“Ah,” the girls say in unison, and I look back at them.
“So is it okay to go up and talk to the band?” Green Eyes asks, tipping on her toes.
I want to say no and keep one more girl from throwing themselves at Kellin, but that’s not who I am. Besides, if it’s not one of these two, I’m sure there will be another one. Like Purple Hair.
I shrug. “Sure, why not?”
The girls look at each other with wide eyes, and if they weren’t in a public place, I swear they would be squealing and jumping up and down hugging one another.
“Thanks again for saving me,” the blonde girl says, tossing me a sugar sweet smile before heading towards Kellin.
I run my hand through my hair until I reach my ponytail, wrenching it out as I watch the girl put her hand on Kellin’s shoulder and lean to whisper in his ear. He laughs, and though I’ve seen it tons of times before, my stomach drops. I squeeze my eyes shut before fighting my way towards the door. I step outside, and the cool summer breeze washes over my face. I stop, pressing the back of my head against the bricks as I look at the night sky. My hands bury in my hair.
What’s wrong with me?
My jaw tightens as I inhale and head to my car. Luckily, I have an hour ride home to try to figure it out.
Chapter 3
“Hey!” Lindy pokes her head into my bedroom, and I let out a sigh.
“Thank God, Lind. I think I’m going crazy. Last night I think I was jealou–” I stop as Kellin’s arm snakes around Lindy’s head and pushes the door open.
“I brought reinforcements!” Lindy says as Kellin leans against the door frame and gives me a broad smile.
“Who you jealous of, Ree?” he asks as he steps into my room and peers into one of the boxes. “And why are all your boxes empty?”
I open and close my eyes as I try to figure out a reasonable answer to either question.
“I don’t know,” I finally mutter.
Lindy narrows her eyes at me, and I shake my head.
Maybe it’s a good thing. I don’t need Lindy to think I’m developing something for her brother…or that I’ve always had something for him. I squeeze my fists together until my nails bit into my palms. I look up at him, and I can’t help the smile that comes to my lips as he wiggles his eyebrows at me. My body warms, but this is the way I’ve always felt about him. It’s easy to be around him; my eyes drift over him. He’s also easy on the eyes. He’s wearing the hooded heather blue Henley I bought him for his birthday. He has the sleeves pushed up, and the buttons are undone, so his tattoos show in all their glory, but he’ll be able to hide them if my parents come home.
Kellin steps forward and pulls me into a hug, tucking his head into my hair. He takes a deep breath, and it washes over my neck as he says, “I missed you, Ree.”
I smile, closing my eyes as I melt into his arms. Whatever this is, it feels right. He pulls away and looks down at me. The way his eyes twinkle reminds me of why I love being around him so much. I feel like me.
I’m not the nerdy girl who doesn’t care how she looks like everyone thinks.
I’m not the girl who always struggles to maintain her 4.0 and hides behind baggy clothes because she’s not exactly sure who she is.
I’m just me, and whoever that is, it’s enough for him.
“So why haven’t you packed anything?” he asks as he looks around my room.
My shoulders rise. “I don’t know what to bring.”
“You can bring everything if you want,” Kellin replies, crossing his arms. “It’s our home indefinitely. We don’t have to come back for breaks unless we want to.”
I love the idea that we’ll be living together indefinitely; what has me procrastinating is college. I’m nervous about it, and even though I’ve vented to Lindy, she just doesn’t get it. She makes friends quickly and has always fit in. She also thinks I’m nuts for worrying about how hard classes are going to be, but that’s because she doesn’t know I have to study for hours while she manages to get perfect grades just by glancing at a textbook. My stomach twists and I wonder how Kellin felt went he first went to college. Even if he didn’t feel like I do right now, he always seems to know what to say. The problem is I’m too scared to admit I’m not as smart as everyone thinks I am. If I’m not the nerdy girl who dresses poorly, then I’m just the girl who wears clothes three sizes too big.
I run my hands through my hair before shrugging. “I just don’t know where to start.”
Kellin gives me a grin, and my skin heats up as our eyes remain locked on each other. The doubt slips away, and I can’t look away or stop the smile that replaces my frown. I finally turn around, grabbing a box as I chastise myself. This is Kellin– Kellin, my best friend’s brother. My good friend for four years. He’s older and sexy as hell.
Damn it! Off limits, Reese!
I take a deep breath as I feel Kellin behind me. My eyes flutter against my cheeks, and he touches my shoulder, turning me to face him.
“Let me give you a hand?” he asks, giving me one of those infectious, crooked-kid-like grins.
“It’s an empty box, Kell. I think I can handle it,” I reply, nudging him out of the way.
“You sure about that?” he teases, raising an eyebrow at me.
“Ree? You up there?” Mom calls and I look at Kellin.
He freezes, and his eyes drop to the tattoos showing on his arms. Mom’s hand turns the knob and his eyes widen. I jump on his back, pulling down his sleeves as I do and wrapping my arms around his neck to cover his collarbone. Kellin catches my legs and holds me there just as Mom opens the door. She blinks at us a few times, and I give her a smile.
“Kellin and Lindy came over to help me pack,” I say.
“I can see that…but why are you on Kellin’s back?” she asks, and I hear Lindy stifle a giggle as Kellin’s arms tighten around my legs in panic.
“I was betting him that he couldn’t pick me up,” I say as I slip one hand under my arm and button the shirt. It’s not really believable since Kellin is pretty well-built, but Mom won’t question it. I slide down his back. “I guess I was wrong!”
Mom looks between Kellin and me before shaking her head. “Well, Reese could really use your help. As you can tell, she hasn’t even started thinking about moving yet.”
“I’ve been thinking about it. I just haven’t done anything yet,” I reply.
She rolls her eyes in response. “So I should order a pizza for dinner?”
“That’d be great,” Kellin replies as he opens one of my drawers and immediately closes it. His lips purse as he places his hands behind his head.
“Found the underwear drawer?” Mom asks as she smirks at him before shutting the door.
Kellin taps his thumbs against his jeans as he looks around the room. “Uh…thanks for that.”
I nod as I step past him and open the same drawer and start dropping my bras and underwear into the box in front of him. His eyes find the ceiling as his face turns red. “Really, Ree? You couldn’t wear, I don’t know, normal stuff?”
I look up at him as I drop a pair of black lace boy shorts into the box. “What’s not normal about them?”
He rubs his face. “You practically wear bags as clothing–and then you wear that underneath?”
I pop my hip out as I lock eyes with him. “Do you like it or something?”
Lindy makes a gagging noise behind him. “Could you guys save the flirting for when I’m not around?”
It’s my turn to be embarrassed. I drop the last item into the box and start piling my pajamas, which are pretty close to what I wear every day, on top. Kellin doesn’t respond but grabs another empty box and heads to my closet. He pauses with his hand on the knob before looking over his shoulder at me.
“Is there anything I need to be cautious of in here?” he asks.
I shake my head. “You found the only thing you really wouldn’t want to see in the first drawer you opened.”
Lindy coughs, muttering und
er her breath, “Who says he didn’t want to see it?”
I watch as Kellin’s eyebrows twitch and his eyes narrow on his sister. She shoots him a similar look, and I stand in the middle puzzled. Tension fills the air.
I cough, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “Umm… Just throw everything in the boxes. I’ll figure it out when we get there.”
“Works for me,” Kellin replies, shifting on his feet. “I can’t wait for you guys to see your rooms.”
“We’ve seen them before, Kell,” Lindy reminds him as she throws my books into a box. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from telling her to be careful. They’re organized by the color of the binding and genre, but now they’re a jumbled mess in the box.
“You saw them before,” he replies, biting his lip as he glances between us.
Lindy and I look at one another.
“What did you do?” Lindy asks, crossing her arms, and I go over to the box and fix the books. I look up, and she’s blinking at me. I nod over to my drawers of clothes, something I don’t care if she completely messes up. It took me ages to get the books to have the ombre effect. She rolls her eyes and goes to my dresser.
Kellin shrugs. “You’ll just have to wait to see.”
Chapter 4
When the doorbell rings ten minutes early, I know it’s Lindy, already awake, beautiful and ready for moving day. I yank the door open to find Kellin leaning against the door frame, and my angry retort of, don’t you ever sleep vanishes. I’m struck by how his boyish good looks have evaporated into something far more enticing as my eyes trail up his shirt that pulls perfectly against his chest. The v-neck is just deep enough to show the top of the words of his tattoo. Then there’s the fact he’s wearing short sleeves, which I hardly ever see him in when he’s home. The fabric stops just where his arm muscles round and take shape, cascading into the elaborate tattoo that covers his left arm. Boyish doesn’t quite cover him now. Sexy as hell does, though. My eyes finally meet his, and the one remaining boyish feature, that crooked grin, makes my lips slip into an easy smile.
“I thought you were Lindy!” I say as I realize my hair is a rat’s nest, and I’m wearing short-shorts that are barely visible beneath my baggy sweatshirt that hangs off a bare shoulder.
Kellin’s grin turns into a full smile as he watches my face turn red. I look down, pulling at the hem of my sweatshirt.
“You look great, Ree,” he replies, and I stop fidgeting to look up at him.
“Your idea of great is really off,” I reply as I push my glasses back up my face and move aside so he can come in.
“You’re showing more skin than usual,” Kellin comments, nodding to my bare legs.
I’m thankful I shaved the night before. “Don’t worry, come winter you can’t see an inch of my skin in my pajamas.”
Kellin rolls his eyes as we go into my bedroom.
“So why are you here this early?” I ask, grabbing the only clothes that aren’t packed off the end of the bed.
“I figured we could get an early start, stop at Starbucks…” he replies, eyebrows raising as he says one my favorite words.
“I think we’re going to need it today. I didn’t sleep all that well last night,” I say as I go behind the closet door to change.
“You nervous?”
I yank my sports bra over my head, completely aware of the fact I’m feet away from him, shielded only by a wood door. I pull my jeans on and take a deep breath. It’s Kellin, Ree! I remind myself as I lean down to pick up my t-shirt and end up ramming my head into the knob, so the door swings open. Kellin’s eyes move from his hands up to me as I swear and grab my head.
I squeeze my eyes shut as they water from the impact.
“You okay?” Kellin asks, and I realize he’s keeping me standing by holding my arms.
I look up at him. “I’m going to have a bruise on my forehead.”
Kellin hides his smirk poorly as he shakes his head and pries my hands away so he can see where I hit. He runs his fingers over it, “There’s a bit of a scrape, but I think it’ll be fine.”
“Only I could injure myself getting dressed,” I say as I roll my eyes. My body freezes as my gaze falls on my shirt in my hand.
I’m standing in front of Kellin in my bra. My bra!
Kellin’s eyes drift and then come back up to my face. “I see the sexiness doesn’t apply to your bras.”
My jaw drops open as he pulls the corner of his lip through his teeth.
I smack him with my shirt. “You’re an ass!”
“Hey!” He throws his hands up as I continue to assault him with the shirt. “I had some expectations after seeing you barely wear anything for underwear!”
“This is comfortable!” I shoot back as he pulls me into his arms. “Don’t you dare, Kellin Lake!”
“I have to defend myself somehow!” he replies as his fingers find the bare skin of my stomach and begin to tickle me.
“No! Kellin!” I squeal as I start to giggle uncontrollably. “Stop!”
I try to pull away but only succeed in being pulled onto my bed with him.
“Take it back!” Kellin orders as he continues to tickle me.
“Take what back?” I ask through fits of laughter.
“You called me an ass!”
“You are!”
Kellin pushes my arms over my head, pinning me beneath him. “I am not!”
My chest heaves against his as I stare up at him, just as breathless as me. His smile fades as his eyes race over my face.
“You’re not,” I whisper, or I think I whisper it, but the only thing I’m aware of is the heat of his body as it hovers over mine and the way our fingers have somehow entwined over my head.
“Reese! Kellin!” Lindy calls from the front door.
Kellin’s face turns red before he shoots off of me. I yank my shirt over my head just as Lindy opens the door.
Lindy’s perfect blonde brows furrow, creasing her forehead as she looks between Kellin sitting on the edge of my bed with his head in his hands and me with my shirt pulled haphazardly on.
“I’m not even going to say what this looks like,” she says as she blinks at us.
Kellin scratches the scruff on his face before standing. “It doesn’t look like anything, Lind because it’s not.”
He glances over at me, his jaw clenching before heading out the door. “I’ll meet you guys there.”
I rub my temples as I tuck my chin, trying to shield the deep breath I need to take.
Lindy shakes her head at his back before looking down at me. “Ready?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Great!” she replies, grabbing my hands and pulling me up.
I’m aware Lindy is talking to me the entire hour plus ride to the house, but I’m not sure exactly what she’s saying. I just nod or shrug, whatever seems correct for the moment. My mind is on one thing– Kellin. A chill passes through my body as I think of the weight of his body over mine. I tip my head back. I always found Kellin attractive, but this feels like it’s more than that.
“I’m so excited!” Lindy says as she slams the car into park, and I jerk forward.
“I can tell,” I hiss as I rub my neck. “Whiplash excited.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lindy asks, pouting at me as she pulls the keys out of the ignition of her Nissan.
“Nothing at all,” I reply as I step out of the car and look up to see Kellin standing at the front door of the Cape-style house that we’ll be living in. It looks like home from the off-white color to the wine colored shutters and worn brick path. Kellin has definitely done some landscaping, and the gardens match perfectly with the quaint feeling of the house.
“What do you think?” Kellin asks, spreading his arms as Lindy and I walk up.
“It looks great!” I reply, looking at anything but him.
“You’ve got my stamp of approval,” Lindy says as Kellin opens the door. “But I’m more interested in my bedroom. It better be the one d
ownstairs with its own bathroom.”
“You don’t think it’s weird that Kellin and I have to share a bathroom?” I ask as I step inside.
Lindy turns to face me, crossing her arms and nodding over my shoulder to her brother. “I’ve shared with him for eighteen years. You never had to share with Keith. I say it’s time for a trade, besides Kellin won’t be dirty if he shares with you!”
“I hope not!”
“Lindy exaggerates,” Kellin says, setting his hands on my shoulders. I look over at him, finally giving in, and smile. He gives me a wink before saying, “I promise.”
“Who said I’m not a pig?” I tease, and Kellin’s eyes droop in disbelief. “Okay, I’m not but hey…”
“Oh,” Lindy calls turning as she heads down the hallway to her bedroom. “He sings in the shower, but that shouldn’t be a problem for you…since you’re in love with his voice.”
I roll my eyes as she turns back around and hops the last few steps, opening the door to her bedroom and freezing.
“No shit,” she whispers, and I peek over her shoulder to see what her shock is about. The room is a bright pink with black and white pictures of her, Kellin and me at various ages. The sheets are black zebra print, with highlights of a bright purple, and the black dresser is dressed up with gem-studded knobs. Lindy’s eyes follow mine up to the ceiling where a black chandelier lights the room.
“You like it?” Kellin asks as he stands behind us.
Lindy rushes into the room and spins onto the bed. “Freaking fantastic! My room at home is nowhere near this awesome.”
I look behind me, and Kellin has a smug grin on his face as he pops the collar of his plaid button-up he’s put over his tee. “Thank you, but Lindy, don’t forget this is home now.”
Lindy’s chest rises as she closes her eyes and smiles. “It sure is.”
Kellin puts his hand in mine and our eyes meet. “You ready to see your room?”
I nod, and we move back down the hall and up the stairs.
Rebel Cause (Boys of Fallout Book 3) Page 2