Playing it Out, page 12
"Everything okay?" Reece asked, knocking lightly on the doorframe to announce her presence. I took in her thick hair that she had curled around her face and wide brown eyes as she moved to my side. A worried look came over her face as I continued to stare at her. "Declan?" She questioned again taking my face between her palms.
I made myself grin at her, feeling my smile grow when her finger poked at my dimple. "I'm good."
“Bullshit,” Reece studied my eyes intently. “If something is bothering you, tell me. Maybe I can help you or at least worry about it with you.” I cradled her neck in my hand and pressed my lips to hers, a soft sigh escaping my mouth. Reece's tongue traced my upper lip before slipping inside teasing my own. “You’re trying to distract me,” she murmured after a moment placing a light hand on my chest.
Knowing she wasn't going to drop it, I sat back down on Kenzie’s bed and gestured for Reece to sit next to me. “I was thinking about what you said last night, I’ve never really been in any serious relationships either. Certainly not with anyone who means as much to me as you do. What I have with you is incredibly special to me and I’m scared something is going to mess it up”
“We won't let it,” Reece answered confidently, her dark eyes shining with conviction. Placing her hand over mine, she leaned forward brushed my hair back from my face. “I trust you, Declan. Do you trust me?” I nodded my head. my heart lightening when she smiled. “Then we’re going to be okay.
I wished more than anything that we were alone and my family wasn't gathered in the next room. My need for Reece seemed to grow with every touch, every kiss. No measure of time with her would ever be enough.
“Declan," she groaned into my mouth as I claimed her lips with mine, escalating things when I trailed them down her neck. I licked the sensitive patch behind her ear causing her back to bow as she pressed herself against me.
"Yeah, baby?" I chuckled when she hissed in pleasure as my thumbs brushed over her breasts. I moved one hand between her thighs and cupped her through her jeans, feeling the heat of her calling to me through the denim.
"Maybe we should take this somewhere else?" Her head lolled back as I scored her exposed collarbone with my teeth. I took in her flushed cheeks, noticing how pronounced the gold flecks in her eyes were when she was turned on, tracing my finger over the light dust of freckles across her nose.
My erection felt so stiff, I wondered how it hadn't broke through the thin material of my pants. Reece's hands clutching me tightly did little to help my resolve as I attempted to gain some control. "You make me crazy,” I moaned, letting out a gruff laugh.
Reece moved out of my hold with a smirk on her face as she straightened her clothes, smoothing out the wrinkles caused by my roaming hands.
"Have I mentioned how insanely glad I am to have met you?" I brushed my hand across her cheek as I moved to stand next to her. Reece caught my fingers and pressed her lips to my nose, pulling back with a sassy wink.
"The feeling is mutual."
“Before I forget,” reaching into my inside pocket I pulled out a neatly wrapped rectangle and extended it towards Reece. I shook my head when she immediately placed her hands behind her back. “Not this again,” I complained sitting back on the bed with a huff.
“Don’t buy me things,” Reece scolded, her eyes flashing at me. “I can’t buy you things so you can’t buy me things.”
“I never agreed to this deal so you can’t be mad at me,” I reasoned with her as I pushed the present towards her on the bed. She chanced a curious glance at it once before giving in and tearing into the paper. Once the wrapping was gone, she thumbed through the pages of the book I had found online before looking up at me.
“How did you know Jane Eyre was my favorite book?” She questioned with a delighted laugh.
“I’m helping you paint your living room remember? I was given ample opportunity to snoop through your things and see that you have at least fifteen copies of this book, but not this edition.”
“That’s because this is a first edition, Declan,” Reece widened her eyes on my face. "Do you know how much this is worth?”
I cocked my brow at her, amused when she smacked my arm. She hugged the book to her chest once before setting it gently on the side table so that she could kiss me. Tracing her fingers over my face she lightly pinched one of cheeks giving my lip a teasing nip. “I guess I can make an exception just this once. Thank you, Declan.”
Chapter 12
Reece
Since Declan and the guys were driving into the city to meet with the band's manager, I was left with time to do some writing without my sexy boyfriend around to distract me. I had initially thought Kenzie was the guy's manager until Declan had filled me in. After his wife had their first child, their manager Troy was reluctant to be away from his family for the full length of the tour. That left Kenzie with most of the day to day responsibilities.
Declan had woken me up this morning with his hand between my thighs and hot mouth taking mine. Raining kisses over my face, Declan entered me slowly, dragging himself out before sinking back inside. The sweetness of it caused me to fall even deeper in love with him. When he hit the most sensitive part of me, I came apart beneath him screaming his name as my body shattered into a million pieces before coming back together.
When it was time for him to meet up with the band I had to practically shove him out the door. He seemed as reluctant to leave me as I was for him to go. I decided the best way to distract myself from feeling so lovesick was to concentrate on my book. I had barely touched it since Declan's tour had ended, but being with him had given me a new sense of inspiration that I applied to my writing.
The time flew by as the story flowed, practically writing itself. When I finished the chapter that I was working on, I leaned back in my chair and cracked my back, groaning at how stiff I was from sitting at my desk. I had been at it for four hours straight.
Looking at my cell phone, I checked my messages seeing I had a few unread in my inbox. Lane had called me leaving a voicemail informing me we were having a girls night. Wine, sweats, and movies required. Checking the time, I noted that I had time to shower before she started knocking at the door. I sent her a quick text letting her know that I was game, smiling when she replied with a winking emoticon.
My phone started ringing as soon as I put it back on the table. Checking the display, I saw Kenzie's name flash across the screen and pressed the phone to my ear. I had been worried about Kenzie since dinner at the Cooper's, even when we had left her face still looked a little pale, strain clear in her wide grey eyes.
"Hey, Kenzie! How are you?" I greeted as I refilled Loki's water and food dish while he nipped at my ankles. I was seriously considering taking my little guy to a dog trainer.
"I'm good,” Kenzie answered brightly. "I was wondering if you wanted to do something tonight?"
"My friend Lane and I are planning on having a girls night in, pajamas required. Why don't you join us?"
Kenzie chuckled through the phone, "Sounds good. What time should I come over?"
"I'm going to grab a quick shower, but you're welcome anytime. I know Loki would love to see you." My puppy barked hearing his name, his butt wiggling from side to side.
"I'll head out soon then. It'll be nice to get away from here for a little while." Her voice grew somber on the last few words.
"Are you okay?" I asked, pausing as I headed towards the bathroom.
Kenzie sighed into the phone. "Yeah I just need some space."
I nodded my head before remembering that we were talking on the phone and Kenzie couldn't see me. "Sure. Come over whenever, Kenzie. There's a key under the plant on the porch if I'm still in the shower when you get here."
"Thanks, Reece."
After we had hung up, I turned on the shower before sitting down on the closed toilet to read my text messages, smiling when I saw that there were two from Declan.
"Miss you already. Hope you get a lot of writing done while I'm gone."
The second message was sent two hours later.
"I've convinced myself you're too busy writing to text me back. Hope your murders are being well executed."
I laughed and started to type my response.
"Just wrapped up a gruesome scene. How is your day going?"
"Better now that I've heard from you. I was starting to get worried that you'd been sucked into your book."
"I've resurfaced. Lane and Kenzie are coming over for a girls night."
"Are you going to get drunk and tell secrets?"
“Why? Are you interested?"
"I'm interested in anything that involves you. We're about to go into a meeting with the record label guys. I'll talk to you later. Have fun tonight, baby."
I sent back a smiley face before climbing into the shower, letting the warm water run over my stiff muscles. As I was conditioning my hair, I heard the front door open and Loki start barking at whoever walked in. Poking my head out of the shower, I called out for Kenzie relaxing when she answered.
Throwing on some sweats and the band shirt Declan had given me the first day we had met for lunch, I combed my wet hair before braiding it so it was out of my way. I found Kenzie and Loki cuddled on the couch in the front room. The puppy was licking Kenzie to death as she giggled and tried to push him away.
"Hey there,” Kenzie greeted me with a smile. "I brought some wine and popcorn. They're on the kitchen counter."
"Perfect." Moving into the kitchen, I closed my laptop and grabbed two bottles of water offering one to Kenzie before sitting on the lounge chair across from her.
Kenzie glanced over at my closed computer before giving me a guilty look. "I peaked."
I felt my spine stiffen as I took a sip from my water bottle. I didn't let anyone read my writing, Lane practically had to sit on me in order to get a glimpse of it.
"I'm sorry if I invaded your privacy. I was just going to check my email but your document was pulled up and it caught my eye."
She looked so worried, I didn't have it in me to be mad at her. "Did you read it?" I asked casually, forcing myself to relax. Kenzie had probably read more books than anyone else I knew. Whenever I saw her she had a new one in her hands. If she thought it sucked, then it probably did.
"I did,” she answered before taking a sip of her own water.
"The whole thing? Kenzie, it's over a hundred pages. I was only in the shower for like twenty minutes."
Kenzie shrugged her small shoulders before tying her hair into a knot on the top of her head. "I read really fast."
I waited for her to say more, growing frustrated when she stayed silent. "You're killing me, here."
"Is the wife the murderer?" She finally asked, her fingers running through Loki's hair lulling him to sleep. "I mean she's the one with the motive, especially after finding the pictures the husband was being blackmailed with." Kenzie trailed off for a moment lost in thought before continuing, "Unless it's the husband's boyfriend. Am I right?"
I thought over her response, mulling over the evidence she had collected. Kenzie waited looking at me with impatient eyes. "Did you like it?" I heard myself ask in a small voice as I picked at invisible lint on my pants.
Kenzie's eyes warmed as she noticed my obvious anxiety. "Reece, I was pissed that you hadn't finished it yet. You have a great hook in the first chapter and the story only builds from there. There were a few grammatical errors which are easy to fix but it didn't distract away from the flow of events. You've really got a talent."
I couldn't stop grinning, a laugh escaping my lips as I marveled at her words.
"So, are you going to tell me who did it?"
Shaking my head, I laughed again when Kenzie threw her water bottle cap at me.
"You're no fun,” she pouted her lips crossing her arms over her chest.
Giving her a wink I tossed the cap back at her. "That's not what your brother thinks."
Kenzie wrinkled her nose before letting out a small laugh. "I'm pretty sure my brother thinks you hung the moon."
A knock at the door distracted me from what I was going to say. Lane let herself in, two bottles of wine in tow. She quickly introduced herself to Kenzie before grabbing three glasses and opening the first bottle.
"Jon has the kids. I've got the wine. It's time to let loose ladies." Lane raised her glass in a toast. "Let's all remember, no judgement come morning.”
Two bottles of wine later we all had a case of the giggles as Lane finished applying a face mask to Kenzie’s skin while she flipped through one of the many magazines I had stacked on the coffee table. Peeking over her shoulder I glanced at the article she was reading and felt my eyebrows disappear into my hairline. “Guide to Getting Over Him.”
Kenzie jumped and pressed the magazine to her chest.
Lane wiped off her hands before grabbing the magazine from Kenzie and reading the article out loud. “One. Get out and meet new people. Two. Focus on his flaws. Three. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Four. Try something new. Five. Spend time on you.” Lane skimmed down the list before nodding her head. “Seems pretty legit.”
“You’ve never had to get over anyone before,” I rolled my eyes and snagged the magazine from her hand reading through the list. “I don’t think any list can really get you through getting over someone, but it certainly couldn't hurt.” I slid a look at Kenzie to see that she was watching me with her usual serious expression. “You trying to get over someone in particular, Kenzie?” She nodded as tears started to form in her eyes. I immediately slid off the couch to wrap my arms around her in a hug as I looked across the room at Lane. “I think we need more wine.”
Declan
Our meetings had lasted longer than we had expected but thankfully they had gone well. By the time we were almost back to town, the sun was down and it was inching past ten. I had originally planned on going back to Reece's house after we took care of business, but I didn't want to intrude on her girls night with Kenzie and Lane.
"I'm starving,” Wyatt complained from the passenger seat sounding like he was three rather than nearing thirty. Lucas grunted a similar sentiment from the driver's seat as we stopped at a red light.
"I'm pretty hungry too. Let's stop and get something to eat,” Jace suggested from his place next to me. Lucas took a left when the light turned green, heading down the road towards JJ's.
I checked my phone hoping I had a message from Reece and found myself disappointed when I didn't see any notifications. I couldn't really remember what my life was like before I had met Reece, but I knew I didn't want to go back to the way it was.
Wyatt sat up in his seat, having noticed where our car was headed. He glared over at his brother, turning his body like he was going to jump out of the car and bolt. "What the fuck, man?" He exclaimed hitting the dash with his fist.
Lucas seemed unfazed as he parked the car, turning off the lights and ignition. Jace and I walked close behind him, not surprised when Wyatt followed after kicking the car tire twice, swearing himself blue in the face after stubbing his toe.
JJ's was pretty crowded with the after dinner crowd in full swing. Jace found an empty table and sat down signaling for a waiter as he did. Settling at the table we all gave our drink orders waiting for the waiter to return with the menus. Wyatt kept glancing around clearly on edge, no doubt looking for any sign of Emma Thompson. His leg started bouncing up and down with nervous energy, knocking into the table every few seconds.
"She's probably not even here, dude." Lucas placed a restraining hand on his brother's knee. "If she is, it's not like she's going to come confront you anyway."
"I wouldn't have to worry about it at all if you had taken us anywhere else."
Rolling my eyes I decided to go use the bathroom rather than listen to the bitch fight that was brewing at the table. I told Jace to order me a burger before stepping back from the table, weaving my way through the crowd heading to the restroom. After washing my hands, I sent a quick text to Reece to let her know that we were back in town. Placing my phone back in my pocket, I shuffled out of the restroom and walked right into a woman carrying a tray full of food.
"Oh shit!" I exclaimed, my hands fumbling trying to steady the woman and the tray she was balancing. She caught herself and righted the food gracefully without any casualties.
"I am so sorry,” I began to apologized as the woman swiped the hair off of her face.
"No harm no foul,” she brushed the incident off with a small smile. "I heard you were back in town Declan, but I never thought we would literally run into each other."
“Emma," I grinned, genuinely happy to see her again. "My girlfriend told me you were working here now."
Her eyebrows shot up as she regarded me through cool green eyes. "Girlfriend? You've certainly matured since I saw you last." She passed off the tray of food to a waiter that was walking by with a grateful smile. "Who's the lucky lady?"
"Reece Becker,” I said, feeling my chest puff out with pride.
"Really?" Emma's green eyes grew even rounder taking up majority of her face. The girl had always had the most expressive eyes of anyone I knew, except for Kenzie. You could read her every thought with just a glance, which was something I had always loved about her. No secrets. Liars were not tolerated in my life. It was a good thing Reece was just as honest as Emma.
“That actually makes sense,” Emma remarked. "You better treat her right."
I started to reply when Lucas appeared behind Emma tapping her lightly on the shoulder. Her smile dimmed for a moment before her eyes cleared with recognition. "Lucas!"
"Hey Emma,” he greeted giving her an awkward hug. Lucas had never been big on displaying affection. ”How have you been?"
"Good. How's Simon doing these days? I haven't seen him in a while.”
At the mention of his son, Lucas' grin grew so big that a majority of his teeth were showing. "He's doing great. Thanks for asking.”
