by B. B. Reid
“If it’s that simple, why haven’t you asked Willow yet?”
He smirked and nodded toward his jacket. “Get my bag.” I walked over and grabbed his bag and looked back at him. “The inside pocket,” he answered. I reached and pulled out a small velvet box.
“Are you serious?” I didn’t need to open to know what it was. I opened it anyway and was impressed by the large diamond and two smaller purple stones that flanked it. On the inside of the platinum band read, ‘Summer Will Never End.’
“I was going to ask her later that night but that bastard shot me.”
“Congrats, man.”
“I haven’t asked her yet.”
“There’s only one answer, and I’m pretty sure you know that as well or you wouldn’t have gotten the ring.” I put the ring back in his bag and sat in the chair next to his bed so I could gather my thoughts. It seemed like yesterday we were seventeen and eighteen and plotting to ruin one girl’s life until she crumbled into nothing, and then fast forward six years, we are talking about marriage.
“I know you didn’t come in here to stare at me because of how amazingly hot I am.” I snorted, but then ran a hand through my hair like a chick would because she was hot and she knew it.
“Why, when I have all this to look forward to, when I get myself alone?”
“You’re a true hideous hag.”
“Fuck you, man. Chicks dig, tall, dark, and mysterious.”
“That’s where you got it wrong, my man. No girl can resist a huge dick. Besides, I have all the boyish charm you lack.” I laughed when he tried to flip his hair. When the laughter finally died, we were left with heavy silence and everything that still remained unsaid between us.
“You know you don’t have to make it a thing,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“Me getting shot. I only did what you would have.”
“I just…” Like with Lake, I couldn’t think of the right words to say. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
“You still believe you have to fight the bad guys alone, but you wouldn’t be alive without us and vice versa. Taking that bullet for Lake was like me taking it for you, too. I’d die for you any day, precious.” I sent him a nasty look when he reached out to touch my cheek, and he dropped his hand.”
“I just need you to stay alive. You have too much to live for to go dying for me. When will you be discharged?”
“Should be tomorrow and then six weeks of taking it easy. At least I’ll be strong enough to hold my son when he arrives.”
I clapped him on the shoulder and stood to leave.
Lake was back in the waiting room, sitting with Kennedy as she toyed with the table again while Sheldon and Willow talked about the baby. I had enough of listening to that when Sheldon was pregnant with Ken. I walked over and lifted Lake from her seat. “So, back to California?”
“Not yet. There are people that want to meet you.”
I scrubbed my hand down my face and tried to stifle my aggravation.
“I don’t want to meet anyone. I just want to take you home and forget the past two weeks happened.”
“And you will, but there are some people you might need to talk to. I think they can answer some questions.”
“They. They. They. Why the mystery?”
“Because I think you need to hear it from them.” She smiled, but I didn’t return the favor.
What the fuck was she trying to do to me?
“Please,” she said picking up on my irritation. “Just trust me.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
LAKE
ONE WEEK AGO
After giving my account of the shooting and the kidnapping and the events leading to the death of one man—because Greg just refused to die—I was taken in but not before making sure the girls… and Ryan were all safe. His mother came home and threw a screaming fit about the state of her house but that was all right, too. I had the proof to clear Keiran and me. Greg was read his rights and taken to the hospital by ambulance.
The first rough patch didn’t come until Cassie and Maddie were taken into CPS custody while their mother recovered from physical abuse and drug abuse. I was told I wouldn’t be allowed to see them.
I then phoned Thompson, who informed me he wouldn’t be able to fly in until he wrapped up a high-profile case at the end of the week. To make things worse, he advised me not to contact Keiran.
“We have a real chance of having the charges dropped for good. We wouldn’t want to set him off now,” was all the reason he’d given when I’d asked why.
Once I left the police station, I called Keenan who had been blowing up my phone nonstop since the kidnapping. After he had calmed down, he barked an order to stay put so he could pick me up. Since Dash had been shot here in Summit’s hospital garage, Keenan was able to get to me quickly.
“This is all so fucked,” he breathed after I repeated the story to him. He took in my appearance and agreed to take me back to Six Forks where I could shower and rest. He told me Kennedy was staying with a neighbor to watch over her since Sheldon’s parents were out of the country. I was thankful I was able to stop Greg before I led him here to look for money that didn’t exist. At least not in a safe.
It was late, but once he dropped me off with the order to rest, he picked up Kennedy, thanking the neighbor, and then took the four-hour drive back to Summit, leaving Ken with me. I thought he was crazy, but I knew he wouldn’t stay away from Sheldon when she needed him. I put Kennedy to bed and took a long hot shower before finding one of Keiran’s old tees and crawling into his old bed. I remembered so many things about this bed—some terrifying and others exhilarating. I drifted off to sleep thinking about my younger, tortured Master.
The next morning, I borrowed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt from Sheldon and then fed Kennedy while answering a million and one questions ranging from the whereabouts of her parents and how long I can hold my breath underwater.
I was finally able to hustle her out the door but was stopped short by an elderly couple on the front porch. They were looking around as if lost before settling their gazes on me simultaneously.
“Uh, hi. Can I help you?”
“Oh, dear, I think we have the wrong house,” the lady spoke up. “I’m Wendy and this is my husband, Daniel. We’re just looking for our grandsons. Could you help us?”
“I’ll try. What are their names?” I didn’t know these people but something about them being here felt strangely eerie.
“Keiran and Keenan Masters.”
* * *
PRESENT
Keeping Keiran on ice for one day was like asking a pot of water not to boil. I had no idea what had him so high strung. For the rest of the day, he watched me as if I had killed his father all over again. Thankfully, he disappeared with Keenan the next morning and didn’t return until early afternoon, giving me some time to put a plan into action.
I’d told Willow and Sheldon about Wendy and Daniel the day they appeared, and they agreed it would be better to wait until the dust settled. Since Dash was out of the hospital, I figured now would be the best time to introduce them to their grandparents.
They arrived just before Keiran and Keenan got back, so when they walked in and were greeted by strangers, the tension noticeably grew.
“Shelly? Why are there strangers in our living room?” Keenan’s tone wasn’t playful or mildly curious, and Keiran was already studying the couple with suspicion.
Sheldon looked like she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar so I decided to answer him, but then Daniel spoke up.
“My name is Daniel and this is my wife, Wendy. We have been anxious to meet you two.”
“Why?” Keiran asked, ever the suspicious one.
“Because, young man, we’re your grandparents.” I could tell by Wendy’s tone that she didn’t appreciate his rudeness, but I warned them when they showed up a week ago it wouldn’t be so easy to walk into their lives.
“That
doesn’t answer his question,” Keenan remarked.
“I can see the young lady didn’t exaggerate how intense you two could be. You’re just like your father when he was your age.”
Bad move.
Bad move.
Bad move.
“We’re nothing like him,” Keiran growled.
“We know all about what Mitch has done, and I can understand why you resent him—” Keenan snorted, interrupting her. “I’m not finished speaking,” she snapped and he had enough sense to look contrite. “As I was saying, I understand your resentment, but I wasn’t speaking of my youngest son. I was speaking of John. He may not have been either of your father’s biologically, but he took you in, provided for you, and loved you whether you choose to believe it or not.”
“Are you getting to a point?”
“You will show my wife some respect,” Daniel reprimanded this time. “I can see while my oldest son provided for you, he hasn’t taught you much in manners.”
“He was too busy staying away to care what we did. As I recall, you two were nowhere to be found, so I repeat—why are you here now?”
“Both of our sons are dead. Whether you want it or not, we’re here to offer closure. For you and for ourselves.”
“He’s right,” Wendy added. “We never wanted to stay away, but we believed it was safer this way. So did John. When you were old enough to take care of yourselves, he stayed away so if Mitch ever came looking for you, he could throw him off your trail and it worked. It took him ten years to find you because of what John sacrificed. He didn’t deserve your hatred.”
“He said he found us because the money ran out.”
“Mitch was never good with money, so we cut him off a long time ago. I don’t know what he told you but he’s always looked for you, and it was because of John that he didn’t find you sooner.”
“Why should we believe you?”
“We have no right to ask you to trust or accept us, but we will anyway. We’ve waited so long just to finally be in the same room with you. We started to think it would never be possible. But then Mitch died…”
“Are you happy about that?”
“Of course not. He may have had his issues, but I am still his mother.”
“Lady, he had more than issues. He sold his own son and kidnapped my daughter.”
“So there is a child.” Wendy looked so hopeful that I prayed he wouldn’t break her heart. I didn’t believe these people were evil or meant them harm, unlike their son.
Keenan scrutinized them, and then his body slowly lost its tension. “Her name is Kennedy and she’s four.”
“Are there anymore?” Daniel asked. His gaze was trained on Keiran, who visibly paled at the mention of having kids.
“No,” he brusquely replied.
He nodded. “Okay then… May we meet her?”
I watched Keenan’s eyes flicker with uncertainty and knew he struggled with the curiosity of his newfound grandparents and the need to protect his daughter.”
“I guess that will be all right,” he answered slowly.
“She should be waking from her nap now,” Sheldon offered. Keenan merely lifted his chin and Sheldon took off for the stairs. I couldn’t stand the heat, so I followed behind her under the guise of assistance.
“Do you think we made a mistake?”
Kennedy was up and playing with her toys so Sheldon took her into the bathroom to clean her up.
“I don’t know,” she finally answered. “It’s hard to tell. I believe Wendy and Daniel mean well, and it would be nice for Kennedy to have another strong parental influence. My parents can be so cold.”
“Mommy, we’re going somewhere?” She finished washing her face and hands and tackled her bed hair.
“We’re going downstairs so you can meet two very important people.”
“Oh… Who?”
Sheldon froze mid brush and turned to me for help. “It’s a surprise,” I answered. Sheldon nodded her agreement with my answer and resumed fixing her hair. When she was done, she cleaned up the bathroom and gave Kennedy a once over.
“All right, Ken Doll. Let’s go get ‘em.”
“Barbie’s suck. Ninjas rule.” She took off for the stairs giggling with glee.
“Kennedy Sophia, don’t you dare say that word again and don’t even think about running down those stairs.” She halted with one foot over the top step at the sound of her mother’s tone.
“But daddy said it,” she exclaimed with wide eyes.
“Snitch!” Keenan yelled up the stairs. Kennedy slapped her hands over her mouth and giggled. Sheldon then led her downstairs hand in hand to meet her great grandparents.
* * *
Kennedy hit it off with Wendy and Daniel immediately. She asked endless questions, showed them her ninja turtle action figures, and even demanded her great grandfather show her a trick. He didn’t know any so after fumbling, he told her a joke instead that Kennedy alone found hilarious.
Sheldon and I decided to cook spaghetti for dinner when the hour grew late, leaving Keiran and Keenan alone with their grandparents. For the last few hours, Keiran had been sneaking glances and communicating that he’d want answers later. Other than that, he ignored me and answered his grandparent’s questions.
“So boys,” Daniel began as we sat down to eat, “John told me you two played basketball. What were your positions again?”
“Point guard.”
“Power forward.”
“And Keiran, you were team captain of your high school and college teams? Impressive.” Keiran nodded and shrugged as if it were no big deal.
“He was more than that,” Keenan boasted. “He was invited to one of the best training camps in the country. The NBA and NCAA sponsor these camps as a way to get an early look at playing potential.”
“It seemed more for showmanship,” Keiran remarked with disinterest.
Keenan, however, was more than animated for the two of them. “He even played with Sean Ramers at the camp.” Keiran’s gaze shot up from his plate while my hand, lifting a fork full of food, froze midway.
“I’m sorry. Did you say Sean Ramers?”
“Yeah. He’s a recent NFL draft pick.”
“But wasn’t this camp for basketball players?”
“He played basketball and football in high school because he couldn’t choose between the sports. When he went to Nebraska, he decided on football. It was a real loss to basketball.”
“And you said Keiran knew him?”
Keenan, unfortunately, caught on to the shift in the air and promptly clamped his mouth shut. It was too late anyway. I heard what I needed to hear.
“You have got to be kidding me.” I pushed back my chair and stood up from the table.
Keiran caught my arm, restraining me. “Where are you going?”
“Away from you.” I snatched my arm away from him and headed for the front door. He called my name, but I only walked faster while I dug his spare car key from my back pocket. When I opened the front door and noticed the Mercedes blocking in Keiran’s car, a growl ripped through me.
“Lake!” The sound of him calling my name with such authority only fueled my anger. I turned back to face him.
“You manipulative bastard! You staged the entire thing, didn’t you?”
“It’s not what you think. I only did it to keep you safe.”
“Oh, that makes everything okay. Should I just bend over for you now?” I stared at him expectantly.
“I didn’t want to lie to you, but you being so far away drove me fucking crazy. You were thirteen hundred miles away,” he gritted.
“I lost my best friend for four fucking years because you’re a selfish, controlling bastard.”
“You wanted to leave. You couldn’t handle it either.”
“I never would have left her if I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“Exactly,” he barked, stalking me as I backed away. “You would have stayed and been miserable and unprotected,
and I couldn’t allow that to happen.”
“It wasn’t your decision. I shouldn’t have to explain this to you. Even after she ran away, you continued to lie.” When he reached for me, I shifted, pissing him off further. “Is this how it will be?”
“What?”
“You manipulating me to get your way. Is that how it will be? What about what I want?”
“I gave you what you wanted.”
“Only because it was better for you! I didn’t want it like that. I didn’t want to hurt Willow. She was gone, Keiran, and if it weren’t for that crazy bitch, Esmerelda, she would have never come back.”
“You don’t know that.”
“But I do know you’re a fucking liar.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
KEIRAN
I was fucking this up. She looked at me as if I disgusted her, and I deserved it. The lie I told to get her close and keep her there had been a thorn in my side for five years. I wanted to come clean every time she looked at me with love and trust, but it never seemed like the right time.
My brother unintentionally brought it to light, and now I’d been backed into a corner. The only thing I could do now was to try to make her understand, but as I said, I was fucking this up.
“It’s late and you have nowhere to go.”
“Nowhere to go or nowhere you’d let me go,” she questioned, seeing right through me.
“Just stay tonight and hear me out in the morning.” When she didn’t budge or soften, I added, “Please.”
“A few hours won’t change anything.” She sounded sad and wouldn’t meet my gaze. She walked past me and into the house. My relief was short lived when I returned to the kitchen just to find her empty seat and five sets of eyes watching me.
“She said goodnight and went upstairs,” Sheldon offered. I nodded and stood awkwardly in the doorway. They all watched me closely, but I didn’t see them. I was torn between finishing my first dinner with my grandparents and un-fucking-up my relationship once more.
