“Oh, Mama. No bath.”
Sage rolled her eyes. “Not talking me out of it, big man. Set down Mr. Mittens and let’s go. You can use the bath chalk tonight, if you want.”
“What?” Sam yelled. He pushed Mr. Mittens off his lap and jumped off the couch. “Out of the way, Molly. I’ve got some wall coloring to do.”
I managed to brush Sam on the head as he sprinted by. “It was good seeing you too, buddy,” I laughed.
Sage pulled the door shut behind us, and we headed down the stairs. “I forbid the use of the bath chalk after he thought he could use it on the couch and the TV.”
I cringed. “Shit, I bet that didn’t end very well.”
Sage laughed. “It thankfully wiped off, but I can still see squiggles on the TV when the light hits it just right. Some days, I wish he would have been born a girl, but then I remember I don’t have to deal with mood swings, tampons, and PMS. I’ll take coloring on the walls over that any day.”
Sam was standing next to Sage’s car, jumping up and down. “Come on, Mama! I’ve got a bath to take.”
Sage sighed and gave me a quick hug. “Stop worrying, you look gorgeous, and make sure to give me all of the details tomorrow.”
I waved her off and slid into my car. Lord knew if there were going to be any details. I had no idea what was about to happen.
When Kellan had disappeared after I had helped Gavin, I was clueless. Here I thought we were getting somewhere, and then poof, gone.
I mindlessly drove to the cafe, not even remembering the ride there. Kennedy, the owner of Zen Spa and Relaxation, was waiting at the door when I pulled up. Kennedy came in every Tuesday and Thursday and got her usual order of a skinny vanilla latte, and an iced green tea to go.
“Hey, Kennedy,” I said with a smile. “Sorry, I’m running a little behind.” I unlocked the door and held it open for her.
“No problem. I had a late class and just headed over when it was over.”
I flipped on the lights and moved to the bakery case to grab the tray of cookies Sage had put together earlier. “How are things going over at Zen?”
Kennedy sat down at the table closest to the front counter and leaned back. “Pretty good. Definitely, can’t complain.” She played with a dark red lock of hair and twirled it around her finger. “My parents still come by weekly to see if I’m failing yet.”
I rolled my eyes and set the cookies down in front of her. “You would think after three years, they would figure out that you aren’t going to fail.” Kennedy was only twenty-five, looked like she was eighteen, and ran the most successful yoga studio in a hundred-mile radius. Her parents still treated her like she was ten even though she was more successful than most twenty-five-year-olds.
She was tall, lean, and drop dead gorgeous. I was envious of her clear, porcelain skin, dark cherry red hair, and legs that went on for days. The fact that she was so friendly on top of being a natural beauty intimidated most people, me included when I had first met her. “I’m sure one day they won’t keep looking over my shoulder.” She giggled and grabbed a cookie off the plate. “Maybe when I’m forty.”
I grabbed a cookie and clinked it against hers. “Here's to hoping,” I agreed.
“Oh, thank God there are cookies.” Karl, the owner of the laundromat, walked through the door and grabbed two cookies, one for each hand. He plopped down next to Kennedy and leaned his head against her shoulder. “Who thought owning a laundromat would be so stressful.”
“Bad day?” Kennedy asked.
Karl grumbled and ripped off a huge chunk of a cookie and shoved it in his mouth. “Bad doesn’t even begin to describe it,” he mumbled around the cookie. “When are the hotties showing up? They are the only thing that is going to make this day better.”
“Anytime. We’re just waiting for Gus, Mel, and the Powerhouse guys,” I replied. I wiped my hands on my pants and wished I could be anywhere but here.
“Honey, I will take a piece of the silver fox, and break off a bit of the young one for later,” Karl said, fanning himself. “I swear, when they all walked into the laundromat, I was going to fall over, and pray that one of them would give me mouth to mouth.”
Kennedy bumped him with her shoulder and giggled. “You’re shameless, Karl.”
“Sweetheart, when you get to be fifty, there ain’t nothing left to be ashamed of.”
“Are we too late?” Bess and the Moaners walked through the door and took seats at the table next to Kennedy and Karl.
“I told you we shouldn’t have stopped to get a Whopper. Now we missed the parade of hotties,” Gretchen grumped.
“Nonsense, it’s not even six. We haven’t missed anything, right, Molly?”
“Uh…um…no, you haven’t. The meeting hasn’t started yet. But, I do have to ask why you guys are here?”
Bess shook her finger at me. “We have just as much of a right to be here as these guys do. Damn, we are in here almost every day. I can’t say the same for Karlton here.”
“It’s Karl,” he said, rolling his eyes and turning to look at Bess. “I’m sorry I have a business to run and don’t have time to sit around at Molly’s fabulous coffee shop all day.” Karl winked at me, then went back to glaring at Bess.
“Thanks, Karl,” I mumbled. Karl and Bess were always ripping into each other, and no one knew why. Sage and I joked that Karl had lost some of Bess’ underwear over at the laundromat, and she never forgave him for it.
“Well, we’re staying, and if you don’t like it, you’re going to have to drag us out of here.” Bess leaned back in her chair, and I had to say, she looked intimidating. She must have put on her extra sassy pants tonight.
Karl waved his hand at her and grabbed the plate of cookies. “Whatever, but the cookies are only for people on the committee.”
“Pish,” Bess said, waving her hand at Karl. “We brought our own snacks.” Bess nodded at the members of the Moaners, and they all grabbed their purses, plopping them down on the counter. “You don’t get to be our age and not realize it’s always good to be prepared.”
Kennedy and Karl’s jaws dropped as two-foot-long subs emerged, along with a jar of pickles, three bags of full-sized chips, and a six-pack of soda.
“Sure you ain’t got the whole sub shop in there?” Karl asked.
Bess flipped him the bird and grabbed the jar of pickles. “You all can have some except for Karl. He has the tray of cookies that are going to go straight to his ass.”
Kennedy grabbed Karl’s arm and held him back as he tried to jump at Bess. “Why, you old bitty! Just see if I ever let you in my laundromat again!”
“You know what you can do with those cookies, Karl? Shove them right up you—”
“Okay! That’s enough!” I yelled. World War III was about to start in the café if I didn’t step in. “Both of you, chill out.”
“I don’t even know why she’s here,” Karl mumbled under his breath.
Bess grabbed a pickle out of the jar and waved it at Karl. “For Molly. That’s why, you asshat. She and Kellan are like a damn romance novel come to life. I can’t miss this stuff.”
Karl turned to look at me, and his jaw had hit the floor again. “You and head Kung Fu Hottie are bumping uglies?”
Kennedy reached her fist out to me. “Get it, girl.”
I rolled my eyes and bumped her fist. “We’re not. We’re…shit, I’m not sure what we are.”
“But you’re something, right?” Karl asked.
If you would have asked me earlier today, I would have said yes. Now, I wasn’t so sure.
“Yes, they are,” Bess said matter of factly.
Karl folded his arms over his chest. “I totally would have gone for the silver fox. They know things those young bucks haven’t experienced yet.”
Bess cringed and pursed her lips. “You talking about Frank?”
I snorted and covered my mouth with my hand. I guess to Bess, Dante probably wasn’t a silver fox. “He’s talking about Dante, Bess.�
�
Bess rolled her eyes and ripped a large bite off her pickle. “Honey, if you’re looking for experienced, I’ll send my Joe your way. He can show you a few things you never would have found possible.” She wagged her eyebrows and high-fived Gretchen.
“Preach it,” Gretchen taunted.
Thankfully, Gus and Mel walked in, and the discussion of the talented Joe stopped.
Once everyone sat down, I made a quick pot of coffee, grabbed a few cups and sat next to Kennedy.
“Either these guys are late, or are going to be here at seven o’clock on the dot,” Kennedy mumbled.
I glanced at the clock and saw that it was five to seven. Kellan wouldn’t be late. But, from what I had seen of the other three, I wouldn’t have put it past them. “I’m sure they’ll be here.”
“So, are you still wanting to shut them down?” she asked me quietly.
I shook my head. “No. I never wanted that. I just wanted them to keep it down and be courteous to me.” I cleared my throat and leaned into Kennedy. “I took one of their classes. The grunting makes more sense to me now.”
Kennedy’s eyes bugged out. “You took one of their classes, but I’ve been bugging you for years to come over to Zen and you won’t!”
I laughed and grabbed a coffee cup. “I almost died, Kennedy. Physical activity isn’t my thing. I’m still sore as hell, and I took the class Wednesday.”
She waved her hand at me. “You’re always the sorest on the second day. Tomorrow, you should be on the other end of the pain. Whenever I try out some new poses, I feel it for days.”
Well, that was good to know. Although, I’m sure Kennedy wasn’t in as much pain as I was when she tried something new.
Everyone turned when they heard the door open, and my eyes instantly went to Kellan, who lead the guys into the café. They stayed at the door, spreading out into one line blocking the door, and crossed their arms over their chests. Talk about intimidating.
Kellan looked like he was ready to kill, and the rest followed suit.
“Yes to the hottie lineup,” Karl mumbled. He stood up, his eyes traveling over them. “I’m still going to go with the silver fox.”
Oh, for God’s sake. Could Karl not control himself? I stood up and cleared my throat. “You guys can have a seat, if you want.”
Kellan shook his head. “We’re good. This isn’t going to take long.” His eyes were like stone, not giving anything away. When I had been in his arms, they had told me everything. Desire and need had burned in them. Now, he looked at like I was just another person walking down the street.
Kennedy grabbed my hand and pulled me down next to her. “Hang in there, hon,” she whispered. I nodded my head and swallowed the knot that had formed in my throat.
Kennedy stood up. “I’m the president of the Falls River Business Committee I call this meeting into order. Karl, please sit down.”
Thank God Kennedy oversaw this meeting. I would have been a blubbering fool if it had been me. Karl huffed at Kennedy, but he thankfully sat down.
“We’re here to discuss the matter of Powerhouse being too loud and disturbing Java Spot Café.” Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. “So, we’ll start with Powerhouse explaining their side.”
“Should someone be taking notes?” Mel asked.
“Notes won’t be necessary,” Kellan called. “When I said this won’t take long, I meant it.”
“Oh, um…” Kennedy stuttered. “Does that mean there won’t be a problem anymore?”
Kellan shook his head. “Sunday through Friday, Powerhouse doesn’t open until four pm. Java Spot is open from six in the morning until three pm. On those days, the yelling that Miss Rey hears will stop. What she was hearing was myself and the guys practicing. That won’t happen anymore.”
Kennedy looked down at me. “Does that work for you?”
I shrugged. He was giving me what I wanted, what wouldn’t work for me? “Okay,” I whispered.
Kellan continued. “The only problem we are going to run into is on Saturdays. I have morning classes, and private lessons all afternoon. The afternoon won’t be an issue, but the mornings, I’m not going to be able to quiet down the yelling.”
I raised my hand. Yes, raised my hand.
Karl snickered, and Bess threw a chip at me. “Put your damn hand down, girl.”
I cleared my throat and slowly lowered my arm. “I can deal will Saturdays. I understand not being able to quiet a ton of kids.”
Kellan dropped his hands to his sides and flexed his fists. “Good, we done here?”
Kennedy looked around and nodded. “Ah, well, I guess that’s all we need you guys for. You’re more than welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting, if you want.”
I stood up and raised my hand again. “Can I just say that, um, even during the week, I’m okay with you guys grunting and stuff. I understand it better now.”
Dante laughed. “Still sore for the class on Wednesday, darlin’?”
“Just a smidge,” I replied.
“Don’t worry about the week. We rearranged our schedule. We’re good,” Kellan cut in.
Kennedy cleared her throat, and you could feel the tension hanging in the air. Kellan was steaming, and it looked like he was about to blow.
“Then, we’re all good.” Kellan nodded at Kennedy, turned, and headed out the door.
Dante raised his hand in goodbye. “Glad we were able to figure this out, Molly.” He gave me a small, sad smile, like he knew something I didn’t. They all filed out the door behind Kellan, and the door slammed shut.
Gus stood up and looked at Kennedy and me. “We really got other shit to talk about, or can I get out of here? I left Jill with the kids, and she was about ready to pull her hair out.”
“No, I was just trying to sound important,” Kennedy snickered.
“I’m out too,” Mel said. “I left the baby with my mom.” Mel and Gus left as fast as they showed up, and the group was down to Kennedy, Karl, and the Moaners.
“I didn’t even get to eat my sub,” Gretchen complained as she started tossing food in her purse. “Can’t find a good show these days. Damn kids rushing through a good argument, not letting me sit back and watch.” She grabbed a pickle and shook it at me. “This is why I read. Give me a good Kristen Ashley book, and I’m entertained for hours.” Gretchen and the two other Moaners cleared the table and stormed out the door.
“What was that?” Karl asked, looking at the door. “It’s like I fell down the damn rabbit hole walking into here. I swore those boys were going to put up and fight, they agree with everything and leave. Then,” he said, swinging his arm over to Bess. “I gotta deal with the Moaners and their old leader.”
Bess rolled her eyes and pulled a soda out of her purse. “I think you mean fearless leader.”
Kennedy sat down, and I wandered over to the fridge to see what food I had stashed in there. Not only did we sell cookies and muffins, but also a wide variety of soups and sandwiches.
Karl and Bess argued while I made some sandwiches and tried not to remember how Kellan had just looked through me like I was no one. I slathered mayo onto six slices of bread, piled ham, turkey, cheese, and lettuce on them, and cut them all in half. They were huge and would more than feed the four of us.
“I don’t have any chips, but this should fill the hole,” I mumbled. I plopped down in the chair next to Bess, who had moved to the same table as Kennedy and Karl.
Bess leaned over and grabbed her purse. “No worries, hon. I didn’t let Gretchen take all of the food.” She pulled out a bag of potato chips and ripped it open.
Karl grabbed a handful of chips. “This is the first good thing you’ve done all night, Bess.”
I hopped up and grabbed a stack of plates and a pile of napkins. “Here ya go, Karl,” I muttered.
Once we had our plates piled high, and my mouth was full of yummy turkey and ham, Bess started the twenty questions.
“Kellan sure was looking good tonight, wasn�
�t he, Molly?”
I nodded. Yup, even looking like he was ready to beat the crap out of someone, Kellan still looked hot as sin.
“Definitely wouldn't turn that man away from my bed,” Karl agreed.
“Doesn’t seem to be anyone you’d turn away from your bed,” Bess mumbled.
Here I thought these two had reached some type of truce, but that was short-lived.
Karl tsked, and shook his finger at Bess. “It’s called appreciating the male form. I know you’re a fan of it too.”
Bess rolled her eyes. “Back to Kung Fu Hottie.”
“Hey, that’s what Sage calls him,” I said, giggling.
Bess winked at me. “Who do you think I got it from? Now, you wanna tell us what happened from you and that boy looking at each other like you couldn’t wait to undress each other to him acting like he couldn’t get out of here fast enough?”
I picked at my sandwich and shrugged. “I honestly don’t know.”
“Sage said you two were going at it hot and heavy.”
Karl sat up, his elbows on the table. “Oh, do tell Uncle Karl. I’ve hit a bit of a dry spell, and I’ll take anything I can get. Even a little guy-on-girl action.”
Kennedy’s light giggle floated around us. “I think you might need to join the Moaners for one of their meetings, then.”
“We’re not taking new members,” Bess replied, glaring at Karl.
Karl waved his hand at Bess. “Not interested anyway, honey. All I want to hear about is Kung Fu Hottie, and our girl, Molly.”
I rolled my eyes. “We kissed. A lot.”
Kennedy leaned over and bumped. “Did you like it a lot?”
Bess and Karl snickered. “Why does it suddenly feel like I’m back in high school,” I mumbled.
“Just dish the dirty deeds, sweetheart,” Karl ordered.
I sighed. “He kissed. He kissed me like I’ve never been kissed before. If Sage hadn’t called me to help a customer, I’m pretty sure we would have ended up shutting the door, and taking exactly what we both wanted. I like him, and now it seems that he can’t stand to be around me.”
Bess tapped her chin, then steepled her hands in front of her. “So, now we need to figure out what happened in the time you had seven minutes in heaven in the closet, to him leaving and acting like a typical grumpy man.”
Dropkick My Heart: Powerhouse M.A. Series Page 15