Keeping the Beat: An Adrenaline Novel (23 page)

              “Jesus,” Wyatt whispered. I felt all their eyes burning holes into my back but didn't turn around. Now they knew the truth about who I really was.

              I tensed when I felt a hand come to rest on my shoulder. A second later I was being turned around and Declan’s arms were pulling me close for a tight hug that knocked the remaining air from my lungs. I felt another pair of arms wrap around my back and turned to see that Wyatt was also clinging to me. Garret was next, followed by Lucas. I almost smiled picturing the five of us standing in an awkward group hug in Kenzie’s front lawn. After a moment they let me go, but Declan wouldn't move away until I met his eye.

              “Get in the car, Jace.”

Chapter 22

Kenzie

              I kept glancing at my phone every five seconds to see if Jace or one of the guys had called but was disappointed each time. Thankfully my headache had subsided, but I was still feeling sick to my stomach. I expected that feeling would stay with me until I saw Jace again.

              A part of me was still angry with him for leaving me but more than anything I wanted to assure myself he was okay. Mrs. Cooper’s words had sunk in once she had left to go do some restless cleaning. She had asked if I needed her to stay with me but I told her I was okay. The only company I really wanted was Jace’s.

              I had set up camp by the window so I could overlook the Cooper’s property, waiting to see any sign of the guy’s return. When Declan’s familiar car came into few I sat up straighter and waited anxiously as he, Wyatt, Lucas, Garret, and eventually Jace piled out.

              Before I realized what I was doing I had jumped to my feet and was racing down the stairs. Loki barked in alarm when I almost slipped near the bottom but I didn't let it deter me as I flung the front door open. I almost ran right into my brother as I stepped out onto the porch but I quickly ducked under his arm, throwing myself at Jace. He caught me as I wrapped my arms and legs around him. I held on for dear life, refusing to let him push me away again.

              A second later I felt his own arms lock around me like a steal cage and knew he wasn't going anywhere. I rested my nose in the crook of his neck and took a deep breath as his comforting scent filled my lungs. A sob choked me and I let it loose. Jace’s arms flexed as he felt wet tears start to soak his shirt.

              “It’s okay, Kenzie. You’re okay,” his voice was low and soothing as his hand ran up and down my back. I let my legs fall from around his waist and slid down his body until I could move back to look him over. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked like he had been run over by a truck. I lifted a finger to trace the lines of his face making him let out a bone weary sigh.

              “I know that. I've been so worried about you.” I suddenly realized that we were alone on the porch. My brother and the guys must have left us to go inside at some point. “Why didn't you stay with me, Jace?”

              “I didn't want you to see me like that,” he said sounding agonized.

              “Like what?”

              “So angry. So out of control.”

              “Why not?” I couldn't take seeing the tortured look in his eyes but when he tried to look away from me I placed my hand on his cheek. “You told me you would talk to me about what you were feeling, Jace. I told you I wouldn't pull away from you. You can’t pull away from me either. It doesn't work that way.”

              I saw his chest rise and fall as he took a deep breath. “I was afraid you would see me and be afraid of me. That you wouldn't want to be with me because of it.” He shook his head and worried his bottom lip. “I couldn't risk it.”

              “I thought we had covered this by now.” I raised up to press a kiss to his jaw. “There’s no part of you I don’t love, Jace. I could never be afraid of you, but I’m terrified that you’re going to try to leave me.” It wouldn't be the first time Jace had made a decision that hurt me thinking it was for my own good.

              “I could never leave you, Kenzie. I’m not that strong.” His eyes widened on mine as his fingers tightened on my hand. “There are somethings about me that you need to know. I don’t know if they’re going to change your mind about wanting to be with me or not.” He sucked in a breath looking sick to his stomach. “My dad-”

              “I know about what happened with your parents, Jace,” I quickly interrupted him wanting to put his mind at ease. “Mrs. Cooper told me this morning.”

              “You’re not afraid I’m going to turn out like my father?” Jace asked, lookin like I could crush him with my answer.

              “Are you afraid I’m going to turn out like my mother?” I quirked a brow as my finger traced the lines of his exposed tattoo. “Just because we had shitty parents doesn't mean we’re destined to be shitty people, Jace.”

              “They always said I was going to be just like him.”

              “They didn't know you, Jace. They don’t know the man you’ve become. I do. So who are you going to believe, me or your parent’s ghosts?”

              “You,” he said without missing beat. His lips tugged up in a reluctant smile. “Of course I’m going to believe you. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met, that must mean you’re right about me.”

              “Bet your ass I am,” I let myself smile back at him, my hands resting low on his hips. “Are you going to leave me again?”

              “No.”

              “Even if you think it’s the right thing to do?”

              “I’m not going anywhere without you, Kenzie.” His hand tangled in my messy bed hair as I took a step closer to him, my chest bumping against his. “I love you so much. I’m so sorry about what happened last night.”

              “Don’t,” I said sharply. “That wasn't your fault and I don’t want to hear you apologizing again. Are we clear on that?”

              For a minute I thought he was going to argue with me before he nodded, his shaggy hair falling into his face. “Yes, ma’am.”

              “Good. Now kiss me.”

              Complying with my request Jace ran his thumbs over my jaw, his lips settling over mine for a bruising kiss that left my lips sore when he pulled away. We were both breathing unsteadily when he tucked my head under his chin folding me into his arms again.

              “Probably shouldn't keep that up on your brother’s front porch.”

              “You’re probably right,” I laughed and squeezed my arms around him briefly before stepping back and offering him my hand. “Let's go to your house.”

Jace

              At Sunday dinner I felt like I could finally breath again. My whole family knew everything about me and they still loved me anyway. Most importantly, Kenzie still loved me.

              I caught her eye from across the room and smiled when she winked at me before turning to listen to whatever Reece was saying. “Oh my God, Reece! That’s amazing!” She exclaimed launching herself at the other woman for a hug. They swayed together for a moment as Reece laughed and patted Kenzie on the back.

              “I know I still can’t believe it.”

              “Believe what?” Wyatt mumbled around a bite of cookie he had just shoved into his mouth.

              “Wyatt don’t talk with food in your mouth,” Aunt Lorraine admonished from across the room.

              “Sorry.” He looked like he wanted to roll his eyes but didn't dare with his mother’s gaze  focused on him. “Believe what, Reece?”

              Declan came to stand beside his fiancé wrapping his arm around her waist with a proud smile on his face. She glanced up at him with a matching grin before looking back at all of us. “I sold my book.”

              “Reece, that’s awesome!” Wyatt said shooting to his feet. We all took turns congratulating her, passing her around the room for hugs and kisses. By the time she made it to Lucas she was sniffing suspiciously making my cousin’s normally calm expression turn to one of pure terror.

              “I don’t want to hug you if you’re going to cry,” he said eyeing her uneasily.

              “If you don’t hug me Lucas, I will cry.”

              Lucas’ arms wrapped around her so fast it made me laugh. He gave Reece a gentle pat on the top of her head before nudging her towards Declan.

              Kenzie had sat on my lap as we watched Reece move around the room. Her delighted smile made my heart soar and when she caught my look, I saw her love for me shining bright in her eyes.

              “Good?” She asked pushing my hair behind my ear.

              I nodded, grabbing her hand to press a kiss to the center of her palm. “Sugar, I’ve never been better.”

Epilogue

Simon

              My Aunt Reece and Uncle Declan’s dog Loki was crazy but the good kind of crazy. He liked to chase me around the yard and was always up for a game of fetch. They never minded when I wanted to play with him, but it wasn't the same as having my own dog.

              I really wanted my own dog.

              Dad said I needed to prove I could be responsible before I could get one, the only problem was I didn't know how to do that. I already did my chores when he told me to. I cleaned my room, fed the horses, and did my homework.

              What more did a guy have to do to show he was responsible?

              “Hey Simon,” I turned to see my Aunt Reece walking across the lawn towards me. She wasn't technically my aunt yet, but she would be soon enough so I figured I might as well get in the habit of thinking of her that way.

              “Hi Aunt Reece, is it time for Loki to go to school?”

              Aunt Reece nodded and whistled for Loki to come to her side. He looked at me and I shrugged. I wanted to keep playing with him too, but we all had to go to school sometimes. Suddenly I had an idea that might help me in my own quest of getting a dog of my very own.

              “Aunt Reece, can I come with you?” She looked up from clipping on Loki’s leash and gave me a smile. She was so nice I knew she was going to say yes.

              “Sure thing, buddy. If your dad says you can come along I would love the company.”

              “I’ll be right back!” Running into the house I called out for my dad. He was sitting in the living room and glanced up when I almost ran right past him.

              “Where are you off to in such a hurry, son?” He asked snagging me by the back of my shirt. I laughed when he pulled me onto his lap and tickled my sides. My dad was serious a lot of the time but he was also really fun to be with. He had seemed a little down lately which was another reason I thought we needed a dog. Dogs made people happy. My dad could use a little more happy in his life.

              “Can I go to dog school with Aunt Reece?” I asked between bursts of laughter.

              “You willingly want to go to school?” He drew back to look at me through narrowed eyes. “Who are you and what have you done with my kid?”

              I rolled my eyes and stood up leaving my hands on his shoulders. “Can I go?”

              “Did Reece say it was okay?”

              “She I could go if you said I could go.”

              “Then it’s fine with me.”

              “Yes!” I gave him a quick hug before running back out the door letting it slam shut behind me. Aunt Reece was waiting where I left her when I ran back out onto the lawn. “He said I can go.”

              “Party time,” she said giving me a thumbs up. “Let’s hit the road.”

              When we were buckled into her car I started playing with the radio until I found a song I knew. Reece always let me pick the song. She was fun to spend time with like my Aunt Kenzie and Grandma. Being with them made me realize I wasn't so sad about my mom not being around. She wasn't as fun to be with as they were.

              “Is this school hard?” I asked patting Loki on the head when he popped into the front seat.

              “Not really,” Aunt Reece shrugged. “The lady who teaches it is really nice.”

              I turned to look at my aunt as she pulled out onto the road that led towards town. “What kind of lady is she?”

              Aunt Reece looked at me curiously with a smile on her face. “What do you mean what kind of lady is she?”

              “Like is she a lady like you and Aunt Kenzie or a lady like Grandma?”

              “Oh.” Aunt Reece nodded understanding my question. “She’s a lady like me and your Aunt Kenzie.” I felt her eyes on me again but turned towards the window to look at the buildings we were passing. “Is that important to you?”

              I shrugged my shoulders. “It could be.”

              When we pulled into the parking lot I hopped out and grabbed Loki’s leash waiting for him to jump out before shutting the car door. Aunt Reece met us around the front of the car and I followed her inside keeping Loki’s leash wrapped tightly around my wrist.

              A girl with pink stripes in her hair looked up from the desk when we entered, smiling down at Loki when he barked in greeting. “Hi Loki!” She stood up and walked around the desk to give him a scratch on the head, laughing when he tried to jump on her. “Hi Reece. I’ll go let Maeve know you’re here.”

              “Thanks Tegan,” Reece said taking Loki’s leash from my hand. He was strong and had almost pulled my feet out from under me when he’d tried to jump on the girl.

              A few seconds after the girl walked away a woman walked out of the same hallway. She was carrying a stack of papers and a large cup that was teetering in her hands. Her smile of welcome fell away when she tripped and the cup tipped over, the stack of papers flying in all different directions.

              I quickly walked over and helped her gather the papers, trying to put them in a neat stack with little success. When I looked up to hand them to her she was sitting back on her heels grinning at me. Her eyes looked purple and her hair was the darkest shade of black I had ever seen. I smiled back at her, handing her the papers that she had dropped.

              “Thanks, handsome,” she laughed and pushed to her feet, offering me a hand to pull me to mine. “That was very gentlemanly of you.”

              “Uh.” I looked back at Aunt Reece and saw her smiling over at me. I was still a little nervous when I met new people, but this lady didn't make me feel nervous at all. “You’re welcome. I’m Simon.”

              “Maeve,” she said offering me her hand to shake. “Are you here to help train the monster?”

              “Yeah,” I laughed and looked over at Loki. “I think if I can help Aunt Reece with Loki, my dad might let me get a dog of my own. He said I need to prove I can handle the responsibility of being a dog owner.”

              Maeve nodded, the smile never leaving her face. “You’re dad is absolutely right. A dog can be a lot of work, but they’re also the best friends you’ll ever have. How old are you Simon?”

              “I’m ten, but I’ll be eleven on halloween.”

              Her eyes widened on mine. “That’s my an awesome birthday. My birthday is on a holiday too. Valentines,” she explained.

              “How old will you be?” I asked and felt Aunt Reece step beside me. She looked like she was trying not to laugh as she shook her head but Maeve let her laugh free.

              “I’ll be twenty eight.” That was good. My dad and I shared a birthday and I knew he was going to be thirty.

              Maeve tilted her head making her hair fall over her shoulder. “If your dad said it was okay, would you like to come here and help with the dogs after school sometimes?”

              I felt excitement course through me and nodded my head. “Yes! When I don’t have baseball that is. But baseball is almost over so I’ll have more time to help you out.”

              “Awesome. It’ll be nice to spend some time with a nice guy like you.”

              I smiled and followed her and Reece into the fenced in yard. If Maeve wanted to spend some time with a nice guy, I had the perfect one in mind, though I might need some help to make it happen. And I knew exactly who I  could ask.

     I asked if I could use the bathroom and waited until Aunt Reece and Maeve had walked around the corner. Taking the cell phone my dad had gotten me out of my pocket I dialed my Uncle’s number and waited until I heard him answer.

              “What’s up, nephew?” My Uncle Wyatt asked.

              I quickly made sure no one was within hearing distance before answering him. “Uncle Wyatt, I need your help with something. I’ve got this idea.” I tried to think of what to tell him until his warm voice interrupted me.

              “Count me in.”