“Tommy, I just remembered that I left my hammer at uncle Declan’s place. Can you please go over there and get it for me?”
“But—”
“Watch the street before you cross it. I’ll be watching to check if you do. You know what happens if you don’t…”
“Yes, Dad,” Tommy said with the exhaustion clear in his voice, like Keenan had warned him thousands of times. He probably had.
When Tommy didn’t acknowledge her when she said goodbye, and left the kitchen in silence, he took a little part of her heart with her. He’d acted like it had been her fault his dad was mad at him.
Keenan’s stiff posture and avoidance of any eye contact made her aware she now had to fight to keep this job.
The front door slammed shut and Keenan stood from his seat to peer through the shutters of the kitchen window above the sink. She grabbed their empty fruit bowls and started rinsing them.
Tommy ran like his bum caught fire until he reached the street. He quickly shot a glance to the kitchen window and then made a show of watching the streets both ways before crossing it.
When Tommy had been safely let inside the two-story house across the street, Keenan turned toward her and rested his hip against the dishwasher.
“Threats of reduced tablet time always work like a charm.”
“I should remember that.” She tried to joke, but it fell flat when Keenan rubbed his forehead and opened his mouth.
Before he could get any word in and tell her to take a hike, she said, “I’ve been bullied for most of my life, Keenan. I know that violence is never the answer. Believe me… I know.”
He gave her an understanding nod, and she continued, “The only reason I suggested showing him some moves is because it has helped me enormously to gain confidence. Sparring strengthened me not only physically,” she tapped the side of her head, “But up here as well. Would it be so bad if I showed him a few things to defend himself?”
“Only to defend himself?”
“Well, the goal is to get him to open up while sparring. It’s not good to let these things fester. I talk about my experiences and in the meantime, he’s learning how to defend himself.”
Keenan stared out of the kitchen window. “I should’ve known something was up. He’s been asking his uncles to teach him how to fight for quite some time now.”
“Oh, right. I’m sure his uncles would love to—”
He placed a hand on her arm and immediately retracted his hand like she’d burned him at the touch. “I’d rather have you do it. I know how my brothers and cousins get. Ronan would go all Rambo on him.”
They both chuckled and quickly diverted their gazes.
“Maybe a female touch is just what he needs…”
She wondered in the back of her mind if it wasn’t exactly what Keenan needed as well. They hadn’t talked about Tommy’s mother, other than he’d told her on the phone that she wasn’t in the picture.
“Would you be all right living here with us? I know we’ve both ignored the elephant in the room…”
Ryleigh shifted on her feet. “Elephant?”
His damn smirk made her stumble her hip against the counter. He shot out a hand to her bicep, steadying her. This time his touch lingered.
“Yeah, you do remember me, don’t you?”
She studied the floor to come up with something smart to say. He lifted her chin with his knuckle and scrutinized her expression.
While he waited her out, she suddenly felt too hot. As if in slow motion, he slowly brought his lips to her ear.
“I remember everything about that night…”
He tugged her earlobe between his teeth. Oh, my… talk about a taste of your own medicine. She steadied herself with her palm flat on the kitchen counter.
“G-good. I-I mean… All righty then.”
She cringed at her own words. All righty? Oh, come on. Where was that strong, sexy fighter side of her when she needed it?
An amused smile formed on his lips. “Can you start today?”
“Sure. N-no problem.”
Keenan winked. “All righty then.”