Give Me Peace

by M.K. Harper

Krew hops off the counter and saunters toward a corner in the kitchen. He bends and picks the lizard up, but instead of going out the back patio, he spins around and flings it at Kash. What follows next is the highest pitched squeal I’ve ever heard. Kash scrambles away, but his foot slips and down he goes. He jumps back up, wiggling his body all around while repeating, “Get it off! Get it off!”

Surely there's a happy medium between pre-teen and negligées. Fucking hell.

And everything I have now is a product of my regret. The bank account that’s no longer at risk of being in the negative, the buttery leather seats of my Audi, the family I’ve gained. Each one serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences. That there are no do-overs in life. So I spend my days trying to right my wrongs the only way I know how. I see her in every broken girl whose file comes across my desk. She’s not just a part of my story, she’s the story. It all began with her.

A laugh burst out of me, the ease of it shocking. I guess Roan was right to question Kash, because plastered to the back of my closet door is a Justin Bieber poster.

“We’re backed into a corner, Ro. We’ve got a shit choice, or an even shittier one. And the latter will likely result in the woman we’re all falling for being taken again. Or worse.” I give him a hard look, rolling my eyes at the choking sound Krew makes. “Let’s cut the crap and stop pretending like every damn one of us isn’t feeling something we shouldn’t be for Saylor. I won’t act on it, and neither should any of you, but if the day ever comes that she initiates or gives me so much as an inkling that she feels the same way, all bets are off.”

“As long you’re good, then I’m good, Best Friend.” I smile, enjoying the ease that always comes with being around him. “I bet I could take him, though. One good swipe at his knees and Kade would drop like a sack of shit.” He snickers, the sound too adorable to match the badass vibe he’s going for. “Oh, my God!” I gasp, pointing directly beside him. “Is that a spider?!” “What!” Kash screeches, flying up and over me as quickly as he can. I laugh—hard and loud—unable to hold it back a second longer. “Yep. You could totally take him.” I pluck the sucker from his mouth and stick it in my own, wiping the tears from my eyes.

I ease off the brake, barely touching the gas, yet we still fly out way faster than I expected. I squeak and slam my foot back down. Havok grunts, bracing his hand on the dash to keep from jolting forward. “Shit, Say. You just squashed the fuck out of that bug.” We both laugh, the saying reminding me of all the times Mom would use it when she’d stop too quickly.