Revealing Kia (The Lost Girl Series, Book 2)

by Phoenix, Airicka

  I smiled before I could stop myself. “Even if I was to tell you that I might have to cut our date short because I have to be up at four for basketball practice?”

  Her eyebrows lifted. “Four in the morning?” She snatched her hand away. “Whoa, that’s just too much crazy for me. I don’t think I can see you anymore.”

  I snorted. “Then I won’t tell you my hockey hours.”

  She laughed. “How many sports are you in?”

  I exhaled. “Too damn many.”

  “You don’t sound too happy about that.”

  I shrugged. “My parents think it’ll help me get into a really good Ivy League university.”

  “Do you at least enjoy playing?”

  “No.” I laughed at how quickly the single word burst from my lips.

  “Then why do you?” she asked, her voice soft.

  “Because my parents expect it. They push hard to strive for achievement and success. They mean well, but sometimes … it’s just too much.” I scrubbed both hands over my face. “I never told anyone that.”

  I felt her hand on my arm. “You shouldn’t play if you don’t like it, even if it’s what your parents want.”

  I dropped my hands. “It’s not that I don’t want to play. I just don’t want to play so many. It’s too much pressure and so tiring. Plus, I have no time for anything else between all my teams and my school work. Vina expects a four point oh average at all times and that’s hard to do when I come home exhausted.”

  “Have you tried talking to your parents about it?” she asked.

  “A few times, but quitting would make me a quitter and…” I trailed off, shaking my head. “I sometimes envy Van for being so carefree. She doesn’t care what our parents think, which is what leads to the majority of the problems at home. But a year ago, she was in a million clubs, dance, jazz, piano and a bunch of others. Then, one day, she just walked out and never looked back. Our parents were furious. I’ve never seen them hit the roof so hard. They badgered and threatened and bribed, but she stuck her ground. I think, as the eldest, they always thought I would be the one to rebel. Then she beat me to it and suddenly they were working me twice as hard, as though punishing me for not being able to stop her.” I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this. I’m sorry. Just forget I—”

  “Hey.” I heard before I felt the u-shaped leather bench beneath me shift. A moment later, her hip and thigh was pressed into mine and she was shouldering me playfully. “I wouldn’t have liked you half as much as I do right now if you were a rebel.”

  I raised my head and peered at her. “Why’s that?”

  She shrugged. “Because you’re plenty dangerous without trying. I don’t think I’d be able to handle you if you were deliberately trying to be bad.”

  It was such a weird thing to say that I burst out laughing. Still beaming, I dropped my brow until it rested against hers and her scent was all I could smell and her eyes were all I could see.

  “And what’s your excuse, hm?”

  “My excuse?” she whispered.

  I reached up and lightly wrapped a strand of hair around my finger. I tugged on it teasingly. “You don’t think you’re dangerous?”

  She blinked in surprise. “Me?” She laughed. “I’m not—”

  “Oh you are, nena. The fact that you don’t know it only makes it worse.” My gaze went to her lips, already parted and beckoning. My gut hurt. My chest ached and I had to grit my teeth to keep from plundering her mouth. I knew there would be nothing stopping me from pushing her down right there and taking her if I did. “You have no idea how hard it is to restrain myself around you, especially when you’re looking at me like you are right now.”

  The tip of a pink tongue slipped out to slip over those haunting lips and I groaned inwardly. “How am I—?”

  “How are you looking?” I forced my attention up to her eyes, big and wide like a doe’s and equally innocent. “Like—”

  “Here we are!” The waitress set down our drinks with an audible clink. The sound was soft, but it had the power to pull me and Kia apart. The waitress never noticed the glower I cast her. “Have you decided what to order?”

  We gave her our order and watched her walk away. But even with her gone, the moment had been shattered and I sat back against the booth. Kia remained next to me, but she could have been a million miles away.

  “I’m sorry,” I said at last, pulling her back from wherever she was lost in her mind.

  She looked at me. “For what?”

  I had no idea for a moment, but the feeling remained. “I promised that I wouldn’t push you.”

  She frowned. “You haven’t pushed me.”

  That was a relief. I didn’t need anything else on my plate to worry about.

  “So is the four am walkup call the only thing bothering you?” she pressed when I remained quiet.

  I lied and nodded. “And a few other things, but nothing to worry about. I’ll handle them.”

  And I would. I’d already decided that I would play Van’s games because Kia was that important and being with her was something I was willing to pay any price for. I just wasn’t sure where this would leave me and my family when it was over.

  “I’m sorry about the other day,” Kia said as I drove her home later that night. “You know when I left the cabin. I wanted to leave you a note, but I wasn’t sure where to put it so you would find it…”

  I spared her a split second glance in the passenger’s seat. “Mom told me when I got back and you were gone. I really need to give you my number so you can at least text me next time.”

  She laughed, the sound holding a pinch of embarrassment. “Yeah, that might be a bit hard to do as I don’t have a cell phone. I know, I must be the only person in the world, but there you have it.”

  I frowned. “Why don’t you?”

  “Well, my mom wanted to get me one last year, but that’s when she and my dad were getting a divorce and money was tight so I refused. After that I never went anywhere or talked to anyone so I never saw the need. But now, I might need to get one.”

  I nodded. “It would be nice talking with you throughout the day.” I made a careful turn on a sleek sheet of ice making the road a rink. “So how’s your mom’s … partner?”

  She laughed. “Joanne is fine. A broken arm and a few bruises, but totally fine.”

  “That’s good. What happened?”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t ask. I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know.”

  “So you never told me what happened at the restaurant today with you and Gary.”

  I heard her groan and nearly smiled.

  “I was stupid,” she mumbled at last. “I heard about the stuff he was saying about Nessie and I just got so angry. Plus he had a date with him, this cute little brunette. She was the same girl from the pictures someone sent Nessie so I was doubly pissed. Next thing I knew I was standing over their table and reminding him to apply the rash cream twice a day before it spreads and he can’t sit again.”

  I was laughing before she even finished. I had to slow the car as I all but doubled over. Thankfully there were no other cars behind me as I fought to regain composure.

  “Baby, that was not stupid. That was brilliant.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah well, it was about to get me killed if you hadn’t been there.”

  I sobered. “I wouldn’t have let that happen.”

  We pulled up to her house and I killed the engine. I gave her a quick smile before pocketing the keys and climbing out into the nippy chill. My boots crunched on snow as I rounded the hood and pulled open her door. I gave her a hand out and led her up the driveway to the two story structure glowing beneath the single light shining from the porch. Our combined footfalls thumped on the steps leading to the door and I turned to her.

  “Thank you for agreeing to dinner,” I said, using the hand I held to draw her to me.

  She smiled that smile I was quickly becoming infatua
ted with. “Thank you for asking me. I had fun.” Her eyes narrowed. “Is that date three now?”

  I made a quiet humming sound. “So it is. I guess that makes it official then.”

  “Official how?” Her breath fanned out around our face.

  I pulled her even closer, meshing our fronts together. “You have to agree to another one.”

  Her eyebrow winged up. “Do I now? And why is that?”

  “Because three is such an odd number. Besides, I know exactly where I’m taking you next.”

  Her hands lifted and rested lightly on my biceps. My own went around her middle and locked at her back.

  “And where’s that?”

  I shook my head, half lost in the soft brown of her eyes. “Can’t tell you. It’s bad luck. You’ll just have to say yes.”

  She chuckled. “Yes, so long as it’s not skiing.”

  I grinned. “I’ll teach you yet. You’ll see I’m a very good teacher of a lot of things.”

  I kissed her, relishing the sweet flavor of her mouth with every slow nudge of my tongue. Her lips parted and she met me, hesitant but eager. Her fingers curled into the sleeves of my jacket and I felt her weight shift as she went up on her toes. I held her to me, drinking more of her.

  The door swung open, bathing us in warm, yellow light. We jerked apart.

  A woman with a riot of curls the same color as Kia’s glanced from me to Kia and back with amused glances that contradicted the tight fold of her arms.

  “Mom,” Kia squeaked, her breathing uneven. “What—”

  Her mom smiled brightly. “Just meeting you at the door.”

  The look of disbelief on Kia’s face assured me this wasn’t a normal occurrence.

  “Are you going to introduce us?”

  Still watching her mom warily, Kia gestured to me. “Mom, this is Adam. Adam, my mom, Carol Valentines.”

  I extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Valentines.”

  “Adam.” She took my hand and gave it a light shake. “It’s nice to finally put a face to the stories.”

  “Mom!” Kia gasped. Her wide eyes shot to me. “There are no stories.”

  Stifling the grin I could feel tugging the corners of my mouth, I turned back to her mom. “I hope good stories.”

  She just smiled that creepy mom smile that said she knew stuff that would make me wish she didn’t. “Why don’t you come inside, Adam?” It was placed as a question, but I knew a demand when I heard one.

  Well, I was dating her daughter, the chat was bound to happen eventually. Might as well get it over with.

  I stomped the snow off my boots. “I’d love to.”

  Chapter XIII

  Kia

  My mom was on drugs. I was fully convinced of it as I followed Adam through the door into the cramped little hallway. I watched her watching Adam as he removed his boots and set them neatly on the mud catcher.

  “Let me take your coat,” she said, offer him her hand.

  Adam, without a fuss, unzipped and removed the heavy fabric. “Thank you,” he said passing it to her.

  She inclined her head as she hooked it up on the pegs. “Why don’t you show Adam into the sitting room, Kia? I’ll get us some drinks.” Her brown eyes rested on Adam. “Beer?”

  Adam chuckled. “Water’s fine.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t drink?”

  Neither do you! I wanted to snap at her. I didn’t even think we even had alcohol in the house.

  Adam’s eyes narrowed and his lips pursed in a sheepish wince. “Yes, but I have to drive.”

  Mom’s eyebrows lifted in a look of surprise. “Honest. I like that. Go ahead. Just down that way.”

  “What are you doing?” I mouthed to her behind Adam’s back as he followed her pointing finger towards the back of the house.

  She shrugged with all the innocence of an angel. “I’m curious.”

  “Oh … hello!” I heard Joanne say as I shuffled down the hall after Adam. “I didn’t know we were expecting company.”

  “I think it was spur of the moment kind of thing,” Adam replied with laughter in his voice. “I’m Adam.”

  “Oh!” There was a high pitch of giddy delight in Joanne’s voice that made me want to face-plant into the wall. “You’re Adam! Wow! It’s so great to finally meet you. You really are a cookie!”

  Kill me.

  Adam chuckled. “It’s nice to meet you as well. You must be Joanne. How’s your arm?”

  “Much better! Please, sit.”

  I was so going to kill someone before the night was over. I could feel it.

  I pivoted on my feet and hurried into the kitchen to find Mom setting a tray with glasses and a pitcher of ice water with lemon slices.

  “Does he like cookies?”

  I stared at her a moment, more certain than ever that she was on drugs. “Who doesn’t like cookies?”

  She shrugged, never glancing up from her task. “There’s a first time for everything.”

  I hurried to the island and pressed my hands into the counter. “Mom, I’m begging you, please don’t embarrass me!”

  She looked up, her eyes wide. “Why would I embarrass you? I just want to get to know the guy who’s trying to get into my daughter’s pants.”

  “Oh my God!” My knees sagged and I face planted into the counter. “I never should have told you. My life is so over.”

  “Come on, Kia. You’re being overdramatic. I just want to talk to him.”

  “Can’t you just kill me instead?”

  She picked up the tray. “Nope. Apparently that’s illegal. Embarrassing you … that I’m free to do.”

  I left the kitchen and shambled my way down the hall towards the sitting room.

  “Isn’t she adorable? I think she still has the ribbon.” I heard Joanne saying as we rounded the counter.

  My photo album was in Adam’s hand. The photo album full of young, sometimes naked Kia.

  “Joanne!”

  She glanced up, her blue eyes blinking. “Yes?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Oh Adam and I were just going over your baby pictures.” Of course, because there was nothing remotely strange about that. “You still have the ribbon for your third grade science project, don’t you?”

  I wanted to die.

  “It wasn’t a science project. I did it for fun. My teacher thought it was cute and gave me a ribbon.” I hesitated. “Yes I still have it.”

  My dorkdum had started young. Thank you for pointing it out, Joanne.

  “Could we stop looking now?” I asked. “There’s really nothing interesting about—”

  “Oh I love this one.” Joanne stabbed a finger at the album open across Adam’s lap. “That tub is not actually a Jacuzzi.”

  Oh. Sweet. Merciful. Heavens.

  “Joanne…” The whine in my tone was barely concealed behind the tight clamp of my teeth.

  Joanne laughed, taking the book and closing it. “Next time then.”

  “I look forward to it,” Adam said, grinning a bit too widely for my liking.

  Book in hand, Joanne rose and shuffled over to the bookshelf built around the TV. She tucked it back into place with the others before making her way to the sofa facing Adam’s and sat.

  Mom walked into the room, tray in hand. Adam leapt to his feet and hurried to take it from her.

  “Thank you, Adam,” Mom said, relinquishing her hold.

  He set it down on the coffee table.

  Mom went to sit with Joanne and I lowered myself a bit stiffly into the seat next to Adam. An awkward silence draped over the room. At least it was awkward for me, but no one else seemed bothered by it.

  “So, Adam,” Mom said. “What do you do?”

  “I’m currently attending Vina Academy and interning at my parent’s dental clinic on the weekends. I also play hockey every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Basketball Wednesdays and Fridays. Swim Mondays and Wednesday mornings. I also teach little league in the summer and c
ouch football Monday afternoons.”

  Mom and Joanne’s eyes were as big as mine felt. I knew he was in a lot of activities, but I hadn’t thought it was that many.

  “Wow, you’re really busy,” Mom said.

  “Yes ma’am,” Adam sighed.

  “So where does Kia fit in with that kind of schedule? Assuming you’re serious about your relationship with my daughter.”

  Adam nodded without hesitation. “I am very serious about Kia.”

  “But how do you plan on seeing her when you’re never free? Plus I’m sure you’ll want to spend time with your friends and family. Can you split your time up to accommodate everyone?”

  He ran his hands down the length of his thighs. “It won’t be easy, but if I’m good at anything, it’s time management and making time for things I value most. I have every intention of making things work between me and Kia.”

  Joanne nodded like it made perfect sense. Mom didn’t look as impressed.

  “I’m glad to hear that. Kia isn’t and will never be a passing amusement for any boy’s pleasure. I won’t allow it. I know she likes you and I like to think my daughter has a good head on her shoulders, but I also know she’s only a teenager. Feelings are often confusing when you’re so young and a handsome boy pays such close attention to you. But I’m not a teenager. I’ve been around the block a time or two and I know my daughter. We tell each other everything because that is the kind of relationship we have. So if I hear that you are mistreating her in any way, and I reserve judgment on what that means, you won’t have to worry about her father. I know exactly where I will bury your body and trust me, no one will ever find it. Do we understand each other, Adam?”

  I had to give Adam props for remaining perfectly blank faced through all that.

  “Perfectly,” he murmured.

  Mom smiled. “Awesome. Cookie?”

  A good twenty minutes later, I walked Adam to the front door and watched in silence as he slipped on his boots and swung on his jacket. He jerked open the door and stepped out onto the porch. He turned to me.

  “I’m really sorry about that,” I murmured. “My mom isn’t usually a total nut. I mean, she is, but…”