“So, you’re in?” Jenna asked hopefully. “You don’t think this is a really dumb idea?”
He guffawed over the phone. “In case you haven’t noticed, dumb, not-well-thought-out plans are kind of my wheelhouse.”
Chapter Sixteen
Three days. Three days after talking to Jenna, Declan finally built up the cojones to head over to Kate’s house and talk to her in person. The fight was stupid. They had both overreacted and he could admit the slight wrongness of his actions. But he understood Kate well enough to know when she had a misguided view of a situation. She probably had been stewing for the week and a half and filling in the blanks of his short-lived tryst with Nikki. Erroneously, she probably imagined the two of them together in bed, plotting all of the ways they could make Kate’s life miserable.
And although Nikki liked to label what they had done as “revenge sex,” Declan didn’t share the sentiment. He merely used Nikki to get over the shock of Kate’s engagement. Not dealing with his problems head-on was par for the course.
Although he initially balked at Radha’s advice, she was right. He’d been holding on to hope of getting together with Kate because of his premonitions. He craved those feelings he experienced during the vision. But they were never real. Nevertheless, Declan needed time to mourn that lost future. And maybe screwing Nikki wasn’t the smartest way to come to grips with his loss, but he never claimed to be the brains of their duo.
In hindsight, he should’ve told Kate the truth right off the bat. If he had admitted his feelings from the beginning, then it would have never turned into this awkward standoff. He could be a friend to Kate without wanting to hook up with her. He’d been playing the third wheel for more than a year without issue. For some reason, the permanency of marriage was what had thrown him off balance.
But he was intent on building a new life without the prospect of Kate as his one true love. He had his family back in his life and his business was getting off the ground. And his friendship with Kate and Jared mattered to him. Mattered to him a hell of a lot more than he ever let on to either of them. So, if he had to go to her place with his hat in his hand than he would do it.
Nervously, Declan shifted from foot to foot after ringing Kate’s doorbell. Kate could be allergic to conflict, so he figured the best course of action was to show up unannounced. Otherwise, there was a good chance she’d hide out at the local McDonald’s for hours to avoid him.
What he hadn’t bargained for was to be greeted by a six-foot wall of intimidation. And by the thunderous expression on Jared’s face, he had heard all of the dirty details about Declan’s time with Nikki.
With a scowl, he demanded, “What are you doing here, Declan?”
Declan rocked back on his heels, giving his most disarming smile. “How’s it going, man? No work today?”
Avoiding Jared had been a given when he developed his game plan to confront Kate. He wasn’t sure how the detective would feel about making their group even more incestuous than it already was. Declan had signed Jared up for Wife Swap without even getting a release signed.
“She’s not here. And even if she was, she wouldn’t want to talk to you,” Jared said before giving him a tired look. Jared rubbed at his eyes. “You really hurt her this time.”
“I don’t know what she told you, but it really wasn’t a big deal. I ran into Nikki at a bar and it sort of happened. I’m sorry if there’s still some feelings there—”
Jared’s nostrils flared as he cut him off. “Fuck you, Dec. Your fight with Kate has nothing to do with me feeling anything for my ex. It has to do with you having an obsessive crush on my fiancée.”
Damn, Jared was good with comebacks. Downgrading his feelings for Kate to a “crush” was a smart move. The dig made Declan appear immature and pitiful. Like he’d been desperate for the smallest show of affection from Kate. Jared’s general affability had made Declan underestimate him. Jared had Declan’s respect. Destroying the friendship with Jared was collateral damage he never wanted.
When Declan didn’t reply, Jared continued. “Look, I never liked you. From the moment we met, I always thought there was something off. You seemed too hungry for things. Too hungry for money, too hungry for Kate. But after you helped track down Kate’s attacker, I put that blatant dislike behind me. I actually could see why Kate liked you.” He hardened his tone. “But now you seem back to your old bullshit and hell-bent on creating some kind of wedge between Kate and me. But I’m not having it and neither is Kate.”
Declan laced his fingers behind his neck before he spoke. “Yes, I’m a dick and I’m sorry if I hurt Kate. But she needs to accept my apology. This Carnavale case is too important to our business,” he said beseechingly. Jared was a straightforward guy and leveling with him was the only effective way to make him listen. “I need her help. Jenna is getting Derek’s friends together to go back to Dewey for the weekend. She wants us to come along to see if we can figure out who’s involved in his death.”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” Jared said filling his voice with authority. Declan stilled, automatically on edge by his tone. “Do you hear yourself? You want to go away on a weekend with suspects in a murder case? And you think for one second Kate will be joining you?”
His hackles were immediately raised. Declan never responded well to being told what to do by an authority figure. Probably one of the reasons Declan always hated school. He dropped the contrition in his voice, becoming increasingly defensive. “Yes. Kate loves our work and would do anything to help someone who needs it.”
Declan calculated his odds if the altercation with Jared turned physical. The best Declan could hope for was landing a sucker punch before Jared eviscerated him.
“Kate’s kindness makes her vulnerable and what a fantastic fucking friend you are for exploiting that vulnerability.” Jared was beginning to lose his cool. A bead of sweat appeared above his mouth while his eyes bulged out.
Declan spoke through clenched teeth. “Kate can—”
A succinct voice from behind stopped him in his tracks. “Kate can speak for herself. Thank you both for telling me what I need.” Declan swung around, trying out a sheepish smile with little success. By her narrowed eyes and arrogant tilt of her chin, he understood she was not yet ready to forgive him. Kate looked over his shoulder to meet Jared’s eyes. “Give me a minute.”
“Kate, I was only trying to help,” Jared said.
“I know you were, but I won’t be treated like a child caught in the middle of a nasty custody battle,” she said. She dropped her car keys inside her purse before addressing Jared again. “I’m asking you to give me a minute to deal with him.”
Declan held his tongue, although he despised being referred to as a problem Kate had to handle. When he met Kate, she was lost. She had no insight into her gift, overwhelmed by a power she couldn’t control. Declan taught her how to tap into her abilities when she needed them. But did she show any gratitude?
Declan kept his eyes on Kate, but heard Jared’s retreat as the door closed hard behind him. Declan stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’m a shitty friend.”
She fought back a smile. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, the style making her look much younger than twenty-three. “First honest words to have come out of your mouth in a long time.”
“You’re a crap friend too. You did call me a fucking sociopath,” he said trying to make light of their argument.
She blinked at him. “I’m tired, Dec. I’m tired of going in circles with you. Every time I think we move forward, we end up back where we started.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“Yes. Because when we met, I was a completely different person. I was scared all the time. I dreaded the kind of life I’d have if I always found myself in someone else’s head. You gave me hope. You were living proof that being psychic wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I’ll always be grateful to you—”
Declan shook his head. “You don’t need to gi
ve me a goodbye speech, Kate. The band isn’t breaking up.”
Kate fixed her gaze above his head. She was purposely avoiding eye contact to hold her ground. One forlorn look from Declan and Kate would cave to his demands. Declan knew her weaknesses and Kate was well aware of his insight. “We need a break, a breather, whatever you want to call it. It’s probably not a good time anyway to start the business. I’m getting married soon and should focus on planning the wedding.”
Declan groaned in frustration. “Please, tell me you’re not serious? You think picking out floral arrangements is more important than using our abilities to solve cases?”
She swatted at his arm. “Don’t try to act all high and mighty with me. You were the one who told me from the start that you were in this business for money.”
“Well, this case is different for me,” he said, setting back his shoulders. Misguidedly, he believed Kate had seen the obvious change in his motivations. “I want to help Jenna. I don’t give a shit about the money.” The truth was he wouldn’t take a dime from Jenna, no matter what the outcome. “We need your talent, Kate. I’ve been psychic for twice as long as you and haven’t gained the control over my gift in the way you have.” His hope was stroking her ego would make her more amenable to his wants.
She gave him a skeptical look. “What’s this shtick? You don’t have a self-effacing bone in your body.”
His instinct was to bite out a sarcastic retort, but he kept his composure. “If I have to come to you and beg for your help, I will. Finding out the truth for Jenna is more important than fighting with you.”
Kate bit down on her lip, her confidence wavering. “I’ve been working the case too. She told me about her plans. When she texted me last night, she said everyone but Taylor was going to stay at the house together.”
He nodded. “We’re never going to get the opportunity to have most of them all together in one room.”
Kate adjusted her ponytail, fidgeting as a way to ease her nerves. “We’re psychics, not the police. It’s not like we’re going to drag Derek’s friends into a makeshift interrogation room and force them to tell us the truth.” After a pause, she added, “And even if things weren’t weird between us now, I don’t think we should go chase a case together again. Look how it turned out last time.”
Declan snorted in disbelief. “A little different since I’m not trying to get into your pants this time around.”
Kate huffed. “You don’t have to be crude.”
“I’m not,” he said, pointing his finger at her. “You’re the one sounding concerned over whether we’ll hook up again if I whisk you away to work a case.”
“I meant the person we were searching for ended up dead,” she said with disdain.
“You know what, Kit Kat? A little breather is probably a gosh darn spectacular idea. Get in touch with Jenna if you have a vision that will help her,” he said and went to shoulder past her.
While keeping herself firmly planted on her front walkway, she grabbed his forearm. “You didn’t honestly expect to show up here and for me to pretend what you did never happened.”
“I’m sorry,” he exploded. “I could keep spewing out insincere apologies if you want, but I think it’s time we move on.”
Declan wished back the words as soon as they escaped his lips. His brain never could quite keep up with his mouth. Over time, he’d become a master at alienating anyone who was unfortunate enough to care about him. Before he could backpedal, her cheeks reddened and she balled her hands into fists. “Don’t come here again.” His shoulders slumped as she stomped her feet loudly to make a hasty retreat into her house, back to the sanctity of Jared’s waiting arms.
Declan really sucked at apologies.
***
“Why did you tell Jenna she couldn’t come to the beach house?” Derek stormed into the bedroom and growled in Brianna’s direction. The door slam caused the knickknacks on the dresser to rattle.
Brianna was reclined on the bed, staring up listlessly at the ceiling, when Derek barged into the room. She jumped up straight as he stomped his way closer to her.
Brianna took a second to gather her thoughts before answering. “I told you before I had wanted us to go away alone.”
Derek blinked at her as if she was a complete stranger. “But why wouldn’t you have her come after you found out the guys were staying with us?”
Brianna gave him a challenging stare. “Because I can ignore Adam and Liam. When you and Jenna are together, you’re in your own little world. It’s like you talk in your own shorthand that I don’t get at all.”
Derek scrubbed roughly at his cheeks. “Do you know how crazy you sound right now? You’re acting jealous over my little sister.”
She scooted to the edge of the bed. “It’s just not normal. I have a brother and we don’t hang out together. You’re constantly texting her and calling her—”
His face filled with scorn. His expression told of his fury. He had given her a lot of breathing room, forgiving so many transgressions, but her slight of his sister pushed him over the edge. “I’m done.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, panic rising in her voice.
“I’m done with all of your drama. All week I’ve made excuse after excuse for you. And I’ve tried to make you happy. God, I jumped through hoops to make you even crack a smile. But I think it’s impossible,” he said with defeat.
She jumped off of the bed, knocking a glass over in the process. The glass shattered across the wood floor. “Stop it, Derek. I love you. I’m having a tough time this week. I’ve wanted to talk to you about it, but we’re never alone.”
His jaw was firmly set. “It’s not just this week. I’ve been fighting it, but it’s been over for a while between us. To be honest, I don’t get why you want me. You run hot and cold and your mood has been icy for weeks now.”
Roughly, she took his hands in hers. “I can do better. There’s a lot going on you don’t understand.”
“We’ve outgrown each other. You were excited before about us. I’d walk into a room and you couldn’t keep your hands off of me. It’s stupid to keep trying to bring back what we had,” he said, his voice tinged with sadness. Derek obviously missed the fun and daring woman she had once been. “And I can’t be with someone who doesn’t love my family. My parents and my sister are good to me and they tried to be good to you. But you just won’t let anyone in.” He released his hands from her grip, taking a step back. The finality resonated in his words–he was not going back to her.
Tears sprung to her eyes. “You can’t leave me.”
“I’m sorry, Bri. I never had any intention of doing this here, but you’ve left me no choice,” he said evenly. Turning his back on her, Derek walked toward the closet. He opened the door and then pulled out a suitcase. “I’m going to leave. I thought being around our friends would make it feel like how things used to be between us. But it only made things worse.”
“You’re not leaving me.” Her voice transformed into a snarl. In an instant, the hurt disappeared and a rage reared up. Her dark eyes appeared black as she glared at him with open contempt. “I’m pregnant, you ass.”
Chapter Seventeen
A road trip was the balm Declan needed for his tortured soul. Rolling down the windows and blasting some bad-ass beats could cure any sour mood. Having a sexy passenger who had gifted him by wearing a pair of tiny shorts didn’t hurt either.
Jenna laughed as he began to bounce his head to the latest song on the iTunes mix he’d created the night before. Dewey Beach wasn’t a far drive, but they’d be on the road for at least three hours with a built-in lunch stop. After cluing Jenna in on his latest vision, he tried to chase away the dark cloud hanging over their heads. Hanging out with Derek’s friends wasn’t going to be chock full of moments he’d want to caption with #besttimeeva so he had to add a little levity before shit got real.
Declan was kind of still reeling that most of Derek’s friends responded to Jenna’s inv
itation. But the more he thought about it, they were kind of forced into the trip. Their supposed best friend was murdered a few months ago. Nothing screamed raging asshole more than refusing to attend a memorial service in his honor. If they wanted suspicion thrown off of them, they’d have to show their faces.
Taylor declining the invitation had made Declan dig a little deeper into her thoughts. Especially when Jenna told him her excuse for not going was flimsy at best. But when he snuck a peak in her head, he found out she had recently broken up with Liam. Bunking with an ex was as close to hell as a person could get, so he gave her a pass. Besides, Taylor had no apparent motive for the murder. From what he’d witnessed thus far, Taylor and Derek had little to do with one another. For now, Declan had eliminated her from the suspect list.
Kate had texted Jenna about a lead on the string of burglaries occurring around the time of Derek’s murder. The police were looking hard at a homeless drifter named Carl. Carl had been in and out of psychiatric treatment and had gone off his meds for a period of time. Two weeks ago he had been taken to the local crisis center after ranting and raving about a stabbing. His physical description matched what witnesses reported during the previous robberies. For once, Kate could do the grunt work while he hand-held the client. And by the way she smelled and felt next to him, hand-holding was the least he wanted to do with Jenna.
With Jenna no longer tight with Derek’s friends, creating a cover story for Declan wasn’t challenging. He was posing as her new boyfriend. They had met a few weeks after the funeral and had gotten close fast. Jenna was still struggling with her brother’s death and Declan had suggested they visit the Dewey Beach house for closure. Jenna’s contribution was the thought to extend the invitation to those Derek loved who spent that final week with him.
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