With a slow nod, I stared at her feet. That was all we could do…try.

Kiera suddenly cupped my cheek, lifting my gaze to hers. “Did you tell me this out here because you thought I would break down?”

My voice was quiet as I nodded. “I remember that night that Denny told you he was leaving. I remember holding you while you cried…for him. I saw you when his plane left. You were devastated, like a part of you had left with him. I don’t want to hurt you like that, Kiera.” But I hadn’t hurt her at all. She was fine…I was the one in pain.

Giving me a soft kiss, she rested her forehead against mine. “Are you upset that I’m not more upset? Was this a test?”

I shook my head. “I wouldn’t test you, Kiera, but I did think you’d at least cry, maybe beg a little.” But aside from getting angry at me for my comment, she hadn’t had a single negative reaction. Not one. She wasn’t devastated. She wasn’t even sad. I didn’t know what to think about that.

Confused and hurt, I tried to move away from her. She held me close. “I will,” she said. “Trust me, when you actually leave, I will be a blubbering wreck. But I meant what I said, Kellan. I’ve grown. A lot has happened since Denny left me that first time. I’ve done some maturing.” She shook her head, almost angry at herself. “I was so scared to be alone. I still don’t like it, but I’m more secure now, I think. Mistakes in the past have aged me some.”

That made me crack a small smile. “Ah, the wizened twenty-two-year-old.”

She smiled with me, and I felt the tension in the air dissipating. “Kellan, you may have a lot more experience, but don’t act like you’re not the same age I am. I’ve seen your driver’s license.”

Raising an eyebrow, I grinned and asked, “The real one?” I did actually have a fake one. Evan and I had gotten some in L.A., just to make performing and hanging out in bars all night a little easier. But to be honest, I’d barely ever needed mine; my face had opened a lot of doors for me. Of course, my face was also the reason both my parents hated me, so sometimes a blessing was actually a curse…and that was exactly what this tour felt like—a cursed blessing.

Amused at my comment, Kiera smirked and shook her head. Then she grabbed my cheeks, holding me in her gaze. “Do you think I loved Denny more, because it bothered me so much when he first told me he was leaving?” she asked, seriousness in her voice.