Playing it Out, page 6
“I think you guys are right,” Kenzie spoke up for the first time since Jace had walked into the room, though she still hadn't looked up from her computer. “I just bought a ticket back home. The driver can drop me off at the airport ten miles from here. We're going to drive right by it anyway.”
I blinked at my sister in surprise. “That was fast.”
She pushed back from the table and started to move around Lucas. “The thought of not being on this bus is too tempting to pass up. I’ll go speak with the driver and call Mrs. Cooper.” Kenzie made her way towards the front of the bus, visibly cringing away from where Jace and Sydney stood.
“Kenzie,” I started to stop her when she turned back to me, crossing her arms over her chest. Both of us knew that she was going to get her way no matter what. For such a long time I had been responsible for both of us. I still had a hard time accepting the fact that my little sister was capable of taking care of herself.
“Look at it this way, Declan. If I’m at the ranch, I’ll have a new friend in town to hang out with.”
I grinned as the image of Reece’s whiskey colored eyes and silky brown hair floated into my mind. “She told me she likes you better than she likes me.”
Smirking Kenzie turned on her heel and knocked on the driver’s cabin door. “Hard to argue with that.”
Chapter 6
Reece
“You’re being a boob punch.” I tackled my godson Lake and held him upside down. He giggled uncontrollably and squirmed trying to break out of my grip.
“I am not a boob punch. You are a boob punch. Even momma said that.”
Gasping in horror I twisted around to face my friend, gently dropping Lake onto the soft grass in Jon and Lane’s spacious backyard. My friends had called me that morning to invite me over for dinner, claiming my godsons were missing me. I suspected the real reason was Lane wanting interrogate me about my recent phone conversations with her favorite rocker.
“Et tu, Brute?” I quoted, making sure my voice emphasized my sense of betrayal.
“Now Lake, I didn't say Aunt Reece was a boob punch.” Before Lake could protest Lane held up a hand and continued. “I said Aunt Reece was acting like a boob punch.”
“Judas,” I laughed, pointing at her in accusation.
“That’s a solid burn,” Jon declared as he walked out of the house with the burgers he was getting ready to grill.
My phone started to buzz and I glanced down at the caller ID seeing another unknown number. “Hello?” I answered hesitantly.
“Is this Reece Becker?” A female voice asked.
“Last time I checked.”
The woman laughed at my response. “It’s Kenzie Kane.”
“Kenzie!” I said, genuinely glad to hear from her. “What’s going on?”
“I decided to skip the last show and start my vacation early. I just got back to the Cooper’s ranch outside of town last night.”
“That would explain the mooing I hear in the background. That’s kind of ironic considering I’m getting ready to eat at least two hamburgers.”
“Yeah, I don't want to think of how Angus here gets from point A to point B. I was just calling to ask if you wanted to do something together this week?” She invited in a cautious voice. “I have to warn you though,” Kenzie continued before I had a chance to answer. “I’ve been instructed to gather information on you and report it back to my brother.”
I laughed shaking my head at her. “You would be a horrible spy.”
“Good thing I like my day jobs. Although lately I could do without the one.”
“How about lunch Monday at Daisy's? It’s on Main and Second. We can make a pro con list over fries and diet coke.”
“Sounds perfect,” she sighed heartily. “I’ll see you Monday around one?”
“Roger that. Have a good one, Kenzie.” I hung up the phone only to glance at it again as Declan’s name popped up. I had checked the number he had called me from against the smudged numbers on my hand before programing it into my phone after our conversation the other day.
I opened up my text messages and saw that I had two from him. One was a gif of a man doing flips on a high speed treadmill with a comment asking if I had similar skills. Laughing I scrolled down to see his other message:
“Hope you’re having a good day. I can’t wait for lunch on Tuesday.”
Grinning I started to text him back when little Declan started tugging on my pant leg.
“Aunt Reece, no phones at the dinner table.” His voice made it clear he meant business.
“You’re right, D. I just have one thing to finish up before I go sit down, okay? Go save me a seat.” I swatted his bottom making him giggle and run to the table.
“I’m looking forward to it too.”
He replied immediately making me think that he was bored hanging out on the tour bus all day.
“I can’t wait for this tour to be over.”
Lake started to call for me letting me know the food was ready. I didn't want to break my friends rules but I also wanted to continue texting Declan. I liked talking to him. It was easy.
“Then it’s a good thing you get some time to yourself than.”
“I was hoping to spend some of that time with you.”
I couldn't stop the dopey grin that came over my face as I gripped my phone. No doubt I looked like a complete idiot. I felt Jon lean over my shoulder as he quickly scanned the message.
“Looks like someone is being romanced,” he said with a wink directed at his wife.
Lane made a grab for my phone, but I quickly tucked it into my back pocket. Knowing that wouldn't stop her, I sat in one of the patio chairs that Jon and Lane had set up on their deck for dinner, shifting uncomfortably when I felt my phone vibrate.
“I am not,” I protested half-heartedly. As strange as it sounded, I had a feeling Declan Kane was indeed romancing me. We had been texting nonstop these past few days and when we weren't texting, we were facetiming or talking on the phone. Declan had called me every night since we met. His compelling voice telling me he missed me made me want to believe him. In my past relationships, I had always made it a point to make sure my partner’s heart was never as invested as mine. Declan seemed to strip down all of my defenses before I even had a chance to throw them up.
Earlier in the afternoon I had answered my door and received an edible arrangement of reece’s peanut butter cups with a note that said: “Reece, I could never forget your name. XO- DK.”
We hadn't even gone on a real date yet and I was close to being a goner.
“What’s romance?” Declan wondered as he picked at the asparagus on his plate. Lake who was two years older than his brother answered with the authority only a seven year old could manage.
“It’s when the people kiss each other on the lips like momma and dad do.”
Declan looked like he had just eaten a fistful of mud. “Yuck.”
I nodded in agreement. “Yuck is right.”
Much to Lane’s annoyance and Jon’s amusement, I managed to deflect most of Lane’s questions before making a quick exit after dessert. When I’d climbed into my car, the look on my friend’s face told me she wasn't going to be dismissed so easily.
I decided to wait to look at my phone until I got home, otherwise I would be too tempted to keep checking it while I was driving. Thankfully I made every green light on my way back, checking my messages before getting out of my car.
“They’ve pretty much remade every movie from our youth. I’m not sure how to feel about it.”
I didn't know what I had been expecting him to say but it hadn't been that. I replied as I walked into my house, letting Loki out in the backyard to do his thing.
“Some are worth watching I think. It rarely hurts to try something new.”
Like before, Declan replied instantly. Maybe he enjoyed talking to me as much as I enjoyed talking to him.
“Simon was asking if we could go see that new/old flick opening when we get back into town. I don’t know it looks pretty bad. I think I’ll stick with the original.”
I remembered Declan mentioning that Lucas had a son named Simon. It was hard for me to picture the stone faced man I’d met at the bar raising a little boy.
“I’ve probably seen worse movies.”
“What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen?”
We chatted like that for a while before I realized what time it was.
“Holy shit, we’ve been texting a long time. It’s one in the morning.”
“Past your bedtime?”
“Yes, I teach high school!”
“I guess it’s a good thing you’re on summer vacation. It is late though, I should get my beauty sleep.”
Laughing, I readjusted myself on my bed and pulled the covers over my body feeling how heavy my eyelids were. These past few nights I had found myself texting Declan until one or both of us fell asleep. Usually it was me.
“You’re already pretty beautiful.”
“Men aren’t beautiful. Men are strong and handsome.”
“Oh masculinity,” I typed, “such a fragile thing.”
My phone started ringing and I answered it immediately, hearing Declan’s amused voice fill my ears. “I just had to hear your voice before I could fall asleep.”
His sweet words made my heart beat uncomfortably in my chest. I cleared my throat and rolled to my side, seeing Loki passed out in his bed by the window. “My students have claimed my lectures induce slumber.”
“Well, I’m pretty interested in what you have to say.” His tone sounded completely sincere and I felt sparks of joy stirring in my gut.
“Even if it’s 16th century literature?” I faked a yawn wanting to end the call. If he made me feel like this with just his voice, I was going to be defenseless when I was faced with the whole package.
He laughed a little before speaking again, “I just enjoy the sound of your voice. I’ll let you get some sleep but I wanted to tell you one thing.”
“What’s that?” I held my breath and waited, half expecting him to say he couldn't make it on Tuesday then forget about me altogether.
“You’re the one who is beautiful. Goodnight, Reece.”
“Sweet dreams, Declan.”
Declan
By Monday morning we were all itching to get off of the bus. I was thankful that Jace had given Sydney the boot before our last show. After we had dropped Kenzie off at the airport she had apparently said something to piss Jace off, which made the rest of the trip next to unbearable as Sydney continued to shriek at him until the minute we arrived at the stadium. The only thing that had kept me from crawling out of my skin had been talking to Reece.
We had been in constant communication since I had called her last week. Initially I’d been worried she would pull away since I was still on the road and she had started to write her novel, something she had told me she had always been “too chicken shit” to do. The only other person who knew she had finally started to do so was her friend Lane. The fact that she trusted me with that information nearly made me giddy. So had the fact that last night she’d gotten tipsy with Lane and left me a drunk text saying she missed the taste of my lips. Her apology text the following morning had been just as adorable.
“Mom said she was going to make us a big dinner tonight,” Wyatt announced glancing down at his phone. “She won't tell me what it is but Simon said he’ll crack her for me.”
“You’re corrupting my son,” Lucas accused around a mouthful of cranberry bagel. The guys and I were hanging out in the back of the bus playing video games, all in a pretty good mood as we headed back to the Cooper's ranch.
“Then so is Kenzie,” Wyatt chuckled as he looked at his twin. “Simon said he waited up for her last night and then they watched a scary movie.”
“Was Garrett there?” Jace inquired, suddenly interested in the conversation. I glared at my friend from across the room.
“What’s it matter to you Jace?” I asked forcefully. I knew Lucas and Wyatt would never touch Kenzie, but I had caught Jace looking at my sister more than once over the past few years in a very unbrotherly way. I had a feeling those looks had something to do with the current problems in their relationship.
I was surprised when Jace gave me a hard look back, his hazel eyes flashing with anger. “It should fucking matter to you, Declan. You just let your baby sister go live on a ranch full of men all by herself! You’re supposed to look out for her!”
“Uh,” Wyatt raised his hand with a laugh. “That ranch full of men is our brother, nephew and the ranch hands who have been with our family for years. Kenzie is hardly in mortal danger, Jace. You know they all love her there.” Even he looked slightly puzzled by the drummer’s outburst. We all knew the man had a mean side, one he kept tight reins on. Recently it seemed that his control over it was starting to slip.
Jace shook his head and started cursing under his breath. He punched the couch cushion muttering about us all being fucking idiots.
“What a diva,” I remarked dryly. My comment caused the twins to laugh in agreement as Jace scowled at all of us.
My phone started to ring and my grin grew when I saw the caller ID.
“Speak of the devil.”
“You talking shit?” My sister questioned with a haughtiness in her voice that she had perfected at thirteen.
“Never. Jace just cussed me out for being a bad brother.”
I heard my sister’s swift intake of breath. “You are not a bad brother! God, lately he has been nothing but a bear.”
Jace had returned his attention to me, clearing keying into who was on the phone.
“Never mind him,” I narrowed my eyes and gave Jace the finger. “How’s Garrett?” Jace growled at me, calling me dick just like I knew he would.
“Everyone here is fine. I just got back from lunch at this diner called Daisy's. I think I may become a regular there.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked dodging the box of tissues Jace had aimed at my head.
“Yeah,” she answered, a note in her voice hinting that she was hiding something from me. “It could have been the company though. Reece is a nice lady.”
I sat straighter in my seat at the mention of Reece’s name. “You had lunch with Reece?”
“And while we were there you texted her three times. Stalk much?”
I huffed and shifted in my seat, “I am not a stalker. What did you talk about?”
“Sex, drugs, and rock and roll. What else?”
Smart ass. “Can you ever just give me a straight answer?”
She laughed over the phone, “What would be the fun in that?”
Jace began snapping his fingers from across the room trying to get my attention. I thought about ignoring him but he was being really annoying. When he finally caught my eye he leaned forward and hissed, “Ask her why she hasn't answered my texts or calls.”
I covered the mouthpiece to my phone. “This isn't seventh grade. If she doesn't want to talk to you, she doesn't want to talk to you.” There was no way I was going to be the person to facilitate that conversation.
“What?” Kenzie’s confused voice asked. “I think you have a bad reception. I can't understand what you’re saying.”
“Sorry, Kenzie,” my words fell away when Jace crossed the room and ripped the phone from my hand. The threatening glint in his eye dared me to take it back from him.
“Kenzie Nicole Kane you are in so much trouble when I see you,” he began walking out of the room with my phone white knuckled against his ear.
“I’m starting to worry about that.” I commented, my eyes following Jace's retreating back.
“I think you’re a little late there, bro,” Lucas replied jerking his thumb towards where Jace was pacing up and down the length of the bus. “Something has been brewing there this whole tour. I’m surprised Kenzie stuck it out on this bus as long as she did to be honest with you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Wyatt and I asked at the same time. Lucas just shrugged and went back to whatever he was doing on his phone. For someone so insightful he was awfully stingy giving out information.
“You’re annoying as hell. You know that right?” I picked up my controller again and gestured for Wyatt to do the same.
“I’ve been saying that my whole life,” Wyatt nodded his head in agreement.
Jace stormed back into the room and threw my phone on the lounge chair next to me. “Stubborn ass woman,” he grumbled sinking back into his seat and picking up a game controller. “Are we playing this goddamn game or what?” Jace growled, sounding just like the bear Kenzie had accused him of being.
The rest of the trip went faster than I anticipated even though Jace bitched nearly the whole way there. The sun had just started to set when we were pulling into the Cooper ranch. I was grateful the bus had made it before the mean-looking storm clouds overhead let loose. Lucas’ kid was terrified of storms and I knew my friend was anxious to get to his son.
Looking out the window, I saw Simon bolt from the big house and run down the steps to greet us. The driver had barely stopped before Lucas was out the door squeezing his son in a tight embrace. Mrs. Cooper made her way down the stairs and was hugging Wyatt by the time I got off the bus.
“You boys are a sight for sore eyes,” she cradled Jace’s jaw in her hands before turning to me and wrapping me up in a comforting hug. “It’s so good to see you. Come inside we’re just putting dinner on the table.” She wrapped her arm around Wyatt’s waist as Lucas playfully chased Simon into the house.
The Cooper's house had always smelled the same to me, like dryer sheets and pine sol. Tonight when I walked inside I had to suppress a groan as I inhaled the sweet aromas that were coming from the kitchen. Kenzie came around the corner hallway, her long blonde hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail sporting sweats and a smile. When she spotted me she dropped the laundry basket she was holding and sprinted, tackling me in a hard hug.
“I missed you too, Little One,” I gave her a squeeze before setting her on her feet. Kenzie looked more rested than she had a few days before, easing some of the tension in my gut that I hadn't been unaware of. When her gaze moved over my shoulder, her smile dimmed.
