parents for me.”
He reluctantly pulls his hand away from her, and with a scowl on his face, he mutters, “I’ll come by to check on you tomorrow when you’re not busy.”
“Jill is coming over tomorrow.” The words burst from Kelcie as she gives him an apologetic look. “You don’t have to check on me. I’m fine.”
A tense smile forms on his face. “I just want to make sure my favorite girl is okay. I know it’s a difficult time for you.”
Anguish flashes over Kelcie’s features, and I grind my molars to keep from telling Colby to take a hike.
Having had enough, I signal to Lick to take an attacking stance, and my dog doesn’t let me down. She darts to her feet and begins to growl threateningly.
Colby glares at her, then mutters, “You should put a leash on that dog.”
“Usually, she loves people. It’s the first time she’s reacting like this.” Knowing she won’t listen, I say, “Down, Lick.” She intensifies her growling, and I lean over to take hold of the thick fur around her neck before glancing at Colby again. “You better go.”
“I’ll call you later when you don’t have company, Kelcie,” Colby spits out before finally walking away.
I pat Lick’s head and gesture for her to sit. She instantly obeys and pants happily.
Kelcie leans over and brushes her hand over Lick’s head and neck. “I wonder why she reacted like that to Colby.”
“She probably senses he was agitated with my being here.”
Kelcie lets out a sigh. “He means well.”
Right.
Keeping her gaze locked on my dog, she continues, “Colby had a crush on me in school, and he’s been trying to get me to go out with him the past six years.” Her shoulders slump, making me think she’s exhausted with his advances. “He’s a good guy, and he has been there for me ... during hard times.”
“Doesn’t mean you owe him a date.” I give my opinion.
“Yeah.” She lets out a half-hearted chuckle. “I still feel bad, though.”
Wanting to divert her attention away from Colby, I say, “You mentioned dinner?”
She glances over her shoulder at the house. “The townsfolk dropped off enough food to feed a small army. Want to see what there is, then you can choose what you’d like to eat?”
