Focus on his flaws.
“It’s great.” I forced a smile as my fingers started to anxiously fiddle with my keys. “I was glad Reece left the furniture. It saved me the trouble of having to get new stuff. Definitely made the transition simpler.”
“I’m glad,” he sounded sincere though the look in his eyes said otherwise. “Listen Kenzie, I’ve got something I need to say to you.” I felt my throat close as he scrubbed a hand through his shaggy hair. “I’m sorry for the way things have been between us lately and to be frank with you I can’t take it anymore.” His accent had thickened as emotion threaded into his voice. “I miss you. A lot.”
My feelings for Jace were so complicated I often wondered if I would ever be able to understand the full extent of them. Despite everything that had happened since the night of my twenty second birthday, I had missed him too. Jace had been in my life, in my heart since I was ten years old. The first time I had seen him had been at one of Adrenaline’s first band practices. The guys had made me nervous back then. The only person in the world I had trusted at that point had been Declan until I'd met Jason Craw.
I’d never seen anyone like him before. He was a big guy, even as a teenager he seemed to fill up a room with his presence. To some people Jace could have come across as scary but I’d never felt any sense physical danger from him, though there was no doubt in my mind he was capable of it.
The first time I’d actually spoken to him had been the morning after Declan and I had shown up on the Cooper’s front porch in the middle of the night. I’d been nervous around so many new people, unsure how to respond correctly as Mr. and Mrs. Cooper smiled and offered me bacon and eggs. I wanted to be on my best behavior for the Cooper’s. I had high hopes they would help my brother and I get out of our uncle’s house, at least for a little while.
Jace had nearly sat on me as I had tried to disappear into Declan’s side. Adults had seemed to like me best when I was quiet and out of sight so that’s what I had tried to be. When Mr. Cooper had asked Jace to take me to the stables I had nearly lost the delicious breakfast Mrs. Cooper had made that morning. I’d been nervous I would say or do something stupid and embarrass myself in front of him. Instead I’d found a friend.
Jace would always be my family. There was nothing I could do to get rid of those feelings even if I wanted to. We meant too much to each other.
“I’ve missed you too.”
“That’s good.” The brilliance of his smile stunned me. “The way things have been has been eating away at me.”
“You look like shit.” I gave him a little grin so he knew I was teasing even though he did look run down. The thought that he might be worrying over me did little to help my resolve to follow through with my plan. Moving around him I started to open the door to my car, grateful when Jace stepped out of my way. My relief was short lived when I felt a large hand wrap around my arm.
I glanced over my shoulder to see him watching me intently, his fingers tightening when my eyes met his. He searched my face briefly before releasing his grip with a slight quirk of his lips. “Drive safe, Kenzie.”
“I always do.” Climbing into my car I started the engine and rolled down my windows. I saw that Jace was still standing in the same spot and smiled at his serious expression. “What are you doing?”
His eyes cleared and he took a step back, his long hair blowing into his eyes as the wind started to pick up. I grabbed the hairband I kept on my wrist and gestured for Jace to step closer to my car. Extending my hand, I dropped the elastic band into his palm.
Jace looked at it for a moment before a low laugh rumbled out of his chest. He gathered his hair at the nape of his neck and secured it with the hair band before leaning into the open window and dusting his lips over my cheek.
I froze in my seat as he continued to grin at me, tucking a loose curl behind my ear. His handsome features looked overjoyed as if I had given him a diamond instead of a cheap hair tie. “Thank you, Kenzie. I was worried about how I was going to get one of these from you earlier today.”
Ignoring the flutter of my heart, I turned to fiddle with my radio. “You could have just bought a package for yourself.”
He shrugged and took a step back from my jeep, retreating into the darkness towards his house. “It wouldn't be the same. Wouldn’t remind me of you.” He gave me a wink that caused heat to pull low in my gut. Before he could do anything else, I cranked the engine and threw my car into reverse. I backed out of the driveway and started heading down the main road towards town refusing to look into the rearview mirror to see if Jace was still standing where I left him.
As I drove back to my house I recited my plan in my head over and over, trying to get the image of Jace’s bright eyes and chiseled face out of my mind. I got ready to go to sleep changing out of the clothes I had been wearing at dinner and putting on some comfy sweats before climbing into bed.
It wasn't until after I had turned the lights off that I realized I was wearing one of Jace’s old shirts. Without bothering to think about why, I lifted the collar to my nose and inhaled deeply falling asleep surrounded by his familiar scent.
Jace
After my talk with Kenzie last night I was finally able to get some sleep. Granted not as much as I would have liked, but it was still better than nothing. Throwing on some clothes I headed out of my house and started down the path that would take me to Garret's. When Kenzie had driven off the night before I had gone straight home with a smile splitting my face in half. Today I knew I had another fence to mend.
I lightly rapped my knuckles on my cousin’s front door and waited, hearing footsteps approaching after my second round of knocks. Jared Jamison opened the door with a welcoming smile, stepping back and gesturing for me to come inside. Garret walked out of the kitchen just as I stepped through the doorway, his eyes widening when he saw me step into the living room.
“Hey,” he greeted, sounding surprised to see me. That wasn't a shock considering how I’d been acting towards him the past few months.
“Hi,” I nodded at him before turning back to Jared. “Hey man, good to see you.” I offered my hand which Jared shook.
“You too, Jace,” he grinned at me before grabbing a duffel bag from the end table. “You actually have good timing, I was on my way out. Got a shipment coming in and Emma fucking hates dealing with the delivery guys.” As he spoke he walked over to my cousin’s side and gave him a kiss on the lips. Garret’s shot me an uneasy look and I tried to smile at him. Even though he was uncomfortable, I could tell my cousin was happy and that made me happy too.
Jared winked at me on his way out the door clapping a hand to my back. “Stop by JJ’s sometime this week, have a drink on me.”
“Thanks Jared. I’ll be sure to do that.”
With a final wave he shut the door behind him leaving Garret and I alone in the house. There was a moment of silence before I shoved my hands into my pockets and rocked back on my heels. “So what the fuck man?”
Garret’s eyes shot to my face and his posture turned defensive. “What?”
“What do you mean what?” Kicking off my shoes, I walked further into the room sitting in one of Garret’s recliners. “You’ve kept this huge part of yourself from us for years, Garret. I’ve given you so much shit these last few weeks and you could have cleared it all up just by opening your damn mouth.”
“It’s my fault you’ve been a fucking asshole to me for no reason?” Garret’s face was firm as he settled into the seat across from me.
“That’s not what I mean,” I huffed feeling frustrated. My hair fell into my line of vision and I remembered the elastic band around my wrist that Kenzie had given me last night. I quickly tied my hair out of my face, watching as Garret’s lips curved following my movement. “What?”
“If it annoys you so much why don’t you just get it cut?” My cousin asked sounding amused. I rolled my eyes and shifted in my seat. There was no way I was going to admit to Garret that I was keeping my hair l
ong because I knew Kenzie liked it that way. I was barely able to admit it to myself.
“Don’t change the subject,” I muttered, doing exactly that. “We’re brothers Garret. Why wouldn't you tell me about Jared?”
My cousin gave me a long look. “Couple of reasons, I suppose.” He took a deep breath and stood from his seat. “Want a water?”
I followed him into the kitchen, cornering him when he would have moved around me. I needed answers and I could tell Garret was going to give me the run around before giving them to me. My cousin handed me a bottled water before pushing past me to sit at the kitchen table. His phone chimed next to him and he glanced down at it, a wide smile coming across his face when he looked at the screen.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he said still grinning. Tucking his phone into his pocket he focused on me again. “You look like you're mad at me.”
“I’m fucking pissed at you, Garret!” Trying to calm down I took a few deep breaths before sitting in the seat opposite my cousin. “I’m mad at myself too. I should have paid more attention to what was going on with you, man. I’m sorry for that.”
“I wasn't exactly forthcoming with information,” Garret added with a small shrug. “If I’m being honest, I wasn't telling you specifically for a reason.” I felt my brows slam together as I regarded my cousin over the table. “We both know why you have been such a dick to me lately. I was keeping my relationship with Jared to myself partially because of that.”
“I’m confused.” I clenched and unclenched my fists beneath the table looking at my cousin’s calm green eyes. “You didn't tell us about Jared because you wanted me to think that you were with Kenzie?”
“Not exactly,” Garret began, his hands nervously fidgeting with his water bottle cap. “You didn't see Kenzie when she came home from the tour, Jace.” He shook his head and gave me a look that made me feel like slime. “If you had been in my position, you would have done the same thing.”
“Which was what Garret?” I wasn't sure what my cousin’s goal had been, but if it had been to drive me crazy then he’d succeeded.
Garret let out a pent up breath and ran his fingers through his recently buzzed hair, “I’m not even sure anymore. I just wanted you to back off. I’m not completely out of the loop when you guys are away. I know what’s been going on lately.”
I felt all of the happiness I’d woken up with drain away. “What’s been going on lately?”
“Cut the fucking shit, Jason.” My cousin shoved back from the table looking like he was going to lunge across it to strangle me. “You’re not an idiot. You know what you’ve been doing this past year and you know how it’s hurt Kenzie.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat as Garret began pacing around the kitchen. “The three of us know what happened on her birthday and why things went to shit between the two of you, but you and I both know why you’re working so hard to be the bad guy when that’s just not who you are. Why do you think I’m so fucking mad at you?”
I thought about protesting but didn't feel like getting into a physical altercation with my cousin in his kitchen which was where this conversation was headed. Garret knew me better than anyone else. There was no doubt in my mind he had seen right through my behavior this past year.
“Do yourself a favor, Jace,” Garret’s voice was considerably calmer as he walked around the table and placed a hand on my back. “Either step up and go for it or fucking let her go. You can’t have it both ways. It’s not fair to either of you.”
Chapter 6
Kenzie
JJ's customer base had grown considerably since Emma and Jared had taken over after Jared’s father had retired. I suspected a lot of their success had to do with Emma's talents as a chef.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about starting my new job. While I had gotten better at meeting new people over the years, it still made me a little nervous. I usually had one or more members of my family with me at all times, but I had decided it was time to try doing things on my own so that's what I was going to do.
After locking up my car I walked into JJ's immediately heading towards the back office where I knew I'd find Jared or Emma. Peaking my head into the doorway I saw both of them sitting on opposite sides of Jared's large desk. I knocked lightly on the doorframe distracting Jared from whatever he had been saying.
"Hey there gorgeous," Jared said as he rose to his feet to press a kiss to my cheek. Emma smiled and waved me further into the room patting the empty seat next to her.
I had met Emma around the same time my brother and I had moved in with the Cooper's. The first time we had been introduced she was a friend of Lucas’. It wasn't long after that she had become Wyatt’s girlfriend. Emma had always been nice to me, even after her relationship with Wyatt crashed and burned. After they had broken up, Emma had cut all ties with the guys but she had stayed in touch with me over the years. I doubted Wyatt knew that.
"Ready for your first day?" She asked with a cheeky grin. Her flame red hair was in wavy curls around her face, which was carefully made up in a way that made me wish I knew what I was doing when it came to my own makeup. Emma always looked so put together.
"I hope so," I answered taking the seat next to her. Jared returned to his chair behind the desk and folded his hands over his flat stomach with a grin. Ever since he and Garret had gotten back together I had made an effort to get to know the man. It made sense to me why my friend looked at Jared like he had hung the moon. Not only was he smart and funny, Jared had an uncanny ability to put anyone at ease.
"You're going to do great," he grinned making the laugh lines around his eyes crinkle at the corners. "I bet you already have the drink menu memorized." I gave a short nod making him chuckle. "You're going to be our best employee, I can already tell." Jared's phone started vibrating on his desk, his smile growing wider before he answered the call and placed the phone to his ear. "So how'd your early morning visit go?"
Emma and I both looked at him curiously but he only continued to chat on the phone. Giving up on getting his attention Emma grabbed my arm and led me out of the room. "He's so rude." She shook her long hair behind her shoulders heading behind the bar.
"He's a nice guy," I immediately jumped to Jared's defense even though I knew Emma was a good friend of his. Turning towards me she gave a short laugh before pulling me into her arms for a brief hug.
"I've missed you, Kenzie. You're such a sweetie." I shook my head with a small smile and watched as she started to pull various bottles out from behind the bar. "We'll get started making some simple stuff. Jared is going to be working with you tonight in case you run into any problems but I don't anticipate that happening."
I felt some of my nerves settle knowing I would have backup with me if I needed it. Emma must have seen the relief on my face because she stopped what she was doing and gave me her full attention. "You have nothing to be nervous about, Kenzie."
“I know.” I tried to give her a confident look. “It’s going to be fine.”
Emma pulled her hair over her shoulder and frowned at me with her hands on her hips. “What’s up, Kenzie?” Her eyes narrowed on me as if she were daring me to lie to her.
I gave a small shrug and started to move around her, grabbing the two bottles she was holding from her hands. “Are you going to test my knowledge before letting me loose on your customers?” Smiling, I waited for Emma’s response. She continued to glare at me for a moment before letting out a frustrated sigh.
“I guess I should.”
Emma gave me a few drink orders which I immediately went about making without looking at the menu. Jared was right, I had memorized it before. There were a lot of good things that came from having a photographic memory. I’d have to add bartending to the list.
After ordering five different drinks Emma let out a contagious laugh that had a few heads turning in our direction. She had always had a great laugh, one that immediately made you want in on the joke.
“Alright, y
ou pass the test.” Just as she finished speaking Jared rounded the corner and joined us behind the bar. He glanced at Emma’s impressed expression once before turning his attention to me.
“Do I even need to work back here tonight?”
“Yes,” Emma and I answered in unison.
Jared looked pained as he leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine, but only because you’re both so pretty.” I rolled my eyes while Emma smacked him hard on the shoulder. When I glanced away, I saw that the current bartender was headed over to us with a grim look on his face.
“I’m out,” he said tilting his head towards the employee’s break room. “Heads up the lady at the end of the bar doesn't tip and she’s going to need a cab home by the time she’s done here.” The man looked over at me and gave a smile before extending his hand for me to shake. “Hi, I’m Conner.”
“Kenzie,” I introduced myself returning his handshake. I felt his fingers tighten on mine as his grin grew and I tugged my hand away feeling slightly uncomfortable. His warm brown eyes twinkled at me as if he knew what I had done. Not wanting to offend my new coworker I forced myself to return his smile.
“Thanks for the heads up,” Jared’s voice lost it’s friendliness making Conner frown as he turned towards his boss. I glanced over and saw that Jared’s usually easy going grin was gone replaced with a stern frown. Emma was biting her lip, looking as though she was trying not to laugh. “We’ll see you later, Conner.”
Clearly getting the hint Conner turned and walked into the break room without another word. Emma gave up and started giggling as she watched Jared’s features relax.
“Do you not like him?” I asked, mystified as to what had just happened. Jared was usually nice to everyone. I wondered what would make him dislike someone enough to be so abrupt with them.
“He’s a nice enough guy,” Jared shrugged his broad shoulders as his eyes followed Conner’s progress to the break room.
“Then why were you so short with him?”
Keeping the Beat: An Adrenaline Novel Page 5