"Who was that?" I question, finally speaking for the first time since I gave directions to Rhys.

He taps his fingers against the steering wheel. "He's someone I used to work with."

"Where did you work?"

Even though his answer was vague I'm pretty sure there's a reason behind it. Sure enough, Rhys glances at me with a look that says it all. He doesn't want to talk about it. Instead of pushing it I nod and decide to try to ask about the person himself.

"Is he a bad person or something?"

He shakes his head slowly with a chuckle. "You could say that. He's actually Derek's cousin which means he's the same irritating and self righteous ass as him. That would actually make sense that Trey is staying with him. . ."

"So you don't get along with either of them?" I question getting a nod in response. "You don't get along with a lot of people, it's like a common theme."

He chuckles and pulls up to the curb of my house. "Well most fear me, others know me but wish I was dead and a rare few actually tolerate my delightful personality."

"And then there's your brother who refered to you as a puppy," I bite back the grin and unbuckle the seat belt. "I can see why. You aren't as scary as I used to think you were."

"On a scale how scared of me did you used to be?" The tone change is evident and he almost cringes at his words. "One being a barely and ten being pissing yourself."

I give a small smile. "Well five. I wasn't really scared that much but I knew not to get on your bad side. I didn't see you beat Derek to a pulp and I've never watched the video, just heard rumours of what you've done."

"You've never really watched it?" I shake my head. "I think you're the only one who hasn't."

"Well I have no reason to fear you, " I open the car door and wack him on the shoulder. "Besides all I can think about now is how awkward you are when it comes to girls. That's when your bad boy exterior falls to pieces."

I slide out, Rhys doing the same while I swing my bag around to get my keys out. "Just for the record I'm not awkward when it comes to girls. I just have to be interested in them in order to seem non- awkward."

"Have you had a girlfriend?" I ask, although it seems like a stupid question.

Shockingly he shakes his head. "Not really. I had one in year three and some weird relationship in freshman year. . .the girl practically planned our marriage. . ."

"Did she seriously plan it?" He nods with a horrified expression.

"When she asked me who I wanted to be best man I dumped her right on the spot because I had jokingly said yes I would," He shivers and shakes his head. "It was in drama before you judge me."

"Now I don't feel so bad about my date story," I open the front door and notice the TV abruptly turn off. "Dad I'm home."

Rhys steps inside after wiping his shoes on the mat outside. I close the door with my foot while hanging my bag on the end of the staircase per usual. Shrugging out of my jacket I manage to kick my converse off in the direction of the shoe rack as dad appears in the door frame.

"You must be Rhys," He states, eyes reaping over his figure in judgement. "You can call me Mr Collins or Sir."

I try not to roll my eyes, instead cross my arms over and walk closer to Rhys in an attempt to ease the scrutinizing. Sure enough dad's eyes meet mine before he pushes off and walks closer. I can see Rhys visibly tense up when he reaches out and claps him on the shoulder.

"Thank you for protecting my daughter. I wish I had known sooner," Rhys nods and dad continues, glancing at me. "I've talked to Mr Farnell and we're still attending because it's mandatory. But Rhys, you're welcome to attend as Kira's guest."

"By guest you mean body guard," I raise an eyebrow at his selective words. Turning my attention to Rhys I cluck my tongue. "You don't need to come."

He glances to me with a soft smile. "I'll see what I'm doing. It just depends on Nate," My father's still checking him out to assess whether he's a threat or not. "That's my younger brother. I don't want to leave him alone for the night."

"How old is your brother?" Dad questions.

"Fifteen turning sixteen," I notice my fathers lip twitch, clearly he was thinking that Nate was younger. "He can't cook and is kind of accident prone."

"Well make yourself comfortable. Do you want something to drink? Coke? Coffee? Water?"

Rhys glances to me and I subtle hold up one finger. "Coke will do if it's not a hassal Mr Collins."

"Kira?"

"Make it two cokes," He moves towards the kitchen and I nudge Rhys before heading to the living room. I flop down and pick up a cushion to rest in my lap as Rhys sits down. "You feeling okay?"

"Of course I am," He smirks and readjusts in the lounge. "I just hope he likes me. Although that could change depending on what Blair and Taylor say about me."

I run my tongue over my teeth. "Well I suggest being honest as you can therefore you won't have anything to worry about."

"There's some things I don't like to talk about," He rubs his hands together and I nod slowly. "I'm sure you're the same with a few things."

"Everyone has secrets but mine revolve around me in a negative way."

He nods slowly. "Well how about this. Each week we tell one another a secret. It stays between us though."

"I'd like that."

Rhys smiles and my dad comes in handing us each a can of coke. He looks between us before sighing. "I have to ask. Are you or have you ever had a relationship with Kira that's exceeded more than friends?"

"No sir," He replies naturally while I almost drop my can at his blunt question. "We've never dated."

His eyes flicker between us and he sighs. "If it does ever exceed more than friends I'd like to know. Kira has a habit of bottling things-"

"Okay. Thank you for the drink," I cut him off while widening my eyes. "Don't you have work to do?"

"I'm just laying the ground rules now. She's my daughter and the only family that I have left in my life so in the nicest way possible I won't tolerate her being stuffed around," His fatherly instincts come out and I almost sink into the depths of hell. "Especially when I know your type - the rebellious, troublemakers who don't-"

"You talked to Taylor, didn't you?" I ask with a frown. He clears his throat and readjusts his posture.

"I did but I want to make sure he isn't going to be a bad influence on you," He redirects his attention back to Rhys. "I'm assuming you haven't caused any trouble this year already. I hope at least."

"No I'm trying to get through senior year without the trouble but it's when people assume that I can't change that defeats the purpose of it," He clucks his tongue and I notice the fault in my father's armor. "I'm not a bad influence on Kira. I have a 3.8 GPA while taking AP Biology, Calculas and History. English and GYM are my only standard classes."

"I hope you can stick with it Rhys," He sighs and nods. "You seem smart enough to turn your life around and I hope you do - I'll be upstairs."

I nod slowly and wait until he's out of ear shot before nudging Rhys' thigh with my foot. One look is enough for me to realise how annoyed he is and I don't particularly blame him. Everyone thinks he's some thug incapable of moving on from his past but I have faith that he can. I believe in him.

"You're actually really smart," I start and he scoffs, shaking his head. "My dad's just protective because I've had a few friends that have kind of just back stabbed me. The girls on the dance team to be specific and he had to deal with the wreck I became."

"Is that why you quit?" He questions and I shake my head.

An unamused chuckle escapes from my lips. "No. But that's what happened after I quit. They all turned against me, made up rumours and lies - all because they thought I would so the same - so they did it first before I could."

He nods slowly. "That's why you refused to take the blackmail to use against Brian. You didn't want to be as bad as those girls or him."

"Because I don't want anyone to ever feel like I did," I give a soft smile and avoid eye contact with Rhys. "It's not a nice feeling and it honestly couldn't have been at a worse time because of what was going on at home. Yet Blair still wants me to join back again when all I can think about is - if I do join - am I just going to be targeted again?"

I feel Rhys fingers brush against the knuckles of my hand before his thumb rubs circles on the back of my hand. "Well it depends whether you like doing it or not. If you do then I think it shouldn't matter what others will say or do."

"But I care more than I should. . ."

He slips the rest of his hand underneath mine when I start to fist the cushion. "Think of it like this then. Is the risk going to be worth it? On one hand everything could be great, you'll be happy and content. But if you think your past is just going to suffocate how it could be then maybe it's not a good thing."

Slowly I look away from watching his thumb noticing the vulnerability across his features. It's different from what it's usually like. His guard is down compared to how he is at school and the split second it is, is enough for me to realize he's speaking from experience.

"Was your risk worth it?" I ask, squeezing his hand back.

He exhales and shrugs. "I haven't decided yet."

Before I can question him further a buzzing starts to echo around the room. I look around for my phone, only to realise it's Rhys when he pulls his hand away. Almost instantly I notice the difference in warmth that it gave me and lean back against the armrest.

"What do you want?" Rhys sighs, glancing to me when the person responds. "I've left you alone for less than half an hour-"

"Hi Nate!" I call out with a smile but it fades when Rhys visibly tenses up. "Is everything okay?" I mumble and he places his drink on the table.

"Just lock the doors and windows. There's a baseball bat in mom's wardrobe if you need it. I'll be there soon," He hangs up and heads to the door while I'm quick to follow. "I'm sorry but I need to go."

"What's going on?" He pulls on his worn out leather jacket and shakes his head. "Is Nate okay?"

Rhys pulls on his boots with difficulty but remains silent until he has his keys and phone in hand, seconds from leaving. "I'll explain it later. I need to go and I'm sorry about this."

"Just text me when you know he's okay," He opens the door and glances at me. "Be careful yourself. . ."

He nods and slips out the door while my hands go to my head. I exhale, closing my eyes at what just happened. To be more specific the increase of my heart rate when his hand held mine and the amount of concern I'm feeling at the moment for both of the Adams brothers.

Maybe I'm starting to get attached to them.