The Do-Over (The Rooftop Crew Book 5)

by Piper Rayne

  “Oh.” She’s silent for a moment. “Reminds me of Leilani. She didn’t either.”

  So she’s been in this situation with Leilani before. Great. That’s really helping the pit in my stomach.

  “Yeah, we were friends,” I say.

  “I know. Knox told me.”

  I look at her with shock. “He did?”

  “Yeah. We don’t have a lot of secrets.” She shrugs. “Why don’t you talk to your parents?”

  I pick at the edge of a leftover coloring book. “I left after high school. They didn’t want me to go, so we don’t talk.”

  “That’s sad.” Her hand falls to my back and she rubs it up and down. “Such a silly reason to not have your kid in your life.”

  Preach, Peggy. Preach.

  “It’s them missing out. Maybe they’ll come around. Sometimes a wedding will bring a family together.” She winks.

  I laugh. “You aren’t suggesting…”

  She giggles and points at Knox, who is staring at us. “Well, I’ve never seen my son more in love with someone than he is with you. A mother knows.”

  I smile and Knox’s grows wider. Who would’ve guessed it’d be Knox’s mom to finally make me feel better?

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Knox

  After our roll call, Cap says, “Stay back, Whelan.”

  I haven’t heard anything in the past week about the interviews for detective, and I keep thinking they’re going to ask us to interview a second time. “Yes, Captain?”

  Patrice heads out, giving DuPont crap about his wife getting pregnant for the fifth time and asking whether he’s sure they’re all his because they’re way too cute to have his DNA. Cap glances at the door, waiting for everyone to leave. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.

  “Ben, shut the door,” he says, and Ben does shut the door.

  The poor guy had some reprieve until the retirement party. Now I no longer get hell since I’m dating Kamea. Kind of amazing how right Cap was with that move. But that leaves Ben as the butt of every joke once again.

  “Leilani’s court date is tomorrow morning,” Cap says. “If she doesn’t show up at nine o’clock, a warrant will be issued. I just want to make sure you’re okay arresting her if you see her?”

  “I arrested her once already.”

  He tips his head side to side. “Yeah, but a warrant is very different than being a suspect in an active case. Things with you and Kamea…”

  “They’re great,” I half-lie.

  Although they’re good, ever since that night at the bar, Kamea feels withdrawn. She hasn’t said anything to make me think she’s still bothered about what happened. And she’s always got a smile. We still have sex and she’s right there with me every time. She came in just this morning and slid into bed with me after her shift at Rian’s. There’s nothing that says something is wrong, but I feel as if maybe she’s still holding back.

  “Good. Well, I just wanted to warn you.” He shuffles through his papers as though he’s ready for me to leave now.

  “Captain, any word on the detective position?”

  He smiles. “I heard announcements will be made tomorrow morning. I haven’t heard any specifics yet. I’ll let you know if I do hear something. Otherwise, tomorrow.”

  I nod. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” I walk out, and when my hand lands on the door, Cap calls, “Whelan?”

  I glance over my shoulder.

  “I’m really proud of you. You grew up overnight.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The relationship you had with Leilani must have been all about the bedroom because you didn’t fit with her. I get it, I forced it with my second wife. I was so hell-bent on being married again after my first wife screwed me over that I forced a relationship that never should’ve happened. We all do it. Don’t beat yourself up about it, but don’t let Kamea slip out of your grasp with any ‘what-if’ scenarios.”

  “Yes, sir,” I say and walk out, his words not registering until I’m out of the office.

  Patrice walks by me with her special tea the fertility doctor gave her to induce ovulation. “Ready, cowboy?”

  I follow her out to the car, dissecting the captain’s words. Did I force things with Leilani just because I had been screwed over by my college girlfriend?

  No. I shake my head. Those feelings for her were real. They’re gone now, but they were real at the time. They had to be.

  “Hey, I’m going to drive if you don’t get out of this comatose state you’re in.” Patrice dangles the keys in front of my face.

  I’m so sick of thinking about Leilani, I snatch them out of her hand and climb into the driver’s seat. Leilani’s been way too much a part of my life than she ever should’ve been.

  Once we’re on the road, Patrice babbles about her procedures and how she might have to go on desk duty.

  I smile and act interested, but as soon as she stops for breath, I interrupt. “I’m desperate to get Kamea to understand that she’s the one for me. That Leilani means nothing compared to how I feel about her. How can I do that?”

  Patrice laughs and glances over. “About damn time. How about you take the girl out on a damn date? Without your friends.”

  “We do go on dates.”

  “Looking for Leilani is not a date. Going to a bar with your friends is not a date. You making her an omelet in the morning is not a date. And fucking like bunnies is not a date.”

  My lips press into a straight line. “I tell you too much shit.”

  She giggles. “I’m masterful in getting information out of you. But you need to show her, not just tell her.”

  When Patrice puts it that way, all those damn insecurities from when I was younger and people assumed I was dumb resurface. Should I have known this?

  “Woo her and make her swoon,” Patrice says. “Flowers. Dinners. Cards. Poetry.”

  Poetry? She can’t be serious. I can’t write a poem. I don’t know what Kamea’s favorite flower is or whether she has a favorite vegetarian restaurant. Then it occurs to me that I probably should know those things. Damn, maybe I am messing up this boyfriend thing.

  I pull the car into the parking lot of a drugstore.

  “What are you doing?” Patrice asks.

  “I’m getting a card.”

  She blows out a breath and laughs. “You don’t waste any time.”

  I put the car in park. “I might not know how to make a woman swoon, but I’m going to woo her so hard she’ll want to be Mrs. Knox Whelan.”

  Patrice rolls her eyes and grabs the handle of the door.

  “Nope, I can pick this one out on my own,” I say and exit the car.

  How could I have been so stupid? I’ll show her exactly how much I think she’s the one for me. Watch out, Kamea. Your Prince Charming was a little late to the party, but he’s on his way now.

  I call Kamea after my shift—since I know she’ll be up—and confirm that she’s still planning to come down to the courthouse. As the arresting officer I have to be present in case I’m asked to speak. I’m hoping the fact that we might run into Leilani won’t stir up bad feelings for her, but we have to find out if Leilani shows up at court because Kamea should get her money back. Not to move out or change anything happening in our lives, but because she deserves it.

  I wait on the steps of the courthouse with the card I got for Kamea stuffed in the inside of my leather jacket. I’m still worried about the detective job being announced today. It would be great to be able to celebrate that with her.

  I catch Kamea walking up the street in her jeans, boots, and heavy jacket. She’s got on a rainbow-colored hat and gloves that match. I smile as she retrieves some change from her pocket and puts it in a Salvation Army red bucket, and the Santa jingles his bell at her in thanks. That puts a smile on her face. I swear when she’s smiling, I’ve never seen someone more beautiful.

  The short wait for Kamea to cross the street to meet me feels like forever. Her eyes ca
tch mine when she’s midway into the pedestrian walkway, and that smile she gave Santa isn’t anything compared to her smile right now. It’s infectious, and I’m fairly sure I look like a goon smiling back at her.

  “Hey, you,” she says, bouncing the last few steps before rising up on her tiptoes to kiss me. “Thanks for reminding me. Though I told you I don’t really care about the money anymore.”

  I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her toward me, locking her to my chest. “I missed you last night.”

  “I missed you too.”

  “I have a surprise for you, but after.” I slide my hand in hers.

  “Oh, a surprise.” She doesn’t beg me for more information which I thought for sure she would. “Can’t wait.”

  Doesn’t every woman love a surprise so much she can barely contain herself until she finds out what it is?

  “You don’t want to pry it out of me?” I open the door to the courthouse and we stand in the security line.

  “Nope.”

  “Why not?”

  She takes off her hat and stuffs it, along with her gloves, inside her jacket. After pulling her purse over her head, she lays it on the conveyor belt and steps through the metal detector, going through without a problem. I show my badge and gun and they pull me aside. I’m wanded while Kamea gets herself organized. After we’re done, I entwine our hands again, and I lead her to the courtroom Leilani should be appearing in. We sit in the back, and I place my hand on her knee. She rests her head on my shoulder for a moment as though she’s tired.

  “Why don’t you want to know the surprise?” I ask again.

  She giggles. “Because I like surprises. I’m eager to find out, but if I dig it out of you, it’s not a surprise anymore.”

  I place my finger under her chin and lift it toward me, kissing her on the lips.

  “Come on. This is a courthouse. Don’t push me to arrest you for public indecency.” Patrice sits down next to us.

  “Hey, Patrice,” Kamea says.

  “Why are you here?” I ask.

  Kamea smacks my stomach.

  “I’m invested in this whole thing too,” Patrice says. “I had to see if she showed.”

  Patrice doesn’t have to be here since I signed off on the paperwork. She’s choosing to.

  We all sit there and listen to case after case until they announce Leilani’s. I grab Kamea’s hand and squeeze it, wondering if Leilani’s out in the hall. Maybe she lawyered up and the lawyer will speak on her behalf. But the judge checks the clock and looks at the bailiff. I’ve seen that look before.

  “Next case,” the judge says.

  The bailiff takes the paperwork from the judge and carries it over to the record keeper. Leilani now has a warrant out for her arrest.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I slide it out to see that it’s the station.

  “I’ll meet you in the hall,” I whisper and excuse myself down the row and out the doors. I look around, hoping I see Leilani. Not showing up to court has taken her misbehavior to a new level.

  I answer my phone. “Hello?”

  “Officer Whelan?”

  My stomach tightens with anticipation. “Yes, this is he.”

  “This is Chief Jenkins. I just wanted to be the first to congratulate you on the detective position. We’re happy to have someone like you on board in our investigative department. You did excellent on your detective’s exam, and your interview filled in the picture of what kind of cop you are. Captain Donnelly has all the information for you, but I needed to offer my congratulations.”

  I feel almost as if I’m floating. In a way, his words sound surreal. “Thank you so much.”

  “You’re very welcome. I’ll see you at the swearing-in ceremony. Have a great day, Officer Whelan.”

  “You too, sir. Thank you.” I click off the phone and stuff it in my pocket.

  Patrice and Kamea walk out of the courtroom, and I run over and pick up Kamea.

  “I got it,” I say, swinging her in a circle.

  “I knew you would.” Her arms tighten around my neck. “Congratulations! We need to celebrate.”

  I lower her to the floor. “Not yet. First, I’m taking you out. A real date where I can woo you.”

  “Woo me?” She giggles.

  Patrice gives me a thumbs-up from behind Kamea’s back and waves goodbye.

  “Yes, I’m wooing you.”

  “Well, you don’t have to, but I’m super excited to see what’s involved.” She raises on her tiptoes, stopping when her lips are millimeters from mine. “Congratulations, Detective Whelan,” she says before kissing me.

  I pull her into me until someone clears their throat as they walk by. “Let’s get out of here.”

  I take her hand, and although Kamea didn’t get her money, I feel as if there’s closure now that Leilani’s court date is over. Whatever happens, happens. All I care about is Kamea and the two of us moving forward together.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Kamea

  I borrow a blouse of Rian’s and pair it with my dark slim-fit jeans in the hopes it’s fancy enough for wherever Knox has planned. He’s not exactly a five-star restaurant guy, which is something I love about him. I don’t even need this date for him to woo me, although I appreciate the effort.

  A card slides under my bedroom door at Rian and Dylan’s. I can’t stay here forever. I know that. From Dylan’s reactions and body language when we’re alone together, I’m not really welcome. But like all his friends, Dylan does what the woman in his life wants rather than what he wants.

  I pick up the card to find my name written in guy’s handwriting. When I slide my finger under the seam, my stomach feels fizzy with nerves and excitement. It dawns on me that Knox and I have a lot to find out about one another still. I have no idea when his birthday even is.

  I take the card out of the envelope, sitting on the edge of my bed, and read “I’m bananas for you” on the outside. Inside, there’s a short note.

  Kamea,

  I’ve never been so happy, and it’s because of you coming into my life. I’m so thankful we found our way to one another again. Rest assured, you’re on my mind every minute of every day. Although I’d like you to move back home, at least you’re only across the hall, but please come back home. :)

  Pick you up in a half hour.

  Love,

  Knox

  I giggle and stuff the card in the top drawer of the dresser, under my panties and bras. I’m ready early, so I examine myself in the full-length mirror that must have been Sierra’s. My makeup is on, my hair is done. We’re not one of these couples who have to resort to this stupid dating where he picks me up and I act as if I’m still putting on lipstick when he arrives.

  Taking the small clutch Rian loaned me, I walk out the bedroom door. Dylan is sprawled out on the couch, remote in hand. Rian walks over with a bowl of popcorn, and Dylan slides to make room for her.

  That’s what I want. That’s relationship goals for me. The comfortableness of lying around and watching a movie or Netflix. Not some uptight restaurant where I imagine eyes are on me.

  “Where are you going?” Rian asks.

  “I’m going over there. It’s stupid for me to wait here.”

  “But… did you get the card?” Rian asks, biting her lip.

  I raise my eyebrows in question. “I did. Thanks for delivering it.”

  “So stay and wait for him to get you.”

  I wave her off. “Nah, I mean, we were living together for a while. Plus, I’m eager to see him.”

  Rian looks at Dylan. “Remember when we couldn’t wait a half hour to see one another?”

  He kisses her cheek. “I still can’t wait a half hour to see you.”

  Rian giggles and bends down to kiss him.

  “That’s my sign. Have a great night.” I leave their apartment and step out into the hallway at the same time Jax is walking down the hall from the elevator.

  “Hey, look at you.” His gaze roams ove
r me, but not in a creepy way and definitely not a sexual way. “Hot date?”

  “With your roommate.”

  He inserts his key into their apartment door lock. “Lucky him.”

  I shove him lightly. “Your T-shirts are moving again. The post office lost them but I looked and they’re finally being tracked so they should be here soon.”

  Now I want to be there when he reveals them just to see Frankie’s reaction. She’s sure to be annoyed. I don’t know her well, but what I do know makes me think she won’t tolerate his adolescent pranks.

  We open the door. I hear the shower on and see a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates on the table.

  “Damn, I’m crashing at Dylan’s tonight. You guys can have the place.” Jax opens the fridge and grabs a beer. “Want anything to drink while you’re waiting?”

  I shake my head. “I’m good. I think I’m going to go wait in his bedroom and surprise him.” I grin.

  Jax groans. “Shit, I’m packing shit and getting the hell out of here before you two go at it before the actual date.” He guzzles his beer on the way to his room.

  The shower turns off, so I only have a minute before Knox gets out wearing only a towel. I slip off my shoes so they don’t make any noise on the hardwood. I tiptoe across the room, my heels hanging from my fingers.

  I turn the knob of his bedroom door and it creaks a bit as it always does. The room is dark since in winter, Cliffton Heights is dark by five o’clock most days. I slide in and shut the door.

  The lamp on the nightstand turns on, and the surprise of the blinding light—as well as knowing it’s not Knox since he’s in the shower—startles me. But the thin figure in the sheets causes me to step back.

  “Oh, Kamea, I’m so sorry. Knox wanted to shower before he told you.” Leilani cringes.

  I blink a few times to make sure it really is Leilani lying naked in Knox’s bed. “I’m sorry?”

  She sits up and the blanket falls, revealing a hickey on her right breast. “I came here to talk to him because of the whole court thing, and it just kind of happened. Guess the flame between us just can’t be extinguished.”