Chapter 9
Keel shut the door and turned, leaning his forehead against it.
The cool metal felt good against his skin.
He needed to cool off. Maybe a dip in the ocean was warranted, but that would be stupid.
The undertow wasn’t anything to play with.
In the dark, he couldn’t see the ripples at the surface or judge how the water was coming in.
If he had up-to-date information on currents like he did on missions, he might go swimming, but alone at the beach, no way.
He opted for a cold shower, but even that didn’t chill the itch under his skin.
Frankie didn’t need his desire. He should be ashamed of himself for wanting her.
It wasn’t fair after he’d spent so long telling her he would be her friend.
She needed a friend, not some idiot guy hitting on her. He could be a friend to her.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and looked at his contacts. He settled on Chase. The phone rang twice before Chase answered.
“Hey, Keel. What’s up?”
“I need someone to bounce something off you.”
“Shoot.”
“You know I’m at Link’s condo for the week.”
“Yep, say more.”
“There’s this woman.”
“Oh shit, bro. Tell me about her.”
“Her ex is a jerk. He showed up here and got arrested. I ran into her the next morning. We ate and talked. She came over for breakfast this morning. We sat on the beach and talked. It got deep, not sexual deep, but deep. She did some stuff she regrets. We bonded over that.”
Chase was silent for a moment. “Listen to me, brother, she needs a friend. Nothing more. Do not cross over that line.”
“I know, that’s why I called you. I don’t want to overstep or make matters worse. I want to be that friend, but I’m attracted to her, and I don’t want to be. I won’t have a relationship, and it would be wrong to pull her close then push her away when she wants more that I can’t give her.”
“I get it. Attraction happens, that’s good that you called. You can get through this. It might not be a long-term attraction. It could be a flash in the pan. Don’t do it to yourself or to her.”
“Thank you. I needed someone to kick me in the balls and get me set right.”
“I’m here for you, buddy. You know, sometimes, you have to lean on others. I lean on you guys all the time. We’re brothers.”
“Yeah, we are brothers. I’m better. I’m going to get some rest.”
“That will help. Call me if you need another reminder.”
“Will do.”
The call ended, leaving him feeling better than before. He would stop the crazy lust and just be her friend. That’s what she needed.
The next morning at breakfast, he had no problems being her friend because he pushed those other feelings away, and he vowed to not let them intrude.
“What makes your coffee so good?” Frankie asked as the sun made its show.
The sunrise wasn’t as striking as the day before, but it was nice being out here. He appreciated having her over. He could do this, remain friends with her, and nothing more. It would be easy enough.
Frankie turned to him, flashing a huge smile. His stomach tightened. This was going to be harder than he thought.
Frankie had no idea why she was so attracted to this man. She shouldn’t be attracted to any man. She pushed the thoughts down and focused on coffee and food.
Turning to sex and another relationship that would blow up in her face would only lead to more pain. Keel offered friendship, which was much better than lust.
“I don’t know. Maybe the beans. I don’t buy cheap beans when I’m at home.”
She nodded, taking another sip. After the sun was up, Keel made breakfast for her. Today was scrambled eggs and sausage. She hadn’t had sausage in a long time. It was fattening, and Forest kept it from her, like so many other things.
“So you up for a walk?” Keel asked after she helped him clean the plates.
She nodded. “Yes. I’d love to. I read a little more before I came over this morning. I’m trying to work through it all. I feel better, I think. And then it hits again, and I think I should feel like trash, but that didn’t get me anywhere.”
“No, believing you should be trash won’t get you anywhere. Get your shoes on, and we’ll head out.”
“Okay. I’ll knock when I’m ready. Just a few minutes.”
Though she swore she wasn’t going to kiss him, she brushed her teeth before heading out. She didn’t want minty fresh breath because she planned to be close to Keel. She was doing something good for herself, and she almost believed that was the only reason.
After pulling on her shoes, she left the condo, making sure the door was locked. She knocked on his door, and he opened up seconds later, looking fine in his shorts and t-shirt that hugged his muscles. He wasn’t huge, but what he had was beautiful.
“So, do you want to walk farther today?”
“Sure.”
“Awesome. Let’s go.”
They chatted about the weather, the beach, the trees, and the flowers. Their discussions weren’t heavy, and she appreciated it. She liked how easy it was with him.
They turned around to head back, and were close to the entrance of a shopping center when all of the sudden, Forest’s shiny car pulled into the lot, screeching to a stop right in front of them.
Frankie backed away, tripping and stumbling. She would have hit the ground with her ass, but Keel caught her.
“Don’t let him get to you,” Keel said.
Forest stepped from his car, his lips down in a frown. “Yo, bitch. I’m not done with you.”
Keel moved to stand in front of her. “Don’t come any closer.”
“Fuck you. Go away, soy boy.”
Keel rolled his eyes at the insult. What was this guy, five? “You should get back in your car and leave.”
“Don’t tell me what to do. She’s coming with me.”
“No.” Keel didn’t yell the word. He spoke evenly, like Forest didn’t bother him at all.
She leaned out so she could see Forest and his reactions. She’d been blind to everything about him, and it had almost ruined her. She’d almost lost her life to this asshole. He didn’t deserve her love, never had.
Maybe she hadn’t really loved him. That was a thought.
She’d stayed with him because he abused her, and she loved feeling punished, because that was the only way for her to feel anything.
She thought she deserved the pain and torture, and maybe she did, but with Keel helping her, there was light at the end of the path.
She was seeking the truth, and it wasn’t easy. The truth was, Keel helped her by offering her friendship, which was saving her.
“Leave me alone.” Her voice wasn’t strong like Keel’s, but she wasn’t going to let her ex degrade her. Never again.
“Shut up, trash. No one cares what you think.”
“I care what she thinks, and she said for you to leave. She doesn’t want you in her life.”
Forest puffed up his chest like he could fight Keel. She almost laughed.
“What are you going to do, big man?” Forest asked.
She glanced up and saw a smile spread across Keel’s face, but it wasn’t the smile he sent her way.
This smile was dark, and maybe a little evil.
More like Pennywise the Clown than Barney the Dinosaur.
Forest was in real trouble, or she thought he was, until he pulled a gun on them, sending fear sliding through her.