Razed

by Shiloh Walker

  She shrugged restlessly. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  He let it go at that and started breaking down the equipment. Keelie went to head out, checking the time on her phone. Fifteen minutes before her first appointment. She had to get out of here, away from Zach and this awful tension. She had time enough for a cup of coffee—

  “Keelie.”

  She paused in the doorway, looking back at Zach.

  He was staring at his desk, his shoulders rigid under his Darth Vader T-shirt. “Yeah?” she said, trying not to let anything show in her voice.

  Zane stood off to the side, his movements a little less fluid, a little sharper than they usually were.

  Zach didn’t say anything immediately.

  Instead, he came out from behind his desk. Nudging Keelie back in his office, he shut the door and leaned against it, hands jammed into his pockets. Then, in a rush that had the words tripping over each other, he said, “I was an ass last night and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have fucked up your night and I wanted to apologize to both of you.”

  Keelie nibbled on her lower lip. Then she shrugged. “Okay.” She eyed the way he continued to bar the door. “I’ve got an appointment soon and I need coffee.”

  Zach lifted his head, stared at her. “Are we okay?”

  She sighed. “Zach . . .”

  “I’m serious. Are we okay?”

  Uncomfortable now, she looked away. “Sure we are.”

  “Are we?” He continued to stare at her and, feeling like a coward, she made herself look back at him. “It doesn’t feel like we are.”

  “That’s because neither of us seem to know what to say to each other anymore,” she said softly. “That’s my fault. But—”

  “Maybe it’s our fault.” Zach glanced at his brother and then back at her. “You’re like a sister to me and you . . . well. You threw me for a loop, but that doesn’t mean I had to keep spinning, even after you went back to acting normal. I’m the one who kept putting the distance between us.”

  One of those little knots in her heart started to unravel. Moving forward, she reached out.

  He didn’t take her hand.

  He caught her up in his arms and before she could prepare herself, she was trapped in a hug so tight, she couldn’t breathe. But she didn’t really care. She hadn’t realized how much she missed this. Missed her friend, one of the first she’d really let herself have—let herself count on. Eyes burning, she pressed her face against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him back.

  * * *

  Zane didn’t say anything, even as she slid out the door.

  Once more, Zach shut the door and then he stood there, staring at the large black-and-white block tiles for a long while.

  After a few minutes, he looked up, opened his mouth. Then he closed it without saying anything.

  Zane moved to the battered leather chair and dropped into it.

  Zach’s eyes went devilish.

  “When Abby came back after we had that fight, we had sex in that chair. I thought about bronzing it, but figured I’d keep it here so I could look at it and remember whenever I was in a bad mood.”

  Zane pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m pretty sure your germs are gone by now, man. Although I’ll be sure to let Abby know you’re sharing details of your personal life.” He watched as Zach went white, waited a few seconds. “Or maybe not. I’d hate to have to see her get arrested over your sorry ass.”

  “What I want to know is why everybody thinks you are the nice one of the bunch,” Zach muttered, throwing himself into the chair behind his desk.

  “Maybe because I somehow managed to grow up?” Zane shrugged.

  There was no answer but the silence between them was no longer so strained.

  A minute or two passed and then Zach looked over at him. “If Keelie doesn’t offer to let you do the pictures on her own, let it go.”

  Zane frowned.

  “I mean it,” Zach said, his voice low, brows coming together in a hard line over his eyes. “She’s weird about having pictures taken and it’s not just because she doesn’t like having them done. If she doesn’t offer, don’t ask. I’m asking you to let it go.”

  Studying his brother’s face, Zane found himself fighting a world of questions, his curiosity biting at him.

  But he nodded.

  They’d found a peace and they were fine, but now wasn’t the time for the questions.

  “Okay.” He nodded again. “Okay.”

  “Thanks.” Zach propped his booted feet on the desk, swiping his phone from the edge. “I’m on until four, but there were a few places Abby wanted me to show you if you had time. Do you?”

  “I’ve got some.” Zane shrugged. “Anything in particular?”

  “Two places. One of them . . .” Zach grimaced. “I think she just likes the space herself. But the other one? Yeah. I can see it. She said it fell in your price range and it’s in a decent area of town. Sounds like it’s got enough space for you.”

  “Okay.” Rising, he shot the chair a look and then shook his head. “You better not tell anybody else about that chair, man. Abby will kick your ass.”

  Zach flipped him off. “Wanna do dinner tonight?”

  On his way to the door, Zane shook his head. “We can try lunch tomorrow or something. Since you kind of shot last night to hell, I’m cooking for Keelie tonight.”

  He paused before he opened the door, looked back.

  Zach had a grim look on his face. “I am sorry.”

  “I know that. I’m still trying to figure out what the hell the problem was, though.”

  Zach’s gaze moved to his. “If I could figure it out as easy as that, I’d . . . well. Maybe I’d tell you. But nothing has felt right with you, or Keelie, for a while. What happened . . .”

  “It was a kiss,” Zane said, his voice brusque. “And I hate to tell you this, Casanova, but I don’t think you rocked her world. If that’s what it took for her to understand you’re not for her? Fine.” As Zach’s gaze moved to his, Zane opened the door. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t want to hit you over it.”

  “Didn’t rock her world.” Zach chuckled. “And have you?”

  Zane snorted. “Fuck you, man.”

  * * *

  He found Keelie in the front of the shop.

  She had on a pair of black-and-white striped jeans that clung to her long, slim legs—they were so tight, he imagined he’d have to peel them off her. He was even fantasizing about doing just that. It was a pretty beautiful fantasy, too. He would take his time, watch each inch of skin as he bared it, the curls between her thighs—

  “Hi, Zane!”

  He looked up as a petite, pierced version of Tinker Bell appeared in front of him. Anais, with the rings running from her lobe to the curve of her left ear, a rainbow of glittery makeup on her eyes, and a wide, wicked smile, popped in front of him and smiled.

  No. That wasn’t a smile.

  She beamed.

  It was the first time he could remember meeting somebody who actually beamed.

  She was pretty damn cute.

  “You need to let me take your picture for the website.”

  She grinned at him. “I don’t have any tats that these guys have.”

  He nodded at Keelie. “Make an appointment with her.”

  “She let me give her one piercing. An easy one. Hardly any poking at all.” Anais spread her hands out wide. “If somebody is going to poke me with a needle over and over, shouldn’t I get to do the same?”

  Zane scratched his head, squinting one eye as he pondered that logic. “Well. You’ve got more skin to tattoo than she has places to pierce.”

  “There are always plenty of places to pierce.”

  “Ani, you talked me into the one. That’s it,” Keelie said from the counter.

  “These people are so uptight.” Anais heaved out a sigh. “I tried to talk Zach into a Prince Albert and he went white.”

  Zane fought the urge to cove
r his cock protectively. He kept his expression blank only because he recognized that look in the woman’s eyes. He had four younger siblings. He knew exactly when somebody was saying something just to get a rise out of him. “Well, considering what and where that goes, that’s probably something he’d have to talk over with Abby.”

  “She’d enjoy it.” Anais winked at him.

  “Yeah. You try talking her into that,” Zane advised.

  Anais heaved out a sigh. “You’re no fun. I say all of this to Zach and he starts acting like I’m trying to make him into a eunuch.”

  Grinning at her, Zane fought the urge to tug on one of the wide, buttery yellow curls. “The problem is that’s the main reason you do it.”

  “You’re onto me.” Anais grinned and moved out of his way, throwing herself onto the long, low couch that ran along the length of the window.

  Zane made his way over to Keelie. She glanced at him. “Onto her, huh?”

  He braced his hands on the counter on either side of her. “I’d rather be on you.”

  She went red, that blush that fascinated him so much spreading across her face. Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve known me long enough to know how mean I am, right?”

  He grinned.

  “Good. Don’t start. Not here.”

  “You’re no fun.” He dipped his head and nuzzled her neck. “You smell amazing.”

  She shivered.

  Her hands came up and he braced himself in case she tried to push him away, but all she did was curl her hands into his shirt as she turned her face toward him. “I kind of prefer the way you smell,” she whispered, her voice low, erratic. Then she sighed. “You have to go. You distract me and I’ve got an appointment.”

  “I’m going. I need to go to the store and I saw some ads for a few houses I wanted to look at anyway.” He didn’t back away, though, curving one hand over her hip, the silken warmth of her skin calling to him. “You and Zach—you going to be okay?”

  He lifted his head so he could study her face.

  “Yeah.” Her lips bowed up. “We will be, now.”

  “Good.” He brushed a kiss over her lips and backed away just as the door opened.

  She slid him a smile and then moved past him. “Hey, Little Tom. You ready to finish up today?”

  Zane glanced back over his shoulder as he headed for the hall.

  Then he shook his head. Little Tom was so damn tall, Zane would have to tip his head back to meet his gaze. The guy had to be seven feet and his shoulders were probably almost half that wide.

  And he blushed when Keelie smiled at him.

  In the back of the shop, he paused by the table where Zach and Javi were bullshitting.

  “Heading out?” Zach asked.

  “Yeah.” He glanced over at Javi. “Hey, man. We need to set up a time so I can get some more shots. You talk to Aida about letting me get a few of her?”

  Javi rolled his eyes. “She keeps brushing me off. You oughta come by, talk to her, amigo.”

  “I’ll call.”

  “Oh!” Javi winced and looked over at Zach. “Man, Aida, she’s gonna kill me.” He went over to the hooks hanging by the door, grabbed a worn leather bag and pulled it down. “I was supposed to give you this a week or two ago.”

  “Javi, your brain isn’t attached to any other part of your body,” Zach said, accepting a battered envelope.

  “Sure it is. It’s attached to my—”

  Zane lifted a brow as Javi clamped his mouth shut. “What, you’re behaving now?”

  “I told my lady I’d try to mind my manners better.” Javi shrugged.

  Zach looked up from the card. “I didn’t have anything to do with this.”

  “Don’t bullshit me, man. I won’t tell the school.”

  “I didn’t.”

  Curious, Zane reached over and plucked the card from Zach’s hand. Zach didn’t stop him and Zane read the feminine script quickly.

  Zach and Abby,

  We heard from the school about the anonymous fund set up for the kids who didn’t have the money available for the trip. Now the entire advanced group is able to go to the workshop in DC. While they weren’t able to give us names, I have a feeling I know who is responsible. You all made it possible for Evie to go, but it was so very kind of you to provide the funds for the other kids as well. Thanks so much.

  Aida

  Zane slid his brother a glance. Zach shrugged. “I didn’t do it. I’ll ask Abby, but I don’t think she did it, either. She would have mentioned it.”

  Zane handed the card to Javi. “Well, whoever did it, that was pretty nice of them. This was the thing you were talking about back at the wedding, right?”

  “Yeah.” Javi stared at the card, hard. “I . . . seriously, man. It wasn’t you, boss?”

  “No. I . . .” He paused as Keelie jogged in, grabbed a bottle of water. “Please tell me Little Tom isn’t feeling queasy again.”

  “Nah. He’s just thirsty.” She paused, looked at Javi and Zach. “What’s up?”

  Javi waved the card at her. “Somebody set up a fund for thousands of dollars at my baby’s school. We thought it was Zach and Abby, but they say no. I dunno who else could have that kind of money. It would be like fifty grand or more, and they said they’ll renew the grant as deemed appropriate.” His face brightened. “Hey . . . hey! Sebastian! He was there!”

  “No, he wasn’t.” Zane shook his head. “He’d wandered off by then. And hate to say this, pal. If he’d done it, he’d have his name all over it. In bright, sparkling letters.”

  Keelie took the card, read it. Then she shrugged and passed it back. “What does it matter who did it? I gotta get going. If I take too long, Little Tom will get queasy.” She flashed a smile at Zane.

  It hit him, right in the gut.

  She was gone before he could give in to the need to grab her, plant a hard kiss on that pretty mouth.

  “The big guy.” Zane ran his tongue across his teeth. “He gets queasy.”

  “He passed out on Keelie once.” Javi shoved the card in his back pocket and grinned at Zane. “Was sitting up in the chair and Keelie had to hold him there when he started to slip out of it. She threatened to kill me if I took a picture of her.”

  “You’re an ass, Javi,” Zach said, sighing.

  “Yeah. That’s why you love me.”

  * * *

  “So have you hit anyplace since you got in town?” Zach asked.

  It was two hours earlier than planned, but some of Zach’s appointments had cancelled. That worked out better really, because Zane hadn’t had time to figure out what he wanted to cook and he still needed to do that, go to the store. This would take up an hour or so and then he’d be free to focus on Keelie.

  “Nope.” Zane swapped out his regular glasses for sunglasses as Zach climbed inside the convertible. Zach had the top off and the sun seemed way too bright and it was way too high in the sky for Zane’s liking. But then again, it had taken him until two a.m. to fall asleep. Being curled around Keelie’s naked body had been both pleasure and pain—he hadn’t wanted to miss a moment of it. “I did some driving around earlier, but I was looking at houses.”

  “Houses. You can use the loft, you know. It’s paid for. Save you money while you’re building the studio up.” Zach scowled, his hair already escaping the band he’d used to pull it back. “You need to be careful how much money you go throwing around.”

  Zane managed not to laugh, although it was hard. The idea of Zach lecturing him on money was hilarious.

  “I appreciate it, but I got it under control.”

  “I’m serious.” Zach gave him a narrow look before he pulled out of the parking lot. “The first couple of years are rough for small-business types. And I had money to fall back on.”

  “Zach? I appreciate the concern, but I got this.” He slumped in the seat and squinted as the sun proceeded to shine directly in his eyes. “Just two places, right?”

  “Yep. We can hit the one farthest out first
—it’s the one I think Abby just likes because she likes it.” Zach grinned. “If that makes sense.”

  “Since when you do you make sense?” Zane swiped through a recipe website on his phone, careful to keep it angled away from his brother. He might have to put up with some razzing from his brothers over the fact that he knew his way around a kitchen—and enjoyed it—he wasn’t in the mood to listen to Zach’s ribbing him about digging around for ideas on what to make for dinner.

  “I ran that idea for the discount thing by a couple of my regulars. They like it. You going be here long this time?” Zach hit the road, driving like he’d spent most of his formative years as a stunt double, not a child star on a sitcom.

  Zane set his jaw and managed not to brace himself as Zach took a corner at a speed that really should have sent them spinning out of control.

  “You realize they have speed limits for a reason, right?” he said calmly. “And if you hit anybody going this fast, you’re going to do damage.”

  Zach grimaced and slowed down. “I’m not going to hit anybody. And you didn’t answer me.”

  “A few weeks this time. I’m waiting for my stuff to get here, put what I don’t need in storage. I had a call from my real estate agent—somebody made an offer on my place, sounds serious.”

  “That was fast. Is it fair?”

  Zane shrugged, eyed the road, decided it was safe to look away. “Yeah. It’s a little lower than I’d like but the economy sucks.” It was also more than Zane had paid, but he’d been adding on and upgrading, so he was coming out on top. Plus, the house was paid off. Maybe Zach had money coming in from the show and syndication, but Zane actually understood the language of money. The game of it. He’d paid his house off two years ago and once he moved here, the only real debt he’d have would be the studio.

  Unaware of Zane’s thoughts, Zach shrugged. “That happens. Just remember you can use the loft as long as you need it.”

  “Thanks,” Zane said, smiling a little. He eyed a marinade that popped up, wracked his memory—he’d seen Keelie tear through a steak at a cookout over at Abby’s once. That could work.