Skyscrapers & Camelot (Renovate Book 1) (17 page)

“Well, he didn’t”—I hold up my fingers with air quotes—“‘bag me’ if that’s what you are concerned with.”

“Oh, I know he didn’t. Keegan made sure of it. He threatened to rearrange his face if he even touched you.”

This makes no sense. Prom was almost an entire year after I saw Keegan the last time. I guess he wasn’t lying when he said he’d never forgotten me since he was still defending my honor.

Keegan interrupts, “You have a big mouth, Kaleb.”

“You two were ridiculous. I should have locked you both in a closet to play seven minutes in heaven. Maybe then you would have gotten a clue.”

Reese breaks into the conversation before anyone else can say anything. “What did you crazy kids do today?”

Before I can answer, Keegan takes the lead. “Aimee made us a delicious breakfast this morning. Nothing really after that, just hung out.”

Reese smiles. “I bet you hung out.”

I can’t believe she said that to him. How embarrassing.

Thankfully, the waitress arrives with our menus and takes our drink orders. Once she leaves, however, I can see the wheels turning in Reese’s head. She’s in full mama bear mode right now, and I know there’s no stopping whatever she plans to say.

“Keegan, I know you and Aimee have this long history, blah blah blah, but I’m her best friend, and it’s my job to make sure your intentions are honorable.”

I place my head in my hands, trying to hide my embarrassment while he merely stares at her, letting her continue.

“Anyway, this is the one and only warning you will get. If you hurt her in any way, I will hunt you down and make you wish you were never born, capiche?”

A stare down between the two ensues, and neither is backing away. Kaleb and I simply look at each other, unsure if Reese is going to reach across the table and strangle him because of his silence.

“So, do you understand, Keegan, that if anyone or anything hurts her, you will have me to deal with?”

He nods. “I don’t plan on hurting her, so relax.”

She seems happy with his answer and smiles. “Good. I’m glad we have that out of the way, aren’t you?”

The waitress chooses that moment to interrupt and ask for our orders, which is good because I was on the verge of fleeing the restaurant. I love Reese, but she’s so crass and has no filter. Keegan handled her perfectly.

After what I now am calling the stare down of 2015, the conversation becomes lighter. Keegan and Kaleb discuss their father’s fiftieth surprise birthday party next month. They will be flying their parents in for the party, and so far, he has no clue about the surprise.

I haven’t seen his parents since they moved away and am excited to catch up with them. I ask if I can help with anything, and Keegan tells me Gretchen is taking care of everything. Reese rolls her eyes at his answer, and he gives Kaleb a questioning look. Yes, mama bear never backs down. I ignore the awkwardness, and Kaleb changes the subject, talking about the Giants’ picks in the NFL draft, which seems to bore Reese. She hates sports. We talk amongst ourselves for the remainder of dinner.

As we are leaving, Keegan and I are hand in hand when Reese tells me, “I almost forgot to tell you, Liam is visiting next month. He’s going to be staying in a hotel.”

“Who is Liam?” Keegan asks.

Reese smiles proudly. “Only the best brother on the face of the planet, no offense.”

“None taken.”

Reese and Liam are Irish twins, only nine months apart. Her excitement for his upcoming visit shows.

One thing I missed while growing up was having a sibling. My parents always planned on more children. Unfortunately, my mom was sick off and on, so they never had the opportunity.

The valet pulls up, and we all get in Keegan’s car. Kaleb and Reese took a cab earlier to the restaurant, but we are all heading back to our apartment.

When we arrive, Keegan excuses himself to make a call while Kaleb and Reese head over to the couch, cuddling into each other. Suddenly it hits me that this is a reality—double dates and sleepovers. It’s comfortable and normal.

I head to my room where I find Keegan on the phone. He doesn’t see me, and I can’t help overhearing his conversation.

“I’ll be in early in the morning, and we can work out all the specifics of finalizing the project … No, don’t come over … That’s none of your business.” Keegan lets out a long sigh, obviously starting to get irritated with whomever he’s talking to. “I don’t care. I don’t want to hear from you until the morning … I’ll handle it … I won’t answer.”

I’m trying to decipher the questions, but they’re hard to guess with only his side of the conversation.

“I’m serious, Gretchen.” He ends the call. Turning around, he smiles and strides over, throwing his phone on my bed.

I should have guessed who the caller berating him was.

“So, this is your room?”

“Yep.”

“I like it,” he states.

“Thank you. It’s not much, but it’s home,” I reply, thinking he’s used to more space. My apartment is absolutely miniscule compared to his penthouse.

“I can tell what’s going in that head,” he tells me, reaching out for my hand and placing it to his lips. “I love your place. It’s warm and has you written all over it.”

“I’m sorry I don’t have a pool,” I say, immediately embarrassed at my lack of finesse. Way to go, Aimee.

“You should be. How am I going to get my nightly exercise now?” he questions with a smile.

“You can do some pushups,” I return.

“Any exercise being done will involve you.”

I giggle at him then grab my pajamas—a pair of cotton lounge pants and a ribbed tank top. Heading to the bathroom, I change and brush my teeth then move toward the living room to tell Reese and Kaleb goodnight, and I shriek when I catch a glimpse of his naked ass covering my roommate on our couch.

“What is the matter with you two? Reese, your room is like two feet away,” I say, too horrified to even look away. I’m never going to be able to sit on our couch again. I love our couch. It’s nice and comfy, and I like it … a lot.

Keegan saunters in, sees his brother, and starts laughing at the scene.

“This isn’t funny, and I’m going to make him buy me a new couch,” I tell Keegan.

“It takes two, you know?” he says.

“I’m not seeing her naked all the time.”

“Wait, what other time have you seen him naked,” he questions me.

“Never mind.” I turn around and walk back to my bedroom with Keegan on my heels.

While I crawl into bed and under my covers, Keegan shuts the door and removes his clothes, leaving his boxer briefs on. Then he gets into bed right next to me and faces me. We stare at one another and then both break out in hysterics. I’m no longer angry but amused. Reese and Kaleb are no doubt hot for each other. I just wish I didn’t have to witness it.

“Do you know how many times I caught Kaleb’s ass in that same position in high school?” he asks.

“I don’t want to talk about your brother’s behind. I’ve seen enough of it to last a lifetime.”

“Tomorrow is going to be busy for me and most likely the rest of the week, but I was hoping you could come over during the week and sleepover.”

“Like a slumber party?”

He eyes me wickedly. “If that’s what you want to call it, a slumber party it is.”

“You don’t have to spend all your free time with me, Keegan. I know you have a lot of responsibilities. It’s fine, really. I don’t expect it.”

He looks a little hurt. “Aimee, you just don’t get it, do you?”

I look at him, waiting for him to continue.

“I want to be with you whenever possible. I have a lot to make up for, and I’m not going to miss one single minute with you if I can help it.”

He has put to rest all the insecurities I have. Still, I feel like this is just too good to be true. I mean, perfect is great, but how long can it last? He and I used to be so alike, and now I can’t help thinking we couldn’t be more different.

We both fall asleep in a peaceful slumber with Keegan’s arms wrapped around me. I don’t wake until the next morning when he kisses me good-bye before he heads home.

Breakfast in our kitchen has me shooting daggers across the table at my roommate and her boyfriend. When Reese breaks the silence by talking about our upcoming girls’ night with Olivia, Kaleb excuses himself to leave for work, and I decide to finally ask her what is at the true root of my mood.

“Do you think Keegan and I make sense?”

Reese looks at me like I have grown two heads. “Um, yeah, like, you two already have that forever look about you.”

I stare at her, puzzled.

“Let me tell you what I see. You both are like magnets; he’s stuck to you like glue. That man follows your every move, and I’m surprised you don’t see it.”

“It’s just, things are different,” I tell her.

“Well, of course they are. Aimee, where is this coming from? You’re beautiful, intelligent, sexy, and funny—every man’s dream. He finally got his head out of his ass.”

I laugh at her bluntness, in a lighter mood.

With my thoughts on Keegan and the weekend, we head into work together where it’s business as usual. If I could describe how I feel, it would be floating, especially when Keegan texts me, saying he misses me.

Olivia enters my office and sits down. “So, I’m guessing Mr. James is the reason for that smile plastered all over your face and not your love of working here?”

“Maybe. No offense.”

“You’re so transparent, Aimee. In all the time I have known you, I haven’t seen you this happy. I just want you to be careful,” she tells me.

“Of course, but you should know Reese already threatened to hunt him down if he ever hurt me.”

“That is why I love that woman. She’s a tiger.”

I know they are both looking out for me, but they don’t have to worry. Everything has been put on the table between Keegan and me. I have also learned some things are out of our control.

“I love you both, but I’m a big girl,” I say.

Olivia stands up and starts to leave. “If you ever want to talk, good or bad, I’m here for you, okay?”

“I know,” I reply.

Reese leaves after work to meet Kaleb at his place. Talk about two people who are stuck like glue. My evening consists of switching between channel surfing and reading on my Kindle. Once
The Voice
comes on, I’m more than happy to watch Adam Levine and Blake Shelton’s “bromance” again. Then my phone rings, and I pick it up off our coffee table, answering it eagerly when I see Keegan’s name flash across the screen.

“Hello,” I say in my most seductive voice.

“Hi, there,” Keegan says in a low voice, sounding exhausted.

“Are you still working?”

“Yes, it’s been a long day.”

“Poor, baby. If I knew, I would have brought you dinner.”

“That’s thoughtful, and I would have loved to see you. Gretchen ordered takeout, though, so you don’t have to worry.”

There’s that jealousy rearing its ugly head. I push it away immediately for my own good.

“So are you headed home?”

“Yes, I’m beat. I’m going to crash. I just wanted to tell you good night.”

“Get some sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“One more thing, Aimee.”

“What?”

“I love you.”

Oh, my beating heart.

“To the stars?” I ask.

“Absolutely. Wednesday night, can you meet me at my place? I have a business dinner, but I’d like to spend the night with you.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes, I’d love to.”

“See you then.” He ends the call.

Wednesday can’t get here soon enough.

Realizing the best sleep I’ve ever had was when I was being held in Keegan’s arms, my thoughts take me back to the past.

“Aimee,” I hear whispered, startling me from my sleep.

“What time is it?” I ask, finding Keegan sitting on my bed.

“It’s a little after eleven.”

I sit up in my bed. “Why are you here, Keegan?”

He moves to the top of my twin bed and puts his arm around me, pulling me to him. “I just didn’t want you to be alone tonight. I know what today is for you, and I want you to know I’ll never leave you.”

I cry into his shoulder, letting my grief go. He understands that I need him on today of all days, the one-year anniversary of my mother’s death.

“You will get in trouble if your parents find you gone.”

“I don’t care if I get in trouble. You’re worth it.”

“I miss her so much, Keegan,” I cry.

“I know you do, Aimee. I’m sure she’s looking down on you every day.”

I have asked myself constantly, why her? Why me? No answers have been given, but I always like to think somehow she had a part in sending Keegan to me. If she couldn’t be here with me, at least he is.