When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(15)

Kennedy sits down on the couch tucked in the corner. Her hands glide up and down her thighs before she peers up at me. “Where was this version of you when I needed him? When the walls were closing in, I could have used this compassionate guy you seem to be now.” She covers her face as she rests her elbows on her knees.

Her words sting. In my mind, I had been that guy for her. I guess she saw differently. My hands caress her shoulders several times. When I crouch down in front of her, she peeks at me through her fingers. “You didn’t need me. I saw it in your eyes after his arraignment. You didn’t need me, Kennedy.”

When we first walk into the courtroom, my eyes search for Rebecca, but Violet says she’s opted not to show up for this part of the process. This, alone, shows Kennedy’s strength, the strength she keeps denying. She could have easily hidden away. Instead, she chooses to fight, even when she’s at her weakest. Even when life keeps pushing her down.

The whole thing seems rather cut and dry. He’s attacked two girls. Both crimes are almost identical. The jury deliberates for two hours, much longer than I expect. After hearing the verdict, we celebrate. Mr. Conrad pats me on the shoulder, and Violet and Dan pull me in for a tight hug. When I glance beside me, Kennedy’s eyes are focused on one person. Craig. He stares at her with little remorse as he watches tears stream down her face. He knows what he’s done, not only to Kennedy but also to Rebecca Kemper, as well. He’s ruined them in an irreversible way, and how they heal and rebuild themselves is up to them.

With tears in their eyes, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel hug their son goodbye. A guard escorts him through a side door, where his non-existent future awaits.

“Kennedy,” I whisper her name to get her attention.

She follows me down the walkway until Mrs. Daniel stops her. I try to step between them to guard her. Beside me, Mr. Conrad is ready for a fight.

“Kennedy …” Mrs. Daniel words catch in her throat. “I’m so sorry for what you went through at the hands of my son.” Remorse and hurt flood her eyes, but Kennedy’s face stays harsh.

“That doesn’t take it away. Maybe you should’ve been more worried about your son’s character than galas and how the outside world perceived you.” Kennedy digs at the Daniel’s social reputation. They’ve been known to throw money away by organizing some of the most influential events in the Nashville area.

“Kennedy Lucille,” Mrs. Conrad scolds. All she receives is a shrug of Kennedy’s shoulder as she pushes through our small group. Mrs. Conrad smiles a silent apology to the Daniel’s.

Kennedy stalks around the lobby, her hands on top of her head, and her chest heaving, desperate for relief. In the middle of a panic attack, she’s told me her lungs feel like they’re closing in, and nothing she does eases the pain.

Kennedy whips around. “Stop,” she screeches, putting her hand up to halt me in my tracks.

“I know you’re overwhelmed, and this is a lot for one day, but babe, he got what he deserves.”

“But what about me? What about Rebecca?” Tears cascade down her face.

I want nothing more in this world than to take her pain away, but I can’t. Her eyes darken, and what I expect to find at the news of Craig’s conviction is missing. Instead, I see nothing. She’s lost within her own walls, and no matter how hard I search, I won’t be able to find her.

“Just go, Graham. Go back to Georgia. Go play stupid baseball and leave me alone. You can’t fix this.”

Violet wraps an arm around Kennedy’s shoulders and ushers her away. I hear her cries as she leaves the building through the side door. I don’t move. This is the end. The real end. All the times before, I’ve felt a small glimmer of hope, but not now. This is different.

Mr. Conrad stands beside me with Dan flanking my other side. “She’ll come around,” Mr. Conrad offers. “But in the meantime, know you did everything you could. You’ve loved her at her weakest, Graham, and that’s not always the easiest thing to do with someone. Your actions, alone, make you a good man in my eyes.” He pats me on the back and chases after his wife.

“I know when you need me, Kennedy. I saw it in your eyes in the dance studio, but that day, that day in the courtroom lobby, I knew you didn’t.”

“I was in a bad place and pushed everyone away, Graham.” She fights back the tears. “I was standing out in a lightning storm, expecting not to get hit, and it was too late when I realized I had a metal key clutched in my fist.” Her hands tremble in front of her chest.

“It hit you too late.”

“And the result is I pushed you away.”

“You didn’t push me away. I’m here. I’ve been here.” I pound on my chest. “Now, can we please go play some air hockey?”

“You want to play air hockey?” she says through a laugh. Kennedy stands, drying her tears.

“I haven’t been around you in way too many months to count, so quite frankly, I’ll do about anything to soak up as much you as possible.” I reach for her hand and usher her into the back where the kids are playing.

“We still have a lot to talk about.” She tugs, and I glance back at her. Her sincere smile makes my heart flutter.

“We always have something to talk about, Kennedy. It’s our style.” I gesture for her to walk through the double doors where I know she’ll be greeted by tiny, smiling faces. “After you.”