“Please, just leave, Kira,” he said. “I don’t want to date you anymore.”
“You’re lying,” she said.
He looked away from her, the bile churning in his guts, the air like soup as he tried to drag it into his lungs. “I’m not. I won’t saddle you with my fucked-up life. We’re done. Please leave.”
“Connor, you don’t mean that.”
“I do.”
“You asshole,” she said. “You think that by driving me away you’re doing the right thing, the noble thing, but you’re not. You’re just being a damn coward. Do you hear me, Connor MacMillan? You’re a coward!”
She stood and stomped out of the living room. The door slammed and he pressed the back of his head into the couch, staring up at the ceiling as depression descended over him like a heavy shroud.
* * *
“Jesus, you look like hell.” Lucas unwrapped the garbage bag from Connor’s cast and tossed it in the garbage. “I thought getting your ass into the shower would help, but nope. Still looks like you’ve been marinating in a pile of shit for a few days.”
“Thanks,” Connor said. His hand was aching, and he rubbed his arm above the cast. “You know, I asked you to come by this weekend to help me, not insult me.”
“You have a perfectly lovely girlfriend who could be helping you and I’m pretty sure she would have kept the insults to a minimum,” Lucas said. “Why don’t I give her a call and ask her to come by.”
“Give it a rest,” Connor said wearily. “I told you, Kira and I are over.”
Lucas stirred the soup in the pot on the stove. He tasted it and added some more salt before stirring it again. “Tell me again why you did the stupidest thing in the world and broke up with Kira? I love hearing how you’re a goddamn idiot. Truly. It warms my cold, black heart.”
“I’m glad this is all a joke to you,” Connor said.
Lucas sat down across from him. “It’s not a fucking joke to me, Connor. I hate seeing you this way, but also… you need to grow a fucking pair. You push Kira away, a lovely girl who for whatever reason thinks you’re amazing, just because that bitch Lisa convinced you that you ruined her life.”
“I did.”
“You didn’t,” Lucas snapped. “Listen, your parents and Lisa did a real fucking number on you and truthfully, I kind of hate them for it. You didn’t ruin anyone’s life, including your own, and you have got to stop being such a sad sack of shit and move the fuck on.”
“Your pep talks are the fucking worst,” Connor said.
“Yeah, I know.” Lucas stood and returned to the stove to stir the soup again. “But you need someone to hit you with the truth hammer. Was punching that smarmy firefighter in the face a stupid idea? Yeah, maybe, but it happened and now you have to deal with it. Maybe you’ve fucked your hand, and maybe you haven’t, but either way, you gotta man the fuck up and live with your actions. Call Kira, tell her you’re an idiot, and ask for her forgiveness. You need her, Connor. She’s the best damn thing that’s ever happened to you.”
“What do I have to offer her?” Connor said. “I make mistake after mistake after mistake. I’ve most likely ended my career. I’m a disappointment to my parents, hell, an entire fucking town, and I suck at relationships. How many times did Lisa call me cold? How many times did she beg me to open up to her, and I never would? I’m not meant to be with someone, Lucas.”
“Oh, boo fucking hoo,” Lucas said. “You think you’re the only one with baggage? Everyone has it. The trick is finding the right person who can put up with your particular baggage. Maybe that’s Kira or maybe it isn’t, but you won’t know if you don’t give this thing a fucking chance.”
“She called me a coward.”
“You’re not but you sure as hell are acting like one,” Lucas said. “So, you’re not good at expressing your feelings, that doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of a relationship. Maybe you didn’t open up to Lisa because you knew deep down that she was a stone-cold bitch. Christ, dude, get over yourself. This emo shit you got going on is not a good look for you.”
“Again – your pep talks are the worst,” Connor said.
“Call Kira and apologize,” Lucas said. “Ask her for a second chance.”
“It’s too late for apologies.” He stood and headed for the doorway.
“Where are you going? It’s almost lunch.” Lucas said.
“I’m not hungry. I’m gonna lie down for a while.”
* * *
Grace stared worriedly at Kira. The last time she’d seen her best friend looking so pale and sad was in the weeks after her parents died. Fear trickled into her belly and she leaned forward and took Kira’s hand. “Honey? You’re taking your meds, right?”
Kira sighed and stared out the living room window. “I am. Stop worrying, Gracie. I’m not depressed, I’m just… sad and angry and… I miss him.”
“I know, honey.”
“I’m worried about him. He can’t use his right hand at all. How is he showering or cooking or driving? He’s trapped in his little apartment and he doesn’t have any close friends here.”
“He’s okay,” Grace said. “He took an Uber to the clinic on Friday. He didn’t look or smell all that great, but I heard him telling Grant that he had a friend coming down for the weekend to help him.”
“What did Grant say? Do you know?” Kira asked. “Is he angry with Connor?”
Grace shook her head. “No, he isn’t angry. All things considered, he’s being remarkably level-headed about it. He’s bringing in a friend of his – some semi-retired dentist - to cover Connor’s work while he heals.”
“That’s good,” Kira said with relief. She stared out the window again as Grace studied her. Despite what Kira said, fear still gnawed at her belly. Maybe she should call Gideon. She didn’t want to call Gideon, not when she couldn’t get the sound of his low voice promising to spank her out of her head or her dreams, but she was really worried about Kira.
The doorbell rang and when Kira made no move to get up, Grace stood. “I’ll be right back, honey.”
She walked down the hallway and opened the front door, staring at the man standing on the porch. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Kira,” the man said. “My name’s Lucas. I’m a friend of Connor’s.”
“What do you want?” She blocked the doorway with her body, not failing to notice when his gaze lingered for a moment on her breasts.
“I was hoping to talk to her.” He gave her an admittedly cute grin. “I promise I’m harmless.”
“She’s upset. She’s not up for visitors right now,” Grace said.
“I get that. But I just came from Connor’s place and if she’s anywhere half as miserable as he is, then I think you should let me talk to her,” he said.
“Gracie? Who is it… Lucas?” Kira peeked over Grace’s shoulder. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to talk to you,” Lucas said.
“Let him in, Grace,” Kira said.
She stepped aside, giving him a little scowl when he winked at her as he slipped by. “I like your shoes, Gracie.”
“It’s Grace, and thank you,” she said.
She followed them to the living room, sinking into one of the recliners as Lucas sat down on the sectional. He stared at Kira who was pacing the room and said, “Connor is an idiot, but he loves you.”
“He broke up with me,” Kira said.
“Because he’s an idiot. But he is miserable without you.”
“Then maybe he shouldn’t have broken up with her,” Grace said.
Lucas grinned at her. “Oh, he absolutely shouldn’t have, but you know us guys, we do stupid shit all the time.”
She didn’t reply and Lucas shifted his gaze back to Kira. “Go see him, Kira. I guarantee you the minute he sees you, he’ll be begging you for forgiveness. He knows he made a stupid mistake.”
“If he wants her back, why are you here and not him?” Grace said.
“He’s sensit
ive,” Lucas replied. “He thinks Kira hates him now and he’s afraid of being rejected.”
Grace snorted. “Connor is not sensitive.”
“Actually, he is,” Kira said. “He just hides it really well.”
“Yep,” Lucas said. “He loves you, Kira. He loves you and he made a stupid mistake that he now regrets. But you have to understand, Lisa – and to a certain extent, his parents – messed with his head. They made him believe he ruined his life and Lisa let him think he ruined hers because she’s a straight up bitch who was only with him because she wanted all the perks of being a famous baseball player’s wife. The second she knew that wasn’t a possibility, her true colours emerged. She fucked him up by refusing to admit that she didn’t love him and kept him hanging for a few years. She should have done him a favour and just walked away as soon as his ball career ended.”
He leaned forward, clasping his hands together and giving Kira an earnest look. “It’s not an excuse for him breaking up with you, but it explains why he made such a dumb decision. Can you just go and talk to him? Please?”
Kira nodded. “Yes.”
Grace could see the relief sweeping across Lucas’ face. “Great. That’s really great. You won’t regret it, Kira.”
“Okay. I’m just gonna change quick and then I’ll go.” Kira ran upstairs and Grace studied Lucas for a few moments.
“If this goes bad, I’m blaming you,” she said.
“Fair enough.” He gave her another flirty grin, his gaze lingering on her breasts and then her hips. “So, you know this is totally gonna work out for those two lovebirds, right? Which means eventually they’re gonna get married, which means eventually we’ll be at the wedding together. The best man and the maid of honour, staring at each other across a crowded church while our best friends pledge to spend the rest of their lives together.”
He stood and moved a little closer, giving her another appreciative look. “Later on, you’ll have a little too much to drink, I’ll have a little too much to drink, and we’ll probably end up in your hotel room. Both of us knowing we’re making a mistake but neither of us able to resist this simmering sexual tension between us.”
A small grin crossed her face. “Sexual tension, huh?”
He stepped closer and tugged lightly on one curly strand of her hair. “You’re feeling it too, right?”
“It actually feels more like indigestion to me.”
He laughed and took a step back. “Oh, I do like you. I’m starting to see the appeal of Harmony Falls girls.”
“Took you long enough,” she said.
Lucas grinned at her. “Want to have drinks with me while our best friends get back together?”
She reached up and brushed an imaginary piece of lint from his broad shoulder. “Sorry, handsome. Willington boys just aren’t my thing.”
“You think I’m handsome?” Lucas said.
She rolled her eyes and headed out of the living room. “You’re moderately appealing.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
* * *
Kira stepped inside Connor’s apartment. Her stomach was churning, and she couldn’t remember the last time she was this nervous, but she forced herself to move forward. God, she hoped Lucas was right. If he wasn’t, she was about to make a right fool of herself.
She checked the living room before walking down the hallway to Connor’s bedroom. She knocked and opened the door. Connor was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at his cast, and her heart squeezed tight. It’d only been forty-eight hours since she’d seen him last, but she’d missed him terribly.
“Connor?”
He jerked and winced, his hand pressing against the cast on his right arm as he stared wide-eyed at her. “Kira? What are you doing here?”
“I miss you,” she said.
He swallowed hard. “I miss you too.”
She crossed the room and sat down beside him on the bed. He studied her face. “I’m sorry. I’m so goddamn sorry. I’m an idiot and I know it’s asking a lot for you to forgive me, but I’m going to ask anyway.”
She slipped her arm around his shoulders and kissed him. “I forgive you for being an idiot and trying to break up with me.”
He smiled a little. “Trying?”
“It didn’t stick,” she said. “I let you think it did, just because I’m a nice girl.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I shouldn’t have tried to break up with you, but I was panicking. I didn’t want to mess up your life.”
“You didn’t and you won’t,” she said. “You didn’t ruin Lisa’s life either, no matter what she says. And as far as your parents go – it’s a real shitty thing for them to make you think you’re not good enough.”
“They just wanted what’s best for me,” he said.
“Maybe. But they went about it the wrong way,” she said. “You’re a good man, Connor. You don’t need to be a world-famous baseball player to live a happy and fulfilling life. I’m sorry that your parents can’t see that, but I can.”
She cupped his face. “Being a dentist isn’t something to be ashamed of. You are good at what you do, and you help people. Be proud of who you are. I am.”
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too. So much. If it turns out that you can’t be a dentist, then we’ll figure out something else. Together. I’m in this with you no matter what because I love you for who you are. A wonderful, thoughtful man who deserves the very best in life,” she said.
He kissed her again and slid his left arm around her waist, holding her tightly against him. “You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Kira Walker. I love you.”
“I love you too, Connor MacMillan.”
* * *
Please enjoy an excerpt of Book Two in the Harmony Falls Series, “Perfect Harmony”.
Perfect Harmony is available HERE
Perfect Harmony
(Book Two, Harmony Falls)
Copyright©2020 Elizabeth Kelly
Grace cursed and yanked viciously at her bra. The wires were poking, and the band was digging into her soft flesh.
“Fuck it!” she muttered. She was almost home but she absolutely couldn’t wear this hellish torture device one minute longer. Holding the steering wheel with one hand, she arched her back and stuck her hand down the back of her dress before clawing at the hooks of the bra. The car weaved into the other lane and she cursed again before steering it back to her own lane. The hooks finally released, and she moaned happily when the band loosened.
She pulled the bra straps off her arms, yanked it out from under her dress, and tossed it into the back seat just as a siren went off behind her. She jerked, her hands tightening on the steering wheel as she stared in the rear-view mirror.
“No, no, no,” she said. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
For one crazy moment, she thought about just stomping on the gas before she came to her senses. She turned off the main road onto a quiet side street and parked before shutting off her car. Maybe it wouldn’t be him, maybe it would be Ian.
Either way, get your bra on, dumbass!
It was too late. The door of the police vehicle opened, and the big body of Gideon Walker stepped out. He was wearing a pair of jeans with his shirt and police vest, and the denim clung to his thighs.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she whispered. She stared frantically at herself. The sun had set but it wasn’t very dark yet. The streetlight she had parked under provided more than enough light to see the way her heavy breasts pushed at the thin material of her dress. It was more than obvious that she was braless, and she quickly clamped her arms over her tits as Gideon stopped next to her window and leaned down.
“License and registration.”
“Gideon,” she said. “Seriously?”
He raised one eyebrow at her. “License and registration.”
She sighed in irritation and keeping one arm across her chest, she yanked her wallet from her purse and fumbled it ope
n. She pulled out her license and handed it to him before unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching into the glove box for the registration. He took it from her and perused both as she scowled at him.
“Why did you pull me over?”
He ducked his head into the car, and she had to fight her sudden urge to lick his neck. Being arrested for sexually assaulting the Sheriff wasn’t her idea of a good fucking time. He studied the interior of her car before moving back a little.
“Where are you coming from tonight?”
“Your sister’s house.”
“Were you drinking?”
“No,” she said.
He stared at her and she cleared her throat. “I had one glass of wine, Gideon.”
“Just one?”
“Yes. You know I wouldn’t drink and drive. Why did you pull me over?” she said.
“You weaved into the other lane.” He stepped back and straightened.
She stared at his gun and the handcuffs hooked to his belt before her gaze dipped to his crotch. Her face flushed and she hurriedly looked away. Was now the time to be thinking about his cock?
No, it definitely wasn’t.
“Step out of the car.”
“Are you kidding me?” she said. “Gideon, c’mon. You know I don’t drink and drive. Just give me a warning for distracted driving and let me go.”
“Step out of the car,” Gideon repeated. “Don’t make me ask you again.”
She hesitated a moment longer. Gideon made a low noise of disapproval and opened her car door. Keeping her arms crossed over her chest, she climbed out of her car and glared at him.
“You’re a real dick, Gideon.”
His gaze narrowed. “You might want to think twice before insulting a police officer.”
“You gonna arrest me for hurting your feelings?” she said. “Does the big bad sheriff hate it when a woman makes fun of him?”
“Enough,” Gideon growled. “You’re doing a sobriety test.”
Sweet Harmony (Harmony Falls, Book One) Page 27