Conflicted: Keegan's Chronicles (7 page)

“Sure. I don’t have to study for science and
math.” Keegan shrugged and shoved a fry in her mouth.

“Must be nice,” Donald laughed, pulling the
top bun off of his hamburger before ripping open a packet of
ketchup. “I have to study a lot. My mom would kill me if I got bad
grades.”

Keegan was silent while she finished off her
fries and watched Donald pile his burger high with vegetables and
condiments. He took a bite and seemed to barely chew it before
swallowing. “Keegan, do you want to go for a bike ride with me on
Saturday? I’d like to show you one of my favorite places.”

“I would love that. I’m not a very good at
it so I hope you don’t need me to go mountain biking.” Keegan made
a face at him then took a drink of her milk.

“Well, it is in the woods, but we can hike
from the road.”

“I can’t wait! Do you want me to bring lunch
for us?”

“Leave it to you to think of food.” He
chuckled and shook his head. “Of course, that would be great; we
could make a day out of it.”

She tried to be nonchalant about it, but
within herself she danced and jumped around.
Donald asked me out!

Keegan was super excited. Today was her first
date with Donald; they were going for a hike and picnic. She looked
around her room and tried to decide what to wear. It was starting
to get cool out so she knew she should dress warm. Of course, she
still had to look cute.

Keegan sent Lauren a text:
What should I wear on a hiking
date?

With your chosen? :)

No, with Donald.

What!?? When did this happen, and why am I just
finding out about it?

I’ll fill you in later, what should I wear?

I hope you know what you are doing. Wear your new
black skinny jeans and that teal tight sweater to show off your
curves.

Oooh great choice! What would I do without you?

Uh huh. Let me know how it goes. Donald? I still
can’t believe it.

Keegan got dressed and ran down the stairs,
jumping the last two with a grin.

“Where are you off to all excited?” Her
mother looked over with a smile.

“I have a date with Donald. Can you throw me
together a picnic lunch?”

The smile faded. “Keegan, so soon? Don’t you
think you should give Rourk more time?”

“It’s just a hike mom, don’t worry.” Keegan
opened the fridge and pulled out a couple of drinks. “What should I
bring for food?”

“Well, you should have given me more notice
so you’re stuck with sandwiches and chips.” Her mother sighed and
pulled out the bread.

“That works. Make us both two sandwiches.
I’m really hungry.”

“Aren’t you always?” Her mother sealed up
the sandwiches, grabbed some chips, and threw them in a bag. “Here
ya go. I hope you’re not gone all day. Your room is a mess.”

Keegan rolled her eyes. “I’ll see you when I
get back.” She blew her mom a kiss and slammed the door behind
her.

Donald didn’t have his own car so she drove
over to pick him up. She blared her radio and sang along to the
latest Adele, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. He
sauntered out, his hands in his pockets, when she pulled in.

“So where do you want to go hiking? I guess
we're skipping the bike ride?”

“You’ll see, it’s my special spot. I’ve
never taken anyone there before.”

Keegan grinned. “Really? Not even the
guys?”

“No one. I like to go there and think
sometimes or just to be alone.”

“I have a spot like that too. It’s my
favorite place to take photos. Shoot, I forgot my camera.” Keegan
slammed her hand on the steering wheel.

“No biggie, you can bring it next time.” He
pulled his cap a little lower and gave her a lopsided grin that
made her heart flutter.

Keegan followed his directions and then
turned into a hidden driveway. They jumped out and grabbed their
lunch.

It was a long hike, and after a while Keegan
was tired. “Are we almost there?”

“Yep, just about five more minutes.”

Donald grabbed her hand and pulled her up
the last bit of the hill and Keegan stared out. “Wow, it’s
amazing.” She looked down over the cliff at the assortment of
colors from the leaves changing. “I feel so small up here.” She
whispered. “I really wish I had my camera.”

***

Rourk was out on his daily trek in the woods
trying to enjoy what was left of fall before winter took over. He
still hiked in the winter, but it just wasn’t as enjoyable. He
stopped in his tracks and listened intently. He could hear someone
talking, which was odd since he couldn’t remember the last time he
saw anyone in this part of the woods. It was very secluded.

He heard laughter and his heart dropped.
Had he lost his
mind?
He could have sworn that it sounded just like Keegan’s
laugh. But what would she be doing way up here? Rourk headed in
silence toward the direction of the voices, careful not to make a
sound so he didn’t startle anyone. He wanted to prove to himself he
wasn’t going crazy.

When he got closer, he stopped dead in his
tracks. His heart rate skyrocketed. It was Keegan and she was there
with the shape-shifter. Rourk clenched his fist and closed his eyes
and tried to compose himself. He opened his eyes and stood eerily,
still watching. He had to will himself to stay in place. He felt
like a caveman and wanted to throw her over his shoulder and drag
her away from him, but he knew he couldn’t do that. He should turn
and leave; however, it was like he was frozen in place. He watched
while she smiled up at him and played with her hair. He cringed
when she leaned over to wipe something off his face. Rourk could
feel the rage building in him. He didn’t know how to bring it
down.

***

He’s so cute,
Keegan thought. She smiled and wiped
mustard from the side of his mouth. His skin was warm even though
the air was cool.

Donald wrapped his hand around her wrist as
she touched his face and pulled her toward him. Keegan's heart
pounded. She reached up and enveloped her hands around his neck to
pull him forward. As she leaned down her head hit the bill of his
cap. She giggled, embarrassed, and pulled back. “I’m sorry. I don’t
know what came over me,” she gasped, her face flushed as she looked
down at her hands.

Donald chuckled and threw his cap to the
side; his bright blue eyes were such a contrast to his pale skin
and orange hair. He stared at her. “Come here.” She let his arms
encircle her waist; his hands were hot even through her shirt as
scooted closer to him.

Keegan’s pulse quickened and he leaned down
and kissed her. Their lips met his, and his kiss was soft and
light. Keegan pulled him a little closer and he kissed her with
more intensity.

All of the sudden Keegan pulled back looking
around. “Did you hear that?”

“It was probably just a deer.” Donald smiled
and pulled her back into him.

Rourk decided to check up on Keegan. Seeing
her kiss the tiger on Saturday had almost destroyed him, but he’d
managed to convince himself she was living in the moment. He felt
unbearable jealousy when he found them together in the woods, but
had managed to escape back into the woods before they saw him. He
longed for a hint from her that she still cared for him.

He closed his eyes and of course, that
didn’t work. All he saw was darkness. His hands clenched into fist.
He hated feeling so helpless.

Keegan hadn't contacted him since their
date. He didn't want to put pressure on her because he knew she
needed her space, but it was just so hard to sit back and do
nothing, especially when he knew Donald was having success where
he’d failed. He wished someone could find a way to bring back their
bond. He was obviously doing a poor job of winning her over on his
own.

They weren't even supposed to meet until she
turned eighteen, anyway, so he had to remind himself to just be
patient. He had been given a gift in being able to be with her
before their time.

He knew he shouldn't do it, but he couldn't
help himself. He closed his eyes and thought of Lauren, and he
suspected, Keegan was with her. She was laughing at something which
brought a smile to Rourk’s face. He wished his ability allowed him
to hear what was being said and to hear her laughter.

He watched Keegan jump up from her chair and
run over to the orange-haired boy. She looked so excited. It was
like a knife driven into his heart. He opened his eyes; he couldn't
watch any longer.

Rourk grabbed his pack and decided to go on
a long hike to clear his head. He felt at home in the woods. He was
grateful to have work to keep him busy. At least all the training
kept his mind occupied and gave him a reprieve from his thoughts of
Keegan.

He couldn't help himself; eventually he
checked in on Lauren again. Keegan was still there and she seemed
to hang on to every word the shape-shifter said. He wished he
wasn't capable of feeling the jealousy he felt. On an impulse he
pulled out his phone and sent her a text. When he hit send, he
closed his eyes to see her reaction.

He watched Keegan look down at her phone and
put it back in her purse without a reply. She turned back to the
other boy. Rourk’s eyes snapped opened and his heart raced. It was
true; she really felt nothing for him.

Rourk started to feel like he didn't stand a
chance of winning her back and that maybe he should just leave her
alone until she turned eighteen. After all, it was one of the elfin
rules. She was obviously not interested in him, and he didn’t have
skills in the romantic field. Perhaps if he let her obvious crush
on the boy run its course she would be ready to give him a shot
later on. It wasn't fair to her to make her choose. He was sure if
he asked her to pick he would lose, and he couldn't handle that
right now.

Rourk finished his hike and headed back
home. He took a quick shower, grabbed a sandwich and read for a
little while, and tried to banish the memory of Keegan’s lips
touching the shape-shifter’s. After a time, sleep washed over
him.

Hours later he woke with a start and knew
what he had to do. He threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt,
grabbed the keys to his truck and headed out the door. Rourk wasn't
sure where he was going so he looked it up on his GPS. The drive
wasn't long and he didn't allow himself to think too much. He was
afraid he would change his mind.

It was nothing special. A single glass door
and picture window in a strip mall near the center of town. The
bell went off as he strode into the room. Without even bothering to
look around, he walked straight to the man behind the desk.

"I'm here to enlist. I will be joining the
18X program.” Rourk stated in a clear, concise manor.

The sergeant looked up from his paperwork
with a smirk on his face. "Is that so? You think you can just waltz
in here and tell us what you want to do? You think you can walk in
here and tell me you are going to try out for the Special Forces
off the street?”

"I know I can. I am more than qualified. Of
course, I will have to jump through hoops and take your
assessments. I have no doubt I can pass anything you throw at me
with flying colors."

The sergeant stared at him in silence for a
moment as if he were studying him. He leaned back in the cheap
office chair and tapped his pen on the desk. “Normally I would kick
a punk out for coming in and acting all arrogant in my office.
However, you don’t sound arrogant. You might as well have stated
the sky was blue.”

Rourk met his gaze and remained
expressionless.

"What is your name son?"

"Rourk."

"Rourk, do you have a last name?"

"My last name is Kavanagh."

"Rourk Kavanagh, how old are you?"

“I’m 18.”

"Do your parents know you’re here?"

"No, but it has been expected. My family has
always known I would be a soldier, following in my father’s
footsteps."

"So your father was in the Army?"

"Actually, he was a Marine Recon."

This brought a loud laugh form the
recruiter. "You don't think he will mind his son joining the
Army?"

"No, he will understand my reasons.
Currently the Army is the only service with the option to go
straight into special operations. Now, if I told him I joined the
Air Force, he might have issues."

The sergeant boomed with laugher. "What is
your father’s name?"

"Greg Kavanagh."

The recruiter typed the name in the
computer. Scanning through them he said, "It seems your father has
had quite the career. Almost everything is classified."

Rourk looked him in the eyes but said
nothing.

"Did he prepare you while you grew up?"

"You could say that."

The recruiter slapped his hands to the desk
and stood. "Okay Rourk, I have to say you have piqued my interest.
Let's see how well you can jump through the hoops. Let's see how
well you can jump through the hoops. First you are going to have to
take the ASVAB which is the army placement test, and a fitness
test, then we will go from there."

"I would like to leave ASAP. The faster we
can get this over with, the better it will be. I would like to
leave for basic before the month is out."

The recruiter stared at him and his lips
twitched, as if he was trying to hide a smile. "Go in the back room
and they will proctor your ASVAB. The results will be almost
instant because it’s all done through the computer now."

Rourk nodded his head toward the recruiter
and walked to the back of the room. The test was a joke. He
finished and walked back to the recruiter’s desk. The sergeant
looked at his watch, "You are already finished?"

"Yes."

"I'll be right back."