Home > Kiss Me First (Blairwood University #0)(7)

Kiss Me First (Blairwood University #0)(7)
Author: Anna B. Doe

I knew that we needed to get away from the toxic environment that surrounded us. A new start, and help, definitely help, but Mom didn’t want to hear about it. We fought for weeks, and it wasn’t pretty. For years, she’s been pushing Penny’s issues back, ignoring the fact that she’s different and needs professional help.

I’m not sure what she hoped her ignoring would do, but that was Mom. Always pushing problems to the back and hoping they’d solve themselves or disappear. Finally, I’d had it with her, and I promised her that if she wasn’t going to let me do this, I was going to do it all on my own, consequences be damned.

Mom, I can deal with, but I wasn’t sure Penny could battle her demons. Not without some help.

I’m not sure if she took me seriously or if she was just sick of us fighting, but she gave in, and that was all that mattered.

“It’s only been a day; give it some time.”

I hum, taking a sip of coffee. “People seem nice. Nosy, but nice.”

Aunt Mabel laughs. “They’ll grow on you. It’s our southern charm.”

Southern charm. Dark eyes and a wicked grin flash in my mind. That’s one way of putting it, that’s for sure.

Mabel’s phone beeps. She goes to the table and grabs her phone, mumbling something softly. “Do you mind going to check on Penelope? I just got a message that I should come in early if possible.”

“Sure, no problem.” I give her a curious look as she keeps frowning at her phone. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, sure,” she says distractedly. Sighing, she locks her phone and looks up at me. “Will you be fine if we drop Penelope first?”

“Of course. I don’t mind walking if you have to hurry.”

She walks to the sink to rinse her cup before putting it in the dishwasher. “This stupid sink is dripping again,” she mutters, probably more to herself than to me.

“I did notice it the other day.”

“Charms of living in an old house. There’s always something that needs fixing,” Mabel sighs. “I’ll call a friend and see if he can stop and check it. Just another thing on my to-do list.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I feel so bad because we’re imposing on her, but she didn’t even take a moment to consider it when I called her to explain what happened and ask if she would take us in.

“No, that’s okay, but thank you, Katherine.” Mabel smiles softly.

“Okay.” Holding onto my cup, I go toward the door. “I’ll check on Penny and get ready quickly.”

 

 

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you at school?” Mabel looks at the clock on the dash, and although she’s doing her best to hide it, I know she’s already late.

“Nope, that’s fine. You go ahead. I have more than enough time. Might as well stop to grab a cup of coffee on my way.”

Mabel turns to face me. “But you just had some.”

“Your point being?” I quirk my brow at her.

Mabel laughs. “Fine, go grab your coffee. I’ll see you girls later.”

Penny and I get out of the car. We wave goodbye as we watch her drive away.

“You good?” I ask, looking at my sister.

Although just a few years separate us, I’ve always taken it upon myself to be her protector.

Penny nibbles at her lip, her eyes fixed on the school in front of us.

“I guess.” Penny tries to smile, but I can see right through her. She’s been through a lot—way more than a thirteen-year-old girl should go through—in these last few months. Maybe even longer.

The anxiety I feel every time I think about what could have happened comes rushing back, but I shove it away.

Not now.

I push a strand of her hair behind her ear. “It’s okay to be nervous.”

“I know. People seem nice, though.”

“Do they?”

She nods, her platinum strands tickling my hand. “It feels good to be somewhere where people understand. Where you can belong, just the way you are.” She turns to me. “Not that I don’t believe—”

“I know exactly what you mean, Penny.” I pull her in for a hug, inhaling her sweet strawberry shampoo. “You’re amazing, just the way you are. And you will charm the hell out of all your classmates.”

“You think?”

“I’m sure.” With one final squeeze, I let her go. “See you later?”

“Sounds like a plan. Bye, Kate.”

I stay behind, making sure that Penny makes it safely inside. She’d roll her eyes at my overprotectiveness, tell me I’m treating her like a baby—and maybe I am—but she’s my little sister, so if I want to make sure she’s okay, I’d like to see the person who’ll get in my way.

Sighing, I turn to the road ahead.

I mean, how hard could it be?

I ignore the little voice that reminds me of what happened yesterday, as I hoist the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder and start walking.

I haven’t been to town much yet, but from the little that I saw, it seemed like one of the towns you can see in Hallmark movies. Picturesque. I think that’s the right word.

As I walk, I look around for something that resembles a coffee shop. The main street—it’s legit called that, The Main Street—is filled with different kinds of little shops that have probably been standing there for ages, owned by the local families. People walk around, stopping to greet their friends and neighbors as they pass. One older man even slowed down so he could talk to somebody who was cleaning in front of his shop.

It feels as if I’m walking in some kind of dreamland or something.

Shaking my head, I look before crossing the street.

Is there no Starbucks here?

I stare at the shop windows and signs until I spot one with a coffee cup.

Bingo.

I hurry up my steps, reaching for the door handle just as the door swings open, and I come face to face, or more like face to chest, with a man.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, my cheeks flushing.

“No, it’s my fault.”

We each move to step out of the way but just end up colliding all over again. Our awkward dance lasts for a little while. I chuckle, moving away from the door. “Well, this is not awkward at all.”

The man gets out but keeps holding the door open. He’s older, probably in his forties, dressed in a flannel shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots, which I’ve noticed are something a lot of people wear around these parts. He’s tall, but the hat sitting atop his head gives him a few extra inches.

“It’s okay, darlin’. Happens all the time.” He looks at me carefully. “Do I know you?”

I push a strand of hair behind my ear. “I don’t think so. I’m Mabel Adams’s niece. You probably know her.”

His brows shoot up. The hat is throwing a shadow over his face, which makes it hard to read him. “Mabel Adams, of course, I know her. We went to school together.”

“She always had a sweet spot for you, that one,” comes from the inside.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Letty,” the guy says with a smile, looking over his shoulder just as a small woman comes into view.

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