“You’re with her?” the wife asks with a laugh.
“I am.”
“What’s her name.”
“Matisse Kingston.”
“Anyone could’ve told you that.”
“But they didn’t. You’ve tried to put on a show, and failed. Now it’s time to walk away gracefully.”
“You don’t talk to my wife like that,” Bill tells him.
“Walk away, idiot,” Haring says, speaking for the first time. I love that my brother trusts me to take care of myself, but I love him more for standing up for me as things escalate.
“Keep your woman on a leash. If she is your woman, that is.”
“She’s definitely mine, but I believe it’s my turn to be tied up tonight,” Kendrick tells him.
I love this man. Seriously, I love him. Oh shit, I. Love. Him.
* * *
Kendrick
“Never a dull moment with you, Kandinsky.”
“Shut it, Pollock.”
“Do you always call each other by different artist names?” I ask.
“Pretty much,” Haring tells me.
“Good to know.”
“You don’t need to know since you’re not staying.”
“If I leave now, your friends will stop believing we’re together.”
“I hate you.”
“Hate and love go hand in hand, so I can deal with the former for now.”
I put my arm around her as we both sit down. She’s stiff in my arms until I start moving my fingers back and forth in the spot behind her ear. I know it’s one of her erogenous zones, and her shoulders relax almost immediately as she leans into my hand.
“Is someone going to tell me what’s going on, or do I need to call Aiden?”
“You don’t need to call Aiden,” she tells him. “This is Kendrick. We fucked a few times—and then we didn’t. End of story.”
“If the story ended, why are you here, Kendrick?”
“I needed to talk to Matisse, and she’s here, so I flew here, too.”
“I think we should spend some time getting to know each other if you’re going to be flying across the country after my sister.”
“There’s no need for that. Kendrick and I have nothing to talk about, and he’s leaving tonight.”
“You’re leaving?” Haring asks me.
“Nope.”
“Why?” she asks, making it sound like a plea. Damn if that doesn’t hit me right in heart.
“This place looks like it has good beer, you need my help to keep those vultures away, and oh yeah, we need to talk.”
“I’ll concede the first two, but as for the talking, you made yourself perfectly clear. I don’t want or need to hear any more from you.”
“I was an asshole. Quite possibly the biggest asshole on the planet, and you didn’t deserve that. I took out my frustrations on you.”
“You asked me to ‘blend in.’”
“I didn’t mean that. I love the way you look. You know that.”
“I thought I did, but then you said those things.”
“Hello! I’m still here,” Haring says. “Did you really ask her to try and conform? And you lived to tell the tale?”
“Sorry, Haring.”
“You know my name. Maybe we should officially meet.”
I hold out my hand. “Kendrick.”
We shake as Matisse rolls her eyes. “I’ll get us the next round.”
She hesitates for less than a second before leaning over to kiss me. I happily go along with it, pulling her in when she tries to back away. When she digs her nails into my shoulder I let her go. I love her nails on my skin, but only when we don’t have an audience.
“Aiden hasn’t called me so either he doesn’t know what happened, or he doesn’t think it’s serious,” Haring says once she’s gone.
“I care for your sister, but things are complicated. I said things I didn’t mean, and as you can see, she’s not too willing to let me prove myself.”
“Take her to the zoo.”
“The zoo?”
“The National Zoo. She’s always loved it, and I know she’s planning to go while she’s here. She loves the pandas, man. You don’t know how long I had to sit and look at pandas when I was a kid.”
“You should’ve snuck off to the reptile house.”
“Are you insane? Who the fuck willingly goes near a snake.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize you were sensitive about them.”
“Well, I am. Like I said, though, take her to the zoo.”
I look up the zoo on my phone, and get an idea. I’m not sure I can pull it off, but maybe it’s time for me to use some power for my own good, instead of being scared of it.
“I have a plan. Will you help me?”
“I think I just might.”
“What are you two planning over here?” Matisse asks, handing her brother and I bottles of IPA from a local brewery.
“What do you think?” Haring asks her.
“Stay out of my love life, Rockwell.”
“I’m not into incest, so no worries there, Seurat.”
I almost spit out my beer when he says that. “That’s just…wow. You two are…”
“Don’t try to figure us out. Many have tried, and almost all have failed,” Matisse tells me.
“I rarely fail.”
“It’s happening right here and now. Pay attention.”
“Is it? I’ve had your lips on mine twice tonight. I consider that a step in the right direction.”
“I was using you.”
“Use away,” I tell her, spreading my arms. I’ll take what I can get, and if that’s sex, then yes please!
She twists my t-shirt in her hands and kisses me again. This time, I’m allowed to put my tongue in her mouth. It’s wonderful—until she bites me.
“What the fuck?” I ask, pulling back as I taste blood in my mouth.
She shrugs. “They walked out, so I didn’t need you anymore.”
“That’s like, ice cold. Even for you,” Haring tells her.
“He’ll live. I just gave him a little non-love bite.”
“I think that’s my cue to head back to the hotel,” I say, trying to maintain some sense of dignity.
“No. You’re not staying. There’s got to be a flight back to Vegas tonight.”
“I licked you, Matisse, and you yourself said that makes you mine. I was stupid, and I’ve admitted that already. Now it’s time for me to show you. I’m going to stay, and I’m going to fight for you. Get used to it. Or better yet, fight me, so I can show you I won’t run scared. Your choice.”
“You’re really staying?”
“I am.”
She hesitates for a moment, and then speaks again. “Joel has a game tomorrow. Would you like to go with us?”
“I actually called Joel when I knew I was coming, and saw he had a game here. He told me he gave you seats, and I have one next to you. I’m glad you asked, though, because I’d rather be going with you.”
“Of course you called him,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Don’t get too excited. It’s just a game.”
“I’m happy to be anywhere you are, Matisse. I haven’t done a great job of showing you that, but I will.”
“I look forward to it, Doc.”
It’s not a big win, but it’s still a win, and I’ll take it. Game in the afternoon, and my plan at night. With any luck, we’ll be flying home together, and we’ll actually be together again.
Chapter 12
Matisse
I tossed and turned in bed all night, thinking about Kendrick and how he flew here for me. He seemed sincere, but then again, he seemed that way before he told me he was done with me, too. I don’t know what to do about him being here, but I’m smart enough to know he’s going to pop up when I least expect him.
I dress in jean shorts and a t-shirt that says “it’s all about the base,” because why not have some fun with this sports thing? Of course, I’ve cut up the tee
to make it edgier and now it stops above my belly button. I even put on Chucks instead of my normal crazy boots. I’ll never blend in, but I can go with the theme of the day.
“Nice, Degas,” Haring says when I walk into the living room.
“Thanks, Lichtenstein.”
“Are you going to tell me anything more about Kendrick?”
“No.”
“Not even if I take you to Eastern Market?”
“I could take myself there,” I reply, my mouth watering as I think about the blueberry buckwheat pancakes from Market Lunch. The flea market there is also calling out to my wallet.
“I need to know what I’m protecting you from,” he says, grabbing my arm and leading me out to his car.
“Protecting? You seemed like you were plotting with him last night.”
“He flew all the way here, and he told me he cares for you.”
I snort at that. “He has a funny way of showing it.”
“Spill.”
I tell him everything, because he’s relentless, and also because he understands me better than anyone. Our parents died when I was thirteen, and he took custody of me, juggling college with teen angst. I don’t know how he survived me, or how we would’ve survived without Aiden and his family. The Vice President of the United States was just Aiden’s dad to me back then, and I was not nice.
By the time I was sixteen, I was sneaking out for tattoos and boys. Mr. Ford picked me up himself more than once, taking me for milkshakes as he sobered me up. He did it so Haring could concentrate on school, but also because he’s an awesome man who saw something in a lost girl. His confidence kept me in line, and when I graduated from high school and college he was there—Secret Service at his side for the college one—to cheer me on. Aiden’s mom was great to me, too, but it’s his dad that I will always thank for saving me from myself.
“As your brother, I’m a little blinded by rage at the moment, but you know I like to look at all sides of a situation, so I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate for a minute,” Haring says when I’m done.
“Go ahead.”
“Kendrick works on-call at the hospital two to three nights a week because he loves helping people. He doesn’t need the money, and he obviously doesn’t do it for glory.”
“Correct.” Or as correct as he can be. I’ll be telling Haring about the Society once I’m a full member and allowed to tell my one person.
“First, he saved some people and had probably done that a ton of times, but he was fired anyway. Second, the firing occurred because he turned down some chick while his girl was on his lap, putting on a show. Third, he got his job back because someone used their influence and again, not because he’s a good doctor.”
“He’s a great doctor.”
He nods. “Yet none of that mattered. He was fired because his girlfriend helped to embarrass a young girl. Then he was re-hired because his other boss threatened to pull funding. He had absolutely no control over what happened to him, and if it was me, I can tell you, I’d be pissed. Hopefully I wouldn’t take it out on someone I love, but I’d be angry.”
“He doesn’t love me.”
“Please, Gaugin. He flew here for you; trust me, he loves you.”
“He didn’t mention any of that stuff you brought up when he was yelling at me.”
“He was running on no sleep, with his adrenaline dropping. If he didn’t like the way you looked or acted, he wouldn’t have been with you.”
“He hurt me.”
“I know, and trust me, he knows it, too. I just think you should give him a chance.”
“You invited him here?” I ask, as we pull into the parking lot at the market and I see Kendrick.
“Well, look at that coincidence. Who knew the doctor would be hanging out here this morning?”
“You.”
“Well, duh. I needed some help carrying all the shit you’re going to buy.”
“I love you, Haring.”
“I love you, too, Matisse.”
* * *
Kendrick
Matisse looks fierce—and fucking hot—as she gets out of her brother’s car. I wanted to walk over and open the door for her, but I was afraid she’d injure me with it. I’ll just wait here, and fight the urge to run if she charges me.
“I hear you’re going to carry my purchases for me.”
“I’ll do whatever you need me to.”
“I can tattoo you?”
“Okay, almost anything.”
“What if that’s my deal breaker? A tattoo for you?”
“It has to be somewhere where only you will see it.”
Her eyes go wide. “You’d really do it? You hate tattoos.”
“Yes, I’d do it. And I only hate tattoos for me. I love yours.”
“You said I should hide them.”
“I said a lot of stupid things because I was freaking out. That and a lack of sleep are no excuses for what I did. You’re the last person I should ever take things out on.”
“I’d like to say I could handle it, but you telling me to change who I am if I wanted to be with you really hurt me.”
“I know, and I also know telling you I didn’t mean it isn’t enough, but it’s the truth. I love your tattoos, your Monroe piercing, your clothes, and most of all, I love your sexy badass attitude. I wouldn’t change even one thing about you.”
“You’re sure? Really, really sure? Because I can’t go through that again, but I believe everyone deserves a second chance. And I might be missing you.”
“I’m positive, Tees, and I’m definitely missing you.”
“Just so you know, I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”
She is, but not in the way she’s talking about. All part of my plan. “I respect you, and I don’t expect sex from you all time. I mean, I wouldn’t turn it down, because making love to you is better than anything else, but I can wait.”
“There’s the guy I love,” she says, before clamping her hand over her mouth as her eyes go wide.
I reach out and take her hands in mine. “I love you, too.”
“If my brother wasn’t behind me, I’d probably do something inappropriate right now.”
“Your brother’s inside, getting us seats, so please, do what you want.”
She looks around. “I don’t want to scare the children, but know that I’m having very impure thoughts about you. Still not sleeping with you tonight, but I’m up for other things.”
“I’m up, too, so it’s a good thing I chose baggy shorts today.”
“Easier to slip my hand into.”
“Not helping.”
“Wasn’t trying to. Come on, Doc. Let’s grub.”
I follow her inside, where we eat some delicious pancakes before making out way to the giant flea market. Haring abandons us after an hour, claiming he needs to take care of a few things before the game this afternoon. I’m pretty sure watching his sister try on clothes, shoes, and jewelry is his own version of hell. I’m just glad to be here with her, so she can do whatever she wants. Plus, I get kisses every time I give my input.
Two hours later, my arms are full of recyclable bags when I see the shoes. Matisse is busy looking through a trunk of clothes, so I sneak away for a moment to look closer. After helping her, I know all her sizes, and these are perfect. They even look new.
“Those are cute, aren’t they?” the girl working there asks. “I bought them for my girlfriend, but then we broke up, so I decided she shouldn’t have them. It’s the same for everything I have here. It’s all brand-new.”
I don’t even haggle over price with her, knowing they’re exactly what I need. I also find some things I need for tonight, which will save me time later. My things are bagged up, and I’m paying when Matisse wraps her arms around me from behind.
“I thought I’d lost you.”
“I saw some interesting things over here, so I stepped away. Did you find anything over there?”
“No. Are you going to show me what you bo
ught? Is it for me?”
“I’ll show you later, because yes, they are for you.”
“More than one? Can’t I see one?”
“Later.”
“Okay.”
I thank the girl again, and link my hands with Matisse as we walk away. Soon enough, it’s time to head to the game, so I load up my rental car and drive us to the stadium. Haring is already there and our tickets are waiting at Will Call, so we make our way in. Matisse and I get some dirty looks since we’re wearing Joel’s hats, but since Haring is covered in home team merchandise, people don’t get too aggressive.
“I’m glad you called Joel for the extra ticket,” Matisse says, once we’re sitting in our seats with beer and hot dogs.
“Me too.”
Haring looks at us like we’re insane. “You both act like Joel Cruz is just some guy, and not one of the hottest hitters in the league.”
“To us, he is just a guy,” Matisse tells him with a shrug.
“Tell me again how you know him.”
“My best friend helped rehab him in my facility, and his girlfriend, Sierra, is one of Matisse’s best friends,” I answer for both of us. “He’s a great guy.”
“You’ll meet him after the game,” she adds.
“No way. We’re meeting Joel Cruz?”
“Technically, you’re meeting him. We know him already.”
She doesn’t know it will only be Haring going to dinner with Joel and his friends. We have plans she doesn’t know about, but that her brother insists she’ll love. I hope he’s right.
The game is fun, but tense since the two teams are pretty evenly matched. Joel’s team ends up winning by one run, and the crowd is a little angry—and drunk. “Let’s stay here while the stadium clears out,” I tell them.
“Yeah. You weren’t exactly quiet, Rodin,” Haring agrees, shaking his head at his sister.
“And you were, O’Keefe?”
“No, but I was rooting for the home team.”
“I don’t know those guys, so why would I cheer for them?”
“Sometimes your logic actually makes sense.”
“It’s a gift.”
“So humble, too.”
“Kendrick loves me just the way I am.”
“I do,” I agree.
“I think we can leave now, which is good. The two of you were way too cute during the game.”
Society Girls: Matisse Page 9
