Free Revealing Kia by Airicka Phoenix Page A

was that I couldn’t tell you it was me. Plus, it was kind of fun and I wanted you to myself for that one night.” Her cheeks darkened. “Pathetic, huh?”
    Too stunned to formulate proper words, I could only shake my head slowly.
    She looked back at her feet, the smile melting away. “But I knew it couldn’t last. Eventually the night would end and you’d want to know who I was and I … I couldn’t…” She bit her lip so hard I feared she would draw blood. “I ran. I know that sounds so lame and cowardly, but you have no idea how torn I was. I couldn’t stand the thought of being rejected by you…”
    “I would never have rejected you,” I murmured quietly, so quietly, I wasn’t sure she heard me.
    “It didn’t matter. I knew I had to tell you and Nessie before Claudia did. The afternoon at the school, I was getting ready to do just that when, well, you know what happened.”
    A portion of the shock had begun to recede, leaving me a small window of clarity as the situation unfurled and and memories of that afternoon rushed through my mind.
    “ She told me you moved, or that Marie had moved.” I shook my head. “I didn’t believe her. At least, I didn’t want to believe her. I’d already started to figure out you were Marie, but when she said you’d gone I began to have doubts that maybe I’d been wrong. Then I saw you on the stairs and I knew for sure.”
    “ She lied,” Kia muttered bitterly. “She wanted you to stop looking for me so she could have you. I wasn’t going to let that happen. I wouldn’t let her have you.”
    I wasn’t sure she realized what she’d just said, but I did a nd it only further sealed my theory—we were both on the same page. I wasn’t letting her go either.
    “What happened?” I asked when she fell silent for a moment.
    There was fire in her eyes when they lifted to mine. “I told her I was going to tell you everything. I didn’t care anymore. I would rather you hated me than fall into her clutches. I wanted to beat that bitch’s face into the ground.”
    The venom in her voice brought a slight grin to my face. “What happened with Van essa?”
    The fire faded to a sad flicker. “She made it very clear that she would hate me and I … I couldn’t stand it, Adam. She’s my best friend, and as much as I want you, and God do I ever want you…” Her gaze, wet and shiny with tears, lifted to my face. “I can’t have you.”

Chapter V
    Kia
    Mr. Chaves stood at the stove the next morning when I shuffled my way downstairs. Kenny and Adam were at the table, heads bent over Kenny’s phone, but Adam looked up when I approached. His blue eyes soaked me in, leaving a scalding trail in their wake before settling on my face. I quickly looked away.
    “Good morning, Kia.” Mrs. Chaves glanced up from the magazine open in front of her.
    Grateful to have something else to keep my eyes busy, I walked over and pulled out a chair.
    “Morning.” I peeked at the magazine and grinned at the bright red circles marking nearly every piece of furniture on the page. “My mom bought that wine rack last month,” I said, pointing.
    Mrs. Chaves’ eyes widened with interest. “Does she like it?”
    I shrugged. “I guess. She uses it for magazines. She and Joanne don’t really drink,” I explained when Mrs. Chaves blinked at me in confusion. “She rolled up all the magazines lying around the house and fit them through the slots. She’s very Martha Stewart like that.”
    “That is brilliant!” she exclaimed, sitting back. “Donald and I don’t drink very often either, but this is just too adorable to pass up.” She marked a check next to the rack.
    “The IKEA catalog is like my mom and Joanne’s bible,” I said. “We have half that stuff cluttering the house, but in a very organized manner.”
    Mrs. Chaves laughed. “You’re so funny. Vanessa said you were, but … it’s nice.” She tilted her head slightly to the side. “So Joanne is your … sister?”
    I