by Claire Angel
“Sure. Drive safe.” Kellen chuckled as I slung my purse on my shoulder and walked to the Jeep. Kellen watched me drive away, and I arrived at the little cafe first, setting up things in my new car. It was sleek and rugged, making me smile as I adjusted mirrors and fixed the radio so I could use the blue tooth with my phone.
I decided to go inside and pick a table for us, so we’d have a good spot. I felt nervous and needed the warmth of the fire in the hearth as well as a window seat. I set my purse on the floor against the wall and took a deep breath as I stared at the table.
I smelled and sensed Kellen before seeing him. He smelled like rain and mint, and I looked up to meet his eyes.
I knew that I felt something for him. I just couldn’t define it yet.
Chapter 11
Kellen
I walked inside and glanced around to see Marisol sitting at a table that offered a window view and heat from the fire. I walked over and took a seat across from her and glanced around. “They come to the table for orders?” She nodded, and I picked up my menu to read through it. I settled on a large lunch platter and coffee and told her to order first. She ordered something nearly as big as my plate, and I realized that this was a woman that enjoyed food. She wasn’t skin and bones despite being petite and, in fact, had gorgeous curves.
“You said you spent several hours working today. Does that mean you pulled a double?” Marisol asked once we had fresh cups of coffee in front of us.
“Yes. I do that often.” I gazed at her, trying to read her face. She nodded and looked through the window for a moment.
“I do the same when I’m not at school. Ripple is one of three part-time jobs.” I whistled, and she smiled weakly at me.
“That’s a lot. What are you in school for?” I asked as she stirred some cream into her coffee.
“Psychology.” I watched as she took another sip and smiled.
“Nice.” I looked up as the waitress set plates down and smiled. “That looks great. Thank you.”
“You work at the shop and with the band? That pays, right?” Marisol asked, and I nodded.
“We split the profits, and sometimes the owner gives us a cut.”
“Do you have a big house?” She seemed to be trying to figure something out.
“I have a tiny studio above the coffee shop. No house.” I knew that this was getting into personal territory and looked down at my plate. “Where do you live?”
“I have a studio near campus.” That was right around the corner and made me assume that she lived close by as previously suspected. “Why do you work so much? Are you married or something?”
I almost choked on my food. “No, I’m only twenty-seven.” I laughed as I reached for my coffee, realizing that my brother was already married at this age with a new baby. “I’m not there yet.”
“I agree. I’m twenty-four, and it’s all about finishing school right now. I can’t imagine more responsibility.” Her face wrinkled up, and I smiled. She was cute when she let her attitude go.
“Why do you work so much? Doesn’t that make school difficult to navigate?” Her eyes went dark, and Marisol looked down.
“I suppose, but I’m paying for it. That, plus the rent costs a lot.”
“No family?” I asked, knowing there was at least a sister.
“Small one. They’re not helping me financially.” She took a large bite of soup and slowly swallowed.
“That’s a powerful thing to do, Marisol. I admire that.” A flush covered her cheeks, and she gave me an awkward shrug. “A lot of people don’t realize how easy they have it.”
“I know. There’s a lot of kids at school that seem to have rich parents. They talk about frat parties and weekend plans.” She looked irritated, and I tilted my head at her.
“They don’t know what it is to struggle. Everything comes easy to them, or at least they put that out into the world. I try not to assume a lot about people.”
“You have them falling at your feet. I see the fans and the women that flock to you at your shows.” Marisol pointed out, and I shrugged. “You don’t like that?”
“Not the way they want me to.” I smiled and tore off a piece of bread. “I’m there for the music. We’ve always been about that, but my brother is pushing to making it something bigger.”
“Brother?” I nodded. “Let me guess…the guitarist to your left?”
“That would be him. The others are good friends of ours.” Thinking about them made me grin, and she took it in with a curious gaze.
“You enjoy being around them.” I nodded, and she smiled warmly.
“I have a sister here. She’s two years older than I am, and we’re close like that.”
“Jack is four years older than I am.” We smiled at each other, and I knew we found some common ground. “Where does she live?”
“She has a roommate in a loft overlooking the water. Celia is a freelance journalist and a waitress and does well for herself, though her roommate is one of those people that are born into money. Britt pays most of the rent.”
“Why don’t you live there?” I asked as she scowled.
“I’m more of a live alone kind of girl. I love Celia, but a lot is going on in their place. I hang out when I can, though.” She reached for her spoon.
“How much time do you get to yourself?” I pressed, and she flushed again.
“A few hours being awake. I study as late as I can stand it, and the rest of the time, I’m getting what little sleep I can.”
“You’re out of school in what? A year?” I asked, and she nodded. “Things should calm down for you after that.”
“I’ll just need to find a job. No big deal.” Marisol looked scared for a moment, and I found that it made her more of a real person.
“I’ve seen you go for what you want and stand up for yourself. You’ll be fine.”
“I hope so.”
We finished lunch, and I insisted on paying as she argued with me. “I want to pay my share.”
“My treat. Don’t worry.” I handed the waitress the bill with some cash, telling her to keep the change. We drained our coffee cups and stood to leave. We walked to our cars, and she gave me a look with angry eyes before she sighed.
“Thank you. I hate getting help.” I pressed a hand to my chest, pretending to be shocked by her statement.
“You?” Marisol rolled her eyes. She told me that she was going to head home to study before working at the bar, and I told her to have a great day. She got into her car and played with something before pulling back and going towards my apartment.
I did the same, stripping off my jeans and dropping into bed. I was fatigued at this point and just needed a nap. I didn’t intend to sleep past a couple of hours since I wanted to visit Ella, but I opened my eyes to a dark room. “Shit.” I reached for my phone and looked at it to see that it was ten o’clock. Too late to go anywhere. I set my alarm and turned to my side, playing back the day as I tried to go back to sleep.
Marisol was fierce and determined. She was also vulnerable, though she hid that part of herself. I wondered what happened in her life as I thought back to my teen years.
Jack deserved a break from life. Why was he going through something painful all over again?
Chapter 12
Kellen
I did my shift at the coffee shop and decided to go right over to Jack’s house. I called to make sure Ella was home, and Grace told me they were going to be there all day. I stopped for Ella’s favorite hamburgers and fries, deciding to surprise them.
I knocked on the door, and Grace opened it with a weary smile. “Oh, Kellen. You’re going to spoil us.”
“Never. Where is she?” I looked through the foyer into the living room.
“She’s sleeping on the couch. She seems a bit run down.” I heard the quiver in her voice and stared at her with wide eyes. “I think it’s just her being tired of things, but I can’t help but be scared.”
I handed her the bag and headed to the cou
ch. Ella was curled up on a pillow half covered by a blanket, and I knelt beside her, feeling her forehead. She wasn’t hot, and I let out a sigh of relief. Ella stirred and opened her blue eyes to blink at me. “Uncle Kelly?”
“Hi, princess. I brought you a hamburger. Are you hungry?” She smiled and nodded.
“Do you think you can sit at the table, or do you want to eat in here?” Grace asked as Ella giggled.
“Can we eat in here so I can watch Frozen?” I knew how Grace planned to run a strict house, but that changed when Ella got sick.
“I’ll get you some juice. What do you want? Kellen?”
“Coke if you have it.” We both loved it, so I knew that she did.
Grace handed me the bag of food, and I got it set out on the table as Grace moved to sit down beside Ella. She gave her a Capri sun and me a can of Coke, setting another down in front of herself.
We tore into the food, both watching as Ella ate happily. She finished half of her burger and most of her fries before snuggling against me. Grace cleaned up the wrappers and left me there with Ella, smiling at us. I wrapped my arm around her and watched the movie, cherishing these moments with her.
She fell asleep again, and I also leaned back to close my eyes. Sitting like this was making me tired, and I woke up to Jack and Grace talking in the kitchen. I felt a hot body against me and felt Ella again. She just ran hot, and I let out a sigh of relief. I eased her over, and tucked her in safely on the couch on a pillow. I covered her with a blanket as I smiled down at her.
I strolled to the kitchen to see Jack hugging his crying wife. I leaned against the doorway quietly, giving them their moment. My brother smiled at me, and I nodded at him. “Thanks for coming over. Grace had a tough day.”
“Anytime. You know that. Want me to take her to bed?” I offered as Grace turned her head to look at me.
“I will. I want to spend some time with her.” Jack kissed Grace’s cheek, and she slowly stood up. “Thanks again.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow.” I hugged Grace and Jack before walking out to my car. I started the engine and felt the energy drain from me as if I didn’t take a nap at all.
*
I worked the next day and took a nap before the show at Ripple. The crowd was rough tonight, and our music matched the mood. I moved around the stage as I sang, smiling when I caught Marisol watching me a few times. She was having a good night, and I could see that she liked her job. We finished the set and fans surrounded us as we walked to the bar. Jack was on his phone, and I glanced at him as Liam ordered beers. He ended the call, and I met his eyes. “Everything okay?”
Jack looked tired but assured us he would be fine to perform. He told me away from the guys that Ella was a bit worse today. He was sure that the chemo was going to affect her more than any of us wanted it to. It was worth it to save her life.
“I have to go. Grace is exhausted.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair, and I glanced at the bottle in front of me.
“I’ll come if you want. I can spend some time with Ella.” I watched his face as he considered my offer, finally shaking his head.
“Stay and have some fun. Enjoy a beer.” I walked over to hug him, and the other guys clapped him on the back. Jack walked out, and I reached for my beer, trying to remember the fans gathered around us. I forced a smile to my face and chatted with them while sipping my beer. I would be there to see Ella tomorrow.
I left a couple of hours later, to my surprise. Liam got them to make some food for us, and we found a table. He asked about Jack, and since he knew about the situation, I explained that Ella wasn’t doing well. He offered his sympathy and willingness to help in any way before asking if Jack should be doing the band thing.
“I’ve asked him that so many times, and he says yes. It’s a distraction for him, and he loves music. It might help him through this or make him break faster.” I shrugged, and he sipped his water as he looked across the room.
“Do you guys need anything else?” A familiar voice came from my right, and I glanced over to see Marisol.
“We’re great. I’m heading home, I think. I’m wiped.” I smiled at her and reached into my pocket for a large bill to pay as she narrowed her eyes at him.
“I owe you.” Liam raised a brow at me as I smirked at Marisol.
“This is your workplace. You have to take my money and keep the change at my request.” I smiled, feeling some of the weight lift from my shoulders.
She took the money and glanced at it. “You need change for this.”
“Just take it.” She finally smiled and slid the fifty into her apron.
“Thank you. Have a good night.” Marisol asked if we were done with the glasses and took them when I nodded.
“What was that about? I thought she hated you or something.” I shrugged and stretched.
“We talked. She doesn’t hate me.”
“What does she owe you for?” Liam asked, and I smiled.
“I got her breakfast one day. She’s pissed I won’t let her return the favor.” I laughed as I remembered the way she protested when I paid the bill.
“I haven’t seen you this way over a woman in a long time. You don’t get to act your age and enjoy life too often.” Liam met my gaze and smiled. “Jack doesn’t want that for you.”
“He raised me in a lot of ways. He kept us together. I can’t watch as he goes through this with Ella and not be there.”
“Just take a little time for yourself, too. That’s all.”
We left the bar and walked to our cars. I started the engine and looked at the bar through the high windows, playing back my interaction with Marisol. It made a stressful night a bit better, and I pulled away, feeling a little lighter.
I called Grace the next day, and she sounded happy that Ella seemed to be feeling better. She planned to take her for some ice cream and asked me to meet them at the local parlor. I agreed and took a quick shower before driving across town. I walked through the doors to see Ella and Grace sitting together in a booth. They grinned as I approached them. “Uncle Kelly!” Her voice came out as a screech, and I winced before glancing around.
“Inside voice,” Grace told her with a red face as I sat down across from them.
“How are you feeling today?” I asked as I looked into her bright eyes.
“So much better.” She was grinning, and I smiled at Grace. I picked up the menu and scanned the choices slowly as Ella told me about her trip to the park. She asked me to take her to a movie, and Grace stroked her hair.
“Let’s watch a movie at home. We’ve had a busy day.” I nodded at Grace and picked my sundae before asking Ella what she wanted. Grace allowed her to order something for them to share since portions here were significant, and I stuck to a mid-size dessert for myself. We enjoyed the treat and went to their house when we finished to hang out and watch that movie.
Jack brought some pizza for dinner, and we ate that as he caught up with his daughter. She was tired after doing so much and dozed in my lap once we finished eating.
“I can’t believe we have to do this every week,” Jack told me as he gazed at his sleeping daughter.
“I know, but she’s doing good. We’ll get through this.” I smiled at her as I stroked her hair.
“You don’t have to devote yourself to this so much. You’re young, and you have a life.” Jack told me as I looked at him.
“You were young when you had to be my everything. It’s all fair, Jack. You know how much I love her.” I kept my voice soft, but my eyes flashed as I defended myself.
“I know. I just don’t want to keep you away from dating or whatever. I’m married, so Grace and I are in this together. You’re single.”
“I’m fine being single.” I frowned at him and tried to figure out what was happening. “Did you talk to Liam? Jesus.”
“I did. You amused him with the banter you were sharing with that waitress,” Jack told me as I rolled my eyes.
“That’s it. Banter. We give each oth
er shit, and she’s feisty. It’s fun to get under her skin.”
“That’s the start of a good relationship, Kellen.” Jack was giving me a serious look, and I shook my head.
“I work a lot, and so does she. She’s in college, and it’s nothing more than a friend thing.” Ella shifted on my lap, and I glanced down at her.
“I did see her go off on a guy for grabbing her ass at the bar. She’s not one to piss off.” Anger flooded me at the idea of anyone touching her like that.
Wait; what?
“Exactly. Way too much of a handful.” I sipped my water as Grace walked in with a bowl of popcorn. She set in on the table in front of us and smiled at Ella. Grace sat beside Jack and snuggled against him as she sent a message on her phone. Her family lived a couple of states away, and she was always in touch with them about Ella.
