Chapter 32
Kinsley
Chapter Thirty-Two
The town house Kevin’s family lived in was a street away from the main street. Thomas parked the car, and we looked out the window at the dark green front door. Kevin called Thomas after he went home this morning. Apparently, his father wasn’t going to be back until later tonight, so after lunch, we packed up and drove into town. Connor got out of the backseat and strode up the stairs. He was wearing an oversized, pastel-yellow T-shirt with khaki pants, which he nervously adjusted right before the door opened.
“Right in time.” Kevin grinned, pulling Connor into a kiss.
Even from this distance I could see Connor’s neck redden, and a chuckle bubbled from my throat. I turned to Thomas to make sure we were still on the same page, and he gave a quick kiss to my forehead, making my toes twirl. We got out of the car and walked up the stairs to the open front door. As soon as we stepped inside, we were welcomed by a narrow staircase and a strange noise. Connor and Kevin had already disappeared, and I needed a moment to realize the noise had come from upstairs. It sounded like someone was talking, but I didn’t recognize the voice.
“Should we just go up?” I asked, and Thomas nodded. I could see his mind was already wrapped around the things he hoped we would find.
As I walked up to the second floor, I rested a hand against the light blue wall covered with old pictures of Kevin and a man I suspected was his dad.
“We are in here.” I heard Connor’s voice from behind the only open door.
“I hope you guys are dressed,” I joked, and Thomas groaned behind me.
“Funny,” Connor replied as we stepped into the room, and I beamed at him.
The walls were light blue in here, too, but instead of photos, they were decorated with different kinds of records. I spotted Eminem, Elton John, Alton Ellis, Snoop Dogg, Billie Holiday, and Elvis, among others. On the desk under the window and next to the twin bed were at least fifty pictures of a green parrot, and I shivered even at the sight of that. I also noticed a smaller picture of Kevin’s father in a police uniform, and a rainbow flag pin. A melodic whistle pulled me back into the present, and I turned toward where Connor and Kevin were standing next to a huge birdcage. My eyes widened. Suddenly I remembered Connor asking Kevin about a parrot the day we arrived.
“Come meet Bob Marley.” Kevin waved us closer.
“I don’t think we have the time for this,” Thomas grumbled, but Connor gave him a strict look, and his brother let out a frustrated breath.
I took a careful step closer, but the cage seemed empty. Then the melodic whistle came again, and I snapped my head toward where it came from. A hand-sized parrot landed on Kevin’s shoulder, tipping his head to the side.
“Hello,” it said, and my eyes widened. Hell no.
“He’s a green-cheeked conure,” Kevin explained, with a smile, taking a step closer. He took hold of the bird, wanting to hand it to me, but I shrieked.
“I’m good,” I said, putting my hands up, my bottom lip trembling.
“It’s okay, he’s a nice bird.” Kevin grinned. “Aren’t you, Marley?” he added, and the bird moved his head up and down.
“Marley is a good bird,” the parrot repeated twice, the same time Thomas stepped in front of me:
“She said she’s good, Miller,” he said, hiding me with his broad shoulders. The corner of my mouth turned downward into a sad smile.
“I’m sure you are a good bird.” I leaned out from behind Thomas’s back. “I’m just not good with birds,” I added, and Kevin gave me a shocked look. “I don’t hate them. They just look so fragile, and I—” I shivered as the bird moved his head again. I didn’t want to say that they freaked me out, but they did. I had to admit that this one was cute, but what scared me was the thought of it flying against something and dying in front of my eyes. I shivered again, and Thomas curled an arm around me.
“Put the bird away, Miller,” he warned when Bob Marley moved its wings like it wanted to fly, and I trembled. I felt close to fainting, which was just stupid. I felt ridiculous.
“Sorry,” I added, and he shook his head. I hated how vulnerable I felt at this moment.
“It’s okay.” He put the bird back into the cage and petted its head. “I didn’t know this was a thing. Being freaked out by birds,” he added, and I nodded, knowing what he meant.
“It’s not,” I answered, and even Connor furrowed his brows. “I mean it is, but…” I didn’t like to talk about this. I didn’t like people knowing my weaknesses. “It’s called ornithophobia, fear of birds. I’m okay with them mostly, until they fly,” I explained, my heart racing in my chest as the bird flew up to the cage.
“Sorry,” Kevin repeated, closing the cage door, and I shook my head.
“But Helena told me you had a parrot too,” Connor chimed in, and I sneered. “When you were little,” he added.
“I did. Until it flew into a bicycle wheel.” I shivered again as nausea flooded through my body. Kevin and Connor grimaced, and Thomas brushed my hand with his thumb.
“Let’s move on,” he said, pulling me out of the room.
I gave a last sad glance to Bob Marley, but I felt relief when he was out of my eyesight.
“Where is your father’s office?” Thomas asked, crossing his arms over his chest as soon as the boys came out of the room too.
Connor closed the door behind his back before putting an arm around my neck.
“Follow me.” Kevin motioned.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had ornotiohphobia?” Connor whispered as we walked through the narrow hallway.
“It’s called ornithophobia, and I haven’t told anyone.” The only people who know are the ones that saw me freak out. That was more than enough.
We reached the only visible door on this part of the house. Kevin pulled out an old key from his pocket and pushed it into the lock.
“I borrowed it from Dad before he went to work.” He grinned as he opened the door, but before Thomas could stride inside, he put an arm on the doorway. “We have to be careful,” he warned. “If my dad notices we were in there,” he pointed at the office, “I’m pretty sure I’m a dead man.” He looked at us one by one and only dropped his hand when we all agreed.