by Jerry Cole
Wednesday rolled around, and Micah and Mallory reminded me about dinner with the band. Mom had plans with a friend, and it worked out great.
We drove together in Micah’s car, and Mallory was in a good mood. She loved these guys, and I sat beside Micah in the front, trying to contain my nerves. Meeting this band was like meeting an extended part of his family, and I wanted them to like me since I only interviewed Micah and made an article out of that. He smiled at me as we parked in front of a small home. “You okay?”
“I feel like I’m meeting your family all over again.” I smiled, and he leaned in to kiss me.
“It’s all good. They’ll like you.” Mallory hopped out of the car, and I followed, smiling as they each took an arm. We made our way to the front door, and a pretty brunette opened it with a smile.
“I’m so glad you could make it. I hated that I canceled last week.” She reached out to hug Micah and Mallory and looked at me with curious brown eyes. “You must be Keller.”
“I am.”
“I’m Trina. Please come in.” She talked the entire time through the hallway to the living room and then introduced me to the others. There were four other guys in the band, and they greeted me warmly as a toddler tore through the hall into Trina’s arms. “This is Marley, our little tornado.”
The little girl had a head full of curls and eyes that matched her mom. She looked at me with a scrutinizing look as Trina let her down. “Who’s you?”
“I’m Keller. I am a new friend of Micah and Mallory. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I offered her my hand, and she seemed to consider it for a moment. She shook it with her tiny hand, and I looked at her serious face. Once we finished with introductions, she was grabbing Mallory by the hand and leading her down the hall, babbling about dolls.
“That was priceless,” Trina laughed as she sat on Ryan’s lap. “She’s so serious sometimes. It’s like she’s responsible for the world.” Micah led me to the couch, and we sat beside each other as Trina took us in. “You look good together.” She looked apologetically at Micah. “I can’t say that for the last one.”
“I completely agree.” Micah smiled at me as he took my hand, and she pressed a hand to her chest.
“I need to get cooking.” She kissed Ryan and stood as I watched her.
“Does she need help?” I asked as he chuckled, reaching for his beer.
“She gets everything that she can ready early. My woman knows time management. She’s fine. Mal helps her sometimes when the kid doesn’t drag her away.” He leaned back, and I dropped it after a shrug from Micah. There were beers for us on the table, and Micah handed me one with a smile.
The guys were friendly and welcoming toward me. I sensed that while they were all close, Ryan was the closest to Micah in the band. That being said, they were all like brothers, and I enjoyed watching their interactions. Trina made a huge platter of fried chicken with mashed potatoes and zucchini. She sliced up a few loaves of French bread to go with it, and we all managed to fit in the kitchen to eat. Some of us were at the table and some at the breakfast bar, but we fit. The food was amazing, and Marley made me laugh as she talked about her day. She was spirited and funny and taken with Mallory.
I was sitting by Micah at the bar, laughing at a story from the early days of the band. He seemed to be quite popular when he was in high school, and I wondered how much he experimented before finding what he liked.
We ended the night with a plan to meet up for an interview where it was quiet, and Micah led me by the hand to the car. Mallory followed us after hugging Trina one more time and hopped into the back seat. “Do you love them?” She asked as I glanced back at her.
“They’re great. You’re lucky to have good friends like that,” I agreed as I turned back around to face the windshield.
“My place?” Micah asked, and I nodded as I leaned back. We drove the few minutes to the driveway, and Micah parked as I stretched.
“I’m so full,” I groaned as I closed my eyes.
“She always makes me think I’m never going to eat again.” Mallory hopped out of the car, and we followed, carrying a bag of leftovers. Trina insisted, even though her own family would love them.
“I’ll keep these in my fridge since we’re working tomorrow anyway.” Micah looked at his sister before she turned around.
“Perfect. I am going to sleep, and I might make it tomorrow.” She waved and headed to her door, and Micah watched until she was inside before leading me to his house.
“I think we need to work off that dinner.” I mock protested, but Micah knew I’d never been able to resist him. He unlocked the door, and we made our way inside. I took the food to the fridge, and he locked the door. I glanced around and realized I felt at home here.
We decided to watch TV in bed and stripped before sliding under the covers. “I liked meeting your friends.” I nuzzled into his neck, and he chuckled.
“They liked you. I don’t take a lot of people there for dinner. It’s a lot different than seeing the band.” He pulled me closer to him, and I smiled.
Chapter Ten
Micah
Keller started spending many nights with me and even had a drawer within two weeks. He had enough in there to get by for a couple of days since we worked from home. We also stayed at his mom’s a few nights during the week, and she made a huge meal if she was up to it. If not, I’d order in, and we’d make a night of it.
I was fast feeling like part of his family as much as he was a part of mine. Within the month, she was up to Sunday dinner with the twins, and it was a success. The twins got along well with Mallory, and the two moms bonded the moment they met. Even Olivia was feeling good that night and sat on the couch, laughing at the girl’s antics. We enjoyed cheesecake for dessert later than planned, and Mom took Olivia to bed after we finished, telling us to wait for a minute.
The women already exchanged numbers and planned to get together. Mom knew more about Evelyn now, and I figured she’d be helping out soon. I had no idea how with Olivia living with her and the things she did with friends during her spare time.
“She has a new project,” Mallory said in the car on our way home.
“Totally.” Keller looked at me with a curious gaze, and I laughed with my sister.
“She adores your mom. She does that on her own, but she’s going to help her. Meals, visits, you name it. That’s who my mom is.” I shrugged, and he smiled.
“Mom has a lot of friends here, but they get on well. I don’t think another one will hurt,” Keller replied and smiled as I played back the night in my head. It was perfect, and I wanted a future with Keller more than ever.
But, did he?
We frequently had dinner with the band and our families, and before too long, my family was going to Evelyn’s for meals and simple visits. Keller slept with me every night in one bed or another. I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep alone ever again, and that scared me.
I was in a relationship. I swore those off after Trey, but here I was. I was in deep this time.
Keller was doing well with his job. He was meeting a lot of the local bands and making friends as well as writing amazing articles. He seemed to get at least one friend out of every interview, and Moira was one of the closest. She showed up at some of our shows and hung out with him at the bar, often with Mallory, if she showed up. At this point, Moira knew we were together and teased us about it. It was a good joke between us.
What I was not comfortable with was the fact that Lance and my sister were dating now. She went to a lot of their shows or hung out with him at mine. Keller told me to leave her be and let her have fun. They seemed to have fun together, and I pushed away from the idea of him staying at her house. Mallory was still working as hard as ever, so she knew her priorities. I would stay out of it unless that changed because she was building her way toward a great career.
Lance showed up at Sunday dinner a couple of months into their relationship. Mom welcomed him with open arms, and Mallory
glowed as she sat beside him on the couch, chatting with Evelyn.
“She looks happy,” Keller told me, slipping his arms around my stomach.
“Yeah. I just hope it doesn’t end up in heartbreak. My sister doesn’t give her heart away easily.” My voice was low, and Keller kissed my hair.
“Don’t worry.”
“Tell me that when the twins are dating,” I muttered as he chuckled.
“They’re already boy crazy. It’s just a matter of time.”
Days turned into weeks. Mallory kept seeing Lance, and I accepted it. I focused on work and Keller, enjoying him every night.
I made coffee one morning and powered on my laptop, waiting for the knock at the door. Keller was still in the shower, and he’d be joining us in a few moments. Moments passed, and I lifted my head to stare at my door. I picked up my phone and called my sister, hearing it go to voice mail. I sent her a message and began to pace, walking to the window to look for her car. It was parked, but where was she?
“Micah? Are you okay?” Keller asked from the hallway as he paused to stare at me.
“Mallory isn’t here or answering anything on her phone. She’s never done that.” I stared out, dropping the phone to the couch before going to pull some keys from my hooks. “I’m going over there.”
“You might walk in on something you don’t want to see,” Keller told me as I stared at him for a moment.
“I need to know she’s okay.” I pushed my door open and ran outside, hearing Keller call my name. I jogged to her door, knocking for a moment to give her a chance to open up. “Mal! Are you okay?”
There was no answer, and I turned the key in the lock, turning the knob to open it. “Mal?” Everything looked normal, and I scanned the living room and kitchen before going to her bedroom. I closed my eyes as I reached the door, expecting to find her in bed with Lance. I stilled when I heard her crying.
“Mal?” I tapped on her door, and she went quiet. “I heard you. I know you’re there.”
“I knew you’d come over.” Her voice sounded weary, and I reached for the doorknob.
“Can I come in?” Her response pushed me to open the door, seeing her curled up alone in bed. “What’s wrong?” I approached her and sat on the edge of the mattress, taking in her puffy eyes. “Mallory. What happened?”
“We were all out at this club last night. The band played, and then there was dancing after.” She sucked in a ragged breath. “I was having so much fun with him. He was attentive, generous, and I thought it was the real deal.”
“Why isn’t he?” I demanded as she started to cry.
“I couldn’t find him. I wasn’t worried until some time passed. I knew that they were allowed in the office in the back used for storing band stuff, so I thought I’d check there. I went to the bathroom and headed back, pushing the door open. It was dim in there, but I saw enough.” Her voice was breaking into sobs. “Lance was in there with Moira. They were on this couch together, and I knew it didn’t just happen. You know how people look when they’ve been like that for a while?”
“I do.” I saw the same thing with Trey the night I caught him. I reached over to hug my sister. “I’m so sorry.” I wanted to call Lance a series of names and then proceed to kick his ass, but she needed comfort right now.
“I slept with him. I gave him every part of me because I thought he loved me. He told me that he did.” I sensed a presence and turned to see Keller standing in the doorway. His eyes were wide, and I pressed my lips together before turning back to Mallory. “I’m so stupid.”
“No, you’re not. You have to try sometimes, even if it hurts. That is all on them, Mal. Not you.” I kissed her hair as she cried brokenly into my shirt. Keller walked around to the other side of the bed, and I gazed at him. He was close with all of them, and this was going to affect that as well. I knew without question that he’d be on our side, but it was going to hurt. He helped to calm her down and went to make some coffee in her kitchen.
He brought her a cup, and she took it, resting against her pillows. “I had no idea, Mallory. I swear that to you.”
“I know. You’d never go along with it.” She took a small sip and looked down at the cup. “I liked her so much.”
“She seemed legit. I never thought…” His voice trailed off, and pain crossed his face. “Fuck.”
“We’re taking the day off,” I announced, and Mallory looked at me. “Let’s eat take out and watch movies. We’re ahead anyway.”
“I’ll leave you two alone if you need that,” Keller told her, his eyes locked on her face. I loved how much he prioritized my relationship with my sister.
“No, I want you here. You’re one of the good ones.”
She took some time to get out of bed and shower. Keller asked me what her favorite break up food was, making me laugh as he took notes on his phone. “This is serious, babe. She needs comfort. I need to drink so I won’t go after them and kick both their asses.”
“I considered it as well, but it won’t change anything. He’s going to know that Mallory knows if he doesn’t already. They all lost something in this.” I shrugged, and he stared at me.
“You seem like you’d be the first to be out the door,” Keller told me, and I stepped forward to kiss him.
“I admit there’s a part of me that wants that, but my sister needs me more.” I gazed into his eyes and smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you. I am going to the store, but I’ll be back with all the junk.” He pecked my lips again and picked up his keys. I watched through the window as he jogged to his car, thanking every power above that we found each other.
Mallory came out with wet hair, dressed in clean pajamas. I poured her some coffee, and we plopped on the couch to wait for Keller. “He’s a good one, Micah.”
“I know,” I replied as I slipped my arm over her shoulders. “I’m not going to take that for granted.”
Keller returned with three bags and a pink box from Mallory’s favorite bakery. He got himself a cup of coffee and sat beside me as he handed my sister the box. “What are we watching?”
There was a Harry Potter marathon on, and I set the remote on the table. Mallory loved this shit, and while I appreciated the detail of the books, I wasn’t as into it. Today was all about her, though. We ate pastries and drank coffee through the first one, playing games on our phones and laughing as we challenged one another. Mallory seemed to be recovering well, and I suggested ordering her favorite pizza for lunch. By this time, she told Mom what happened on the phone. We were invited to dinner that night or the next, based on Mallory. Mom offered to come over, and Mallory told her she’d like that.
Mom and Mallory spent some time in her room in the late afternoon. I explained to Keller how she would just hold us and let us talk when something went wrong. “That’s a good family.” I smiled at Keller’s words and nodded. He was stuffed from eating, and I told him to rest while I put the leftovers in the fridge. He dropped his head back and closed his eyes as I smiled down at him. I placed the pizza box in the refrigerator and wrapped the remaining pastries in plastic. I had no idea what was for dinner but could only handle water right now as it was.
I took a bottle to the couch and sat beside Keller, who seemed to be dozing. He deserved it after being there so much for us, and I glanced at him. I sipped the water, looking at the TV as the second movie in the series was coming to an end. I let my eyes fall closed and fell asleep beside my love.
We woke up a short while later as Mom was bustling around in the kitchen. I looked behind me, and she smiled. “Mal wants Thai for dinner. I was cleaning up before going out to get that and some food. Everything is fine at home, and I need to be with my babies.”
“More food?” Keller sleepily groaned as I laughed. “I’m going to have to run for a week straight.”
“You look great, babe.” I smiled at him, and he rolled his eyes.
“He’s right. Stop fussing.” Mom grabbed her purse and keys as I glanced at her.
“How’s Mal?” I asked as she gave me a gentle smile.
“Sleeping. She told me all about it, and I want to kick both of those people in the ass.” She looked at Keller. “I understand they’re friends of yours?”
“Not anymore. Not after that.” Keller stared at her as she nodded.
“Thank you.” Mom left, and I pulled Keller against me, whispering how much he meant to me. He smiled and kissed me until we heard Mallory coming down the hall. She rubbed her eyes and blinked at us before sitting at the end of the couch.
“I am such a sloth today.” Her hair was in a messy bun, and I could see that she cried with Mom.
“We’re all allowed to do that.” I yawned and pushed my hair back.
“I am going back to work tomorrow. I can’t do this for too long.” Mallory shrugged as we looked at her.
“I’ll get fat if I do this again,” Keller grumbled as I leaned in to whisper ideas to him about how to work the calories off. Mallory scrunched up her nose as we both laughed, begging us to spare her the details of our conversation.
Mom arrived with food and wine, and we gathered around the table to eat. I could tell that Mallory was feeling better and looked around the table at everyone that supported her. Mom left first, and we went later that night once she was tired enough to fall asleep. I kept her phone in a drawer the entire day and told her not to start reading his messages and listening to his voice mails.
I just hoped she listened as I unlocked my door and led Keller inside.
Chapter Eleven
Keller
It was the following day that Moira sent me a message asking about lunch. I stared at the innocent words in disbelief. Was she serious right now? I knew from Mallory that Lance reached out to her, and she shut him down immediately. She left no room for him to grovel and stopped attending their shows.
Moira seemed not to get that memo.
K: I don’t think I ever want to have lunch again, much less see you.
M: Shit, Keller. That wasn’t what it looked like. He was just drunk and needed to talk. Can we talk about it?
