The Key Read Online Free Page B

“You- you what?”
    Ric shook his head and answered though his merriment, “Oh yes.”
    Pausing to wipe his eyes, he looked towards the kitchen to make sure Anna was still occupied. Leaning forward he motioned for Jake to do the same.
    “I know a very talented locksmith who was able to figure it out- he just made a skeleton key- it appears to be antique so she’ll never know the difference.” Looking smug and self-satisfied, Ric leaned back into the couch- picking up his whiskey sour on the way.
    Jake could only stare at him; his mind spinning. This guy was an asshole. Jake’s hand immediately went to the key in his own pocket and his eyes sought out the chest situated at the end of the wall. He stood up abruptly and crossed to the chest; kneeling in front of it, he took out his key and studied it.
    Ric turned around in the couch to watch Jake, “What’s that you have there?”
    Jake- ignoring the asshole- put the key into the lock and held his breath. What if it doesn’t fit? …..what if it does? He swallowed hard and glared at the lock- wanting to know but somehow too scared to try.
    Anna appeared at the entrance to her kitchen, gulping a glass of chocolate milk. Lowering it from her face she smacked her lips together and sighed. Jake, panicking, shoved the key back into his pocket and stood up abruptly. His hands were shaking.
    Her brow scrunched and her face fell as she watched him close up- his features and eyes hardening as he gazed at her.
    Squinting her eyes she set the glass down on her kitchen table, “No…” she shook her head, “no, no, no, no, no.”
    He didn’t look away. He just stared at her impassively. Ric, watching the exchange with little interest, focused his attention back to his drink. Anna crossed to Ric in three quick steps, taking the whiskey sour out of his hand and shoving him toward the door, “Um- I’ll call you later- ok? Bye.”
    Ric barely had time enough to stutter out a, “But… what?” before the door was closed in his face.
    She spun around and charged at Jake- his face still clothed in a mask of indifference, “No you don’t! Not again!” she shook her head furiously at him demanding that he not close off.
    He fingered the key in his pocket and walked around her to the coat closet. She followed him with her eyes, hurt and anxiety pl aying clearly over her features.
    “But… why? What did I do?” she rushed after him, holding her hands out as though she surrendered. He avoided her glare and pulled on his leather jacket, trying to even his labored breathing. He opened her door and disappeared down the stairs.
    He could hear her small feet running to keep up with him and swore under his breath. He was too late, he had to accept it, he had to move on.
    He walked feverishly, taking six blocks rapidly. When he perceived her jogging to catch up he quickened his pace over the bridge, the heat of anger and disappointment rising in his chest.
    “I’m sorry- ok?” he heard her yell from behind him; she was gasping for air and much closer than he expected.
    He stopped in his tracks, letting out a slow breath.
    She walked to him- reaching her hand out to touch his back, “I am so sorry about everything- I know you must have been upset with me when you left…” he turned to see her wipe a tear away from the corner of her eye before it spilled over her cheek. “But you don’t have to worry about any of that now- I have Ric now and-”
    Shaking his head he started walking away again, cutting her off mid sentence. The next thing he knew he had been shoved from behind- “What are you running away from?” her voice shaking with fury; her small frame not powerful enough to knock him off his feet. Jake stumbled a few feet forward- gaining his balance.
    Suddenly, he spun around and charged to her. She nearly tripped on her own feet as she instinctively took two steps back. Jake reached out and grabbed her arms just above the elbows to steady her.
    “I’m not running