by J. M. Nevins
She met his eyes. “Now I realize this may sound melancholy and strange, but I’m not quite sure how to go back to my regular life. I’ve been writing like crazy in the last few days.” She leaned over to reach for her notepad and pen.
He stopped her and shook his head. “Let me. You stay put.” He grabbed the notepad and handed it to her.
She scanned it and then handed it back to him. “Lyrics… songs… melodies… arrangements. All of it streaming through me. Look at this notepad!”
He took it from her and scanned the contents, pleasantly surprised by what he was seeing. He slowly raised his head to look at her in awe. “You wrote these songs in a few days?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes.”
He chuckled. “You’re on your way to an album here, Kitten. No doubt a platinum one.”
She smiled wide as her emerald green eyes lit up. “Think I could sell ‘em off? Or should I save ‘em for one of my artists that I produce or put on my label?”
He shook his head and set the tablet on her bedside table. “None of the above.”
She frowned. “Huh? I thought you said they were good.”
He chuckled. “I never said they were good. They’re fucking brilliant. And I think you should record them… don’t sell ‘em off. This time you take the driver’s seat. This time, you’re the artist performing them. You said you want to branch out into something new. Although not entirely foreign to you, it is something new.”
Her eyes widened and she stared at him speechless, feeling the butterflies in her stomach go crazy. She hadn’t expected him to respond that way. Paired with what she had experienced before losing consciousness, she now felt overwhelmed at the thought.
He grinned. “Hey there, deer in the headlights.” He chuckled. “Kid, relax. Keep refining them. Work with it. The muse is alive and well in you. Maybe you touched the Divine through this whole situation. Draw it in. Use it. Work it through, but don’t sell out. Maybe it’s time for you to be the star? Think about it.” He offered a reassuring grin as he patted her knee.
She stared at him in amazement. This was an unprecedented recommendation from him and a pie-in-the-sky consideration for her. She wasn’t sure what to do with it.
* * *
Emily knocked hastily and walked into Kyle’s apartment without waiting for his cue. She looked down and frowned seeing two tattered, packed suitcases waiting. “Ky?” She yelled out.
He appeared moments later. “Hi Em, thanks for coming.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “Can you take care of my place for a bit? Y’know, water the plants, bring in the mail? Lance isn’t the most reliable roommate.”
Emily met Kyle’s eyes and nodded. “Of course. Is the spare key in the usual place?”
He shook his head and handed her the key. “Here you go. The place is stocked up with everything—food, beer, you name it, if you wanna hang out here.”
Emily stared at him. “Kyle, talk to me, would you? Where are you going?”
He shook his head and avoided giving her too much information. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. At least a week. I have to get some things figured out, and I need to leave in order to do it.”
Before he could continue, a formidable looking man in dark sunglasses and a black suit approached. When Emily did a double-take, she noticed a gun in a holster discreetly hanging from his hip.
The man nodded to Kyle. “We’re ready for you. The car is outside. Are these your bags?”
He nodded and Emily’s eyes widened as the man retrieved the bags and headed out. Kyle forced a grin. “Thanks for taking care of my place. Bye, Em.”
He headed out, and she couldn’t stand by passively. Emily chased after him out of the apartment building to notice a black Lincoln Town Car with its windows blacked out for privacy. She noticed another man in a black suit sitting in the passenger seat. The driver stowed Kyle’s suitcases and returned to his charge behind the wheel.
Oblivious to Emily trailing behind him, Kyle opened the back door of the car and was about to get in when he noticed her. He frowned and shook his head disapprovingly.
She stared at him with wide eyes. “Ky, what is going on? Who are these people?” She lowered her voice. “They look like creepy. Are you in some kind of trouble?”
His sage green eyes bore into her as he chose to avoid her inquiry. “I have to go, Em. Take good care and thank you.” He got into the car and shut the door, watching her through the tinted windows as the car pulled away from the curb.
The man in the passenger seat turned to look at Kyle. “We’re on schedule. The jet is waiting. We’ll be in San Francisco in a hour. You’re booked into a suite at the Fairmont. Meetings will commence with dinner tonight. A car will be waiting to take you to the location. Plan for a late night.”
Kyle stared straight ahead, angered, as he responded flatly, “Fine.”
* * *
Alexa got comfortable in the chair next to Kit’s bed. A week has passed since the shooting. Kit was healing well and was scheduled to go home the following day. She had specifically requested Alexa visit that afternoon.
She thought nothing of it until Kit mentioned over the phone that she was finally feeling lucid and wanted Alexa’s help at putting the pieces together of one of her discoveries.
She wasn’t sure what that meant. Alexa had noticed Sully’s behavior was distant and he was more jittery and distracted than he had been in years. She had her concerns but played them close to the vest. The last thing she wanted to do was bring that up while Kit was in the midst of her recovery.
Kit looked at Alexa and noticed her looking around the room. “Looks like a fucking florist doesn’t it?”
Alexa giggled and met Kit’s eyes. “It totally does. How are you feeling today?”
She nodded. “As good as I suppose I’ll be. Ready to get out of here.”
Alexa pointed at her with a look of warning on her face. “Just because they’re going to release you tomorrow doesn’t mean you’re going to go back to work.”
She sighed and cast her eyes down. “Ah… that.”
Alexa frowned. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say anything remotely like that about work.”
She finally looked up and met Alexa’s eyes. “Sometimes things change. Now is one of those times. That’s not what I want to talk about right now, though. We’ll leave that topic for later.”
Alexa nodded. “Ok. So what do you want to talk about?”
Kit sighed. “Lex, I know you don’t like me talking about Kirby’s death being suspicious, but I think there may be some validity to it.”
Before she could continue, Alexa butted in, meeting her eyes. “I think there is too.”
Her eyes widened. “What did you just say to me?”
Alexa sighed. “You heard me. Now, tell me whatever you were going to say and then I’ll share my findings.”
Her heartbeat quickened, and her breathing became shallow as she wondered what was going on. Alexa’s lack of resistance had thrown her off.
She nodded. “Ok. Before Darren shot me, he told me that Kirby wasn’t dead. He spouted off some shit that Kirby got some kind of new identity because he testified against his dad.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know if there’s any truth to that because knowing Darren he could have made all that up to fuck with my head. He was totally frying on PCP or something. But, it was on my mind right after he shot me, when I started losing consciousness. And then Lex, I swear I saw him—Kirby.”
Alexa moved to the edge of her seat. “When?”
She sighed. “It was so weird. It was here at the hospital.” Her eyes welled up with tears. “Lex, it was so real. Maybe I’m crazy. Maybe it was just the general anesthesia coursing through my veins.”
Alexa reached across the table and grabbed Kit’s hand. “Tell me.”
Kit closed her eyes to regain her composure as a lone tear trickled down her cheek. She opened her eyes slowly and met Alexa’s alert violet eyes.
She cleared her throat. “This was after surgery. I was in the recovery room. I opened my eyes, and he was standing over me.”
She sighed. “He looked just how I imagined he would all these years later, a little older like us and frankly, even better looking if that’s even possible. I always thought he’d be one of those guys that got better with age.”
“Anyway, back to that moment. I saw so much love in his eyes.” She closed her eyes. “God, Lex, it was like the last time I saw him… When he was telling me he loved me the morning before he died.” Her eyes fluttered open, tears rolling down her cheeks as she hastily wiped them away and sniffled.
Alexa reached for Kit’s hand. “Do you want to continue?”
She nodded. “I was gazing into his eyes, and I can’t lie—it was like a little slice of heaven for a moment. I said hi to him, and he said hi back, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. I remember feeling so tired, yet content that he was there. And I swear on my life, Lex, the morning after my surgery when I was lightly sleeping, I heard him tell me he loved me and he always would. It was his voice.”
She took the time to recall the experience fully. “I know the anesthesia they gave me was heavy duty, but it was so real, Lex.” She shook her head. “It still sticks with me.” She looked up and met Alexa’s eyes. “Do you think I’m crazy? Do you think my mind made this up because I’ve been thinking about him, and the drugs created some weird hallucination?”
Alexa swallowed hard and shook her head. “No.”
She frowned, completely confused. “What?”
Alexa sighed. “I thought I was going crazy, but I wasn’t on anesthesia. I swear I saw him too, Kitty. And he was just like you described. A little older, but handsome as ever.”
Her emerald eyes widened. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? Lex, do not toy with me like this.”
Alexa leaned forward and hissed. “I’m not. Kit, I saw him when I was coming off the elevator on your floor here at the hospital. I chased him down the hall, calling out his name. He glanced over his shoulder once, and we locked eyes. It was him! Those unforgettable green eyes he has… That strong jaw line. It was either Kirby or the guy has a pretty serious doppelganger in L.A.”
She gulped. “What? Are you in agreement with me now that his accident was staged all those years ago?”
Alexa nodded. “Yes.”
She stared, her eyes wide as saucers. “Kirby is still alive.”
Alexa gulped. “I’m starting to think so, yes.”
Her emerald eyes twinkled with determination. “If he is alive, then I’m sure as hell gonna find him.”
Alexa blinked. “Kit, what about Sully in all of this?”
She raised her eyebrows. “What about him?”
Alexa shook her head. “Be careful. This could be a big a bombshell to your marriage.”
She snorted. “I already received one of those a few weeks ago, remember? And the hits keep coming. There has been more than one visit from Sully in this last week where he’s been high as a kite. He’s not exactly present. Anyway, I’m finding out what happened to Kirby on that winter day in 1983 and where he is now. No one is going to stop me.”
Alexa noticed the conviction in Kit’s eyes and didn’t doubt her for a moment. She swallowed hard wondering how this discovery could potentially alter the course of their lives.
CHAPTER 4
As Sully sat next to Kit on the bed, watching TV, his cell phone rang. She glanced over at him. “Aren’t you going to get that?”
He shook his head and kept his attention on the TV. “Whoever it is can wait.” He shifted his focus to her and noticed her drooping eyelids. He stroked her cheek. “Baby, how are you feeling?”
She nodded. “I’m tired.”
He chuckled. “I can see that. Why don’t you get some sleep? Your body needs the rest. Want me to tuck you in?”
She grinned and nodded, as she surrendered to her heavy eyelids. He grabbed the edge of the fluffy blanket and pulled it up, making sure she was covered. A faint grin remained on her face.
He leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips, lowering his voice. “Get good rest, baby. I’ll check on you again in a few hours.”
He got up, grabbed his cell phone and headed out of the room. Once he was downstairs, he listened to the voicemail. Seconds later, he dialed the number from memory and Kendalle answered.
He was quick to respond. “Hey, what’s up, sweetie? Are you ok?”
She sighed and Sully could tell she had been crying. “No. Pat, I dunno if I can do this. All my friends are tied up today or out of town and I’m kinda freaking out. I need you.”
He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Are you hungry for lunch?”
She sniffled. “Not really. I’m not sure food is a good idea, but I’m willing to try.”
He nodded. “Ok. Hang out. I’ll be there in a bit.”
She sounded relieved. “Thank you.”
Sully used the key to enter his beachfront Malibu home. When he didn’t immediately see Kendalle, he called out to her. He heard her respond from the den moments later.
He strolled in carrying a large container of vegetarian noodle soup in one hand and a box of saltine crackers in the other. He grinned. “Guess what I brought? Something that should be easy on your stomach. Let’s hope. And before you freak out, I remembered, no meat.”
Her bright blue eyes twinkled as she chuckled and met his eyes. “That was very kind of you.”
He nodded. “I’ll grab some bowls and we can get down to eating.”
As he returned to the den with the bowls, soup and crackers, he glanced around. “I love what you’ve done with the place. Looks great, sweetie!”
She grinned and took the bowl of soup from him. “Thank you for the compliment and the food. You haven’t been here in a while to see all the updates. I’m glad you like it.”
She took a small spoonful and thoroughly enjoyed it. She swallowed and smiled. “You do get me. More than you know. You totally nailed it, Paddy-Cake.”
He chuckled, nodded and leaned forward to give her a peck on the lips. “I know, sweetie.” He pulled back and grinned as he gently rubbed her shoulder.
After they were done eating, they sat back on the sofa. She snuggled up to him and he put his arm around her, cuddling her. He shook his head as he stared at the TV. “I can’t believe you’re watching this shit.”
She chuckled. “I love my soaps, what can I say.” She then jumped up, shaking her head as she bolted out of the room.
He watched her leave hastily and immediately became concerned. He stood up and headed toward the bathroom where she had disappeared. He heard her retching and sighed knowing she was getting sick.
Moments later, the door opened and she stared at him. She shook her head as her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t do this anymore, Pat. I just can’t. I don’t even know if I want to.”
He took her into his arms and held her tightly, letting her cry it out. He then led her back to the sofa where they cuddled together. He kissed her on the forehead. “You can get through this. You’re strong, Keni.”
She looked up and met his eyes. “I don’t feel strong. This throwing up thing sucks. I can barely hold food down—even veggie noodle soup won’t stay down! I’m weak and tired as hell all the time. And I am so emotional.”
He sighed. “It’s a lot you’re dealing with Keni, I know, but you can get through it. I’m here for you as much as I can be, but you know…”
She nodded. “I know. You’re headed back out on the road soon.”
He met her eyes. “You’re welcome to come back out with me if you want, but you gotta clear that with your doctor first, ok?”
She sniffled. “Ok. Thanks for the offer. Not sure what I’m going to do yet.” She then frowned. “Won’t your wife have a problem with me being on tour with you?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Seriously, Keni? She didn’t know before. And why would she have a problem with it
? Besides, she’s too busy to be on the road for any extended period with me. She won’t even know you’re there. It’s a non-issue.”
She sighed and poked him in the chest, meeting his eyes. “Y’know what? You’re an asshole. You should be at home taking care of her right now. C’mon Pat, don’t be an asshole.”
He grinned and held his hands up in defense. “Ken, she’s sleeping right now. She doesn’t even know I left. And I’ll probably be home before she wakes up.”
Kendalle gave him a look of disapproval. “Well that sounds extra shitty.”
He met her eyes. “What? Did you not want me to come over? I wanted to make sure you were ok. You said you needed me.”
She shook her head. “In a moment of weakness, yes, I did say that, but taking you away from your recovering wife was not what I had in mind.”
He rolled his eyes. “Listen, let’s not argue over this. Kit is sleeping right now and I’m about to head back. Ok?”
She grinned and leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Ok.”
As Sully got up to leave, Kendalle trailed after him to see him out. He glanced back at her. “No need to do that, Keni. I can see myself out.”
She shook her head and folded her arms in front of her chest, closely surveying him. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but…”
He met her eyes. “What?”
She swallowed hard. “Pat, cut out the blow, ok? I can tell you’re using. Believe me, I know the behavior. I used to be a performer too, remember? I know the drill. I understand the pressure and the demands. I know what it’s like to do a world tour. But I can tell you this, if you don’t get this drug problem under wraps, it’s going to destroy you. I don’t want to see that happen.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you kidding me right now? Kendalle, I can quit anytime I want. I’m under a ton of stress right now. You have no idea what it’s like. Please, get off my ass!”