by Alisha Rai
Chapter Twelve
A throat cleared from the vicinity of the entrance to the kitchen. Jacob broke off in the middle of whistling “Bad Romance”—the song was too damn catchy—and glanced up from where he was loading the dishwasher. “Oh. Hey.”
Kati linked her hands behind her. Dressed in black tights, black shorts, and a tight pink top, her backpack slung over one shoulder, she was ready for school. “Hey.”
He straightened. It had been quiet around the house, both of them communicating with each other only when necessary, with stilted, abrupt language.
He hated the strained awkwardness between them, but he wasn’t about to give in on such an important principle.
However, this was the first overture Kati had made, and he was prepared to accept it like the gracious adult he was. Jacob nodded at her hair. “You changed your style.”
Self-consciously, she fingered the ends of her neon-purple hair. The dye jobs she did at home—when he cleaned later, he was certain to find splashes of purple on the bathroom counter. She must have gone to a salon yesterday, though, because she’d chopped the strands in a shorter, asymmetrical cut.
“You don’t like it?”
“No, no,” he hurried out. Anything’s better than the puke green. “It’s striking. Very cool.”
“Thanks.” She continued to watch him, hands shoved into the pockets of her shorts.
He glanced at the watch on his wrist. “You’re going to be late for school.”
“I’m okay.” She wandered into the kitchen. “It’s a late-start day.”
“Ah.” Usually he had Kati’s schedule memorized. But it hadn’t seemed quite that important in the past couple of weeks.
The kid was capable of knowing when she needed to be somewhere, he told himself, tamping down the spurt of guilt over not paying attention to her the way he always did. “Right.”
“I can do the dishes, if you want, when I come home from school,” she offered.
He flicked his wet hands. “No problem. I got it.”
Kati nodded. “Oh. Okay.”
When she lingered, he finally took pity on her. “Something on your mind?”
“Haven’t seen you much lately.”
“You’ve had all those play rehearsals.” He turned back to the sink. Kati was directing the spring play at school, a rather convenient distraction. It had meant there was no one at home to question why he, the borderline hermit, had spent five nights away from his cave, staying out progressively later. He’d managed to beat Kati home most nights, though a couple of times it had been close, with him flopping on the couch and turning on the TV in time to hear the jingle of her keys.
The previous evening, though, he hadn’t been able to manage that trick. He couldn’t be blamed. Akira had looked up from her gyro and asked him whether he’d made any progress in plotting his new book. The next thing he knew, they were hotly debating the kind of weapon his heroine would favor. That had led to a discussion on gun control…and somehow, the existence of aliens.
When he reached home well past midnight, he had found the house dark, Kati tucked into her bed fast asleep.
“You weren’t here when I got home last night,” Kati said, somehow divining his thoughts. She crossed her arms over her chest tightly, as if holding herself back. Her lower lip pushed out. “Where were you?”
He took his time rinsing the pan he had used to make eggs. Meanwhile, his mind raced.
Since his brothers were nosy, they had already asked whether Akira had forgiven him. He had said she was receptive and left it, thanking God they hadn’t said anything to Kati and didn’t pester him any further.
It wasn’t like he had consciously decided to lie to his family about where he was spending his nights. It was just that…Ben and Connor would tease and poke and demand explanations he didn’t have. Given Kati’s feelings toward Akira and the role the other woman had played in their recent argument, he had a feeling Kati would be hugely displeased, even if he did couch it in terms of a simple agreement.
What could he say? It had started out as a way to get her to forgive him and had evolved into evenings he desperately looked forward to? He had become determined to put that rare smile on her face? The sexual tension between them was nearly palatable, and for the first time in forever, it didn’t panic him into running for the door?
“Jacob?”
Jacob shook his head, realizing he was silently standing there with his hands under the running faucet. “Oh, uh. Yeah. I was visiting a friend.”
“That late?”
He shot her a glance over his shoulder. “I wasn’t aware I had a curfew, Kati.”
His sister flushed at the less-than-subtle rebuke. “I’m just saying…you don’t usually go out at night. I mean, you don’t have friends.”
Insulted now, he dried his hands on the towel and faced her. “I have friends.”
She wrinkled her nose. “College buddies you meet once a month for poker don’t count.”
“I have…other friends,” he finished lamely, stinging from her accurate assessment. He had a solitary occupation, damn it. He couldn’t help that it limited his social interaction.
Dear God, you have no life whatsoever.
“So who’s this friend? Is it a girl?”
Able to read his baby sister like a book, Jacob took in her defensive stance and the naked vulnerability in her eyes. His sister wasn’t accustomed to having to share him. In the past, when he had the occasional girlfriend, he had gently attempted to correct her possessiveness.
He understood it, but now it rankled a bit. He opened his mouth, ready to inform her of exactly who he had been with, but then he paused.
Really, what was the point in riling Kati up? The clock was ticking. He and Akira were past the halfway mark in their silly ten-day arrangement. Anything that happened after that would be solely in Akira’s court.
No need to have this conversation now. Wait. See.
“Not a girl.” Which was not a lie. Akira would laugh if anyone called her a girl. “Really, a friend.”
At his confirmation of his asexuality, Kati relaxed. “Oh. Okay.”
Inexplicably annoyed, he added, “I might be out again tonight, though. Don’t be alarmed.”
She was pacified, it seemed. Her frown never rematerialized. “Cool. My friend Darren’s coming over after school to study, so we’ll be busy ’til play practice. We might go grab some ice cream after.”
Darren’s name had his ears pricking up. I bet you a thousand dollars Kati was with her boyfriend that weekend.
Loath to make matters worse with his sister, Jacob had avoided confronting her about the suspicions Akira had planted in his brain, but now he saw his chance. “You’ve been seeing this Darren kid a lot,” he said, casually leaning back against the counter. “You sure you guys are nothing more than pals?”
“Um.” Kati froze. “Well.”
Bingo. Jacob winced. Akira was going to gloat. “Kati, I’m fine with you dating. But I think it’s important I meet the guy, okay? If you’re seeing this Darren kid, tell me.”
She cast him a disgruntled look. “Okay fine. We’re kinda hooking up.”
He reared back. “What…what do you mean by hooking up?” That meant sex, right? Jesus Christ. He’d had The Talk with Kati—possibly the most awkward experience of either of their lives—but that didn’t mean he was prepared for his little girl to be sleeping with someone. She was just a baby! Who the fuck did this Darren think he was?
A warning growl built, and she pointed her finger at him. “Jeez, I haven’t had sex with him! That means we’re dating. Courting. Some smooching. Whatever you old people say.”
Subsiding, he relaxed, his blood still running hot. “Choose your words more carefully next time.”
“But see?” She jabbed her finger at him again. “This is why I didn’t tell you. You scare them. You’re going to scare Darren.”
Insulted, he crossed his arms over his chest. “I won’t scare anyon
e.”
“That’s what you do. You terrify, Ben makes fun of them, and Connor goes for passive-aggressive, thinly veiled threats.” She held three fingers up. “Eric, Tom, and Abhi. The three of you scared them all off.”
“I barely even spoke to Abhi,” he protested. He couldn’t protest about the other two.
He had been justified, though. One had been shifty-eyed, and the other…well, he couldn’t remember what he’d hated about the other, but he was certain there had been a reason for him to treat him with suspicion.
“No. You silently loomed.”
He rolled his eyes, ready to have this ridiculous discussion over. “Kati. I don’t care if the boys you date are terrified by my looming. You’re bringing them home. If I don’t meet Darren after school, you aren’t staying out late with him after play rehearsal.”
“Ugh.” Kati shot him a disgusted look and hiked her backpack higher. “Fine. But you can’t call him a hipster, or make fun of his skinny jeans or glasses.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m sure Connor and Ben will handle those comments when they eventually meet him.” He held up his hand at her outraged sputter. “Relax. I promise to put all the guns away and remain seated the entire time, lest I scare him by looming.”
“Make us a snack. Or walk around cleaning. That tends to emasculate you a bit.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
A cheeky grin and he was reminded of the mischievous six-year-old who had careened around the house, rarely still. He couldn’t help but speak, stopping her as she turned to go. “Kati-cat.”
“Yeah?”
“I won’t get mad, but…” He hesitated. “That weekend I went to the cabin. Were you spending the weekend with Darren?”
“Jeez, what?” She wrinkled her nose. “No. I spent the weekend at Kristen’s. You can call her mom, if you want.”
“No. No.” He smiled, relieved. “I believe you.”
“Although…” A guilty flush. “The reason I hadn’t left yet was because I went on a date with Darren that night. We didn’t stay here together alone for long, or anything,” she hurriedly said, and he didn’t miss the qualifier of for long. “Kristen picked me up at nine, and I went to her place.”
“Okay,” he said slowly. He was relieved it had been as simple as that. “Don’t keep stuff from me again.”
“I won’t.” She surprised him by skirting the island and walking up to him to wrap her fragile arms around his waist. He immediately returned the hug, not even her thick backpack keeping him from enveloping her. “I love you.”
His heart threatened to burst. “I love you too, Kati-Cat.”
“You haven’t hugged me in days.” The accusation was muffled against his shirt.
The guilt came fast and hard. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I figured you were too mad…” He trailed off. He hadn’t made many overtures toward his sister, that was true. Partially because he was uncertain of his reception, and partially because, well…he was busy.
Busy struggling to write the novel he barely wanted to write any longer, but busier struggling to manage his time with Akira.
Instinctive fear had him tightening his hold on his sister, but the words he had been chanting to himself for the better part of the week intruded. You’re allowed to have a life. You’re allowed to see women. You are not your father.
Kati’s voice was muffled. “It was my fault. I don’t like when we fight.”
He stroked his hand through her hair, not daring to say anything to break this strange spell. Kati was pretty much the only person he regularly embraced, his brothers more prone to do the back-slapping thing with him now that they were grown.
He hugged her tighter and inhaled the scent of vanilla. He had missed this too. Love rushed through him, making his chest expand. He would never forget this little girl just because something or someone shiny came along. Not like their father. “Me neither, kiddo.”
She turned her head so her words were clearer. “I thought about what you said. It was wrong of me to call Akira a slut. I get super mad if anyone says it to me or my girlfriends. I should be more careful.”
He tugged on her hair until she looked up at him. “It’s not kind to judge someone like that,” he said quietly, as much for himself as for her.
“Yeah. I know. Not even if it’s someone I don’t like.”
Then you’re going to hate that I can’t quit her. “You barely know her,” he protested.
Her nose wrinkled. “Mei told me so many stories.”
Damn it, Mei. Once again, Jacob kicked himself for not being more attuned to how poisonous the woman had been when it came to her only daughter. “Mei may not have been the most objective person.”
She shook her head. “I guess it doesn’t matter.”
But it does. If you only knew how relevant this discussion is, kid.
Jacob licked his lips. Later. He could figure this out later.
Unaware, Kati drove the knife of guilt a little deeper. “After all, we’re probably never going to see her again.”
Unseen by his sister, he raised his eyes to the oven clock. No, he would definitely be seeing Akira again. In less than ten hours, really.
Jacob gave her a final pat on the back and forced a smile as he stepped away. “I’m glad you get it. Here.” He stretched up to access the cupboard on top of the fridge, retrieving her phone.
Her face lit up. “Really?”
He slipped the phone into her hand. “I think you’ve learned your lesson. Yeah, really.”
“You used that same trick to hide stuff from me when I was a kid. Putting it away somewhere I couldn’t reach.”
He ruffled her hair, delighted with the way she faux-scowled and slapped at his hands. “Yeah, well. You haven’t grown much since then.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Oh, shit.”
The uncharacteristic curse coming from Jacob had her glancing up from the lease agreement she was perusing. He sat in what had somehow become his chair, long, capable fingers manipulating the puzzle box.
At some undefined point over the past week and a half, she had realized it felt right, his hands on the dark wood.
It keeps him coming back to you, a weak, needy part of her whispered. There it was. If he didn’t come back for her, he would at least come back to crack that puzzle. He was too stubborn not to beat it. “What?”
He studied the box, manipulating one panel, then another. “I think…” He glanced up at her and stopped.
“What?”
“Nothing. I thought I had it.” He looked down at the box and grimaced. “No. Sorry. False alarm.” The chair creaked under his heavy weight as he settled deeper into it and bent again, frowning.
The remains of their dinner were around them. As usual, Jacob had brought a mountain of food. She’d quickly learned Jacob’s huge frame apparently required an equivalently large amount of calories to maintain it.
Also, as he had somewhat sheepishly explained while pouring hot sauce on a monstrous burrito the night before, “Kati is really into healthy stuff. I only get to eat like this when she isn’t around.”
The image of the manly man choking down alfalfa because his little sister worried over his cholesterol was even cuter than him clipping roses. Curse the man’s unexpected adorableness.
A dumb smile curved her lips, a smile she only permitted because his attention was diverted. It was hard to remember how dangerous it was to let down her guard with Jacob when the fire he had laid in her barely used fireplace cracked and popped and the building was silent around them.
She’d forgiven him days ago, though she hadn’t said anything to him yet. She was conscious their time together was finite. Jacob had placed the ball firmly in her court on what happened next, and no matter whether he opened the box or not, she couldn’t see him much longer.
Oh, she still wanted to jump him. Everything that had so intrigued her before he had set out to win her forgiveness and friendship was
multiplied now. His unique combination of kindness, brains, and that humming sex appeal was a potent combination.
The problem was she liked him, heaven help her. Liked him far too much to take him for a ride on the crazy train of her life.
What he needed was a quiet, biddable woman who would putter around the house while he worked, bringing him lemonade and freshly baked cookies. They would have loving, pleasurable sex and eventually a couple of spawn running around, messing up a tidy house.
Akira wasn’t that woman. She didn’t particularly want to be that woman.
Some buried, surprisingly decent part of her had reared its head, making one thing clear: she also didn’t want to fuck him up for when that woman came along.
End this. She had chastised herself every night, aware she was dangerously close to infatuation, but then he walked her to her car and told her he would see her again the next evening, and she didn’t protest.
The phone rang, shrill and loud, distracting her from her contemplation of the big man taking up so much space. She peered at the display and let it go to voicemail. As soon as her voicemail lit up red, she picked up the phone and deleted the message.
She hung up and turned to find Jacob watching her. He nodded at the phone. “Someone you don’t like?”
She gave a casual shrug, the spurt of rage she had experienced upon viewing the number ruthlessly controlled. “The producer for my father’s show.”
“Oh. Right.” Jacob narrowed his eyes. “I remember Mei talking about that. A reality show of some sort?”
How diplomatic. Akira was certain Mei would never have merely talked about her ex-husband’s show. She would have passive-aggressively sniped about it. Deservedly.
Akira had been the one to break the news to her mother that her father was going to star on a show with his new wife. Yes, the one he made that sex tape with.
Mei carefully maintained her image as a quiet, soft-spoken woman, except around her daughter. Akira’s ears had rung for weeks. As much as she’d usually enjoyed provoking her mother, Akira had empathized on this occasion. It was unfair, the world they lived in, when a man could be amply rewarded for every wrong thing he did. Mistreat your wife? Women will still flock to you. Run your family business poorly? Make billions selling the assets. “Leak” a sex tape? Here. Have a reality show.