Keeping the Beat: An Adrenaline Novel (9 page)

              Letting out a loud whoop, Declan picked Reece off of her feet and swung her in a circle making her laugh and beg him to put her down. Once he did he grabbed her face between his palms and kissed her. Jared and Wyatt let out cat calls from the kitchen table.

              “Now that that’s settled, onto the next order of business,” Garret said with small smile. “Little One, your birthday is coming up. What do you want to do this year?”

              “Another party?” Wyatt asked with an excited look. “The last one was so much fun!”

              I watched all the color drain from Kenzie’s face as she took a small step away from me shaking her head. “No. No parties. Something small. Just the family, Emma, Lane, Jon and the kids.”

              “That’s no fun!” Wyatt groaned. I wanted to go smack his head into the table for not letting the damn thing go. He may have had a fun time at Kenzie’s party last year but it had nearly destroyed me.

              “Why don’t we shut down JJ’s for the night and just have food and drinks there?” Jared suggested, grinning widely when Garret picked up his hand. “Emma can cook, drinks are on me. Low key, just like you want Kenzie.”

              “That sounds perfect, Jared. Thank you.” Kenzie gave him an appreciative smile.

              “Maybe you can bring your new boy toy, Little One,” Wyatt suggested with a sly wink.              I felt myself freeze and turned to see that Kenzie had started to bite the inside of her cheek. All eyes swung towards her as Lucas punched his twin hard on the arm.

              “What boy toy?” Reece asked, looking slightly amused. She glanced at me briefly before walking towards Kenzie’s side. I felt my heart turn to stone as I waited for Kenzie’s answer. She pivoted her body away from me so I couldn't see her expression but from the set of her shoulders I knew she was uncomfortable.

              “There’s no boy toy. A guy asked for my number on Friday. He called me yesterday. We’re supposed to go to dinner and a movie on Wednesday. It’s not a big deal.” She shrugged her shoulders to accompany her words and my fists clench at my sides, my heartbeat drumming loudly in my ears.

              “Who is this guy?” Declan asked, his eyes narrowed on his little sister.

              “His name is Jeremy O’Connell and he’s a physical therapist in town,” Kenzie answered quickly moving around her brother towards the table.

              “Jeremy O’Connell, like Joshua O’Connell’s little brother?” Reece spun towards her cousin with a raised brow. He nodded and ducked his head when Garret pinned him with a look making Reece laugh. “The O’Connell’s are nice people. I’m sure you’ll have a good time, Kenzie.”

              “He can pick you up here,” Declan stated in a firm voice. Kenzie whirled back to face him. I saw her cheeks were flushed but couldn't determine if it was from embarrassment or anger.

              “He will do no such thing, Declan. Jeremy will pick me up at my house. We will have a nice evening out then he will take me home. End of discussion.”

              Declan looked like he wanted to say more but before he could Reece stomped on his foot. He caught my eye from across the room and I silently pleaded with him not to let it go. Not to let her go out with some random loser we’d never met. I thought for a moment he was going to listen to me but Reece ground her heel into his toes making him wince.

              “Dinner's ready,” she said in a sweet voice gesturing for us all to take our places around the table. The last thing I felt like doing at the moment was eating.

              There was an empty seat next to Kenzie at the table and I saw her shift to make room for me to sit down. More than anything I wanted to be close to her, but she’d made it clear she was moving on from me. I needed to let her do that.

              When Simon rounded the corner with his dinner plate I nudged him towards the open seat next to Kenzie, ignoring his curious look. I sat in the empty chair next to Garret and proceeded to eat my dinner without looking up from the table. After I had finished I thanked Reece and headed back home. I couldn't stomach staying for dessert.

Chapter 8

Kenzie

              By Wednesday night I was seriously reconsidering my date with Jeremy for a multitude of reasons. When Reece had gotten out of school she had headed right over to my house to help me decide what to wear. I had started to tease her about it, saying I wasn't fifteen going out on my first date when it suddenly hit me.

              This was my first actual date.

              During my time in school I had been much younger than all of my classmates. Even then I hardly had the courage to talk to them much less date them. Besides that, my heart had always been invested in someone else.

              When Wyatt had opened his big mouth at dinner the other night I had been petrified to look at Jace to see his reaction. I had expected for him to sit next to me at dinner like he usually did and was a little hurt when he chose a seat at the opposite end of the table. For the first time it was me trying to catch his eye, not the other way around.

              There was no way he could be mad at me for going on a date. Even if he was, he had no right to be. I hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him about it though because he had one foot out the door the entire night, escaping when Reece and I were passing out dessert plates.

              "This is cute," Reece said holding up a purple sundress in front of me. She put the hanger over her head and turned to inspect herself in the full length mirror making me laugh and roll my eyes.

              "Probably because it's yours." Shaking my head I reached into my closet to find something else. The last time I had borrowed that dress from Reece I'd gotten into a fight with Declan at a club over our mother.

              Until Mara had popped up out of the blue Declan and I hadn't talked about our blood relatives in years. Skip had died of a heart attack not long after the Cooper's took us in and as far as I was concerned, Mara had been buried with her brother. Like Declan I didn't know who my biological father was and I had little desire to find out. The Cooper's provided me with all the family I needed. And now I had a sister to boot.

              “You can’t wear that.” Reece came to my side taking the simple shirt from my hands and hanging it back in my closet. “You’re twenty two years old for God’s sake. Dress like it.” She shuffled through the hangers briefly before grabbing a short black tank and a little flowered skirt to match. Giving me a smug look she immediately began pulling at my clothes making me swat at her.

              “I can dress myself, Reece,” I complained even as she ripped the Adrenaline band shirt I was wearing over my head. “I never thought having a sister would be such a pain in the ass,” I mumbled under my breath. Putting my glasses in their case I quickly popped my contacts in and pushed half heartedly at Reece when she continue to dress me.

              Reece only laughed as she tugged the skirt over my legs, fussing with my clothes until they looked the way she wanted. Catching my eye roll, she gave me a wink. “Don’t you forget it.” She gave me a swat on the bottom before shuffling me towards the bathroom where my straightener and curling iron were plugged in. “Sit backwards on the toilet. We should have made a thing of this and had Lane and Emma over too.”

              I groaned and did as she instructed. “No, we shouldn't have. This is humiliating enough as it is. I should be able to get ready for a date on my own without feeling like I need to put a barf bag in my purse.” I pressed a hand to my stomach feeling it lurch as I anticipated the night’s events.

              Reece let her hands fall from where they had been playing in my hair to grab my face. She turned my chin so I was looking at her serious expression. “Kenzie, you should be excited about going out tonight, not sick to your stomach. It’s not too late to cancel. We can just hang out and watch a movie if you want.”

              “No I have to do this,” I said and turned back to face the wall.

              Reece was quiet for a moment before replying. “Says who, Kenzie? My mom once told me if you’re making a change and it scares you then you shouldn't do it. But if it scares and excites you, then go for it and don't look back. I know you want to get over Jace and I was originally on board with the plan, but I’m not so sure anymore.”

              Keeping my eyes focused on the wall I shook my head. “You’re were right before. Tonight is going to be fun. I’m just nervous.” Glancing over my shoulder, I could see the worried look in her eyes and knew I was going to have to do a better job of convincing her. “It’s not like I have to do it again if I don't want to. I promised myself I would give this a try. I intend to follow through.”

              “Fine.” Now it was Reece’s turn to roll her eyes. “You Kane’s and your promises. Just the same I’m going to keep my phone on me all night. Text me if you need a fake emergency call to get the hell out of dodge.”

              I laughed and gestured for Reece to pick up the curling iron. “Go on and primp me, then get out of here. I don’t want him to think I’m some weirdo who needs my sister in law holding my hand when he comes to pick me up.”

              “You’re lucky it’s me and not your brother. I thought I was going to have to hide his keys this morning to stop him from coming over here.”

              “I’m glad he was able to restrain himself,” I replied dryly.

              By the time Reece was satisfied with my hair and makeup it was almost time for Jeremy to pick me up. I shooed her out the door with a wave, promising to text her if I needed her to ride in on her white horse and save me from my date.

              As soon as the door closed behind her my palms started to sweat. I began pacing the length of the living room, pinching the bridge of my nose between my fingers trying to calm down. My mind kept circling back to Reece’s mother’s words.

     When I had started the plan to get over Jace I was both scared and excited about certain parts of it. Like trying new things and not feeling sorry for myself anymore. The meeting new people was okay too, but dating them was just plain scary to me. There wasn't one part of me that wasn't dreading my night out with Jeremy which seemed preposterous. He was a perfectly nice guy.

              A knock on the door jarred me out of my thoughts. I fought the urge to hide and pretend I wasn't home but forced myself to answer the door. Jeremy stood on the front porch in a clean blue polo shirt and dark slacks. His blonde hair was neatly styled away from his face, his brown eyes were warm and friendly.

              “Wow, you look beautiful.” He grinned before taking his hands from behind his back. “These are for you.” Jeremy handed me a bouquet of pink roses which I accepted with a polite smile.

              “Thanks, Jeremy. These are lovely. Let me just go put them in some water and we can go.” Stepping back I motioned for him to follow me inside, heading towards the kitchen to find one of Reece’s vases under the sink. I quickly cut and arranged the flowers glancing back at Jeremy to find him leaning against the kitchen wall. “Thank you again. You didn't have to bring these for me.”

              “Sure I did. Pretty girl deserves to have pretty flowers, especially when she agrees to go out on a date with me.” I laughed and felt some of the tension in my gut ease. Jeremy seemed to notice as he took another step towards me. “Do you want to do dinner before or after the movie?”

              “How about before? I skipped lunch today. I was helping my brother rearrange some furniture in his new house.” It had taken Reece forever to pick out everything for her and Declan’s new home. She said she wanted to get everything exactly right before the baby came along.

              “Then you’ve probably worked up an appetite,” he offered me his arm and started to lead me out of the house. When I closed the door behind me I took a step off the porch, stopping when Jeremy tugged on my arm. “You should probably lock the door behind you. This is a nice neighborhood but it's better to be safe than sorry.”

“You're right. I always forget to do that.” Turning around I locked the door behind me before looking back towards Jeremy. He was standing on the step below me with his hand outstretched.

Taking a calming breath, I placed my hand in his, using my free one to make sure I had my cellphone and wallet in my skirt pocket.

Jace

              I had a feeling Garret and Jared’s spur of the moment visit had more to do with keeping me from climbing up the wall then just popping in to see what I was up to. I was already in a piss poor mood because Kenzie had her date tonight. To top it off Sydney had called again. I'd answered the phone long enough to tell her to leave me alone before hanging up. Not long after my cousin and his boyfriend had knocked on the door.

     They had taken seats on either side of me while we watched whatever movie Jared had just put into the DVD player. I kept my eyes focused on the television but my thoughts were not focused on whatever was happening on screen.

              Glancing at my watch I saw it was a little after nine and knew Kenzie had to be well into her date by now. I’d watched Reece drive back from town, knowing she had been helping Kenzie get ready for the faceless idiot who was taking her out tonight. As if Kenzie needed any preparation to be the most gorgeous woman in the room. Shifting in my seat I tried to take my mind off of whatever Kenzie was doing.

              Was the guy making her laugh? Did he know that she got cold easily in movie theaters but always forgot to bring a jacket? Jesus, I’d bet he’d just love to have the excuse to tuck her in close to his side. To get a whiff of that seductive lavender shampoo she used. Kenzie was such a kind person she probably wouldn't even know the guy was using the situation to his advantage. What if he tried to kiss her when he dropped her off after their date?

              What if she let him?

              Pushing off of the couch I grabbed my keys and coat from the hook beside the door. The cool summer air was starting to signal that fall was on it’s way. Garret stood from his seat and placed his hands on his hips watching my jerky movements as I shoved my arms into the coat sleeves.

              “Where are you going?”

              “Out,” I answered in a curt voice refusing to look at my cousin. Jared looked slightly amused at our interaction. He and Wyatt seemed to get along famously with their shared sense of humor.

              “Jace.” Garret moved towards me, stopping in his tracks when I turned to look at him, my expression fierce. The way I was feeling, if he wanted to stop me he was going to have to throw the first punch. Scrubbing a hand over his face he shook his head and turned away from me, sitting back down on the couch.

              Without another word I stalked out of my house and into my truck, heading out onto the road towards town. When I reached Kenzie’s house I parked my truck across the street and practically ran to the front door. Giving it a brisk knock I waited, anxiously listening for the sound of her feet coming to answer it. After a few more attempts I reasoned that she wasn't home yet. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted the potted plant where I knew Reece kept her spare key hidden. Feeling like a fool, I reached under it finding the blue glittery key and fit it into the lock letting myself inside.

              The place hadn't changed much since Reece had moved out. The only telling change that the house now belonged to Kenzie were the books scattered all around the room. I decided my best option at this point was to wait for her to return and grabbed a book that I recognized as one of Kenzie’s favorites. It was a book of poetry.

              I always imagined Kenzie would fall in love with an intellectual type. Someone who could talk to her about all the things she’d read and learned. Someone who would write her sonnets and poems.

              Not someone like me who had barely graduated high school. Who could barely string two words together about how I was feeling without sounding like a complete idiot.

              Within the first few words she had spoken to me I knew Kenzie was smarter than I could ever hope to be. As she continued to grow I’d watched that beautiful brain of hers soak up everything around her like a sponge. From the time she had come to live with us, she’d always kept a book near by. It didn't seem to matter what else was going on at the time. The girl was constantly learning, constantly thinking, and I was constantly fascinated by her.

              Even as I lounged in her living room, reading her book, I knew that I had no right to be there. The thought of Kenzie out on a date had me acting like a crazy person and if I were anyone else, I’d tell her to get a restraining order. I’d essentially broken into her house and was lying in wait for her. All because I couldn't stand the thought of not knowing if some worthless bastard got to taste her full lips. Inhale her seductive scent. Fall into the complex mystery that was Kenzie Kane.

              Somewhere deep down I think I had always known there was nothing romantic going on between her and Garret. If it had worked out another way I wasn't sure what would have happened. When Wyatt had made a crack at Sunday dinner about Kenzie being interested in a guy, I had a taste of what it would feel like to watch my nightmare become a reality. Kenzie bringing home some dumb guy who would never realize what a special person she really was.

              Remembering the look on her face over the past year when I had brought girls around just about did me in, but I had kept telling myself it was for her own good. The thought of telling Kenzie the truth about why I thought we could never be together scared me shitless. It didn't come close to the pure terror I felt imagining having to see her happy with someone other than me.