Sing Like Nobody's Listening

by S. J. McCoy

  “That's great!” Chase didn't feel as thrilled as he wanted to. “Is it all early morning work?”

  Kenzie nodded. “Yeah, like I said, I'm not sure I'm cut out for it. It's a job though. Apparently he's fully staffed at the moment, but one girl gave her notice at the bakery this morning, so he came straight over to ask if I want the job.”

  Chase nodded. He was a night owl, which was a good thing considering what he did for a living. It struck him that Kenzie was a night owl, too. If she was going to be working early morning shifts, how much would they be able to see each other? He was getting ahead of himself though. At least she was staying, she was prepared to take a job here. That was better than he'd dared hope. He was grateful to Ben for offering her something, even if it wasn't ideal. “Ben's a good guy. I'm glad he thought of you. Are you going to live here? It looks like you've got quite an admirer in your little nephew.”

  The way she smiled, he knew something about her had changed. It was such a sweet smile. “He’s a great little guy. I don't normally like kids that much, but Ethan's a little character.”

  Chase laughed. “He's certainly that. So has he talked you into living here with them?”

  She shook her head vigorously. “No! He tried, but no way could I stay here for much longer. I need my own space and they need theirs. As soon as I have the money I'm going to try to rent a place.” She met his gaze. “You've already seen that I don't need anything fancy.”

  Chase put an arm around her shoulders. It meant a lot to him that she would say anything about that horrible motel where she'd been living. He knew she was ashamed of it—who wouldn't be? “From what I hear, you can get nice little places quite cheaply over the winter here. “I've been looking myself.”

  “You have? But I thought you....”

  Michael stuck his head out of the doors. “Come on in, guys. We're ready.”

  Ethan came running out and tugged Kenzie's hand. “You're sitting next to me, Auntie Kenzie.”

  Chase grinned to himself as he followed them in. He could tell he was going to have to win the kid over if he wanted to stand a chance with Kenzie.

  ~ ~ ~

  Kenzie took her seat at the table and smiled across at Chase. He was even more gorgeous than she remembered. She'd spent this last couple of days fighting with herself over whether she should call him. She'd wanted to see him, but it wasn't exactly her style to chase a guy after she'd slept with him. Besides, he'd said if she didn't call him, he'd call her. He hadn't though. It was Megan who had kept her word. She had called to invite him to Sunday lunch. Now here he was. And he told Ethan that he was her boyfriend! She should have been mad at him for it. Instead, she loved the idea—what was up with that?

  “Did Kenzie tell you about her new job?” Michael asked Chase when they were all seated.

  Chase smiled at her. “She did. I'm so glad Ben found something.”

  Kenzie pulled a face. “We'll see. Can you imagine me doing early mornings and baking?”

  Megan laughed. “I can't, but it'll be fine. You'll get the hang of it.”

  Kenzie wasn't so sure about that, but she was prepared to at least give it a try. She'd enjoyed these last few days staying here. She'd talked with Michael quite a bit and she had agreed that she would try to make a go of it in Summer Lake. He'd convinced her how much it meant to Megan and Ethan, and he'd also talked to her straight about the kind of life she'd been living in Nashville. How lucky she'd been that what had happened with Hunter hadn't been even worse. She was stubborn, but not stupid. She had to admit that her best chance for a new start was right here. She smiled at her sister. “If I don't get the hang of it, it won't be for lack of trying. I need that job. I need the money so I can find a place to live. I'll stick it out until I find something I'm more suited to.”

  Michael shot a quick look at Megan. “I've been thinking, little one. Maybe once Kenzie is feeling up to it she could have your place. The lease isn't up for months yet and it doesn't look like we're going to find anyone to take it over.”

  Megan shook her head adamantly. “Kenzie wouldn't be able to afford it by herself. She'll probably need a roommate.” She turned and grinned at Chase. “And besides, I think Ben already found someone to take over the lease. Didn't he?”

  Chase looked puzzled for a moment, then realization dawned on his face. “Yours is the little two bedroom on the edge of town?”

  Megan grinned happily. “Yes. So do you want it?”

  Chase looked at Megan then back to Kenzie. “I don't want to steal it out from under you. What are you going to do?”

  Kenzie shrugged. She hadn't even thought about Megan's house. She'd assumed she'd maybe be able to afford a room in town. She didn't expect to be able to rent a whole house. She didn't get a chance to answer.

  “Maybe you could share it?” Megan was grinning at them both. “It would be really cheap if you split it between the two of you. The rent isn't much and the utilities are next to nothing. At least they were for me. What do you think? Isn't it a great idea?”

  Kenzie had to chuckle. Megan looked so pleased with herself and the little plan that she had apparently been cooking up. Michael was smiling at her but said nothing. She looked across the table at Chase, wondering what his thoughts might be.

  He grinned at her and raised his eyebrows. “Maybe we should give it a trial run. We can always give it up if it doesn't work out.”

  She stared back at him. Would this be the craziest thing she'd ever done? Hell no! She'd done a lot of stupid things in her life and this did not feel like one of them. She smiled and nodded slowly. “Why not?” Why not indeed?

  ~ ~ ~

  Chase pulled up outside the little house. Megan had given them the key to come take a look and they'd come straight over. He was still trying to wrap his head around this. They were going to share a place? That wasn't anything he'd considered. He didn't want to back out though. He was more concerned that Kenzie might.

  “What do you say, roomie?” He didn't miss the apprehension in her tone. “Shall we go take a look? It's not much. You might hate it and decide you don't want to do this.”

  Chase's heart was thundering in his chest. What the hell was happening to him? Right now, he would probably agree to take a room in that motel where she'd been living if it meant he got to share with her. He felt as though he was probably riding for a fall, but he'd be damned if he wasn't going to enjoy the ride.

  He climbed out of the truck and came around to open her door. “Let's go see, shall we?” He helped her down and opened the garden gate for her.

  “I told you it's not much,” she said as he opened the door and let her go in ahead of him. He followed her down the narrow hallway and into a small living room. It was modestly furnished, but it had a fireplace and a big bay window looking out on a small but well-kept backyard.

  “It's cute,” he said with a grin. “Use your imagination. It's homey. We could fix up it nicely.”

  She raised her eyebrows at him. “Fix it up?”

  “Yeah. You'll see. We can make it look great.”

  “What's your idea of nice, Chase? Are you planning to install all your gear in the living room and have the place littered with monitors and speakers?”

  He laughed. “No. That's work. I don't need to bring it home. I mean we can make this into a cozy little home.”

  Her eyes were sad. “I've never had one of those.”

  He took her hand and led her through to the kitchen. “Me neither.” He felt a little guilty as he said it. He didn't mean the same thing she did. He'd grown up in a very cozy home, but it wasn't exactly little.

  She looked around the kitchen. “I don't think I'll be using this much.”

  “You don't cook?”

  “As far as I'm concerned the kitchen is for making coffee and storing milk and cereal. I don't know how to make anything else.”

  He laughed. “I can teach you if you’d like.”

  “You coo
k?”

  “I most certainly do. We'll have fun with it.” He'd look forward to putting a little meat back on her bones.

  She made a face. “If you say so.”

  “I do. How about we go look upstairs?”

  He couldn't take his eyes off her ass as he followed her up the stairs. This was the part that could be interesting. He couldn't quite believe that they'd be spending all their nights together. Waking up together, not just having sex and one of them sneaking off before morning.

  It turned out his disbelief was justified. She pushed both bedroom doors open and asked. “Which one do you want?”

  Which one? Did she mean—take one each? Separate rooms?

  His face must have given away what he was thinking. She laughed. “You didn't think we were going to share did you?”

  He felt pretty foolish now. He really was getting ahead of himself. He gave her a sheepish grin. “Sometimes?”

  She smiled. “So you're thinking this is going to be roommates with benefits?”

  He nodded and stepped towards her. “Aren't you?” He closed his arms around her and smiled when she looped hers up around his neck. “I'd like that, but I'll be honest, Chase. I'm scared.”

  He planted a kiss on her lips. “I am too, lover, but I think we already have a few things going for us.”

  “What things?”

  “You already told me you trust me, that's a big one.” He was surprised how much that meant to him when she'd told him that. There was something he wanted to tell her, too. “And in case you don't already know—you've knocked me for a loop. I don't know what we're doing, but I do know I like it.”

  She looked so serious, so scared as she met his gaze.

  He grinned to relieve the tension. “And at least we already know the benefits are the best we've ever had!”

  She laughed. “I can't argue with that one.”

  “So are we going to do this?”

  She nodded slowly. “On one condition.”

  His heart raced again, wondering what it might be. “What?”

  She laughed. “Don't worry, it's nothing major. It's just that I want this bedroom. You can see the lake from here.”

  He relaxed. “Done.” If he cared about the view, it would be what he was hoping to see inside the bedroom. Not from it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kenzie looked at Megan. “I'm really not sure I want to go. Look at me.”

  Megan smiled. “You look fine. You can hardly see the bruises anymore.”

  Kenzie rolled her eyes. “Yes, you can. I still look like somebody's punching bag!”

  “Well, there's a reason for that, isn't there?”

  “Ouch. You really think I need reminding?”

  “Sorry. All that's behind you now. You're here. You're starting a new life and part of that life is having a great group of friends to hang out with. The girls understood why you didn't want to come to lunch last weekend, but there's no excuse not to come tonight.”

  Kenzie sighed. Part of her did want to go. She liked hanging out with Megan's friends. Laura had stopped by a couple of times in the last week. So had Missy. They were fun. They seemed to care that she would be okay. And they hadn't been nosey or judgmental about what had happened to her.

  Megan was smiling. “If you stay in, you'll only spend the evening playing chess with Ethan again.

  “What's wrong with that? I'm getting pretty good at it. He taught me well.”

  “Who are you and what have you done with my sister? I would never have believed that you would rather spend the evening playing chess with a ten-year-old boy than go for a night out with the girls.”

  “He's not just any ten-year-old boy. He's my nephew!” Kenzie stuck her tongue out. “So there!”

  Megan laughed. “Yeah and it seems playing chess isn't the only thing he's taught you. I'm so happy that the two of you get along so well. But come on, the little guy can't have you tonight. I'm pretty sure there’s a big guy who’ll be happy to see you once we get to the Boathouse. I'm surprised you decided to stay another week with us—not that I mind. I just thought you and Chase would want to move into the house right away.”

  “No. It was best to wait until this weekend.” Kenzie had found herself backpedaling again after she and Chase had gone to see the house last Sunday. He'd suggested they stay the night and move their things in the next day. She'd claimed she needed to spend a little more time with Megan and Ethan, even though she was starting to feel that she was about to wear out her welcome. She would have loved to spend the night with Chase. It seemed she couldn't be around him without remembering the one night they had spent together—and wanting more. But she hadn't wanted him to see her body until the bruises were gone. Her face and arms were bad enough. He didn't need to see the rest. He'd been understanding if disappointed, and agreed that they should move in this weekend. Megan was right, the bruises were mostly faded now and Kenzie didn't want to wait any longer.

  “Are you coming or not?”

  Kenzie checked herself in the mirror. “Give me five minutes to see if I can cover them up a bit more.”

  “Okay.”

  Just as the first time she'd been here, Kenzie was surprised how busy the Boathouse was. Between Friday night locals and tourists the place was heaving. They were meeting Megan's friends, at least the girls. The guys all had other things going on by the sounds of it. Kenzie was glad. She liked all of them, but she felt more comfortable not being the odd one out at a table full of couples.

  The band was already playing by the time they walked in. She stopped for a moment and watched Chase sing. He had a great voice. As if he felt her eyes on him he looked straight at her and smiled. He was so freaking hot! And she was going to move in with him tomorrow? No! They were going to move into the same house tomorrow. That was different. Very, very different. She needed to make sure that they didn't blur the lines.

  Megan looked back over her shoulder. “Come on. You can stare at him all you like once we sit down. The girls are over there, right by the stage.”

  Kenzie followed her to where the girls had pulled a couple of high top tables together. Their purses were piled on two empty seats they'd been saving for them.

  “Hey ladies!” Emma hopped down and came to hug them both. “I'm so glad you came.”

  The others smiled at Kenzie as she took one of the empty seats.

  “Hey, Kenz.” Laura grinned and jerked her head up to where Chase was smiling down at them as he sang. “It looks like we'll only get you until the band takes a break. He's still interested, isn't he?”

  “Interested?” Megan laughed. “They're moving in together tomorrow!”

  “You're what? You don't waste any time, do you, sweetie?” Holly's eyes were wide with surprise.

  Kenzie shook her head. “Ignore my little sister. She gets a bit overexcited. We're not moving in together we're just moving into the same house.”

  “Yeah, right!” Missy teased. “Who are you trying to fool? You two couldn't keep your hands off each other last time you were here. You're telling me you're going to be able to share a house and not a bed with that man?”

  Kenzie realized just how ridiculous it sounded. She was trying to fool herself though, not them. She looked at Missy. “That's the plan.”

  Missy wrinkled her nose. “Sorry, but I cry bullshit!”

  Emma laughed. “You seem to do that a lot, Miss.”

  “Yeah, but have you ever known her to be wrong?” asked Holly. “And besides, you know what Summer Lake does to people's plans.”

  Laura caught Kenzie's eye. “Don't worry about them, girlfriend. You do whatever you need to do.”

  Kenzie smiled back at her. “Thanks. I'm just making this up as I go along. I need to focus on making a new start and getting my life together.”

  Holly nodded. “Well, you're certainly in the right place for it. I hear you're starting a new job on Monday, too.”

  “Yeah. I
'm a bit nervous about it. I'm not exactly a morning person or a baker. But I need a job. I'm going to give it my best shot.”

  “Give Em a shout if you need any help on the baking side,” said Missy.

  Kenzie looked at Emma, who nodded proudly. “I like to bake.”

  Laura laughed. “That's a huge understatement. She is the world's best, she'd put the bakery out of business if she decided to sell her cakes and cookies. Luckily for us though, she just makes them for friends.”

  “I'm glad to hear it. I'd kind of like the bakery to stay in business since I need the job.”

  Ben appeared at her side. “Evening ladies. How are you doing, Kenzie? It's good to see you out.”

  She smiled. He was such a nice guy. “Thanks. I'm glad I came.”

  “What can I get you to drink, girls?”

  That surprised Kenzie. “You're waiting tables?”

  He laughed. “No. I just like to take care of my favorite ladies. Plus the bar is slammed tonight so I'm trying to keep things moving. You'd be waiting a while if you tried to get served.”

  “Do you need a hand?”

  He raised an eyebrow at her. “You've worked behind a bar?”

  She laughed. “Err, yeah! Worked behind seven of 'em, managed four.” She grinned around at the others. “Danced on dozens.”

  They all laughed at that. “You'll soon be adding another to the list of ones you've danced on,” said Missy.”

  “And if you feel up to it, you can add to the list of ones you've worked behind right now if you want to,” said Ben.

  Kenzie grinned and slid down from her stool. “I would love to. I feel a hell of a lot more at home behind the bar than I ever will in a bakery.”

  Ben groaned. “Why did nobody tell me?”

  “You offered me a job. I took it. I'm very grateful for it, and besides you said you were fully staffed.”

  She waved to the others as he put an arm around her shoulders and led her over to the bar. “We are fully staffed, just not efficiently staffed.” He hesitated for a moment then steered her away from the bar and towards the office.