Seal All Exits (Tangled Web #3)

by Jade C. Jamison

  He jumped up and hustled to the window, shoving it closed. It was still chilly in the room but he had no doubt it would warm up after a while. In the meantime, he had a bathroom attached to his room, and he planned to shower, so long as Mickey hadn’t gone in there first. When Katie had given them the grand tour yesterday afternoon, she’d shown Mickey and Kiefer that their rooms connected to each other through the bathroom. There were locks on both doors, so either guy could have privacy whenever needed. Mickey had complained, asking why Sage had it so good without a neighbor. “Ah,” Katie had said, all smiles, “Sage will be sharing a bathroom with one of Johnny’s older friends when they get here tomorrow.” And then she showed him the community bathroom down the hall in case they needed it.

  Fortunately, Mickey wasn’t using the bathroom right now. The door was open to his friend’s room, but he saw Mickey sprawled out on his bed, looking like he’d had a night out on the town—only Kiefer knew better. They might have stayed up late, but he hadn’t been drinking once they’d gotten back to Johnny’s place, and Kiefer was pretty certain that whatever he and his two friends had imbibed earlier in the night had worn off with Mickey just as it had with him.

  After a long, soothing shower, he felt much better. Johnny’s “cabin” had better plumbing than Kiefer’s apartment building. The water pressure here was a thousand times better, but more than that, the water stayed hot the entire time he was under the shower. That alone was worth the trip.

  Any ounce of negativity he’d been feeling was washed down the drain. He toweled off, brushed his teeth, and skipped shaving. He had a goatee that he normally shaved around, but this was a vacation, dammit, and he was going to take a break. He doubted anyone would notice anyway.

  He hadn’t heard Mickey stir the entire time he’d been in the bathroom, but he closed the door to his room when he exited the bathroom anyway. It didn’t really matter, though. It was Sage, not Mickey, who engaged in shenanigans that went overboard. Mickey tended to respect Kiefer’s space and, often, his mood too.

  Kiefer threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, along with the combat boots he wore whenever he wasn’t wearing sneakers, and walked into the hallway. As he headed toward the main area of the house, his nose detected the aroma of bacon and something sweet, and then he realized he was hungry.

  He could stand to be around people right now too so he followed the scent. One thing Kiefer had realized about himself over the past few years was that he was a sociable creature. He’d never known that about himself before and would have denied it, but even though he didn’t connect on a deep level with most people, he still enjoyed and needed their company, and he withered without occasional human contact.

  He didn’t consider himself needy, but he needed people just the same, and he didn’t feel weaker by admitting it to himself.

  He walked into the kitchen. Katie and Johnny stood in front of the stove side by side. Katie was flipping pancakes, and Johnny had a large cookie sheet on the counter that he was holding in place with a large hot pad. He had a pair of metal tongs in his hand, and he was flipping slices of the meat.

  “Hey, voice man. Grab a cup of java and some OJ and have a seat, my man.”

  Kiefer looked around and spotted the coffee pot against the wall to the side of the guitarist. “Holy shit, dude. What all are you guys making?”

  Katie giggled. “Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and the cinnamon rolls are already done. If you’d rather have oatmeal—”

  “No, I’m good. I can wait.” As he poured coffee into the mug that had been on the counter next to some others, he looked over at the table. Riley and his girlfriend were engaged in quiet couple talk, but no one else was around. No Heather. Kiefer wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing. For now, he’d consider it a blessing.

  What was funniest...he knew that if he sent Heather an email or a text, she’d respond, and he doubted it would be any different from their old conversations. He was beginning to suspect that she’d find it easier.

  He looked back at the table, considering finding a seat, but Riley and Erin were almost oblivious to the fact that anyone else was there. So Kiefer instead stood next to the island and asked, “Can I help with anything?”

  Katie turned around and smiled. “Actually, yeah. I have some grapes and grapefruit in the crisper drawer. Could you get them out? We’ll have them with breakfast too.”

  He nodded, feeling grateful he could keep himself busy. He supposed he also could have just stepped outside for a little fresh air, but it was still chilly out there. He also wanted to be around people for now, so quietly doing something while surrounded by happy bodies was a good thing.

  Even though it punctuated his own loneliness.

  But Johnny and Katie kept pulling him into their conversation, helping him feel like he belonged, while he washed off the grapes and asked Katie what dish to put them in. Then he asked if she wanted him to cut the grapefruits in half, but she told him to wash them all off and put them on a plate, only cutting one “in case no one wants any.” He nodded and then took all the fruit to the big dining room table as Katie requested.

  When Kiefer walked back into the kitchen, Riley was asking Johnny why they were taking food in the other room. “I’m hoping everyone else’ll get their asses out of bed when they smell the bacon. Besides, the sound carries better from the dining room. Everyone else is more likely to join us if we’re out there.”

  Kiefer nodded. The only thing better about the kitchen was that it was bright. The windows faced the east and sunlight was streaming inside, splashing the white surfaces with bright sunbeams.

  He helped Johnny carry plates of pancakes and bacon to the dining room while Katie carried potatoes O’Brien and cinnamon rolls. Then she had them carry plates, silverware, and syrup, while she carried butter and ketchup. Johnny fetched the pot of coffee and Riley’s girlfriend (Erin, Kiefer thought her name was) brought the orange juice. Just as they were settling in to eat, Heather walked around the corner, all smiles.

  Kiefer knew he shouldn’t feel that weird tightness in his chest, that quick little adrenaline rush at seeing her, but he couldn’t help it. He felt unbelievably happy at the sight of her.

  He thought he was going to totally lose his shit when she decided to sit next to him at a diagonal. “Morning,” she said.

  “Morning. How’d you sleep?”

  She smiled over at him while grabbing the pitcher of orange juice. “Surprisingly well. I usually have a hard time sleeping in a strange bed, strange room, but I think yesterday exhausted me more than I realized.” Kiefer tried not to smirk. “How’d you sleep?”

  While Heather poured juice, he said, “Mmm, okay.” So he lied. She didn’t need to know he’d had a crappy night.

  Meanwhile, Katie handed the plate of pancakes to Heather. “Help yourself.”

  Riley said, “So what have you guys been working on?”

  Johnny laughed. “You think I’m gonna tell the competition?” Riley raised an eyebrow while bringing a piece of bacon to his lips. He acted like he was going to say something, but Johnny continued. “Just shitting you, man. I dunno. I kind of want to do some classic metal...you know, kinda old school.”

  “That could be really great.”

  “What about you?”

  “We’re taking a break right now. Planning to get back together in about a month to start work on some new stuff.”

  “Nice. Any idea of what direction you want to go?”

  Riley shook his head. “We won’t settle on something till we start jamming, you know.”

  “Yeah. How you like wielding an axe onstage?”

  “More than I would have thought. But vocals still trumps it.” Johnny nodded, drinking some coffee when Riley asked, “What about writing lyrics? You enjoying that?”

  Johnny shrugged. “It’s pretty cool.”

  Kiefer saw an opening that he’d be a fucking idiot if he didn’t take. “Hey, Johnny. How would you feel if I maybe wrote some lyrics for a song
or two for the next album?”

  Johnny tilted his head. “Serious?”

  “Yeah. I’ve been kinda thinkin’ it might be nice to sing my own stuff too.”

  “My man, I’d be very happy to let you take the reins for a couple.”

  “Yeah? Kick ass.”

  Johnny nodded. “Maybe we can break in the studio here today.”

  Katie gave Johnny a look. “Uh, no. We have everybody coming over today. Maybe tomorrow.”

  “Shit. That’s right.” He looked over to Kiefer. “Wanna jam tomorrow?”

  Before Kiefer could even answer, Riley said, “I’d love to join you guys.”

  “Sure.”

  Kiefer was nodding, letting them know he was game too. But he said, “The guys didn’t bring anything. No drum kit, and I’m pretty damn sure Mickey didn’t bring his bass either.”

  “He didn’t. But don’t you think I have all that shit here already?”

  “You do?”

  Johnny smirked. “Hell, yeah. Think about it. If I’m here by myself and want to try out a bassline for a riff, the only way I can really do that is if I already have one handy to play.”

  Kiefer nodded. It made sense and he should have known. Johnny was a hell of a musician and he often brought fully composed songs to their work sessions, much like Kiefer imagined Beethoven or Mozart might have done hundreds of years ago, bringing completely composed symphonies for an orchestra to learn and bring to life. He was still thinking about that while spearing some potatoes when Riley said, “We’re probably gonna go see my parents today.”

  Katie said, “Make sure you do it later this afternoon. We’re doing a big barbecue at one, and we have an announcement. Everyone should be here by then.”

  Riley smiled, “Everyone?”

  Johnny said, “Yeah, the whole gang—Mike, Trent, all the guys. Even Norberg.”

  “Nice. Then I guess we’ll have to go see the parents tomorrow.”

  “Or this evening,” Katie offered.

  Riley’s smile was lopsided. “Yeah, well...let’s just say I’m not in a huge hurry to see the fam.” He set down his coffee mug. “Did you ever meet my parents, Katie?”

  “Yeah, a couple of times.”

  “Maybe not enough to know they’re low-dose people.”

  Johnny started laughing. Katie asked, “What do you mean?”

  “They’re the kind of people you take in low doses.”

  She smiled. “Well, my mom and Johnny’s mom are coming for the barbecue. You’re welcome to invite your parents too if you’d like.”

  Riley laughed. “Oh, yeah...uh...no. I think not.”

  They continued talking and laughing throughout the meal, and after some time, Mickey joined them. Heather said, “Where should I put my dirty dishes?” Kiefer wanted to ask if that was all she was going to eat—a half slice of grapefruit and a piece of bacon—but he kept his mouth shut while Heather and Katie chatted.

  “The kitchen’s fine.”

  “I can help you do dishes.”

  “No way. I’ve got my man to help me with that.” Johnny smiled wide, the look on his face looking like there was no other place he’d rather be.

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah, but come back in about ten minutes or so because I want to give you the full-blown house tour.”

  “Oh, yeah.” When Katie walked to the kitchen with a couple more dirty plates, Heather turned back to Kiefer, her voice low. “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

  His curiosity was piqued and he definitely wanted to hear what she had to say. “Sure.”

  She grinned, her dimples prominent in her cheeks. “Want to head outside for a little bit?”

  “I’m game.” The two of them took their coffee cups and juice glasses into the kitchen first, placing them right above the dishwasher where Katie asked. Kiefer caught the look Katie gave her friend—raised eyebrows and sly grin—before the two of them walked out the door that led from the kitchen onto a huge deck butted up against the house.

  They stepped out into the sunlight, and the first thing Kiefer noticed was how pleasant it was on this side of the house. Either it was because it had been an hour since he got out of bed or it was because this was the sunny side of the house, but it was a good ten degrees warmer than the breeze that had been blowing in his window earlier that morning. He drew in a deep breath through his nostrils, relishing the smell of the surrounding forest. No matter what Heather had to say, he was going to relish being here with her right now. Tomorrow, next week, an hour from now might not be anything he could predict, but for now, he was able to be with her, enjoy her, talk with her...this woman, the woman who had become his best friend, whether she knew it or not.

  “It’s nice out here.” Pretty lame for how wonderful it truly was.

  “Yeah, amazing.”

  They walked off the deck not heading anywhere particular and Kiefer said, “So what did you want to talk about?”

  “Hmm. I’m not even sure where to start.”

  “No pressure.” Kiefer looked up toward the mountain across the road. It was covered in evergreen trees and the sky above was a light blue, clean and clear. He could see why Johnny wanted to live here. Regular worries were gone, far and away, and it was like regular shit just didn’t matter.

  Heather stopped walking, so Kiefer slowed and turned to face her. “Um...I have a proposal for you.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” She drew in a deep breath and looked in his eyes, but he could tell it was hard for her. “I, uh...I don’t want or need a relationship. But I’m so glad you’re my friend.”

  Kiefer smiled. “Ditto.”

  “So...just so we can get it out of our systems...why don’t we, uh, explore our attraction, but...when we leave here, things go back to the way they were.” Kiefer drew in a long, slow breath. Was she saying what he thought she was? “That sound okay?”

  Honestly, no, it sounded like a copout. He thought some of telling her that, but he wanted her. He wanted her to continue to be a part of his life and he also wanted to step it up a notch after what they had experienced last night. This might be his only chance to convince her that a more intense relationship could be a good thing. So he nodded. “Yeah.” On impulse, he took her hand in his. He wanted to start now.

  Heather had other ideas, though. “Not here.” Kiefer couldn’t help the look of confusion that he knew appeared on his face. She let go of his hand but got a little closer, almost as though she were afraid someone would be able to hear her. “If we’re going to go back to the way things were after this week, then I don’t want to give anybody here any bright ideas, and I don’t want to answer any questions or deal with any looks.”

  He nodded, saying nothing. He could live with that. And that also gave him several days to see what he could do to change her mind.

  Chapter Seven

  HEATHER COULDN’T BELIEVE she’d actually suggested a friends-with-benefits relationship for the few days they were going to be together at Katie and Johnny’s. She couldn’t help it. Kiefer was irresistible and what made it worse was she knew what a sweetheart he was down to the core. Now that she’d scratched that itch once...and it would be okay, as long as they went back to the way things were when they went back to their respective lives.

  He really was gorgeous. She knew him on the inside—sweet, thoughtful, and kind—but in person, holy shit. He was one of the hottest guys she’d seen in recent memory, and even though they’d engaged in hot and sweaty sex (thus, fucking with low expectations), he’d been pretty damn good for having had a few drinks and not knowing a thing about her (well, not realizing he knew something about her).

  At first, he’d seemed a little shocked, but he rolled with the punches and appeared to be okay with her proposition. They’d started walking back toward the house when he asked, “So, uh…when do we meet, or…?”

  She pursed her lips, trying to contain a smile. Finally, she said, “I’ll find you later. So
und okay?”

  Kiefer still looked shell shocked but nodded his head as they walked inside the house. She smiled at him before walking toward the kitchen to find Katie. Her old friend was scrubbing a skillet when Heather walked in. “Need any help?”

  “Nope. Just finishing up.”

  “I thought your man was going to help you clean up.”

  “He did, but when Sage showed up wanting some food, Johnny set him up and then he and Mickey went off to do something. Don’t ask what. I have no idea.” Katie pulled the plug and rinsed out the sink. “You ready for the grand tour?”

  Heather grinned. “I can’t believe there’s more to show.”

  “Are you kidding? I barely scratched the surface yesterday. You have no idea.”

  “Geez. Then show me. I can’t wait.”

  Before leaving the kitchen, Katie wrapped her arms around Heather, embracing her in a hug. “I’m so glad you made it here.”

  “It’s been a while. I feel like I’ve neglected our friendship.”

  Katie started walking out of the kitchen while Heather followed. “Are you kidding? It’s me who’s neglected our friendship. It’s just since Johnny…” Katie smiled and shrugged, turning into the hallway where Heather’s bedroom was and, she assumed, rooms of their other guests.

  “Like that’s surprising? That’s natural.”

  “Yeah, but I feel like—no, I know I’ve missed a lot with you. I’m hoping we can catch up some while you’re here.”

  Heather wasn’t sure what to say to that. Yes, she hoped they could catch up, but she didn’t know that it would be possible with all the people who were staying there. Many of them seemed to need Katie’s attention lots more than Heather did. She smiled, though, and continued following Katie down the hall.

  They turned and passed Heather’s room, and soon they were in new territory. The hall ended—rather, it changed. There was a door at the end of the corridor, but the hallway itself split, so that they could go to either the left or the right. Katie looked at Heather and grinned. “You’re gonna love this,” she said, turning the knob and opening the solid wooden door.