We have to fuel up and grab a few drinks and snacks for the road. Kai is acting off. He even wants me to drive, saying something about not getting enough sleep the past few days. He is being so quiet it is freaking me out. He has barely spoken three sentences to me since he signed that contract.
He reclines his seat back and closes his eyes. I turn the radio on low and let him sleep. Maybe he really is just tired. My phone vibrates with a text message. I would never text and drive, but I see it’s from Raven.
Raven: I cheated on Kai : (
Me: That is shitty, but you guys could have easily told me that. I’m driving right now so I will call you later.
I don’t get it. Yes, Raven cheating on Kai is horrible and wrong, but why would they be afraid to tell me that? I would never do that to him though. Did he think that I would?
When I pull off at a rest stop in Virginia to stretch my legs and use the bathroom, Kai finally wakes from his nap. He gets out of the car, yawning and stretching. I toss him his keys without a word and go to the bathroom. I know I shouldn’t feel pissed off, but I do. Does he think I am like Raven? I try to push the negative thoughts from my mind before I go back to the car.
When I come from the bathroom, he is leaning against the side of his car, hands shoved in his pockets, looking mad at the world. But even ready to burn the world down with his dark eyes, Kai is the sexiest guy I have ever seen. I know deep down he is it for me. He sucks all the air from me. He consumes me so completely. I love him so much I feel suffocated by my feelings. I want to confront him about what Raven said, but I don’t want to spend what might be one my last weekends with Kai fighting.
I hate seeing him look this way, and I can see he is back to his moody self. Pushing my shoulders back, I walk over to him, hook my fingers through his belt loops, and plant a kiss on his cheek. He presses his forehead to mine.
“Sorry, Kat. I know I am acting like a dick. I’m just overwhelmed. So much is happening so fast. If I get a recording deal…I need you to promise not to leave me no matter what. I know being away from each other is going to be hard. I know it will be hard for you living in my house without me there.”
“Kai, anything worth having is never easy. We both knew our being together would hurt in the end. I am not saying this is the end either.” His face is stoic, misunderstanding what I am trying to say. “You know I said if this is what being hurt by you feels like then I love pain. I meant what I said, you have my support.”
“I told you, Kat, you have the ability to break my heart. I’m just scared,” he admits hoarsely.
I kiss his lips softly, grazing my teeth across the bottom one, and he finally smiles. His dimples own me. I flick my tongue out and lick the one on his left cheek and he laughs. “Did you really just lick my dimple?”
“Why? Did you like it?” I raise my brow at him suggestively. He shakes his head with a soft laugh.
The band pulls up in the van before I can suggest ways I can keep him smiling at me. The guys want to know if we want to drive straight through to Kentucky, or if we want to get a room.
Kai says a room would be tempting but he wants to get home. His mom has already stopped for the night with Khloe.
Chapter 22
Kai drives us the rest of the way home with Hunter following behind us. When we arrive home, we leave our bags in the car. Kent must be in bed and Kirk is out or working. I start for my room, but Kai takes my hand and leads me to his room. “Tonight, you are sleeping with me in my bed.”
“What about your dad, the rules?” I stop at the top of the stairs.
“He is already going to freak out when he finds out I am possibly dropping out of school to pursue a music career. He will be too pissed about that to care if we fuck in my bed. And before you get offended, I didn’t mean you are just a fuck. Kat, you are everything to me.”
We are both exhausted by the time we get into bed. I actually fall asleep while Kai is kissing me…my body must be dead. That is the only explanation for starting to snore and drool on his chest.
I am not sure how long I have been asleep when Kai is shaking me, telling me, “Kat, baby, wake up.”
Rubbing my eyes, I glance at the clock, feeling disoriented. It’s only three a.m. “What?” I mumble trying to get awake.
“You were having another nightmare. You kicked me and shouted no.” He has concern etched on his face.
“I’m sorry for kicking you, but I have no clue what I was dreaming about. My mind is blank.” I snuggle into him, sleeping without him is going to be so hard next week.
“Promise me that when I’m gone you will call me, no matter what time it is, if you dream bad stuff. And if for some reason, you can’t reach me, or you just miss me…I want you to come get in my bed, and look at the painting hanging up above.”
I look up at the words just breathe hanging over our heads. “I promise, Kai.”
He kisses my forehead and rubs his hand down my arm, which leads to him teasing at my panties with his fingers, and sucking on my earlobe, whispering, “Want you so bad, Kat.” I love it when he says those five words.
“Take what you want, Kai.” I tug on his boxer briefs, eager to give him what he desires.
He is gazing deep in my eyes as he rocks into me. I swear our souls were two lost halves made whole when we finally connected, sharing our first real kiss. “I love you, Kat.”
“I love you, Kai. You are the other half of my soul. So, remember that when you go and get famous on me.”
“Kat, my soul knows that it is only ever truly whole when we are together. Like this right here.” He pushes my knees down on the bed and thrusts hard and deep, banging my head against the headboard. I swear I can feel him in my stomach as he makes love to me.
Our bodies are moving together in perfect harmony as one. I swear this boy will always be a part of me no matter what happens. Kai touches me in places that only a lover could. No one will ever know my body the way he does.
“Roll over, baby,” he tells me.
I am face down with my stomach flat against the bed. I have to turn my head to the side, so I can breathe. Sweet gentle kisses and licks trail down my back slowly. It’s excruciatingly torturous and the most wonderful pleasure in one. When he reaches my rear, he bites my cheeks harshly, and I have to bite my lip to stop the yelp from leaving my throat. His hand comes up under my stomach and he pulls my butt up in the air. “You’re beautiful, Kat.”
Kai takes my ankles and crosses them right before he slides between my cheeks. I give him some assistance finding his way. He is teaching me so many things I never thought of trying. His hand grabs my hair, tugging my head back. His lips crash into mine as he climaxes.
An inaudible sound hisses through his clenched teeth. We collapse, lying side-by-side, sweating and panting unable to breathe.
“Fuck, Kat. The things you do to me. I don’t know if I can get on that plane Monday without you.”
“You can and you will, Kai. You will put your ass on that plane for me.”
“You make me think you are happy to be getting rid of me,” he says with a pout, reminding me of Khloe.
“Kai, I will likely feel like I am about to die when I wake up next week and you aren’t here with me.”
We drift to sleep, promising each other that we will text as often as we can.
~**~
Our Saturday is one hell of a day. I have spent most of the day hiding in my room, texting with Penny while Kai fights with his dad over LA. I told him to wait until his mom came home, but his dad caught us in bed this morning, and Kai brought up his band to deflect Kent’s attention from me. His dad made some weird comment that Kai wasn’t going to put them through this shit again with another girl. Only one name comes to mind—Raven. Now my head is spinning a web of scenarios, wondering the full story of what happened with Raven, Kai and his brother.
Penny: So, let me get this straight. You and Kai Cooper are together together and you are living with him?!
Me: C
orrect. God, I love him so much, Penny. Sometimes I can’t breathe.
Penny: You’ve never liked anyone like ever. OMG, Katie but this is Kai Cooper we are talking about.
Me: You don’t know him like I do. He is so amazing. So, tell me about this car!
Penny: I’m so excited my dad bought me a Mustang can you believe it!? It isn’t brandspankin new but it’s new to me.
Me: I have other news but keep it DL.
Penny: Okay pinky swear
Me: Kai’s band is flying to LA Monday to meet with a record label.
Penny: No way. God, Katie, you have all the fun. Living with your rock star boyfriend. Wait you said band…any cute single members.
Me: Well there is Hunter and Vance. I can try to introduce you soon oh and Jake, but he is kinda in a thing with Raven
Penny: Don’t be stingy, you can’t keep them all to yourself and is that weird being around Kai’s ex all the time?
Me: Sometimes…but Raven is pretty cool once you get to know her
“Secretive but cool,” I mutter to myself.
Me: TTYL I have to go.
Penny: I mean it, Katie! Hook me up. I am not sitting around moping over Aaron he has wasted enough of my time.
The house has grown quiet, and I hear a door slam. Kai comes to my room a few minutes later looking exhausted and sad. “I hate fighting with my dad, but he doesn’t get it. My music is my life.” He flops down on my bed and looks over at my phone with a raised brow as he sees whom I have been chatting with. “Friends again?”
“Yeah, we worked it out.”
“That’s good, Kat. I am surprised you lasted this long without talking to her.”
“Why’s that?”
“Just never seen you two without each other much, always attached at the hip with Beckett. Does that mean he is back too?”
“I don’t know, Kai, but he was one of my best friends.”
“I won’t tell you not to talk to him. He just better not try to swoop in and steal you away from me.”
“Told you, Kai. Wild horses.” He flashes his dimples with a heartbreaking smile. I say heartbreaking because he is so dang beautiful.
“Wanna help me go through my song books so I know what to take on Monday?”
“You got it.”
I am lying on Kai’s bed going through his stack of notebooks with him. It makes me feel good that he trusts me with his most private thoughts. It makes me feel…special.
His mom and Khloe make it home. Khloe comes running up the stairs and jumps up on the bed, giving me a tackle hug.
Kai mocks offense and says, “What about me?”
Khloe jumps from me to Kai and he tickles her as she shrieks, rolling over his notebooks. Kelli comes and fetches Kai. His dad is waiting in the study to talk to him. He takes a deep breath as he walks slowly to the hallway. His hand is resting against the doorframe and he looks back at Khloe and me with that weird expression again.
What are you hiding Kai Cooper?
He smiles at me halfheartedly and goes to face his dad.
“Okay, Khloe-bug…how about you help me put these notebooks away for Kai?”
“No, Khloe go play.” She slides from the bed and takes off to her room. She is so rotten. I start gathering the books and stacking them back next to his desk, only leaving the ones out he needs to pull lyrics from. Kai’s phone is vibrating on his nightstand. I can’t help but look. It’s Raven.
Raven: Kai you can’t avoid it forever. We need to talk about this.
There it is—Complicated—flashing in my face. It’s as if a neon arrow is pointing at the message, begging me to respond, pretending to be Kai, to see what she says, or at least read their messages, and see what I can uncover. I stand here debating for nearly five minutes. I keep hoping someone will interrupt me—to stop me. My finger twitches over the screen.
Deep breath. Stop it Katie, you are getting crazy over this boy.
I put the phone face down. I won’t be one of those girls. I won’t get all nutty like Penny. You won’t see me spray painting shit on the side of anyone’s house.
I throw myself face down into Kai’s pillow and muffle my frustrated scream. Rolling over, I pull the pillow over my face and kick my legs out.
“Are you okay?” My cheeks burn red. Slowly, I lower the pillow and sit up. I see Kirk standing in the doorway, chuckling.
“Yup, I’m good. Perfectly fine. Nothing to see here.”
“Must be hard?”
“What?” Kirk Cooper…what are you getting at?
“Being in the dark?”
“Then shine the light on me,” I mouth off.
One second Kirk is getting ready to say something back to me and the next, he is ripped from the door by Kai.
“Told you to stay away from Katie,” he seethes.
Kirk holds his hands up. “Easy, little brother. I was just talking to her. I live here too ya know.” He looks to me and winks while mouthing the word later. I almost laugh because the way his face scrunches when he does it is so awkward.
“What was he saying to you?” Kai snaps at me, stomping into his room, and slamming the door.
I don’t appreciate the tone he is taking with me. “Nothing really. But that reminds me Kai…Raven told me about her cheating. Why was that so hard for you to tell me? Your girlfriend cheated on you, it’s not like it’s some BIG thing. I mean, I am sure it sucked really badly. But why wouldn’t you have just told me that?”
“Because it’s embarrassing, Kat. Do we have to talk about this right now? My dad is being a real asshole. My parents are fighting. Nothing ever goes as smoothly as I want it to. And now you’re mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you, Kai. I just want you to be able to talk to me about anything. You’re the other half of my soul, remember.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. You have shared things with me that you probably would never tell anyone. I’m a selfish prick. What can I say?”
“Hmm…your pride got in the way, and you want to get me naked and do bad things to me.” I smile as his eyes go wide.
“Killing me, Kat.”
“That’s the plan, Kai.”
Chapter 23
Kai’s dad reluctantly agrees to allow Kai to fly to LA as long as his mom accompanies him, and he doesn’t drop out of school. They are leaving late tomorrow night and driving up to Lexington to make the flight. I volunteer myself to help with Khloe. I will be using Kai’s car to drive her to daycare Monday morning, and I will pick her up after I get out of school and bring her home so we will be doing what we normally do on any other Monday.
Right now, we are having an awkward family dinner. His dad hasn’t said anything more about my being in bed with Kai this morning, and I hope he doesn’t, but he keeps giving me these side glances, like he is thinking of saying something, but isn’t sure what. It is freaking me out.
“Can we all get over the elephant in the room? The silence is killing me.” Kirk suddenly blurts out unexpectedly.
“What would that be?” Their mom asks.
Kent’s face is red. I just want to crawl under the table, afraid that he means me.
Kai squeezes my hand, and I shrink down in my chair. Kirk grins at me and says, “You know Kai and the band getting some sort of deal. We should be celebrating.”
“Have to actually see it on paper,” their dad says with a grunt.
Dinner continues with us all chewing our meal slowly and no one speaking. Khloe is already in bed, or I am sure she would be entertaining us.
After that mess, I don’t escape the night without an awkward sex talk from Kai’s parents.
They call us into the study as we are getting ready to head to Jake’s for a small party. Kai wasn’t too thrilled when I sent Penny a text and invited her, but he will get over it. I am sure Vance and Hunter will appreciate the thought.
I take a seat next to Kai on the small chaise. His dad is sitting on the leather sofa with his mom. “We need to discuss this morning. Yo
u two know the rules and you broke the main one. I won’t tolerate you two disrespecting our wishes. The thing is…we know you are going to have sex. I wish you would have waited, but we are past that now. I hope that you are on birth control, Katie. We don’t need…” Kelli squeezes Kent’s knee. “Well, you two aren’t ready for kids. You haven’t even been dating that long. So just, keep that in mind. And next time, lock the damn door.”
I just want to die right now. So embarrassing.
We are excused and told to be home by one a.m.
We get into Kai’s car and he says, “See that wasn’t too bad was it?”
“I could actually be dead right now. I haven’t decided. You need to check…do I have a pulse?” I hold my wrist out to him.
He rolls his eyes. “You’re being dramatic.”
“Your parents now know we have sex.” my tongue hisses the X.
“Yeah, they do, and they have sex too. It’s a natural thing that couples do, Kat.”
“Are we done talking about your parents and sex?”
“Can we still talk sex and just leave my parents out of it?” He cracks a smile with those dimples that own me.
“You are horrible.” I smack his stomach. He clutches my hand in his and holds it against the top of his thigh.
“You like it.”
“Maybe a little,” I joke.
We make it to Jake’s and Penny is sitting in her car waiting for us.
“You been waiting long?”
“Only about ten minutes. I felt weird going in alone. I don’t know anyone besides you.”
Kai barely acknowledges Penny with a chin lift. Guess I will have to settle for him tolerating her for now. She will grow on him, eventually.
When Penny walks in with Kai and me, Hunter and Vance jump up, nearly tripping one another, rushing over to say hello…
A distasteful look washes over Raven’s face. Oops, I forgot to tell her we are friends again. Maybe I will take a play from her book and say it’s complicated. Vance and Hunter are practically drooling over Penny, and she is loving the attention.
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