Powerful (The Driven World) - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,8
no one else in the room. They exist only for each other. Inside, I turn a shade of green. I’m happy for TB, and I never thought he’d find someone, but Ashlea is perfect for him. She calls him out on his bullshit, and she’s his biggest supporter. I’ve seen her do an all-day shift at the medical center, then work at the café at night when a waitress doesn’t turn up. And TB, well, he’d do anything for her. It’s all about give and take and being there for each other. I’m not sure I’ve ever had that.
***
Two hours later, and I’m in the kitchen putting everything into the dishwasher. Todd and my dad have disappeared into his workshop out back to look at Dad’s latest wood carving. It’s something he started the day he retired, much to Mom’s amusement. His works of art are definitely interesting. Mom has retreated into her sewing room, and TB and Ashlea are sitting on the front deck enjoying each other’s company.
“Do you need help?”
I freeze. His voice runs over me like an old song, and my body responds to him like it always did.
“Athena?”
I make myself stand tall, straighten my shoulders, turn around, and shake my head. Kris is standing so close, I could reach out and touch him. He places a hand to the back of his neck, an old tell when he’s feeling uncomfortable.
“Are there leftovers? Your mom’s paella is the best.”
“Y-You remember?”
The hand drops, and he places both of them in his pockets rocking back on his heels. “Of course, I remember. I remember everything, Athena.”
I cock my head to the side. “In the fridge.” I turn back around and continue stacking the dishwasher.
The refrigerator door opens, and I hear him getting a plate out of the cupboard. When I turn back around, he’s pouring himself a glass of milk.
“I’ve missed this.”
“Mom’s food?”
Kris shakes his head, holds up his hand, and makes a circle in the air. “No this... this house, the people in it, the food, the town, and most of all… you.”
I swear my heart is beating so loudly that everyone in town can probably hear it. I’m staring at him standing there in jeans, a white shirt, and a black jacket, and I feel like that seventeen-year-old girl again, totally enamored with the only boy who ever made her feel like she was precious.
Todd walks in and clears his throat. “Athena, love, are you ready to go?”
Love?
Todd places both his hands on my shoulders, blocking my view of Kris. “I have an early shift tomorrow, and didn’t you want to finish those last chapters of your current book?”
“Y-Yes, yes, I did.”
Todd kisses my forehead and drops his hands, taking one of mine in his, then he turns around and smiles broadly at Kris.
“Nice meeting you, Kris. Athena has told me a lot about you.” Todd smiles at him and holds out his hand.
Kris grasps it, and I can tell this is not a friendly handshake. Both men plaster fake smiles on their faces.
“Nice meeting you, too,” replies Kris.
They break the handshake, and Todd smiles down at me. “Come on, buttercup, time to hit the road.”
I glance at Kris who looks taken aback at Todd using Dad’s nickname for me.
“See you, Kris,” I mumble as Todd drags me from the room.
“Bye, Athena.”
I don’t look back, instead keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead. TB and Ashlea are still on the front deck when Todd drags me out there.
“Night you two, I’m taking Athena home.”
“Night, Todd,” they say in unison.
I give them a wave as I somehow make it down the stairs and into Todd’s cruiser.
Todd says nothing on the way home. I glance at him. He’s gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles are white, and his mouth is in a straight line. When we arrive at my home, he turns off the cruiser and jogs around it to open my door.
“Thanks for the lift home.”
“I need a coffee, and you’re going to make me one.”
Todd goes ahead of me and strides up the path. I watch his retreating form and have no choice but to follow him. When I get to the door of my home, it’s open, and I follow the noises into the kitchen.
“You should lock your doors.”
“I know everyone in town.”
“And everyone in town knows you live alone. Lock your doors.”
“Yes, Deputy Roth.” Todd hands me a cup of hot, steaming tea. I take a sip. “Ahh, peppermint, thank you. Do you want