Taming the Beast

Chapter 21 (Caroline)

"I'm sorry, Care. I forgot how... new that still is to you. I didn't mean to upset you or remind you. It just

sort of... slipped out. Please stop crying," he begged. My brother hated crying unless it was coming

from Preston. He also hated making me upset... almost more than he hated crying. Keegan walked

further into my room and tucked my hair behind my ear and out of my face gently. He smiled lightly as

he knelt beside the bed.

"Hey," he practically whispered. He stood and got in on the other side of my bed. He pulled me up into

a sitting position and opened his arms for me. "Come here," he said softly. I didn't hesitate. I crawled

over his lap and buried my head into his chest as I grabbed my stuffed bear and clutched it tightly to my

chest. It was a bear my parents gave me. I'd always grab it when I missed them or when I'd get upset.

Keegan's arms went around me as he rested his back against the headboard. He rubbed my back

gently as I continued to cry. He didn't say a word. He just held me, which was fine by me. He shushed

me lightly as I sobbed into his neck. Being in his arms actually made me feel better. It was like warmth

spread through my body, calming me. Once my sobs stopped, I just sat there across Keegan's lap. I

didn't want to move. I was embarrassed enough as it was because of last night and breakfast this

morning. Keegan started humming to me lightly. And he actually wasn't half bad. His voice was decent,

or at least his humming voice was. He trailed off and let out a breath, his hand still rubbing my back. I

finally lifted my head to look at him. His hand released from around me and he wiped my wet cheeks

with his thumbs.

"Better?" he asked. I nodded slowly.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?" I asked him

hoarsely. He sighed and caught my chin so I was looking directly at him.

"I'm here because I care about you... and she's not my girlfriend anymore," he answered. My eyes

bulged. He broke up with her last night?! Oh crap, she was going to kill me. I looked away from him as I

processed all of this information.

"Ninny?" I heard from the doorway. I sniffled and took a deep breath.

"Come in baby," I said. He walked through the open door and climbed into my bed. I slid off of

Keegan's lap and onto the bed beside him. I wanted to be back in his arms again, but our moment was

over. Preston climbed into my lap similarly to how I was just sitting on Keegan. Preston didn't rest his

head on my shoulder like he normally did. He sat straight up and inspected Keegan. I chuckled softly.

"Preston, this is Keegan," I smiled gently. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"K-Keys," Preston said. I laughed. Preston gave everyone their own name according to him. Then he

did something I didn't expect. He crawled out of my lap and went to get in Keegan's. Preston was shy.

He normally didn't go to people he didn't know. It took him a whole year to go to Mariana and Stacy.

Preston's little face lit up with excitement. Keegan's eyes bulged as he watched him. Then his eyes

landed on me.

"Does this happen normally?" he asked. I slowly shook my head, watching Preston still. Preston laid his

head on Keegan's shoulder and let out a breath as he closed his eyes.

"I think he's still tired. Rock him a little," I whispered. Keegan did as I asked, holding my nephew gently.

I smiled sappily at the picture. It was so cute. Who knew Keegan would be good with kids. What was

more surprising was that Preston actually went to him. Preston didn't go to just anybody.