Free Hearts Attached by Scarlet Wolfe Page B

me?”
    “We’re slowing down.”
    “But you sound mad about it,” I say, pulling my hand away.
    “I’m not mad. I’m–I’m sexually frustrated, but that’s my issue, not yours. I know I was going without before, but I wasn’t kissing and touching you then. I didn’t have your body against mine, and I wasn’t smelling your sweet skin.”
    Luke releases my hand, and now both of his are gripping the steering wheel firmly.
    “I don’t want to slow down,” I say.
    “I know you, Kenzie. You’ll do it to please me.”
    “I should get to make my own decisions. I appreciate that you’ve been protecting me my whole life, but it’s ridiculous that you’re trying to protect me from you.”
    “We’re slowing down,” he says as he throws his car into park.
    “Like many other times, you confuse the hell out of me, Luke.” I get out and slam the door before I march to my house.
    I understand he’s trying to be considerate of my feelings, but I want him as much as he wants me, so it shouldn’t be an issue now that I’ve told him.

Chapter Eleven
    Luke
    I t’s six o’clock, and my dad and Liv are getting ready to leave to go stay with my mom at my grandparents. Since Kenzie said Liv was coming around, I feel the need to apologize to her, so I go to her room.
    “Sis, can I come in?”
    “Sure.”
    I open her door and see her packing a small suitcase on her bed. “I thought you might try to stay home, too,” I say to her.
    “Why? Then I’d be here with you and Kenzie. I figured that would be weird.”
    “Liv, please accept this,” I say exhaustingly.
    She stops packing and puts a hand on her hip.
    “I’m trying.”
    “I’m sorry for what I said in the cafeteria.”
    “It’s fine. You were right; I was treating her badly. Growing up, when it was only Kenzie and me hanging out, it was great.
    “When it was only you and me, it was fun, but I always felt out of place when it was the three of us, which was often.” Liv plops down on her bed.
    “Liv, we never tried to make you feel that way.”
    “Well, I did. Now, I feel like I’ve completely lost the both of you. I always worried this would happen.”
    “Kenzie and I both want to spend the same amount of time with you as we used to. Dalton could hang out with us, too. It would be cool.”
    “I’m not there yet, Luke, but I’m trying to accept it. I have to finish packing. I’ll see you Sunday.”
    I scratch my head and start out the door.
    “Luke.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Are you serious about being with Kenzie? This could destroy her if you’re not.”
    “Yes, Liv. I’ve always wanted to be with her. I was too chicken to do anything about it and too afraid of this right here happening.”
    “I’m the reason you haven’t been together.” My sister bites on her nail and stares off. She has to accept this, and I believe she will eventually.
    “Liv, are you ready? We have to get on the road. Dalton’s here,” Dad says as he approaches the doorway.
    “I’ll go talk to him,” I say, leaving my sister and Dad alone.
    “Hey, man. What’s up?” I ask Dalton when I reach the family room.
    “I wanted to tell Liv bye one more time.”
    I smirk at him. “Yeah, you give me shit about Kenzie, but you have it bad for my sister.”
    His face turns red, and he runs a hand across the back of his neck. “Yeah, I do. Want to play ball after she leaves?”
    “Um, that’s cool.”
    “Wait, is Kenzie coming over?” he asks, smiling.
    “I don’t think so. We can play.”
    “You can tell me. I don’t want to cut into your time alone.”
    “No, bro, it’s cool.”
    I do need to make things right with her, but I don’t have a clue what to say. I don’t want to wait to have sex, but don’t chicks want to be able to say they waited awhile?
    ***
    A fter I play some basketball and shower, I check my phone and see I have a text from Kenzie.
    Kenz: Don’t make me stay here by myself. I get scared, and I would’ve made plans with a friend if I had