“Sure sounds good,” Drew replies ignoring Kip’s second question. Turning back to me, he breathes out, “This isn’t over, Kennie.” He winks and sits back to take another pull of his beer. Instead of using his words, he uses his hands to communicate the seriousness of his statement. His index finger lightly nudges me to uncross my legs; I look at him curiously and cock my head to the side. He nods his head slightly to confirm what he’s silently asking me to do. I uncross them as he starts rubbing small circles starting from my knee and slowly inching his way up my thigh. I feel my body heat rising, and wonder if it’s getting warmer in here, or, if it’s just me.
I glance back at Drew as he takes another swig of his beer to stifle a smile. Higher and higher he moves inch by tiny inch to which my response becomes a low and barely audible moan. He looks at me in mock surprise. I feel the heat creep up into my cheeks. To hide my embarrassment, I take a quick drink from my beer, but silently beg for more. Just a little bit higher…
“Mackenzie, mom and dad are doing a big dinner tomorrow night welcoming back Drew and Jax. You’re in, right? Six o’clock?” Is he serious? Twice with the cock blocking? Impeccable timing he has. “By the way, Cass and Ade; mom says to invite you as well.”
“Will one of your play toys be there as well, Kip?” Ade asks innocently.
He snorts, “Wouldn’t you like to know? Keeping tabs, are you?”
She clutches her hands together at her chest in fake shock emphasizing her cleavage. “Oh no, playboy, I would never.” She stops and taps at her temple as if in thought. “Come to think of it, there haven’t been any lately, have there? Not keeping them satisfied at your age, old man?”
“Ade!” Cass giggles. “Being thirty years old hardly qualifies Kip as an ‘old man’. You two should just hook up and get it over with already,” she finishes nonchalantly.
Now Ade snorts, “He wishes.”
“In her dreams,” Kip retorts at the same exact time.
Jax sits back, folding his arms across his chest. “So is it every time those two are around each other?”
I look at Jax. “Every time what?” I ask.
“Oh you know,” he points between the two of them, “the obvious fact that they’re into each other.”
Huh? At the same moment, Kip spits up some of his beer, and I swear Ade blushes.
Simultaneously, Drew stops rubbing and uses the distraction to grab a hold of my hand, interlace our fingers and place kisses on each one of my knuckles, slowly and softly. I look at him in stunned surprise.
“I told you it wasn’t over.” He gives me a lopsided grin. “If this is the kiss I need to settle for, then I will…for now.” He leans towards me again and his lips brush my ear. “And if you liked the massage that much Sweetheart, there’s plenty more where it came from. All you have to do is ask.”
He sits back and stretches his arms above his head sneaking a glance at me. I look at him in wonderment and give him the biggest smile I can manage. For the first time in a long time, it’s a real one.
I YAWN, AND look over at the clock; six o’clock in the morning. Really? I couldn’t sleep-in just once. I know this is my normal wake up time, but I went out last night for crying out loud. I curse my body for not letting me sleep-in just one god forsaken time.
After my internal rant, I plop back down on my pillow and just smile to myself. Although it’s early, I can’t stop thinking about last night, and Drew—our flirting; me and the flirting. I know alcohol had helped a lot to ease my nerves, but damn did it feel good. Even if just for last night, it felt good to be wanted. However, there’s still the nagging self-doubt I have lingering at the fore front of my mind. I know I could just be getting my hopes up for nothing, but allowing me five minutes of happiness is new, and I’ll take it in as little a dose as it comes if need be.
I stretch, still lying down, and move to get off of my bed. I’m not sure Jax will be showing up by my door this morning since we got home so late.
I start my morning routine and get ready to get a jog in. Tonight is the family and friend dinner at my parents’ house. Since alcohol isn’t really big with them, I will be showing up with all of my inhibitions intact. That makes me extremely nervous. What if last night was just a whim? What if he was being flirty just for the sake of being flirty? I would never openly ask Drew if he’s into me. Hell, I’m barely into myself ninety percent of the time.
Yes, a jog is exactly what I need right now.
I shake my head and try to have a morning without so many negatives coming back at me for every positive. I hear my doorbell ring. Odd, because it’s six thirty on a Sunday morning, I make my way to the front door, grabbing my keys and iPod, look through the peephole and see a freshly awake Jax. I guess I was wrong.
I take a deep breath and open the door. “Morning, you look…awake,” I tell him as I turn around to lock my door.
He chuckles, “Morning, you look…asleep.”
I playfully push his shoulder as we continue to walk downstairs. Jax is whistling a tune.
“Are you always this chipper on the mornings you get so little sleep?” I wonder a little annoyed. It’s early, and I may be slightly hung-over.
“Yeah, I guess I’m usually in a good mood upon waking,” he smiles. “I’m alive and good looking, what’s not to be happy about?” He winks at me.
“Ha-ha, very funny, Jax.”
We walk past the security guard, wave and head outside.
“What’s up with that anyway? Why don’t you drink?” I immediately regret asking the question because his face clouds over as we start our run. It clears immediately.
He cocks his head towards me. “How about I’ll tell you my secret if you tell me yours?”
Utterly confused, I say, “I’m not sure I follow, Jax.”
“Now, now don’t play coy with me woman, you know what I’m talking about.” We pick up our pace a little. “Why is the ground so interesting to you in a conversation? Why is your conversation so forced with others, but with me you seem different, more…free, I guess?”
He would be the one person to call me out and not feel uncomfortable about it. But, I’m not answering any of those questions. I try to steady my breathing with each foot that hits the pavement.
“There’s no secret—I’m just a shy person.” That should hold him.
“I call bullshit.” Okay, then again, maybe not. “You don’t have to tell me you know? I just figured if this is going to be a regular thing for us, why not get to know each other again. It’s been awhile. I already got to know simple stuff, so I figure let’s move onto something more real.”
Although he’s right, we can stick to the what’s-your-favorite-color, line of questioning. Speaking of colors… “How many tattoos do you have?”
Thankfully, my change of subject is accepted. “Smooth transition.” He pins me with a look, “I have the two full sleeves, the knuckles on my right hand, and one on my right side, close to my hip—it goes up and covers my back.” He takes a breath as we slow our pace again. “So I guess technically four, but the ones on my arms are a few to make one on each.”
Holy shit. I normally wouldn’t be into such a number of tattoos but for whatever reason, he wears them well. “Any particular reason for such detailed and immaculate tattoos?”
“Yeah, I have a couple of reasons. What about you? Do you have any?”
“No, I don’t. I haven’t found anything I’ve wanted on my body forever.” We round the corner street marking our halfway point. I look down at his right arm. There’s lots of vibrant colors, but can’t make out what it is. “What’s that of?”
He looks at his right arm. “Oh, that one I decided to go for a more Sleepy Hollow vibe. It’s a hollow tree with dead branches wrapped all up and down my arm.” I hadn’t noticed the darkness to it originally. “And the different flowers and colors are coming through the dead trees representing life…a new beginning if you will.”
How profound. It’s such a beautiful meaning.
I ponder on the description and reasoning the whole run back. I’ve taken into account that Jax seems to be done talking for now as well. There’s a comfortable ease that sits between us as we continue to pound on the pavement all the way home.
DINNER IS AT six, and as the hours tick by, my nerves become more rattled. Tillson get-togethers are usually the dress-up kind. I’m quite certain tonight is no exception; what with the welcome back dinner for Jax and Drew. I have about an hour left before I need to leave my house. Standing there looking up and down, side to side, and back and forth at the clothes in my closet, I still can’t seem to find something to wear. I had an inkling that doing my hair and makeup first would play in my favor. Tick tock, tick tock. I feel every minute passing by. Why is it so damn hard to find something to wear? I sigh and finally decide on a beige V-neck sweater dress, and black peep toe pumps. It’s simple, and I’m running out of time. I need to be out of my house by five thirty if I want to be a little early getting there.
I check myself out one last time in the mirror, primp my hair, grab my clutch, and head for the door. Upon opening the door, standing there are the Dean Brothers. Drew has his hand up in a closed fist as if he’s about to knock. My breath is caught in my throat, which seems to be the unfortunate embarrassing reaction to Drew—every time.
“Um, hey guys, what are you doing here?” I try and recover quickly. They both clean up nicely; Drew’s wearing black dress slacks, and a dark grey fitted sweater; Jax is wearing dark grey slacks, and a black fitted sweater. It’s adorable really—same clothing, opposite colors.
“Hey Kennie,” Drew eyes me up and down causing me to avert my gaze downward. I hear a stifled laugh and remember Jax calling me out about this very thing earlier this morning on our run. “Kip called and told us to just catch a ride with you, I mean, if that’s alright?”
I’m not sure if I should smack Kip or kiss him. I know this ride could definitely end up being uncomfortable. My own insecurities will see to that.
I look up into Drew’s eyes, and completely melt. Really, how does he have that effect on me? There are plenty of great looking men in the world, so why do I think I stand a chance with this one? “Yes, of course that’s fine.”
“Mackenzie doll,” I turn towards Jax, you look much more awake than you did this morning.” He thinks he’s so funny. I roll my eyes at him and catch Drew’s confused look.
“This morning?” He clears his throat.
“Yeah bro, Mackenzie and I run in the mornings. Your lazy ass is still asleep by the time I get back; every single day as a matter of fact.”
“Is that right?” He cocks an eyebrow at me. My cheeks flame. It’s so embarrassing. I’m a grown woman. Even if my self perception is skewered, I can at least act like a grown up.
“Yeah that’s right,” I answer sheepishly. “I go every morning, and your brother here so kindly offered to keep me company. I believe indefinitely.” I turn around to lock my door so we can leave.
“Interesting, maybe I’ll join you two tomorrow.” Do I sense a bit of jealousy? “What time is you leave again?”
Jax snorts, “At six thirty.”
Drew clears his throat, “Yeah okay sure. Six thirty’s perfect.”
SIX THIRTY IS so far from fucking perfect, I want to punch myself for volunteering to go for a run. What the fuck was that about anyway? Why am I getting jealous of Kennie and my little brother hanging out? I know he’s not interested in her that way. The fact of the matter is, she treats him like a brother. I know I have nothing to worry about. And then there was last night. Shit, last night. The playful side of Kennie is so sexy. I know the alcohol took a part in it, but damn, the way she looked at me…I shift discreetly so I can adjust the strain in my slacks.
“We’re here,” she beams. The ride over was a little quieter than I thought it would be, given Jax’s regular smart ass commentary most of the time. We’ve made it to her parents’ house, and this house is a far cry from what they used to live in when I was a teenager. It’s a huge colonial style home that doesn’t look like it belongs in Florida—at all. It’s a beautiful home though.
“Damn Mackenzie, your car rides smooth. I might have to look into one of these for myself.” I try to picture Jax driving an Audi. Yeah okay, I don’t see it.
She smiles at him in her rear-view mirror. “Thanks Jax. It was a birthday gift from my parents.”
We exit the car and head up to their front door. Kennie walks in with us in tow.
“Mom? Dad? Kip?” She calls out. “I’m here with the boys!”
“Mackenzie dear, we’re in the kitchen,” her mother calls back.
Upon walking through just the front door, I see two staircases leading up. As I’m walking behind Kennie—not checking out her ass…well maybe just a little—the sound from her heels clicks against the dark hardwood floors.
Jax, Kennie, and I walk into the kitchen and see her mother carrying a tray of vegetables to an immaculate table in front of a huge window. The kitchen is all stainless steel with, what looks like, the best of everything a kitchen has to offer.
“Hey mom and dad how are you?” Kennie walks over to plant a kiss on her father’s cheek.
“Hey honey, good and you?” He pulls her into a hug.
“I’m good,” she smiles.
“Hey boys! How the hell are you? You know, since I haven’t seen you in a couple of days,” he jokes, walking over to shake my, and then Jax’s, hand.
“Elijah! Language.”
“Sorry darling.” He looks at us and smirks.
It’s good to see Mr. and Mrs. Tillson haven’t changed. “Mr. Tillson,” I shake his hand. “Mrs. Tillson.” She pulls me into a hug first, then Jax. “It’s good to see you again.” I smile warmly at them both as we stand around the kitchen bar.
“Mr. and Mrs. T., it’s been awhile,” Jax, always the comfortable, friendly one says, hugging Mrs. Tillson back.
“Oh please, call us Elijah and Jamie,” she responds. “How have you boys been all these years?”
“We’ve been good Jamie, how about you and Elijah?” I comply with her request.
“We’ve been very well. We’re so pleased you could come tonight.”
She pats my hand and continues moving more food from the kitchen bar to the table.
“Hey guys, I see my sister’s driving didn’t kill you.” Kip comes walking in, chuckling, while Kennie sticks her tongue out at him. When her father’s back turns, she flips him off. Now that’s the Kennie I remember.
“No Kip, we’re safe.”
“Hello!” I hear a sing song voice come from the foyer of the house.
“Adriana and Cassandra,” Jamie responds, “It’s good to see you both. I’m so glad you could make it.” I wonder if these girls have some secret ESP type thing. I swear, I can’t tell the difference in the style of dresses they're wearing. They all look the same to me, just each with different colors.
“Thank you for inviting us, Jamie.” Cass replies.
“Yes, thank you.” Ade adds giving Jamie a hug.
“Hello ladies.” Jax walks up to the girls just as Kennie finishes giving them hugs.
“Hey Jax, hey Drew,” Cass calls to me.
“Hey Cass.” I nod my head. “Hey Ade. It’s good to see you both again.”
Ade smiles at me then lands a fleeting look at Kip. “Kip? This can’t be.” She mock gasps. “Going stag? And to a Tillson dinner party no less?” Her grim expression almost has me laughing out loud. It’s pretty humorous actually. Mostly because she gets to him, and it’s so obvious.
“Here we go again with the interest in my love life?” Coolly, he adds, “If you want to be another notch on my bedpost, just say the word.” He leans into to her and winks.
“Kip Tillson! You do not speak like that to a lady.”
He turns a shade of red. “Sorry mom.”
“Don’t apologize to me, apologize to Adriana,” she finishes, grabbing the last tray off of the kitchen bar. Ade snickers when he
mumbles his apology.
“Alright, enough chatter. I’m sure you boys are hungry,” Elijah interjects. “Let’s eat.”
“Dinner looks great, Jamie,” I compliment her on a job well done. The table is full with an assortment of foods ranging from turkey to salmon, wild rice to salad, a variety of different vegetables and rolls, and dessert which seems to be at least two different kinds of cake. This woman takes her dinner parties seriously.
“Why, thank you dear,” she tells me.
I take advantage of Ade and Kip’s banter, snagging a seat next to Kennie. Now that I think about it, she seems to be acting much more distant than she was last night. I can see she is back to the introverted Kennie. This version of her makes me sad; I decide to amp it up a little to get her to loosen up a bit. I take my hand and rest it on her knee—it’s so smooth. I hear her breath hitch. She sneaks a glance at me. I grin at her, and see her eyes light up a little bit before fading back to the lifeless blue I’ve seen more than I care to in the short time I’ve been back.
With dinner progressing enjoyably, the conversation flows freely. Jamie asks us about our parents, how they are, how we like working for dad’s company, the merger. Banter between Kip and Ade continue—although it’s less vulgar than normal. I notice Jax sneaking glances at Cass, while she looks to be studying him. After his less than charming first impression on her, I can see his interest has definitely piqued. However, I have a feeling she still thinks he’s a total douche bag.
Any available moment I have is dedicated to figuring out something about the woman Kennie is now. I see her blush more often than not and find so much appeal in it. I lean over and whisper, “How about we continue what we started last night?”
She turns her head dropping her mouth open slightly. “Are you kidding? We are at my parent’s house,” she whispers back frantically.
“I know that. Therein lies the thrill.” I’m only joking. I would never disrespect her parents like that. Her reaction is priceless, though.
Ending a Broken Journey Page 7