Over the Hills and Far Away (NOLA's Own #1) (26 page)

The rest of the concert had been amazing, to say the least. They’d played “Louisiana Baby” as an encore, but I still couldn’t get past “A Madman’s Love Letter.” By the looks of my two best friends, neither could they.

“That was so hot,” said Lili. “That was the rawest shit ever, Kenna. He’s…” She tried to find the appropriate words. “
Fucked up
over you.”

Alys said nothing, but I wasn’t sure she was able to hear, so I didn’t wonder too much about her two cents. It was probably along the same lines as Lili’s.

On the drive back to the clinic, Rachel was much quieter, saving Lili the trouble of having to be convicted of attempted murder. But Rachel did have a bit of the bubbly left over as she jumped out of the car.

“Thanks so much for taking us!” she shouted, no doubt slightly deaf herself.

Smiling sweetly, Lucy was more subdued. “Thanks, you guys. I’ll see you on Monday, Dr. MacGregor.”

“Come on, Luce. We’re technically not working. You can call me Kenna outside of work, yeah?”

“Thanks, Dr. Kenna.”

“Sure, sure,” I replied.

“Bye, Lucy,” said Alys.

We waited until they drove off before pulling out a spliff and lighting up. It was eleven forty-five, and we were supposed to be meeting Flipper at midnight.

“God, that woman was the definition of irritating,” huffed Lili. “I like Lucy even if she’s not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but her sister—”

“Yeah, I know. Don’t have a hissy. She’s gone now.” I said.

It was nice and calm for a few minutes. The weed had us well mellowed.

But then, Lili’s little voice chimed in with, “I wonder what he’s going to do when he finally sees you.”

Now, I just wanted to throw up.

“I brought my digital camera. I’m
so
going to get a picture of his face.” Lili informed Alys and I with glee.

“He might not even recognize me,” I said softly.

“Flipper fucking recognized your giant ass. If
he
did, so will Phil.” Lili said.

“He’ll recognize you,” said Alys with soft conviction. “He’s never
forgotten
you.”

“What if he realizes I’m no longer his type? Or he ends up not liking me? Or he thinks I’m too much of a dork?”

“You
are
a dork,” said Lili. “And that’s why we love you.”

12:05.

12:07.

At twelve ten, a big black van pulled up into the parking lot, and Flipper hopped out. “See you guys in a bit!”

After the van sped off, I rolled down the window, which let out a massive cloud of pungent goodness.

“Flipper!” I called.

He sniffed appreciatively. “Damn, you smoke some quality shit!”

“Get in!”

Flipper hopped into the SUV, and Lili passed him the joint.

“Hellooo ladies! Long time no see!”

“It’s good to meet you again, Flipper,” said Alys, smiling.

“How’s the shoulder?” I asked.

He grinned. “Perfect! Didn’t have any problems with it at all! You worked a miracle.”

I snorted with laughter. “Yeah, not really, but I’m happy with the results.”

“You guys enjoyed the concert?” he asked.

“Hells yes!” the three of us shouted in unison, which cracked him up.

He started to bounce a bit. “All right, so let’s get the fuck outta here. You guys know the neighborhood Ormond?”

“You could say that,” Lili replied dryly.

“Sweet!” he said, not catching on to her sarcasm. “You know that big old farmstead on Alameda?”

“Uh, yeah. Is that where we’re going?” Alys asked, putting the SUV into drive.

She and I exchanged a look.

“Yep. I remember you guys said you used to live in LaPlace. I guess you still do?”

“Yes,” we replied in unison again.

Earlier in the week, I’d told Alys and Lili not to mention to anyone where we lived just in case Phil did actually move back into his family home. I had my reasons—like if he ended up not really being into me, then he never had to know I lived in his backyard.

“Is it going to be a big party?” Lili asked.

“Uh, yeah, I guess so. Us, our road crew, our manager, some, uh…groupies…”

“Sounds like fun,” I said, trying not to laugh.

“Yeah, they’re all right. Nice chicks—well, no. They’re pretty bitchy with new muff sniffin’ around their turf—”

“Muff?” snapped Lili. “
We
are not muff.”

Flipper chuckled. “Well, aren’t you a teaspoon of feisty? I like that.”

“So, what? Are we walking into an ambush or something?” asked Alys.

“Nah, I’ll protect you,” he said.

That made the three of us crack up.

“But I should warn you about Sheri. She’s pretty protective of us, especially Phil.”

“Okaaay,” I said.

“They don’t, you know, sleep together or anything. She’s mostly with Jason. But I know she gives Phil head on occasion. She’s given us all head, if I’m honest.”

“You’re really not making me excited for this, Flip,” I told him dryly.

“No! Seriously, I just wanted you to have a heads-up, you know? Phil hasn’t slept with anyone in…well, it’s been awhile, not since we knew we were coming home. He’s
really
serious about finding you.”

I shrugged it off. It wasn’t like I’d expected him to be celibate—hell, I’d just spent the last six months having mind-blowing sex with one of the most gorgeous guys in existence. If I were a decent, normal human being, I still would be.

It was an easy drive back to Ormond. Flipper was getting more and more excited the closer we got while I grew increasingly more nauseated. My insides were doing their best to be on my outsides, and it was taking all my willpower not to throw myself out of the moving vehicle and just book it home.

Alys pulled into the freshly paved long driveway and found a space to park between some lit tiki torches on the grass alongside it. The Plantation House was in the center of the immense property—at least one hundred and fifty years, if not more—French revival in architecture, and old. Made of brick, wood, and old money, it had been built to withstand hurricanes, floods, and time.

While the majority of the jungle had been tamed, I was happy to see that most of the old willows and walnut trees were kept. I loved these trees and the element of spook they provided.

I can still haul ass through the backyard right now, hide in my own house, and not go through with this. I can outrun Alys and Lili—especially Lili, and she would be the angriest.

Alys took my right hand in hers, and Lili wrapped her arm around my waist.

“I love you guys,” I told them. “I’m totally freaking the fuck out right now.”

“Don’t worry,” said Alys. “We’re the only ones who can tell.”

“And now, it’s come full circle,” whispered Lili. “Whatever happens, it’s only forward from now on.”

“
Whatever
happens,” I stated. Either way, I was moving on with my life.

Flipper was practically fairy-prancing on the top step. “Come on! I’ve been good
all week
, woman! And it ain’t been easy! Now, get your asses up here, so I can walk in with an entourage of
the most
badass chicas anyone has ever met!”

“Well, when he puts it that way.” Alys chuckled.

“Yeah,” I replied, feeling a shot of badassness zip through me. “Let’s do this.”

Lili smacked my ass. “That’s my girl.”

Inside, the house was packed, buzzing with people and conversation. Clouds of cigarette smoke and weed swirled above our heads, and I could hear the bubble-suck from several bong rips being hit.

As we walked through the foyer, cries of “Flipper!” greeted us as he led us in. Lili followed right behind him, her digital camera at the ready. Alys was ahead of me, and I hung back, trying to calm my nerves and take in our surroundings.

At least thirty people were in the massive living room alone, and the guys sitting on the biggest of the dark brown leather couches were bent over, snorting lines off a mirror. An invisible sound system was blasting Sepultura’s album
Roots
, a personal favorite of mine.

“I only see drugs and rock ’n’ roll, no sex,” commented Alys.

“I think some people down the hall to the right are banging up against the wall,” piped up Lili. Without actually looking through it, she aimed her camera down the corridor and snapped some quick pictures. She looked at the digital screen and grinned. “Yep. Busted.”

As we moved through the living room along the wall on the right side, all the action was happening to the left. Everything was very basic and neutral in color—the walls an off-white, the flooring a creamy beige. We walked through a wide archway into one of the most gorgeous kitchens I’d ever seen. Everything was dark mahogany and stainless steel. The fridge was huge, and the countertops were polished green granite. I’d kill to cook in this kitchen with its Viking Range stove and double oven.

Several card games were going—two at the massive twenty-seat mahogany dining room table and one at the oversized island with the same green granite countertop.

Phil sat on a stool at the island, looking freshly showered and breathtaking in his black tank top with his tattoos all exposed. His hair was pulled back into the usual knot on the crown of his head, and being this close to him, I could see how it accentuated his ridiculously sharp high cheekbones and straight nose. His mouth always seemed too pretty to be allowed on his face. His lips full and sculpted to perfection, he had a huge smile, showing even straight white teeth, and he was looking at some dude who was cracking up. His dimples—I never forgot those. They made him look so young when they made an appearance.

My heart felt like it was beating in my throat, and my mouth was watering. I hoped it was because of how delicious he looked rather than the telltale sign that I was about to hurl. My palms went so damn sweaty that I had to smear them down my jeans to mop them up.

A really cute, skinny curly-haired blonde walked up to Phil and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, whispering something in his ear. His dark eyes sparkled with warmth as he turned his face toward her, and he planted a kiss on her cheek. His eyes caught sight of Flipper, and he grinned.

“Flipper!” his voice called out.

It hit me deep in my chest and vibrated its way down between my legs, and I actually
did
feel my poor uterus quiver.

“You survived!” he added.

“I did! She’s a miracle worker. That’s for sure.”

I could hear the smirk in Flipper’s voice.

“You wanna meet my ladies? I’m not sure I’m willing to share them though. They’re seriously some of the coolest chicks I’ve ever met.”

Phil stood up, towering over everyone and everything. The blonde was forced to relinquish her hold on him, but she didn’t seem too put-out about it, so that made me feel a little better.

When he came around the island, I saw that he had on well-worn baggy camouflage cargo shorts that rode really low on his narrow hips. The sight made my watering mouth go dry. The motherfucker was barefoot, and in that very instant, he had my heart and soul for being a dirty hippie.

Phil was eyeing Alys and Lili, and I could sense that he recognized them. His deep-set eyes went a little wide with shock.

“These little beauties are Lili”—Lili waved—“and Alys,” said Flipper.

Phil’s chest swelled with a huge breath as he looked between them, and then he turned burning eyes on Flipper. He looked
fierce.
It was a look that should inspire true terror, but I found it only turned me on more.

I’m fucking sick in the head. I must be. That look makes me insta-wet.

Flipper turned to face me, smiling like he’d just won the lottery. “And this is the miracle worker, Dr.
Kenna
MacGregor.”

Phil stiffened.

I turned up my face, so he could see it beneath the hat—he was about five feet away from me—and I saw his face illuminated by Lili’s flash going off. Alys lightly whacked her on her hip.

“What?” she hissed as she stowed the camera.

“Kenna?”

Oh gods above.

I had waited six years to hear that soft, deep, and husky voice say my name again. My underwear were ruined.

I put a huge smile on my face. “Hey, Phil.” Then, I pulled a dork move and held up my hand…for him to
shake
.