Playing it Out, page 5
Her lips parted on a sigh and I thanked God as my tongue swept into her mouth. Gripping my shoulders in her hands Reece’s tongue started to dance against mine. Her strong hands gripped the back of my neck trying to get a better angle as I felt all the breath leave my body. Before I could get too carried away, I forced myself to pull back.
“Call me crazy,” I panted softly, “but that feeling isn't one I want to walk away from. How about you?” She shook her head no and I smiled down at her grabbing a fistful of her long silky hair. “Then we’ll play it out.”
Chapter 5
Reece
My alarm went off later than I expected as I had reset it for my new summer schedule. I usually woke up around five in the morning to fit in a run and a shower before school. Now that it was summer I could allow myself some extra sleep before my jog.
Rolling over I punched my pillow down so that I could reach my phone to disable the alarm. Unlocking the screen, I saw that I had a new text message from Lane telling me to call her when I woke up. As if she knew I was awake my phone lit up with her picture as her familiar ringtone played.
"Spill it,” she demanded, as soon as I picked up.
"Now is that anyway to greet your best friend?" I scolded into the phone rolling onto my back and getting back under the covers.
”Good morning, dear Reece. I hope you slept well. And by well I mean with a gorgeous rock god."
"Really, babe? You're putting Declan Kane on the same level as a god?" Jon's exasperated voice said in the background. I figured Lane must have put me on speakerphone so Jon could get in on the gossip too.
"This can't come as a surprise to you, Jon." I could easily picture my friends sitting at their kitchen table over coffee as they did every morning.
"It really doesn’t," he sounded resigned. "They did sound awesome in the videos you sent though."
"It was a good show,” I agreed only to pull the phone away from my ear when Lane growled in frustration. My new puppy Loki jumped onto the bed with me excitedly licking my face when he saw that I was awake. The dog had come to live with me after Lane and Jon discovered their son Lake had an allergy. My godson had been distraught when he thought his parents would bring the dog back to the breeder where they’d purchased him from, so I had offered to take him home with me. I hadn't counted on the toll it would take on my carpets and furniture.
"Yes, yes we all know they're an amazing band. Move on to the rest of the night! I already filled Jon in on the first part."
”In excruciating detail. According to my wife Declan Kane has a body made for sin. It's a good thing she thinks the same about mine.” I heard sounds of kissing come through the line and groaned.
"Ew mom, dad stop it you're grossing me out." I petted Loki until he settled down into the bed. Knowing the puppy’s energetic nature, he wouldn't stay calm for long. No matter how much exercise he got, the dog had a hard time staying still. He even moved in his sleep.
"Then tell me what I want to know," Lane threatened.
"Well after you left we just hung out and talked for a bit then headed over to the show. They played. I sent videos. I met Kenzie, Declan's younger sister and I went home."
"That's it?" Lane asked, her voice heavy with disappointment. "He looked like he wanted to devour you last night!"
I cleared my throat and ran my tongue over my teeth. "There may have been some kissing."
Just as I knew it would, the news sent Lane into a frenzy. "Some kissing! I bet he's an amazing kisser. What was it like? What happened? Did you kiss him or did he kiss you?"
"It was kind of mutual the first time. The second it was all him. So was the third. And fourth. And yes it was incredible.” No one else’s kisses had ever affected me as deeply as Declan’s had. The man was talented in more ways than one.
"Are you going to see him again?"
I thought back on the previous night and how Declan had said goodnight by kissing me senseless than brushing his lips over my forehead before telling me to drive safe.
"I have no idea. He doesn't even have my phone number."
"Mommy! I had an accident!" I heard my godson Declan cry on the other end of the phone at the same time Jon and Lane's house phone started ringing.
“Alright sweetie,” Lane soothed her son before bringing her attention back to me. “We will continue this conversation later,” she said forcefully.
“Whatever you say,” I answered in a smart tone before disconnecting from the call.
Deciding to get my day started, I started a pot of coffee so I could have a cup when I had finished my run. After lacing up my shoes I scrolled through my playlists, unsatisfied with all of them. I put on Loki’s leash and harness, locking the front door behind us before walking down my driveway.
Opening my radio app I typed Adrenaline into the search bar and heard Declan's voice come through my earbuds. The sound of it instantly sent shivers down my spine. Shaking my head for acting like a love struck teenager, I started off on my normal route finding an easy rhythm with the Adrenaline song playing in the background. The summer breeze was picking up as I ran through my neighborhood. There were a few kids already out enjoying their first day of summer vacation.
I had promised myself this would be the summer where I would focus on my writing. I had always planned on eventually attempting to get something published, I just didn't think I would be twenty seven years old before I finally found the courage to try. That was another reason not to get hung up on a rock star. Too many distractions came with that. The biggest being the sexy rocker himself.
I didn't know why I was spending so much time worrying about it anyway. Chances were slim to none I would see Declan Kane again. Like Lane had said, he was a rock god who was just coming off of a sold out tour. I was a high school English teacher. We existed in very different worlds.
When I talked to Lane again, my friend was going to bring up the fact that Declan had given me his number the night before, but I didn't have the courage to use it. The thought of reaching out to the sexy rocker only to have him brush me off was worse than never hearing from him again. At least this way I had a good memory to look back on.
I turned back down my street after about an hour of running, very much looking forward to the shower that was waiting for me. As I reached my front porch my phone started ringing. I looked down to see an unknown number calling my phone.
“Hello?" I answered the call while unlocking my front door with the spare key I kept under the potted plant on my porch. I closed the door behind me and let Loki off his leash to go get some water. Starting towards my bathroom, I began shucking off my clothes leaving them in a pile on the floor.
"Good morning,” a deep voice rumbled in my ear.
"Declan?" I almost dropped my phone into the shower as I turned the water on. The deep timbre of his voice had caught me off guard. Though I didn't really expect to hear from him again, that didn't mean I hadn't secretly hoped it would happen. "How'd you get my number?"
"I strong armed my little sister. I have to admit I'm jealous you gave her your number and not me.”
I closed the toilet seat and sat down on it still in my sports bra and underwear. "Maybe I like her better,” I teased, easily falling back into the playful banter we’d had last night. After I had gotten home from the concert, I’d done a good job of convincing myself that the ease I’d felt with Declan was all in my mind. When his husky laughter drifted over the line, all those thoughts went right out the window.
"Well now I have to prove myself to you.” His voice held the same daring quality it had at JJ’s. “How about lunch this Tuesday?"
"This Tuesday?" I repeated dumbly.
"I would like to see you sooner but we get back from Philadelphia late Monday night. I'm not even sure what city we are in right now."
"That sounds like an adventure,” I commented testing the water temperature with my hand.
He barked out a laugh, but when he answered his voice sounded tired. "One I'm getting pretty tired of. Do I hear a shower in the background?” If it was possible his deep voice dropped even lower at the question. There was no reason for me to blush, but I felt the familiar heat fill my face at his words though there was nothing sexual about them.
"I just finished my run,” I evaded his question while pulling my hair out of the bun on the top of my head.
”You like to run?"
"Like is a strong word. It's more like make. I make myself run. It's become a habit."
"Maybe we can run together sometime. After this weekend our tour is over. The guys and I were talking about staying close to home."
"I don't know if you could keep up with me.” My competitive spirit came into play at his suggestion.
"Oh Reece, you have no idea. But you'll find out." His words were laced with a promise that made me think he was talking about something other than a friendly run. "I'll let you get to your shower. Have a good day, baby."
"It's Reece,” I corrected automatically, flinching slightly when I heard the word leave his mouth.
"What?" He was clearly puzzled by my interjection.
"My name is Reece, not baby. Sometimes guys will use pet names so they don't have to remember the girl’s actual name. It’s important to me that I’m remembered."
I heard him take a few breaths into the phone before he answered. "You are definitely memorable, Reece. I'll talk to you soon." He hung up before I could reply and I fought the urge to bang my head against the wall.
A lunch on Tuesday. He'd talk to me soon.
It was starting to look like I was dating a rock star.
Declan
I hung up the phone with Reece laying in my roost as the bus took us from one concert venue to another. I had a permanent smile on my face when I was thinking about her.
I had never thought about why I used nicknames with women but after what Reece said I realized that she had pinpointed the exact reason I called them things like sweetie and baby. Reece was right, she deserved better than that.
I sent a short text to Lane to ask her where I could send flowers for Reece. I was glad I had thought to get the woman's number. Initially it had been so I could send her and her husband concert tickets for a show the next time we were in town, but it was proving to be useful for other reasons.
Lane texted back quickly with a grinning emoticon and a thumbs up. I sent one back before browsing through floral shop websites until I remembered Reece was unlike any other girl I had ever been with. I found the site Lucas and Wyatt had used to surprise their mom for her birthday last month and filled out the online ordering form. Flowers were my usual go to move with a woman but everything with Reece had been different so far. Better.
No reason to stop that now.
I didn't want to climb out of the comfy bed I had made for myself but I couldn't ignore my grumbling stomach any longer. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I threw on the boxers I had discarded on the floor the night before and walked to the area of the bus where the kitchen was located. As per usual Kenzie was sitting by the window with a mug of coffee and her laptop. Her long blonde hair was braided neatly on the side if her face.
I walked over to her and planted a firm kiss on her cheek.
“Morning," I greeted gruffly before walking to the coffee pot and pouring myself a cup. I added some sugar and slid into the small booth across from her.
"Good morning brother of mine,” her eyes smiled at me from over the brim of her glasses. "It looks like you had a good night’s sleep."
I smirked at her and drank my coffee knowing I had to look rough for Kenzie to say that. I’d tossed and turned throughout the night waiting for morning so that I could hear Reece’s voice again. When Wyatt had given me the signal it was time to hit the road, I’d reluctantly kissed Reece goodnight and sent her on her way. It hadn't been five minutes before I realized I’d forgotten to get her cell number. Kenzie had overheard me cursing and informed me in a sweet voice that she had Reece’s contact information. My sister had made me chase her around the bus until I’d finally wrestled the phone from her grip, making her laugh uncontrollably at my pathetic behavior.
"It was alright,” I smiled slightly and studied my sister across the table. The past few months had been stressful on all of us but I could tell that Kenzie had lost some weight. As I looked her over, I noticed how pale her skin appeared and the dark circles under her eyes. “You look pretty tired.”
"That's code for you look like shit,” Kenzie chuckled softly as she broke eye contact with me, but not before I saw the flash of hurt cross over her face.
"That's not what I meant,” I grabbed at her hand and squeezed it tightly until she looked up at me. "Do you want to talk about anything Kenzie?" My whole life had been about looking out for my sister but the past year she had been hiding something from me. Whatever was bothering her was clearly starting to take its toll.
She looked torn for a moment before shaking her head and giving my hand a small squeeze. Returning her attention back to her laptop Kenzie resumed typing, "Just ready for the tour to be over."
"I heard that." Wyatt agreed walking into the kitchen with Lucas following close behind. I didn't expect to see Jace this morning as he'd had been drinking heavily last night, so much so he had allowed Sydney get on the bus with us. We were all very aware that they had been up late. It wasn't uncommon for one of us to have a girl on the bus but it was usually only for a quickie after the show, not a companion to another city.
“Mom’s excited for you to be at the ranch, Kenzie.” As Lucas spoke he took the seat next to hers. Mrs. Cooper had always been sweet to my sister. In some ways Lorraine Cooper was the only mother Kenzie had ever known. All our mother was good for was harsh words, bad breath, and the occasional drunken slap.
“I’m excited too. Garret called me and said one of the mares is going to give birth any day now. I hope she can hold off until we get there. When I talked to Simon he said he would make sure of it.”
Lucas smiled at the mention of his ten year old son. “You know Little One, everything else is pretty much set for the tour. Why don't you head out to the ranch a few days early and rest.”
Kenzie shook her head, frowning at the use of her nickname. We’d been calling her Little One for years but for the past few months she seemed to bristle whenever it was said. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Yes.” We all answered in unison causing her to chuckle softly.
“No. You're all stuck with me.”
“What’s so funny?” Jace came into the kitchen with a yawn, swiping at his long brown hair. Wyatt was lounging on the couch while Lucas, Kenzie and I remained seated at the small table. As we all had before him, Jace poured himself some coffee and leaned back against the counter raising a brow at Kenzie, waiting for her to give him an explanation.
Most of the time Jace was capable of scaring the shit out of people. He was built like his cousins only he was a little more muscular which had come in handy from time to time. Especially since when we were younger we had all been such smart asses. Most of our interactions ended with too many drinks and flying fists.
Especially if Wyatt was involved.
My sister had apparently decided she wasn't going to answer Jace. Her face had sobered considerably since he entered the room and she avoided his stare, giving her full attention to whatever was happening on her computer. I knew whatever was stressing her out had something to do with my bandmate but neither of them were willing to talk about what had caused the sudden tension between them.
“Just telling Kenzie she should go back to the ranch and hang out with mom, Garret and Simon while we’re in Philly.” Wyatt chimed helpfully from the sofa. His amused eyes kept going back and forth between Jace and Kenzie watching their interaction. No matter what was going on Wyatt always managed to entertain himself, even if it was at the expense of others.
“Why would you need to spend time with Garret?” Jace demanded harshly. His eyes were focused on Kenzie’s face as she continued to ignore him.
“Probably because they're family, Jace.” Lucas frowned at his cousin’s tone. When he glanced over at me with a questioning look I shrugged, just as puzzled as he was. Until recently, Jace and Kenzie had always been close. “It doesn't matter,” Lucas continued, “Kenzie said she didn't want to go anyways.”
Jace’s seemed satisfied with Lucas’s answer as he turned to pour a large bowl of cereal.
“Baby,” an all too familiar voice cooed. I heard Wyatt let out a groan and laughed when Jace smacked him on the back of the head.
“Seriously, though,” Lucas added quietly as he fooled around on his phone. Probably texting Simon. When we were on the road Lucas tried to remain in contact with his son as much as possible. That kid was his world.
While we were on tour Simon spent most of his time at the farm with Mrs. Cooper while his mother ran around doing God knows what. Cadence had never been the motherly type and had dumped Simon at the farm one night over three years ago saying she couldn't pretend to give a shit anymore. For a while Simon had blamed himself for his mother disappearing before he had moved on to blaming Lucas. It was only recently that things had started to get better between the two of them again.
“There you are,” Sydney came into view dressed to impress in a tight dress and heels even though we were going to be hanging out on a tour bus for the next twenty four hours. I fought the urge to groan as Wyatt had when she flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder, batting her eyelashes at Jace. “I had an amazing time last night.”
“Yeah, we know,” Wyatt drawled with wide eyes, earning him another slap. I covered the sound of my laughter behind a cough as Jace shot me a dirty look.
Miffed from Wyatt’s words, Sydney pressed herself closer to Jace who looked uncomfortable as he tried to separate himself from her. For how often he brought Sydney around, it seemed like he had as hard of a time being in the same room as her as we did.
