Playing it Out, page 7
“Hey guys. How was the drive?” Garrett Cooper asked as he emerged from the same hallway Kenzie had just walked out of. Garrett and I had always gotten along, the man was as much a brother to me as Lucas, Wyatt, and Jace were.
“Long as hell," I laughed returning his embrace. "How have things been here?”
Garrett grinned and reached out, ruffling Kenzie’s hair. “A lot more interesting since Little One arrived. Caught her reading to some pigs this morning.” Kenzie gave him a dark look and stepped out of his reach, trying to smooth her hair back into place.
I snorted with amusement and turned to my sister. “What book were you reading to the pigs?”
She tried to stifle the smile that was blooming on her face but failed when she turned to answer me. “Charlotte’s Web. It seemed appropriate.”
Simon came into the front room, rushing at me in much the same way Kenzie had. I caught him in a hug before hunching over and starting to tickle him. “You beat me in Words with Friends, you cheater.”
Giggling uncontrollably the boy started to squirm out of my reach. “I am not cheating. You just don't read enough.”
Rolling my eyes I looked over at my sister. “Now I know you’re cheating, because that is Kenzie’s credo.” With a wink at Simon, Kenzie turned on her heel and started to greet Lucas and Wyatt without giving Jace a second glance.
“Let the boy go so I can get my hug,” Jace muttered nudging me aside. He gave Simon a brief hug and a pat on the back before following Kenzie into the kitchen. As he walked past Garret he gave a brief nod of greeting but said nothing.
“What the fuck was that about?” Garrett looked hurt as he stared at his cousin’s retreating back. Jace and Garret had grown up like brothers, they were best friends. Jace’s behavior had seemed off lately and the way he had just treated Garret had only confirmed it.
“I have no idea,” I shook my head with a frustrated sigh as we moved into the kitchen.
The food was spread out on the Cooper's big kitchen table in a buffet style with plates at either end. My stomach growled as the aromas assaulted my senses. After making a plate, I took a seat beside my sister at the table. Putting down her latest book, she looked up at me once before beginning to eat.
“Stop staring at me,” she ordered, stomping on my foot under the table.
“Missed you too,” I teased kicking her lightly in the shin. She started to grin and I reached out to tug on her ponytail which was a tad lopsided from Garrett’s hand tousle. She opened her mouth to reprimand me, but I picked up a dinner roll and shoved it into her open mouth before she could. “We’re on vacation, Little One.”
“I heard that,” Wyatt said giving his nephew a high five.
As I toed off my shoes, I let out a sigh of relief. The tour was over. The pressure was off. I was at one of my favorite places in the world with the people I cared about and I had a date with a fascinating woman that I couldn't stop thinking about.
It was good to be home.
Chapter 7
Reece
Nervous didn't begin to describe how I was feeling as I walked to Daisy's Diner. Declan had suggested go there for lunch after Kenzie had told him we had eaten there yesterday. He’d wanted to pick me up but I insisted I would meet him there. I needed the time to collect myself before facing the gorgeous rocker again.
Tugging at my shirt I opened the diner door and did a quick look around. My eyes were drawn to the back corner of the room, finding Declan sitting in a corner booth. He had obviously been waiting for me to walk in because he immediately stood and made his way towards me. I met him halfway and all my previous nerves disappeared as he pulled me in for a long hug.
“I tell myself that facetime and texting are enough, but it doesn't compare to being able to feel you.” His hands tangled in my hair before pulling back from our embrace. Kissing my forehead, he laced our fingers together and tugged me towards the booth he had been sitting in.
From the flash of heat in his eye I had expected Declan to kiss me on the lips and had to resist the urge to pout that he hadn't. I had missed his touch although we had only known each other for a matter of days, majority of that time spent talking on the phone. I hadn't felt this sexually frustrated since high school.
Tugging me close Declan pushed the menu aside and turned to face me. When we had settled into the booth, he still hadn't released my hand. Goosebumps broke out along my skin as he began to trace small circles on the back of my palm.
“How have you been?”
I shook my head at him with a smile, using my free hand to tuck my hair behind my ear. “I’ve been about the same since we spoke this morning.”
He smirked back at me and I had to resist the urge to poke the dimple that kept winking at me from his chin. “Tell me again.”
“I’ve been good. How are you?”
“I’m great now,” he gave me an exaggerated wink, laughing as I curled up the napkin beside my plate and threw it at him. My breathing quickened as he brought my hand to his mouth for a soft kiss, his eyes never leaving mine. The way his smile grew made me think he knew what kind of effect he had on me.
“I got you something,” Declan said excitedly, his blue eyes brightening. My heart jumped to my throat as he grabbed a small package from the seat beside him. I immediately sat on my hands as he pushed the gift towards me on the table.
“You shouldn't have done that, Declan.” I shook my head at him and ignored the wounded look on his face. If we were going to have a chance at this he couldn't buy me presents. “I don’t need you to buy me anything. Spending time with you is enough for me.”
When I’d finished he smiled like what I had said pleased him but only shoved the package towards me again. He gave me an expectant look when I made no move to take it. Groaning, I grabbed at it and tore into the paper. My worry faded as I looked at my gift, laughing when I pulled out an Adrenaline concert shirt with all the band members signatures.
“Figured this was a good way to get you on the bandwagon so to speak,” he grinned when I leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek. I thought I saw his nostrils flare once before I grinned looking back at my gift.
Lane was going to be so jealous.
The waiter approached our table and took our order quickly. The kid gave me the feeling he would rather be doing anything else than talking to us. I got a classic burger and a coke, smiling when Declan told the young man to make it two.
“How does it feel to be off tour?” I asked taking in his freshly shaven face and ocean blue eyes. He stretched out his long arms before giving me a serene smile.
“Like a weight has been lifted. I think we’re all pretty excited to spend some time at the ranch. What about you, how is the book going?”
I still couldn't believe I had told Declan about the book. I never really told anyone writing a novel was something I wanted to do. I had barely even told Lane.
“Good I hope. I had to stop writing last night because I scared myself.”
“What do you mean?” Little lines formed around his eyes when he frowned at me.
I waited until our server had returned with our drinks before answering him. “It’s a crime novel and last night I was writing a scene where a character gets murdered and then my power went out from the storm. I jumped six feet in the air and I think some of my hair turned grey.”
Laughing at me, Declan picked up a piece of my hair and let it run between his fingertips. “I don’t see any grey from here. Why are you writing a scary book if it’s scaring you?”
Taking a sip of my drink, I flashed a quick smile at him. “If I don’t write it I’ll keep thinking about it anyway. It makes me feel better to scare other people so I’m not the only one afraid to get out of my bed at three in the morning.”
“No wonder you were texting me back so fast,” Declan replied as his hand resumed playing with a my hair. I gave a noncommittal shrug because the truth was I held my phone in a death grip waiting for his replies.
“So what’s your book about?” It was an old question by now. From the moment I had told him I had wanted to write a book he’d been asking me questions about it. I wasn't ready to share my ideas with anyone just yet.
“Murder, madness, and mayhem of course,” I had my answer ready.
He chuckled at my standard reply before shrugging his broad shoulders. “Maybe you’ll let me read some of it some time.” I hesitated momentarily, but Declan seemed to sense my reluctance. “You know I can relate to that fear. When I write a new song, it’s nerve wracking wondering whether anyone else will like it.”
“I guess I never thought of that. Maybe I’ll ask you to proof read it sometime.” As I spoke I watched as Declan’s perfect white teeth flashed in a brilliant smile. He was so handsome with that dark hair and perfectly chiseled face that were designed to make women melt at his feet.
“I’d like that,” he gave me a small grin before leaning towards me. “You look beautiful today,” the timbre of his voice was rich and intoxicating.
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
The heated look on his face had me swallowing hard. “Not so bad?”
Taking a chance, I reached out and poked his chin dimple causing his blue eyes to darken. “I guess I can be seen with you in public.”
“Thanks for making that sacrifice,” he replied dryly, his eyes roaming over my face.
After our lunch had arrived we spent most of the time chatting while occasionally picking at our food. Declan had amused me with tales of his time on the ranch as a teen. One particular anecdote had me laughing uncontrollably, imagining Declan Kane landing ass first in the mud after getting knocked down by a pig.
“It’s not that funny,” he frowned seriously when tears started to form in my eyes.
“A pig knocked you on your ass. How is that not funny?” I asked, picturing it again in my mind. The Declan I was getting to know was so different from the famed Declan Kane that Lane had always talked about. That Declan had always been somewhat fictional in my mind. He’d never been someone I’d imagined getting along with. Certainly he’s never been someone I’d imagined having burgers and fries with on a Tuesday lunch date. Not someone I’d imagined looking at me with sizzling blue eyes that singed me from head to toe.
As I started to calm down Declan shook his head at me, a wry grin on his face. “The bruise I got on my tailbone was not a laughing matter. I had to sit on a foam donut for two weeks.”
I placed a chaste kiss on his cheek, “Poor baby.”
Stilling in the booth, Declan took my chin in his hand and forced my gaze to meet his. “You missed.”
Catching onto his game and the gleam in his eye, I cocked my head to the side and played dumb. “What do you mean I missed?” Without taking his eyes off of mine, Declan moved his hand and pressed a finger to his full lips causing my gaze to drop to them. Without any more coaxing, I leaned in and tasted the mouth I had been thinking about almost nonstop since the moment he’d first kissed me.
Cradling my jaw in his hands, Declan tilted his head and slanted his mouth over mine, proceeding to kiss me breathless. When my tongue shot out to trace his lips, I dimly heard a plate breaking in the background. Jerking back in surprise, I pressed a hand to my lips and glanced around the restaurant. I could hardly believe I’d come close to jumping Declan Kane in a corner booth at lunchtime. Before I could move, Declan had produced his wallet, throwing a few bills down on the table.
“We could have gone Dutch,” I complained with a small frown.
Pursing his lips, Declan raised his eyebrows. “Not on my watch, ma’am.”
“Ma’am?” I repeated incredulously. “Not even my students call me ma’am.”
Declan placed a kiss to my cheek, much like the one I had given him earlier. “You’re right. You’re much too hot to be called ma’am, Miss Becker.”
His compliment made my heart warm as his hot breath tickled my ear. My cheeks were going to be sore from the amount of smiling I was doing. “What are you doing for the rest of the afternoon?”
“I was hoping I could spend some more time with you,” I had to stop myself from bouncing up and down with glee. Declan must have mistaken my silence for something else because he added, “That is, if you’re not busy.”
“I was maybe going to paint my living room tonight but I think I can put it off another day.”
“Don’t be silly,” Declan chastised rising from the table,. Shoving his wallet back in his jeans he offered me a hand. “Just call me Pablo Picasso.”
Declan
"Do we need to go to the hardware store?" I asked holding the door open for Reece to step out of the diner.
She shook her head causing her long hair to fall behind her shoulders. “No. I have all the stuff at my house. You really don't have to help me paint you know." Pivoting to face me she placed her hands on her hips giving me a sassy look. “Don’t rock stars usually pay people to do their manual labor?”
I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her but stuffed my hands into my pockets instead. I didn't want this overwhelming need that I felt for her to scare her off.
“I’ve been known to break a sweat when I want to. I’m rich not spoiled. Where did you park?" My eyes were already scanning the lot.
"I walked. My house is only a few blocks from here,” she answered, gesturing down the road.
"A walk sounds nice after lunch." Grabbing her hand again, I started to walk in the direction she had pointed towards.
"What about your car?" She glanced up at me questioningly after we had walked a few paces.
"It'll be here later,” I waved her question off as we started down the sidewalk. “Have you lived here long?" Several bike riders zoomed by lifting a hand with a courtesy wave.
"My whole life really,” she answered stopping for a red light. "My family moved here when I was seven. My aunt and uncle live nearby with their son Jared."
"That's nice,” I said grinning inwardly, having solved the mystery of what man Reece was talking to on the phone at the bar the other night. Her cousin, not a boyfriend.
"Technically were not related by blood but we may as well be." That put a dent in my good mood but I brushed it off. If Reece thought of the guy as family, then I wasn't going to let my trust issues get in the way.
"The Cooper’s and I are like that. Well Jace is Mrs. Cooper’s nephew, but they accepted Kenzie and I like their own."
"Did you move here with your family?" She turned the conversation back to me as the light changed and we continued walking.
"No. I have no idea who my dad is and mom had Kenzie and I come here to live with her brother when she’d had enough of us." I hated the bitter taste that filled my mouth whenever I thought about my mother. It didn't matter that I hadn't seen her in years, she still had a hold over me. I was sure Skip would have had a similar claim had he not died right after our high school graduation. The man had a heart attack which Kenzie had found ironic since neither of us had seen evidence of him having one in the first place.
"That must have been hard on you and your sister,” Reece said tugging me closer to her side by hugging my arm. She gave it a gentle squeeze as she met my gaze, her eyes filled with concern. Touched I pulled my arm free and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"It was,” I felt comfortable sharing with her even though I didn’t talk about my fucked up family issues often. “Kenzie was 10, I was almost 18. I worried about her not having a mom at that age but thankfully Mrs. Cooper was there for her.”
"She sounds like a great woman,” Reece smiled up at me from under her thick lashes. I felt my breath stall in my chest gazing down at her beauty and gave into the need to place a chaste kiss on her lips.
"She is. You two actually have a lot in common. She was a high school math teacher before she retired a few years ago.” Mrs. Cooper had the attitude for it, after raising four boys then taking Kenzie and I in she certainly knew how to keep kids in line and on task. The band owed a lot of our success to her. After she’d heard us play, she was the one who pushed us to go out and get gigs. The one who made sure we practiced, made sure we didn't ‘shit away our talent’ as she so eloquently put it.
Reece and I had made our way to a small subdivision just outside of the town square where Daisy's had been located. Reece led us towards a small blue house located on the corner and began jogging up the steps. Once we had reached the top, she released my hand and reached under a potted plant pulling out a sparkling blue key.
"Ah hah!" She placed the key in the lock, turning the door knob open. "Hey baby!" Her high pitched voice called out. Following her into the house I saw her bend down to greet a little black ball of fur that was rolling around on the floor, his back leg thumping in ecstasy as Reece gave his stomach a firm rub down.
"Who was a good boy while I was gone?" She asked continuing to pet the dog before looking back up at me. "This is Loki and he is working on being potty trained,” she explained. The dog barked hearing his name causing Reece to chuckle.
I bent down on my haunches and reached out, letting the curious pup sniff my fingers. He gave a tiny growl before giving my hand a hesitant lick. He stumbled over his own paws in excitement as he began to greet me in earnest. I patted the top of his head and laughed as he immediately rolled over so I could give his stomach the same attention that it had received from Reece.
"He's a cutie,” I commented chuckling as the dog wormed around on the floor. "Kenzie would love him."
"She does already,” Reece stood and shut the front door behind us. "Kenzie and I met for lunch yesterday and I mentioned that I had just gotten a new puppy. She insisted I introduce her and they hit it off. Didn't you Loki?”
Rising to my feet I followed her into the house as she began to look around before opening the back door and letting Loki run out. "It doesn't look like he had any accidents,” she mentioned with a grateful note in her voice. “I still think I need to look into getting a trainer though. He likes to chew on my shoes.”
