There's a warning in the comfort

That you're too good to be true

They tell me over and over

There's someone better for you

-The Moth and The Flame, Red Flag

June 19, 2016: 4:23 p.m.

My eyes flickered off the pages as my phone lit up again. I really had to turn off my notifications.

Turning the page, I tried to focus back on the book. It shouldn't be too hard seeing as the book McKenna gave me was actually interesting, but all the messages over social media I've been getting is surreal.

I was expecting a lot of hate and negativity after my accident; however, a lot of people were messaging me get well soon's and even defending my dumbass.

I hadn't realized how much Cooper's little arrangement with McKenna was working until now. Granted there were still those that thought that I was a vindictive asshole who had no regards for anyone else.

But hey, you can't please everyone.

Shaking out of my thoughts, I retraced back to the beginning of the page having no idea what I was reading. I hated when that happened.

Before I could re-concentrate, the speaker buzzed and my doorman's voice rang through my room. "McKenna's here, Mr. Zynner," Frank said.

I grimaced as I forced myself off my bed. The pain was partly from my leg, but also from the rehabilitation program Cooper has me on. My trainer has no sympathy for the injured. She almost fractured my other leg when I told her I couldn't do any more.

She wasn't a big fan of giving up.

I wasn't a fan of exercising.

We were a perfect match.

She was supposed to help me get back on my feet as quick as possible as well as help me gain back the muscle and weight I've been missing.

With my crutches' support, I swayed toward the intercom and told Frank to let her up. Halfway out the door, I stopped, realizing I forgot to take my medication this morning.

Sighing, I swayed back in and toward my nightstand. My fingers dwelled on the bottle prescribed for my leg. A wave of abjection washed over me thinking back to that night.

I still haven't been able to talk about it.

That didn't stop the nightmares for reoccurring though.

Cooper has been bugging me non-stop and I knew McKenna had questions but for some reasons she refrained herself from asking.

But I wasn't ready to talk to them. I needed to take care of this myself. If only I could find the strength to do so.

Remembering McKenna was on her way up, I opened the bottle and knocked down the pills before leaving my room.

I made it to my kitchen stool before collapsing onto it. God, I was sore.

My ears perked up as the elevator dinged. The smile on my face quickly turned into one of confusion as McKenna strutted in with grocery bags.

"Uh, got everything you need there?" I asked as she used her strength to place the bags on the island in the kitchen.

She exhaled looking exhausted as she gave me warm smile, "I hope so."

"What's all this for?" I chuckled, confused.

"Well," McKenna started unloading the bags, "Since you've been put on a long awaited health plan. I thought it was time you, you know actually started eating healthy food."

"I eat healthy," I defended narrowing my eyes as she put what looked like a bag of grass in my fridge.

That was definitely going in the trash once she left.

"You eat as if your goal is to get diabetes," McKenna retorted pacing through my kitchen as she started filling up empty cabinets.

"That's a little harsh."

"The truth isn't meant to comfort."

"Where are the pop tarts?" I asked leaning over the countertop, appalled as she finished unpacking.

She turned toward me her eyebrows raised and arms crossed, "Banned."

"What," I clutched my chest feigning hurt, "That can't be."

"I literally told Frank to throw away any unhealthy food you try to bring up here," McKenna deadpanned with a smirk.

"He wouldn't," I narrowed my eyes.

"He will tackle you if he has to."

"You monster," I breathed appalled. She was just as bad as my trainer-if not worse. "You know there's a problem with this whole plan," I told her.

"And what's that?" She asked leaning forward on the island as she waited.

"I don't cook."

"That's what google is for," McKenna answered as if it was that easy.

That wasn't the answer I was expecting.

"Didn't you hear, google died," I said.

"Oh really?" she asked amused.

"Yup, we're on our own," I filled her in, "It's a tragedy really."

She chuckled shaking her head, "Learning is half the fun, honestly."

I scoffed unable to believe that. "You really bought all this food for me?" I asked still unable to accept she went through all this trouble.

"For the path to recovery," she nodded with a reassuring smile.

I sighed unable to hid my own grin, "Then I guess I'm going to have to try."

She stood straight, beaming, "Great! I'll help today. Have you ate yet?"

I shook my head. I wasn't actually very hungry. I had a quarter of some health shake my trainer designated as my breakfast hours ago. To be honest, I was just going to eat some cereal later on. I was sure I still had some milk left.

"Alright, well get your handicapped ass over here and start learning," McKenna ordered putting her hair up.

"Joy, I can sense the fun already," I mused grabbing a hold of my crutches again.

7:19 p.m.

"I still can't believe we're missing the movie," McKenna exclaimed walking ahead of me.

"Whose idea was it to walk," I grunted trying to keep up with my crutches.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realized I was accompanied by the slowest human on the planet," McKenna called out.

"I'm on crutches," I defended insulted.

"Excuses are not welcome here," McKenna shot back.

"The movie didn't seem that great anyways," I grumbled as I stopped next to her outside the cinema.

"It's about a woman trying to find her way back to her family who she deeply loves despite being unable to remember them. It is great," McKenna argued looking over at me.

"It's about a fish," I deadpanned looking over at the showtimes. The next showing of it wasn't for another two hours.

"You, sir, have no heart," she insinuated.

"Hey! Now You See Me 2 is about to play," I grinned excited, "Lets watch that!"

"I haven't watched the first."

Her words wiped the smile off my face as I looked at her incredulously, "What do you do with your life."

"Have one."

"Someone is a bit harsh today," I whistled at her insult as I surveyed the movie times along side her.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw her mouth quirk into a smile as she shrugged, "Or someone's just a bit more sensitive then usual."

I scoffed shaking my head. She has been a bit brutal since the accident. I don't know if it's because she's still mad at me for being stupid or because of her break up with Noah.

I thought it was better not to ask.

Realizing a group of people were starting to pay too much attention to us, I fiddled with my beanie trying to cover up my face more.

"They're not going to notice you," McKenna mumbled catching on to what I was doing.

"That's big talk from someone whose literally welcoming a parade of fans," I told her examining what she was wearing. Along with her ripped jeans, she was wearing a white tank and a black jacket that did nothing to cover her features.

"I have a system," she nodded turning toward me, her hands clasped in front of her as she swayed on the balls of her feet.

"And what's that?" I raised an eyebrow.

"If you act confident and normal no one will question you."

"That's the stupidest thing I've heard," I deadpanned.

She looked at me her mouth agape, insulted, "What? How dare you disrespect the system."

"People are naturally intrusive and they will question anybody," I told her, "And I rather not be discovered today."

"Why?" McKenna asked her eyes flickering over to the group of teenagers who seemed to have given up and moved on walking into the cinema. "Afraid people might 'boo' you away from here?" she joked.

"No," I drawled.

"Throw tomatoes."

"No."

"Maybe even make picket signs."

"They don't hate me," I argued.

"Oh, really?" McKenna asked not convinced.

I knew she was referring to the accident I caused. There was also the video of me being slapped by Vye that went viral. I haven't had the courage to explain that to McKenna, let alone the media.

I was just happy they couldn't find Vye or maybe she turned them away, I have no idea; but I'm grateful it is under wraps. 

"Wanna' bet?" I asked fully confident.

"And how are you going to prove it?" McKenna asked crossing her arms, her hazel eyes boring into mine.

I scanned the area around me, an idea striking me. I smirked liking it more and more, "I bet I can get these people to sympathize for me and even back me up."

"Back you up on what," McKenna let out a confused laugh.

My grin grew wider as I hopped away from her and set myself up in the center of the cinema entrance. I looked over at McKenna who seemed bewildered by my actions.

Taking off my beanie, I let out a deep breath, "Um-excuse me everyone." A few people hesitated probably trying to figure out why I seemed familiar.

"Reece," McKenna hissed, "What're you-"

"Can I have everyone's attention," I exclaimed louder. This time I was meant with success as a crowd started forming around me.

By the amount of murmuring going around I was sure they realized who I was by now.

"Hey," I chucked, "Um, I'm Reece if you didn't know and I need your guys' help with a dire situation."

I squinted turning away from some of the flashes as the crowd began taking pictures and recording.

As the crowd started to quiet down, I turned toward McKenna. "I'm actually here with my...girlfriend, McKenna," I pointed toward her with my crutch. There was a lot more whispering and McKenna waved awkwardly at the crowd before staring me down, her cheeks crimson red.

"See the thing is," I spoke up louder to be heard, "She's kind of mad at me-"

I stopped, cut off by a lot of 'boos' and 'awws.' I bit back a smile as I realized they were directed more at McKenna then me.

"Now, now," I interrupted ignoring the death glare coming from McKenna's direction. "It's my fault. You see I did something really stupid a few days back," I explained turning toward McKenna so she knew I was serious, "I've tried to apologize but I've never been good with words. So here I am with no idea how to make it up to her."

Breaking away from her calculating gaze, I continued pacing around the crowd giving them my best smile. "How 'bout you help me out?"

The crowd struggled as I got closer but no one jumped out, thankfully. I've been practically tackled before, not fun.

"C'mon forgive him!" Someone yelled from the back.

I grinned as his remark was meant with massive applaud in support.

As I circled around the encouraging crowd, I stopped in front of McKenna, knowing I had won. I raised an eyebrow waiting for her to respond.

The crowd was on my side. My side. I don't know if I could've pulled this off six months ago, but I did know it felt good to be in their good graces.

McKenna let out a laugh as she shook her head in disbelief. Her eyes were wild as she looked around at the crowd. She nodded, relaxing, "Fine." She exclaimed loud enough for the crowd to hear her before looking up at me. A small smile crept onto her face as she searched my eyes, "I guess I forgive him," she said much quieter.

Her response was meant with an even louder applause.

I cracked a wide smile at their excitement, but my eyes were locked with McKenna's. The intensity of her gaze was enough to set me ablaze. God, she was beautiful.

Not leaving room for thought, I used my crutches to close the distance between us.

Her eyes were a brilliant, yet soft hazel and she didn't make a move to turn away. I let out a shaky breath as I felt my crutches fall to the floor. Letting my arm travel around her waist I maintained my balance.

The gap between us dissipated as my lips met hers. In a matter of seconds I forgot who I was. The only thing real was her touch, her taste. A smile formed on my lips as she deepened the kiss, her hands coiling into my hair, her tongue brushing against mine.

This wasn't just a kiss. This was an abyss and I had happily plunged off the cliff.

I leaned back to catch my breath hoping there was a second round completely forgetting about the crowd when I felt her hand on my chest as she softly pushed away.

There were whistles and cheers from the crowd as I slowly picked up my crutches wishing I knew what was going through her head.

McKenna Ellis, what in the hell are you doing to me?

A/N: Ah so much PDA I'm dying. Funny enough, this is based on a semi true story. Anywhoooo, Love to hear what you have to say!!

Will Reece finally face his demons? Is he any closer to figuring out what he wants? What does McKenna honestly think?

Vote. Comment. Until next time!