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.”My skin crawled as I walked forward.I could feel his gaze as it bore into the back of my head.Out of the corner of my eye I saw a group of teenage boys standing outside.Humiliation surfaced, realizing that they probably heard what he said to me.It’s not like he ever spoke softly.His usual tone was a yell.Peeking up through my long hair, I recognized one of the boys as my neighbor.He quickly looked over in my direction, but I turned my head, allowing my hair to fall over my face like a shield.Not that I could truly hide from him.I was sure that he knew what went on inside my home.Our shared walls were thin, and sometimes I caught him watching me with curiosity as if I was a character on some sick and twisted reality show.With my head ducked down, I walked swiftly in my bare feet toward the dumpster.I could hear whispering behind my back, but I ignored it.That’s what I had gotten good at.Ignoring things, blocking them out.It was the only way I could cope.It was early Saturday morning.Kyler was in his room getting ready, and I was sweeping the kitchen floor.Leaning over, I scooped the dirt into the dustpan.A shadow cast over me as I straightened back up.“What are you doing?” Kyler stood in front of me, his fingers shoved into the pocket of his jeans, his hair wet.He smelled like mint shampoo and soap.“Cleaning the kitchen.” I dumped the contents of the dustpan into the trash.“Not today.” Kyler pried the dustpan and broom from my fingers.He set them in the corner of the kitchen and rubbed his palms together.“Today is Saturday, so that means no working.”“Really? Even for you?” I placed a hand on my hip.Kyler grinned.“Even for me.”“So you’re not planning to sneak in any writing time today?” I was skeptical.“I promise.Today I want to take a break from writing and spend the whole day with you and Edgar.”I raised a brow.“What’s the occasion?”“No occasion.” He shrugged as he moved toward the counter.“Want some coffee?”“Sure.” I watched his back, wondering what had gotten into him.Normally he couldn’t tear himself away from his computer.While he scooped a heaping spoonful of coffee grounds into the pot, there was a knock on the door.My pulse spiked.Kyler craned his neck, his brows knit together.When I glanced out the window I saw a florist van parked in the driveway.“You expecting flowers?” I asked.Kyler groaned.“Yes, actually.” He didn’t look happy about it as he headed toward the front door.Curiosity overtook me.Leaning forward, I listened intently as he spoke with the man from the floral shop, thanking him for the delivery.When he returned to the kitchen he held a bouquet of brightly colored flowers in his hand.From where I stood with my back resting against the counter, I could see the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY written in bright blue on the card sticking out of the top.“It’s your birthday?”Kyler nodded, setting the flowers down on the countertop.“My parents insist on sending me flowers every year on my birthday.I don’t know why.I guess they don’t know what else to send.”“Why didn’t you tell me?’“It’s not a big deal.Everyone has birthdays.It’s not like it’s an accomplishment.You don’t have to achieve anything.”“That’s not true,” I said.“You’ve achieved another year of life.”Kyler pressed the button on the coffee maker and the sweet scent of coffee filled the small kitchen.“True.” He turned to face me.“I wish you had told me.I would’ve gotten you something.” I hugged myself.“It’s fine.” He waved away my words with a flick of his wrist.“I don’t need anything.”“I know.” I stared at my feet.“But you’ve done so much for me and now I feel bad because I have nothing to give you for your birthday.”“Jade, don’t you know by now?” Kyler bridged the gap between us.His hands came up around my arms.“You being here is gift enough.I don’t need anything else from you.” His fingers brushed over the bare skin on my arms until his hands rested at my shoulders.Our eyes locked, and my heart crumbled underneath his intense gaze.There goes another wall.I closed my eyes, feeling his hands in my hair, on my neck, framing my face.“Jade.” I popped my eyes open.“I won’t do anything without your permission
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