We walked into the kitchen. I needed sustenance to dissect this arrangement. 
Sam sat on a chair at the counter. "What secret?"
"Our new housemate is gay."
Sam stared at me in confusion. 
"But that's not the secret." I grabbed a container of leftover pasta and warmed it in the microwave. "He's also a liar."
"How so?"
The microwaved dinged. I grabbed the container, stirred it, and pressed the button. "A junkie would act so calm in a situation like this. They would need to use."
"Are you saying Keaton isn't a junkie?"
"Keaton's not a junkie, but you become one when someone threatens you."
"Like who?"
"Someone worse than anyone you will ever meet," a voice said. 
We looked at the doorway to find Keaton standing there. Super. 
Keaton walked toward us and sat beside Sam while I grabbed three plates and plated the food before handing it to them. 
"Okay. So what's your deal?" Sam asked. 
"I liked this guy. He mentioned this house party he was having. I talked my cousins into it. Two bolted while the other one stayed," Keaton said. 
"Okay, but that doesn't explain how you ended up here."
"The guy introduced me to Andre and Andre's boss."
"Andre's a prick."
I couldn't disagree with Sam about Andre. He was a sadistic prick. 
"Yeah, well, I saw things I wasn't supposed to see. To get out of it, I got myself pinched by the cops," Keaton said. 
"Wait. You got yourself arrested on purpose?" Sam asked. 
Keaton nodded. "I pressed the emergency button on my phone, giving my location. The police arrested me and another person. My dad destroyed evidence to get me released. The stipulation was to keep my head down and hide."
"Does your family know where you are?"
Keaton shook his head. "No. I didn't even realize I was coming here until the car pulled up front. So, why are you here?"
"Oh, my stupid mother sold me to Andre."
Keaton's brows lifted in surprise. 
"And Andre wants me dead." I shrugged. 
Keaton's mouth cracked, but he didn't say anything. 
I waved him off with my fork. "Staying here is better than dying. I want to return to Ryden."
"What?" Keaton knitted his brows in confusion. 
"Ryden Harper is my annoying boyfriend that likes to hover. Sam is dating his idiot twin brother, Roman."
"Ryden and Roman are my cousins."
Sam and I stared at Keaton. "What?"
"Our grandmothers are sisters."
Sam and I looked at each other, then at Keaton. "What?"
"Do you know a Sophia Haywood?"
"Sofie is dating Odin Harper. Why?" I asked. 
Keaton rubbed his face and groaned in frustration. 
"What, you dingleberry?" I was getting annoyed by Keaton's half ass answers. 
Keaton lowered his hands. "My family is in deep shit, and so are you if you know Sophia Haywood."
"You better start talking, you halfwit, before you can explore your sexuality."
Keaton blew air past his lips. "It all started with a party..."
*****
Melody
D suggested I spend time at the center while he returned to work. I hesitated but understood I couldn't keep him from achieving his dreams. It wouldn't be fair to him. 
Mercedes, Rachel, and Sofie helped me while Kyler and Jorge kept their distance from me. I understood why. The guys didn't make me comfortable unless it was D or my dad. Even then, I struggled with my dad. 
"You seem like you're doing better, Melody," Rachel said. 
"I'm taking it one day at a time. D has been unbelievable throughout it all," I said.
"You got lucky with Demarco," Sofie said. 
"I'm not sure it's luck as God placing people in our pathway. It makes me grateful that God allowed me to love D."
"That's a different perspective. Most people don't think that way," Mercedes said. 
"I don't understand why. Isn't it an honor for us to love someone? Shouldn't we cherish the person in our life?"
"It depends on the person. Not everyone acts that way."
"Not everyone is meant for each other. The right person will show you why you should cherish someone."
"Aren't you afraid of getting hurt?"
"D wouldn't hurt me because he loves me. When someone loves you, they would never hurt you."
"You have a unique perspective, Melody," Rachel said. 
"It took a difficult lesson to learn it." I shrugged. 
The girls nodded in agreement. 
Eventually, the kids arrived. Kyler encourages me to participate with the kids. I could understand why Sofie enjoyed coming to the center. The children were a gift from God. 
D arrived to pick me up. The kids were sad to see me go, but I assured them I would return. 
We climbed into the car and headed home. 
"How was your day?" D asked. 
"It was good." I smiled. "You should have seen all those little faces. They were so adorable."
D chuckled. "Yeah, the kids give Kyler a run for his money."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Helping me. It was nice to spend time without worrying."
"Mel, no one will fault you for hesitating with situations. Oliver helped me when I needed it. He gave me a sense of purpose."
"I like that."
"Are you planning to continue your studies?"
"I want to."
"But...."
"I'm not sure if that's where my heart lies anymore."
"So, what does your heart say?"
"I want to help people and make a difference."
"Then you should. Nothing is stopping you."
"You wouldn't mind?"
"Why would I mind?" D glanced at me. 
"I wasn't sure what you would think if we ever got married."
D pulled into the driveway, cut the engine, and turned to me. "Mel, whatever you decide is your choice. I will support it one hundred percent. But aren't we jumping the gun with marriage?"
"Sorry. I was thinking about the future."
"We have plenty of time before we rush down the aisle."
"If you say so."
"I say so. Chill, woman."
I scrunched my face before getting out of the car. D walked around the car and slipped his hand into mine before arguing with me about not letting him open my door for me. I don't believe that it's my fault he was slow on the draw. He needs to be faster.