The Lost Days (Prairie Town Book 3) (25 page)

“Language, Devin.  Honestly.”

“Okay, I’m sorry.  I just don’t understand why you’re in such a hurry to get back there.  Look, I can accept the fact you don’t like the idea of me sleeping with men or whatever—which I haven’t, by the way—I just really want to have dinner with you.” He grabbed both of her hands and squeezed them gently.  “Please?”

She stared at him for a long moment and then pursed her lips together.  “All right. I’ll stay.”

“Great.” He smiled his first genuine smile all evening.  “That’s good.  Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Devin. For Heaven’s sake – Devin, wait!”

He pulled the door open and turned to gaze at her, lifting his eyebrows questioningly.

“Just so you know, I don’t think it’s bad if you’ve decided you’re attracted to men.  I truly do want you to be happy.  I’d just appreciate if you’d give me a little time to come to terms with it.  That’s all I ask.”

“Thanks, Mama.” He grinned.  “But for the record?  I think one of my neighbors is really hot and I wasn’t kidding when I said we were thinking of branching out.” Stepping into the hallway, he paused again.  “And she’s a girl, so...probably not one hundred percent gay.”

“So there’s still a chance you’ll give me a grandbaby?”

Pressing his forehead against the cool glass, he peered down at the sidewalk and caught sight of a bright yellow umbrella.  It was headed straight to the front door.

“Who on Earth?” He mumbled.

Wearing nothing but jogging pants and socks, he hurried down the stairs and pulled open the door before his mystery guest had a chance to knock.  He was surprised to see Kelly standing there, one hand gripping her umbrella and the other holding onto a foil-covered bowl.

“Devin.  Hi.” Her beautiful eyes looked him up and down.  “H-hi.”

“Hi, Kelly.” Her gaze caused his skin to warm and he quickly cleared his throat.  “What brings you out in this weather?”

“I brought you some lunch.” She thrust the bowl into his hands and smiled.  “It doesn’t seem like it’s ever going to stop raining, huh?”

“Right?” He stepped aside so she could enter and peeled back the aluminum foil.  “This smells amazing.  Meatloaf?”

“Mhm.  My mother’s recipe.” She closed her umbrella and left it by the door.  Turning to face him, she gave another smile and his heart fluttered.  “How are you?”

“Me? I’m fine. How are you?” He headed for the kitchen.  “Come on in.  Can I get you something to drink?”

“Um, maybe some coffee if you’ve got it?  It’s been a long day.  I’m exhausted.”

“Busy day at work?” He placed the bowl on the counter and then trudged to the fridge, glancing at her occasionally.

“Had the day off.  My boss is going on vacation this upcoming week and he decided to start a day early.  It worked out in my favor.”

“Must be nice.” He chuckled.

“So how’s the job hunting going for you?  Have you had any luck yet?”

“Not yet.” He scooped some meatloaf onto a plate and stuck it in the microwave. “It’s difficult to find employment when everyone practically hates you.”

“They don’t
hate
you.”

“Yes, they do.  They really do.” He turned on the microwave and then faced her, crossing his arms over his naked chest.

Naked.

Shit!  He forgot to put a shirt on.

Was that what she was staring at?

“I’m sure that isn’t true.  And if it is, they really suck.” She shrugged.

He couldn’t help but to think she looked absolutely adorable in only shorts, a tank top, and rain boots.  Her blonde hair was braided to one side and silver hoop earrings dangled from her ears.  For some reason, he was
really
appreciating the whole getup.

“I agree that they suck, but that’s not helping me make any money.  If it hadn’t been for my mother stopping by with some cash this month, I’d already be out on the streets.”

“I really don’t see Nick kicking you out like that.” Kelly laughed.  “He likes you too much to do that.”

You have no idea how much he likes me,
he wanted to say, but he refrained. 

She really didn’t have the slightest clue as to what went on when Nick came home at night.  While they hadn’t done the actual deed yet, they had done everything else.

Well,
almost
everything else.

Nick still wouldn’t let him touch him back.  Even though he still didn’t know very much about himself, he was beginning to notice the small things. Like, for instance, he already knew he was the type of person who liked to return the favor.  While he appreciated Nick’s insistence on easing him into it, why wasn’t he allowed to touch him, too?

Licking his lips and envisioning Nick’s cock in his mouth, he felt his jogging pants get tight and he had to quickly push the thought from his mind.  Getting a hard-on in front of a pretty girl wasn’t how he planned to spend the day.

He wasn’t planning on doing anything, actually.  And he still didn’t know why Kelly was visiting.  Why was she standing in his kitchen, looking adorable?

“Hey, Kell—whoa!” He nearly ran her over when he turned around to say something.  She was closer than he remembered—way too close—and the sweet scent of her perfume infiltrated his nostrils. 

“Sorry!” She giggled, stepping back quickly.  “I’m sorry.  I thought maybe you couldn’t hear me over the microwave.”

“Hear you?”

“Yes.  I was saying that maybe if you aren’t having luck with finding a job, I could talk to my boss.”

“Really?  You’d do that for me?”

“Sure, I would.  Why not?”

“Uh, well,” he said, and laughed. “You work for Lydia’s father-in-law, right?”

“Oh, right.” Her face fell.  “You sort of tried to con his son out of a million dollars.” She pressed her palm against her forehead and winced.  “That was stupid. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He shrugged.  “It’s the truth, isn’t it?  Whether I can remember it or not, it happened and that’s something I’ve got to live with.  But I really appreciate the gesture.”

“It’s the thought that counts.” Her voice was softer this time around.  “You shouldn’t give up though.  There has to be something out there you can do.  Someone will hire you, Devin.”

Holy hell.  His name sounded heavenly when it fell from her lips.  No wonder Nick liked her so much.

“Have you tried putting in applications out of town?” She was suddenly beside him, her polished nails tapping against the countertop.  “I’ve heard there’s a new factory opening up in Aero City. It might be something to think about.”

“Maybe.”

The microwave beeped and he reached for the handle at the same time she did.  Their fingers brushed and it felt like he’d been electrocuted.

“Oh, God.  I’m sorry!” She laughed and quickly pulled her hand away.  “That was totally out of habit.”

“It’s fine, Kelly.  You don’t have to apologize for anything.” He grinned in her direction and pulled open the door.  The mouth-watering scent of meat, onions, and green peppers caused his stomach to growl embarrassingly loud.

“So it’s a good thing I brought you food, huh?  Doesn’t Nick feed you?”

“At least twice a day.” He moved to the table to put his food down and nodded to an empty chair.  “Do you want to join me?”

“Oh no, I’ve already had lunch.  Thank you.”

“You could still sit down...if you want.”

“Are you sure?  I don’t want to impose.”

“You’re not. I promise.” He pulled a chair out for her and smiled.  “Have a seat.  I won’t bite.”

Unless you want me to.

“Thank you.”

Once they were seated and he began shoveling down the best damn meatloaf he’d ever had, he listened intently as Kelly talked about her day.  He noticed she liked to talk about her kids a lot, and he really didn’t mind. 

However, he couldn’t help but wonder just how old she’d been when she had Justin.  They were the same age and her son was getting ready to turn ten.  She had to have been mighty young when he came into the world.

Would she be offended if he asked?  He didn’t want to offend her.  God, the last thing he ever wanted to do was make her mad.  Nick would kill him if he somehow tossed a wrench into his plans.

Things were just starting to get good between them, according to Nick.

Don’t screw it up,
he thought. 
She’s the final piece to a very important puzzle.

Anyone else probably would have been weirded out or even offended if their lover insisted on bringing someone else into the picture, but Devin was genuinely curious about it.

If his life was starting over and he couldn’t remember anything, why not try something risky and forbidden?

I’ve probably done worse,
he thought, his mind racing back to all those visits with his doctor.

If I’ve dated psychotic women capable of crime, what harm is there in dating a man and a woman at the same time? 

Plus, there was something really hot about the thought of being in bed with two very different people at the same time. Nick said it was great, but the connection was always the best part.

He really wanted to connect with someone.

I connect with Nick.

Glancing briefly at Kelly, he felt his skin warm.

I want to connect with her, too. 

And just like that, the erection he’d been trying to hide was at full attention.  Women would never know the struggles of having a body part that had a mind of its own.  They would never understand how hard it was to hide, either.

Shifting in his seat, he reached his free hand down to readjust himself as an image came to mind.  It involved Kelly, the table, and his hand.  He nearly choked on the mouthful of food as his imagination ran away with him.

“Are you okay?”

“Huh?” His eyes snapped back to hers and he froze. 

There was no way she could see what he was doing under the table, right?

“I thought you were choking,” she said.  “Maybe you need a glass of water?”

“Oh.  Oh yeah.  Thanks,” he sheepishly replied, dropping his fork.  The damn thing hit the table and bounced to the floor.  Wave after wave of embarrassment washed over him, and much to his horror, Kelly sprang to his aid.  “Wh-what are you doing?”

She crouched beside him and grabbed the fork.  “I’m getting your fork,” she said, laughing.  “Geez, Devin.  Has no one been nice to you before?”

“Nick is nice to me.” He turned in his seat, trying to hide the raging boner tenting his pants.  “You don’t have to do that. I can get it.”

“But I’ve already got it.”

“Kelly, really. I can get the fork,” he murmured, and his heart began to pound. “Give me the fork, please.”

As he thrust his hand out expectantly, he could see the confusion in her eyes. 

Oh, God.  She’s on to me.

“Really, Devin, I don’t mind getting you a clean fork.” She stood from the floor and gripped the handle of the utensil, arching an eyebrow in his direction.  “Are you okay?”

“I’m f-fine. Thank you for asking.” Sweat trickled down the side of his face.

“You’re not acting fine,” she said matter-of-fact.  After staring him down for a few seconds, she shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say.  Now, where do you keep the silverware?”

“The drawer closest to the sink,” he answered promptly, swallowing his nerves back into place.  “But I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than fetch utensils for me.”

“I’ve got a little time to kill before my munchkins are returned to me.”

His eyes dropped to her backside as she moved to the sink and that didn’t help a damn thing.  Her ass.  Those shorts.  God, he wasn’t going to make it.

“I’m sure that’s a nice break for you.”

“Sometimes, yes.  But I always miss them,” she said, gazing at him over her shoulder.  “They’re my whole world.”

Holy fudge on a stick,
his mouth dropped open.  He had always thought Kelly Spencer was pretty.  Ever since the first time he laid eyes on her at the institute, he thought she was one of the prettiest beings in existence, but now?

There was just something about the way she was looking at him as she spoke of her children.  Maybe it was the love in her eyes or the little smile playing on her soft lips, but something was definitely doing it for him.

His pants were too tight and he was almost to the brink of pain.

Had a woman ever gotten him so riled up before?

“What about you, Devin?”

“Huh? What?”

“Do you want kids?” She asked, returning to the table and holding a clean fork for him to take.

Accepting it with a small smile, he shrugged.  “I don’t know.  Possibly? I imagine things like that will have to wait a bit longer.  I still have a lot to get sorted out before something like that happens.”

“I understand,” she said, sliding back into her seat.  “Still no memories, huh?”

“Not at all.  My mom has told me some...things, but it’s difficult to jog this broken brain of mine.  Sometimes, I think it’s a lost cause.”

“Maybe.  Maybe not.”

“A part of me isn’t sure I even want to know.  I was a terrible person, Kelly.”

“The past is the past, Devin.” She slid her hand across the table and patted the top of his, which was gripping the fork so tight his knuckles had turned white.  “We all make mistakes and we learn from them.  I’m sure that, no matter what, you will be a better person this time around.  You’ve done well so far, from what I’ve seen.”

“Have I?” His gaze rested on her hand.  It was so soft and warm against his, so comforting.

Nick was warm, too, but his hands were rough and calloused.  Devin liked it—he really did—but there was just something so different about Kelly’s touch.

“Yes.  The Devin I remember wouldn’t have thanked me for getting him a fork, I don’t think.  I mean, we weren’t close or anything, but I do recall your lack of manners in high school.”

“I was that bad, huh?” He winced.  And then a thought struck him.  Maybe there was a chance that Kelly remembered the little boy his mother had told him about.  “So we went to school together, right?”

“Yes...”

“Do you remember who my best friend was in grade school? Probably around first grade or so?”

“I wish I did.” She pulled her hand away from his and propped her chin upon her fist instead, frowning.  “I was homeschooled until seventh grade.  My parents didn’t want me to attend public school because they were afraid I’d be influenced by the wrong people.  I’m sorry I can’t help you with that.”