Free Repented by Sophie Monroe Page B

to talk to the man at the front desk who handed him keys and a manila envelope. He motioned for me and Sky to follow him. He clicked the key fab to a white Ford Explorer and loaded the bags into the trunk.
    Kevin climbed in the driver's seat and started in the opposite direction of where we lived. He was especially quiet, but I could tell he was thinking. His brow always furrowed when he was deep in thought. I turned and saw Skylar with his face back in his PSP, oblivious to anything going on around him. Leaning back, I closed my eyes.
    Kevin nudged me awake. “Hey sleepy head, we’re here.”
    Turning to look at him, he smiled and rubbed my thigh. “M’kay.” It was all I could manage. At this point, I was going to need a day or three, in bed to catch up. We were in front of a house in one of the nicer neighborhoods outside of Phoenix near where Kevin’s parents lived. It was an off-white two-story stucco house with gray shutters.
    “C’mon, I just need to see someone quick.” I followed him and Skylar up the manicured walkway to the red door, which he opened without knocking. “Hello,” he called out, but the place was empty. “Hmmm, that’s odd. I could have sworn someone lived here.” He walked toward the back of the house to where the kitchen was located and picked up an envelope and opened it. It looked like it contained a stack of papers. “That’s right, someone does live here." He reached out and took my hand and placed a key inside my palm and closed it. "You do.”
    What the hell? Is he serious?
    “Shut up,” I told him. "That is not even funny!"
    “I’m dead serious. I bought it for you yesterday. Luckily, the previous owners had already moved and were anxious to get it sold.”
    He seemed so proud of himself.
    “Kev, there’s no way I can accept this. Not after everything that happened, and even then.” I couldn’t help it, the tears started to fall. For most of my life, there was no one to rely on except myself.
    “That’s not all. You know my mom has a few luxury spas, there’s one less than ten minutes from here, and she’s been looking for someone to run it for a while now. It’s yours for the taking, plus you’ll have benefits and paid vacation. It’s time for a fresh start ”
     
    KEVIN
     
    Sobbing, she pulled me into a tight embrace.
    “I don’t know how to ever thank you! You changed both our lives forever. Can you pinch me?”
    I reached my hand down and pinched her lightly on the ass causing her to giggle.
    “As much as I would really love to stay and help you get situated, Jake needs me to fly to Michigan and pick up the new tour bus. Then I have to race back to Smithville to have it wrapped and decaled. The next few weeks are going to be hectic, but there's a guest room and I'll expect you to go get a comfy bed to put in it so I can visit. You have my number if you need anything just ask. This is just the beginning. I promise I'll be back." I leaned over and kissed her cheek.
    Skylar came running over after leaving his PSP on the counter and jumped into my arms. "I know you're not my dad, but if I could pick on he'd be just like you."
    I was starting to become emotional since he and I started bonding. Looking over at Kennedy, her eyes were filled with tears. I didn't want to have to leave them as soon as I got them here, but my flight was coming up, and I couldn't miss it. Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out another envelope and handed it to her.
    "There's some money for furniture and stuff in there, and that car isn't a rental, it's yours." I started laughing. Her shocked reaction was epic! "Close your mouth before you start catching flies."
    "Shut up!" She cried.
    "I heard yours was a POS and I can't have my little buddy driving around in something that isn't safe."
    Setting everything down on the counter, I walked over and wrapped my arms around him and picked him up one last time. After putting him down, I motioned for Kennedy to follow me to the door so