Everything You Want by Macyn Like

looked at
the wall, feeling the redness creep into my cheeks.
    “There was!  Yeah, it was definitely
a date.”
    “Maybe it was,” I said.
    “And you’re okay with that?  I
thought this girl was off limits or something.”
    “She is.  Well, she should be. 
I don’t know what I’m doing.  I can’t seem to stay away from her.”
    “Then don’t.”
    I gave Kiera a pointed look.
    “I’m just saying.  You need to get over
Becca and move on.”
    “I am over Becca and I have moved on.”
    “Sure, you have.”
    “Kiera, can we talk about something else? 
You’re killing my vibe.”
    “Fine.  Just tell me one thing.”
    “Yes?”
    “Does she make you happy?”
    I brought the mug up to my lips and took
a big gulp.  “You know she does.”
    “I know.  I just wanted to make sure
that you knew.”
    I took another sip of my coffee and
looked away.  About that time, I noticed the suitcases in the living room.
    “Kiera, what is this?” I asked, pointing
my coffee mug at the luggage.
    “Oh, that?  I’m moving out.”
    “You’re what?  Why?”
    “Because.  I can’t live with you
forever.”
    “Sure you can.”
    “That’s sweet, but I can’t.  You
need your space, and I need to find a place for Skylar and me.”
    “You’re not going back to Rob are you?” I
asked, narrowing my eyes.
    She looked at me and rolled her eyes. 
“No!  I’m moving in with Mom and Dad.  I talked to them last night,
explained everything.  I’m going to live there until I can get back on my
feet.”
    I took a deep breath.  She was
right, but I still liked having her here.  “Okay,” I said, “If that’s what
you want.”
    She nodded.
    “At least let me help you move.”
    “It’s okay.  Mom and Dad are driving
down today to pick me up.  Then, after I’m unpacked, I’m buying a car.”
    “Oh, yeah?”
    “Yeah.  You know, I had an awesome
car before you got ahold of it.  Why’d you have to wreck the Honda,
Kieran?” she teased playfully.  She didn’t normally tease me about my accident,
but I knew what she meant.  That Accord was an awesome machine.
    “Kiera, you don’t want the Honda. 
It was from, like, 1986.”
    “Yeah, and it was a tank.”
    “Yes, it was.”  I chuckled.
    I looked at all the stuff crammed in my
living room.  “You’re going to need more than one car.  I’ll haul
some of this up there for you.”
    “You don’t have to do that.”
    “No, really.  I haven’t been home in
awhile.  I’d like to go.  I’ll stay the weekend with you, help you
and the kid get settled in.”
    “Kieran.”
    “It would make me feel better.”
    “You’re so stubborn sometimes.”
    I shrugged. 
    Suddenly we heard a cabinet slam shut in
the next apartment. 
    “Sounds like your girlfriend’s awake,”
Kiera said, wiping Skylar’s mouth with his bib.
    “Shut up,” I said, but I was smiling.  It
had been a long time since I’d liked the sound of that word.
     
     
     

Chapter 19
    Marissa
    After work on Wednesday, I walked up the
stairs and was pleasantly surprised to see Kieran leaning against the railing
in front of his door, drinking a mug of coffee.
    “Waiting for me?” I asked, when he looked
over at me.
    “No, I…” he trailed off. 
“Maybe.”  He smiled.
    I smiled back and went to lean against
the rail beside him.
    “I was hoping you’d let me cook you
dinner.  One of those mean grilled cheeses we talked about?  I could
also open a can of tomato soup.  I’m talented like that.”
    I bit my lip, trying to tame the
outrageous grin that was threatening to break loose across my face.  I’d
been thinking about him all day.  I’d actually been thinking about him
constantly since Friday night.  It had been five days since I’d heard from
him, and I was beginning to get worried.  Well, okay, I was way past
worried.  Seeing him put all of that at ease, though.
    “Where’ve you been?” I asked as I
followed him into his apartment, trying not to sound