“Who were you texting?”
“None of your business,” Kade instantly replies, sending Kev a “drop it” look.
My curiosity is immediately piqued. “Please tell me it wasn’t that Tiffani chick.”
“What if it was?” Kade’s expression is challenging.
“Then your taste is in the toilet, dude.”
His lips curve up at the corner. “That’s not very nice, Kyler. Tiffani happens to be a sweet girl.”
Mom frowns a little. “I’m not denying that, but she doesn’t seem right for you.”
Kade leans back in his seat, stretching his arm out along the back of the booth. His brows kick up. “Since when has my family become experts in who is or isn’t right for me?”
The conversation is momentarily halted when the waiter arrives with breakfast for my brothers.
“Why do you have to be so secretive?” Kev asks, cutting into his bacon with more vigor than necessary.
Kade’s fork clangs to the table as he pins an incredulous look at him. “Three words. Pot. Kettle. Black.” He lifts his fork, jabbing it at Keven as his amused attitude turns sour. “Butt out of stuff that doesn’t concern you.”
“Screw you,” Kev retorts, glaring at him. I sit more upright in my seat. Kev has hinted at issues with Kade previously, but I didn’t realize things were so acrimonious between them, and I can’t help wondering how it got to this point. My older brothers have always been tight, in a way that used to make me feel jealous. Looking at it now, I can’t figure out where things went wrong or why.
“Please don’t argue, boys. I want this trip to be argument free,” Mom beseeches.
I snort. Sorry, can’t help it. “Then you should have gone away with a different family.”
A couple of hours later, once everyone has returned and we are all ready, we set out for another action-packed day full of tourist crap. I seriously don’t know how I get through the day without murdering Kent. He never stops grumbling and moaning the entire time. I get it. Mom is dragging us around places we have zero interest in, but this is important to her, and I don’t mind indulging her. I can’t remember the last time we were all on vacation together, and it could be the last time we get to do this, so I shut my mouth and go with the flow.
We grab a quick dinner in the hotel before heading to Croke Park for the highlight of Dad and Kal’s trip: a U2 gig. Croke Park is one of Dublin’s key sporting and concert venues, according to Faye and the brochures Mom picked up on the way in, and it’s only fitting that the legends of Irish rock are performing here. I don’t share my dad’s and my younger brother’s U2 obsession, but I don’t mind their stuff either. Watching Dad and Kal in matching U2 shirts shoving their way through the enthusiastic crowd to the front of the stage is pure gold. Sometimes, I think my dad forgets he’s turning forty this year. I hang back with Mom, Faye, and Kaden, content to hold my baby in my arms as we sway to the music.
Tuesday is another day of adventure in Dublin, with Mom lugging us all over the city in a rush to pack as much as possible into our last day. That night, after an interesting dinner in a Korean fusion restaurant that offers a buffet-style BBQ, and comes complete with guests belly-dancing on the tables and my brothers competing in a sing-off in one of the karaoke rooms upstairs, Faye and I return to her house for the last time. Tomorrow, we are traveling to Cork, and over the weekend, we are meeting up with Faye’s father, Adam, in Wexford.
After we have packed up our stuff, we retreat to the sitting room with a bottle of wine. We snuggle on the sofa as we watch some detective show on Netflix. “You sad to be leaving?” I ask, threading my fingers through her hair.
“A bit.”
“That’s understandable.”
“I’ve enjoyed spending time here more than I thought I would,” she admits, twisting around so she’s looking into my face.
I tighten my arm around her waist, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’m glad. Have you made any decisions yet about the house?”
She slowly nods. “I don’t want to sell it. Mum loved this house, and I see her touch everywhere I look. If I was still living in Ireland, I don’t know if I could bear to live here and be reminded of my loss every day. But having it as a place to retreat to in the summer and on other holidays actually appeals to me.”
“Me too.” I purse my lips. “Assuming the invitation extends to me?”
She pinches my arm. “Asshole.” I chuckle. “As if I’d ever be going anywhere without you.”
Chapter Eight
Faye
James has hired a chauffeur-driven minibus to take us down the country, and we set off early on Wednesday morning for Cork. Closing the door to my family home is sad but not as traumatic as the last time I pulled the door shut on this aspect of my life. Last year—when James showed up—I had no idea where I was going, what I was getting myself into, or when, or if, I might be back. Things are more settled now, and I know I’ll be returning so my heart isn’t as heavy this time.
Traveling to Cork on a luxury minibus with my rambunctious cousins reminds me of that movie National Lampoon’s Vacation. Mum made me watch it one time, and I found myself roaring with laughter despite the cheesiness. As I surreptitiously scan the bus, watching my cousins arguing and laughing, shoving and pushing one another, a surge of happiness washes over me. Unconsciously, I nestle in closer to Ky’s side, intertwining our hands.
“You okay, babe?” he asks in a sleepy voice.
His seat is reclined and he’s been dozing for the last hour while I’ve been reading. “I’m perfect.” I wrap my arm around his waist. “I love you.” Sometimes, I just feel an overwhelming urge to tell him. It can be at the most random of times, but I don’t ignore the instinct. On countless occasions, I’ve wondered if I told my parents enough that I loved them. If they died knowing how much they meant to me. From now on, I’m not going to shy away from telling the people I love how I feel about them. My thoughts wander to Adam—my bio dad—as they have a lot these last few weeks. I have yet to utter those words to him. Not out of any fear of saying them, more so that it’s taken me some time to decipher my feelings. I also firmly believe that love shouldn’t be flippantly traded. It’s too easy for some people to throw out an “I love you.” When I say it, I mean it, with the totality of what’s in my heart.
“Love you too,” Ky mumbles, curling into me.
“Pass me the puke bucket,” Kent protests from the row across. “I just threw up in my mouth.”
I flip him the bird. “You need some new insults, Kent. It’s starting to get old.”
“I wish your love would. Then we wouldn’t have to suffer so much.”
Keaton elbows him sharply in the ribs. “Don’t be mean, and you know that’s never going to happen.” He winks at me, and I blow him a kiss.
“You’re right, Keats. My love for Ky will never die.” I burst out laughing. “Ha! That even rhymes.” I’m rather proud of my cheesiness.
“Fuck. Someone help me, please.” Kent slams his palm into his forehead. “Or shoot me, or something.”
I snort. “At the rate you’re clocking up enemies, I’m sure that can easily be arranged.”
Kent elbows Keaton in the ribs.
“Ow!” Keaton cries. “What was that for?”
“So, it’s okay for her to speak to me like that?” He pouts, and I can barely contain my laughter. Kent never fails to entertain me.
“What are you, like, five again?” Keaton shakes his head in frustration.
Kent pouts again, pulling his headphones on. “Whatever. I’m bored with this conversation.”
I share a smile with Keaton as I get out of my seat, carefully tiptoeing around Ky so as not to wake him now that he’s dozing again. “Where you going?” he whispers.
“To speak to your dad.”
I move up a few rows, plonking myself down in
the empty seat beside James. He marks the page in his book and closes it, smiling at me. “Hey, sweetheart.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“Do you have a minute?”
He beams at me. “For my favorite niece? Always.”
I mock scowl. “I’m your only niece.”
“You’re still my favorite.”
I shake my head, fighting a smile. “You’re my favorite uncle too.”
He throws back his head and laughs. “I know when I’m beat. What’s up?”
“I wanted to talk to you about the house.”
His expression turns serious. “I’m all ears.”
“I’m going to hold onto it. It doesn’t feel right to sell it.” He nods. “But I’m going to need to find someone, a housekeeper-type person, to keep an eye on it. To make sure it’s clean and that the grass is cut, etcetera, but I don’t have the first idea how to go about finding such a person, and I was wondering if you could help?”
“Of course. Leave that to me and Alex. We’ll deal with it.”
“Thank you. That would be a weight off my mind.”
“No problem. Happy to help.”
We are quiet for a couple of minutes, but it’s not awkward. “Can I ask you something? If it’s too personal, you can tell me to butt out.”
He arches a brow. “Go on.”
I wet my lips, wondering if Ky will be mad that I’m about to cross a line. I know he doesn’t want me to play matchmaker, but I haven’t missed the little looks and touches that James and Alex have been sharing on this trip, and my gut tells me they still have strong feelings for one other. Maybe I’m trapped in a rose-tinted love bubble, because I’m so deliriously in love, or maybe it’s another consequence of my parents passing before their time, but it doesn’t feel right not to say something when two people obviously still care about each other a lot. “You and Alex seem to be getting on really well on the trip, and I know you guys haven’t divorced, and I think you both still care about each other, and I was just wondering if you might be getting back together?” My word vomit comes to an abrupt halt.
His chest heaves, and he looks absently out the window. I chew on the inside of my mouth, wondering if I should take it back. If I’ve inadvertently hurt him. He turns to me, smiling a little as he takes my hands in his. “It’s sweet of you to think of us, and, yes, we are getting on well, but it’s a lot more complicated than that.”
“Oh.” My face drops. “I’m sorry if that was rude. It’s just I know my cousins are secretly hoping you’re going to get back together, and it’s so sad you aren’t with each other anymore.”
He sighs. “I had a feeling they felt like that, but none of them have come outright and admitted it. You know how boys are.” He chuckles. “All I can say is things are good between Alex and I, and for the first time in ages, we can be in each other’s company without hurting one another or constantly arguing. I don’t know if it will ever be more than that but, for now, I’m happy with where we’ve landed and I’ve no desire to change that.”
“Not that it makes any difference or anything, but I’m rooting for you guys.”
James smiles. “Ah, I see. Well, thank you, honey. That’s very sweet of you.”
My cheeks flare up, and I wonder what on earth possessed me to strike up such a conversation. I hop up. “I’m going to check on Ky. Make sure he’s okay,” I mutter, my embarrassment escalating as I hightail it out of there with my uncle grinning at my discomfort.
We arrive in Cork at lunchtime and check into our five-star hotel. The next day and a half passes by in a blur as we visit all the major tourist sights on Alex’s exhaustive list. Early on Friday morning, we hop back on the bus and take the two-hour trip to Kerry, stopping to take pictures of the incredible scenery along the route. Alex drags us to a couple of tourist sights, and we arrive in Killarney as daylight is fading, checking into another plush hotel.
The receptionist recommends an Italian restaurant in the town for dinner, and after we’ve stuffed our faces, we move to a bar a few doors down, somehow managing to find a table in the packed room just as a traditional music session starts up. James taps his knee up and down, happily guzzling his pint of Guinness. Alex hums and sways to the music, smiling like she hasn’t a care in the world. The woman she is today is a world away from that stressed, overwrought businesswoman I first met. I rest my head on Ky’s shoulder as I sip my vodka, watching his parents chat and laugh easily. I know what my uncle said to me earlier in the week, and I can’t decide if he’s in denial or he just didn’t want to admit his feelings to his niece. But there is nothing anyone can say to make me believe those two aren’t falling in love all over again.
“Your parents look happy,” I whisper in Ky’s ear.
“I noticed too.” His smile is optimistic. “This trip was the best idea ever. I don’t know why we didn’t do more of this.”
“Because your mom was always working.”
“True.” He takes a swig from his bottle of beer. “But she could have made time.”
“I’m sure she has plenty of regrets.” I stand up. “I need the bathroom.” Bending down, I peck his lips. “Be back in a sec.”
Maneuvering a path to the ladies requires considerable skill, but I navigate the crammed bar like a pro. The locals are all really friendly, greeting me as if I’m a long-lost friend. Mum would’ve loved it here.
I step out into the corridor leading to the bathrooms, greedily gulping in the cooler air. It’s roasting in the bar, and tendrils of sweat roll down my spine.
Keanu is up ahead, with his back facing me, leaning into the wall outside the gents as he huddles over his phone. “Take deep breaths, Selena. It’s okay. You’ve got this.” My sneakers are soft as I walk toward him. “I know. I know. I’m sorry. But it won’t be too much longer. I’ll be home in a little over a week.” He straightens up as he senses me approaching. His head whips around, and he eyeballs me. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you back later.” I stop, lounging against the opposite wall. “I promise.” He looks down at the floor as he mumbles, “Love you, too.”
Aw, it’s so cute, but I work really hard to keep a straight face knowing Keanu wouldn’t appreciate the sentiment.
He pockets his phone and lifts his head up. “Faye.”
“Hey. I didn’t mean to earwig, but is Selena okay?”
He bites his lower lip as he considers my question. “She’s on her first shoot without me, and she’s a little nervous. She just wanted to hear my voice.”
I’m surprised he admitted that. Keanu is notoriously mute when it comes to his girlfriend. Even his brothers know next to nothing about Selena, and she’s never been over at the house. Not even once, which I find really weird. Ky and I bumped into them last year when we were in Boston that time my friends visited, but that’s the only time I’ve met her, and it was fleeting. “She’s never modeled with anyone else?” The incredulity in my tone is transparent. Not that I’m any expert on the modeling industry, but that seems odd.
“Her only modeling gig was Kennedy Apparel, and she only ever modeled on her own or with me. However, she’s no choice but to be more flexible now that Accardi owns the label, and they are less understanding than Mom was. They had to line up a replacement male model for the shoot today, considering I’m out of the country, and Selena’s a little freaked.”
Worry lines dot his brow, and I can tell he’s genuinely concerned. “Try not to worry. I’m sure she’ll be fine, and there are others on the shoot, right? It’s not like she’ll be alone with the guy?”
His eyes assess me astutely, but I’m not sure why. “No, she won’t. And she’ll be fine. You’re right.” He smiles but it looks forced. “I better get back before Mom sends out a search party,” he jokes, but I’m not buying it. There’s something off about Keanu’s relationship that I can’t put my finger on.
“Sure. I�
�ll see you back there in a bit,” I say, pushing my curiosity aside. Perhaps Ky is right. Other people’s relationships are none of my business, even if they’re family and I care about them. It doesn’t give me the right to stick my nose where it’s clearly not wanted. And from the vibes Keanu’s emitting, I can tell that’s exactly the case.
Chapter Nine
Kyler
I’m watching Faye battle her way back to our table when a loud jolt has me jumping in my seat. “What the actual fuck?” Kade roars. Rage simmers behind his eyes as he glares at Kev.
“Kaden. Watch your language, and keep your voice down!” Mom hisses, her cheeks staining with embarrassment as she quickly looks around.
Kaden ignores her, continuing to glare at Kev as they maintain a silent face off. Veins protrude in Kade’s neck, and he clenches and unclenches his fists at his side. When he speaks, it’s through gritted teeth. “Just because you can invade someone’s privacy doesn’t mean you should do it.”
Oh, fuck. What the hell did Kev do?
Faye slides on to the stool beside me, her gaze bouncing between my brothers. “What’s going on?” she whispers. “What did I miss?”
I lean in, pressing my mouth close to her ear. “I don’t really know, but shit’s about to hit the fan.” Both my older brothers are stubborn as fuck, and from their stiff postures and glacial expressions, I can tell neither of them is ready to step down.
“Sometimes someone doesn’t know what’s best for them and it’s necessary to intervene,” Kev retorts in a carefully controlled voice.
Kade slams his fist down hard, shaking the table and rattling all the glasses. Mom is about to blow a gasket.
“Whatever this is,” Dad hurriedly cuts in, “you can take it outside before you embarrass your mother any further.” A quick look over my shoulder confirms we’re starting to draw unwelcome attention.
The Irish Getaway: A Kennedy Boys Optional Short Novel (The Kennedy Boys) Page 7