Seattle Sound Series, The Collection: Books One to Five

by Alexa Padgett

  “Not like that,” she squeaked. Her cheeks flushed so red it had to be painful. “I meant, sure, you can sleep in my bed, but as—as friends. Um, an engaged couple.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at her discomfort. “Like a fiancée without benefits?”

  “Oh, God,” she moaned, peeking at me from between her splayed fingers she’d brought up to cover her flaming cheeks. “It’s a bad idea. I’m so sorry I brought it up.”

  “Then why did you?” My curiosity burned, especially when she dropped her gaze, intent on the carvings on the edge of her small table.

  “I know what it’s like when you can’t sleep and your body’s all weighted down with tiredness and I thought maybe it would help to have someone else there, you know, to—”

  I could feel the tightness in my neck loosen as Evie rambled on. “I’d like that,” I said, testing that truth. “Actually, I’d like that a lot. You sure you’re okay with me being here?”

  Her face flamed brighter, but she met my gaze. “You want to be engaged. This is just sleeping.”

  I grinned. “That’s the first time I’ve been propositioned for platonic bed-sharing.” I tugged at my lower lip. “First time I’ve had a fiancée, too.”

  “Right. Well, that’s good. Hmm.”

  She shook her head once, hard, before she stood up and led me toward the bedroom. I wouldn’t have taken her up on her offer if I hadn’t been so close to going to the clinic to get some sleeping pills. My lack of focus had started to reflect in my grades and in my performance. While Clay and Dane said Saturday had been a great show, I’d felt underwater the whole time, barely able to hit my marks.

  Evie offered me the bathroom first, which I took, mainly so she had the opportunity to change into her pajamas. I splashed water on my face, turned off the taps, and looked up to see how haggard I was. I leaned forward over the sink again, watching the last of the water circle the drain.

  Evie made me smile and that felt too good to pass up. Right now, I’d cling to her light and hope she could lead me out of this dark, dark place I’d fallen. Something about this second year marker for Marcus’s death really hit me hard, warring with my befuddled desire to have my mother if not like me at least accept me.

  Maybe my mom was right. Maybe I was the problem. Maybe she, the band, Paige, everyone would be better off if I wasn’t around.

  “Kai?” Evie called through the door. “Why don’t you hop in the shower? You’ll feel better.”

  She insisted I hand over my sweaty workout shorts and shirt, even my stinky socks to throw them into the quick cycle. I obliged, and showered quickly. Though hot water would have probably been more relaxing, a rush of cold was what I needed to clear my head…and stifle the heat rising in me at the thought of sharing a bed with Evie.

  “Your stuff’s in the dryer,” Evie said when I walked out of the bathroom in my boxers, the one thing I’d kept in the bathroom with me. I studiously avoided looking at Evie’s cute short-shorts-and tank pajama set. So much of her pale skin was exposed, including the creamy skin of her abdomen, giving me a clear view of her navel. I cleared my throat when I caught her eyes lingering on my chest and pointed at the bed. “You have a side preference?”

  “Well, since this is the first queen bed I’ve ever had to myself, I mainly sleep in the middle.”

  I laughed. Trust Evie to make everything easier. “Me, too. We’ll have to see who wins the sweet spot then. I’ll start over here.” I walked to the right side of the bed and slid under the covers while she scurried into the bathroom.

  “Did you use my toothbrush?” she asked, poking her head out the door.

  “Sorry. I hate the taste in my mouth if I don’t brush.”

  “It’s fine.” Why did her voice sound strange? Probably because she didn’t want to share her toothbrush, asshole.

  “I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow.”

  Evie padded out of the bathroom and climbed into the bed. She rolled over, giving me a superb view of her narrow back and rounded ass. “Don’t worry about the toothbrush. Sleep well.”

  I stared at the back of her head, combing her long waves with my eyes. I wanted to bury my face in her hair and cry. I wanted to bury my dick in her body and find release from all the sadness and tension caused by my mom’s decision to sell the house and Paige’s horrendous luck. But I didn’t do either. I took deep breaths, inhaling Evie’s clean scent.

  “You sure about this?”

  She rolled toward me, her eyes wide and a little sad. “You being here? I like you in my bed,” she said. “I’ve struggled with the transition to being alone so much. In the hospital, someone was always checking up on me. But here…it’s been lonely.”

  My palm slid across hers, my fingers twining with her delicate ones. I squeezed a little, not trying to offer platitudes.

  “What about with us—for Paige?”

  She studied my eyes, shifting back and forth between them, seeking…something. A blush built across her cheeks. “I think…I think I’d like to be your fiancée, Kai.”

  I smiled and squeezed her fingers again. With my free hand, I ghosted my fingertips over her brows, Evie closed her eyes, her dark lashes laying on her lightly freckled cheeks. She was so…everything. Lovely, intelligent, driven. And, for now, mine.

  I liked the sound of that. Mine.

  Slowly, I relaxed and my eyes grew heavy. I liked this closeness, hearing her breath and feeling her warmth. I liked who I was in bed with was Evie.

  “Gah! I’m sorry. I should have called first.”

  I blinked, sitting up as I squinted against the light pouring into the room. “What are you doing here, Marilyn?”

  “Oh! Kai. Well. Hmm.” She narrowed her eyes at me. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought I’d sneak in the groceries I bought Evie while she was at the lab working on that fancy research of hers. Imagine my surprise to find you in her bed.”

  I yawned, trying to wake up all the way. “We just slept,” I said, slouching back against the headboard. “It’s not like I’m taking advantage of her or anything. She doesn’t seem to like being alone.”

  “Figured the sleeping-only part out when I saw you still had your pants on. I’m so glad one of you has sense. I don’t dare ask which one. Come on out when you’re ready. I’ll make some coffee and an omelet.”

  I nodded, stifling another yawn. “Be there in a few.”

  “Take your time. You don’t look all that awake yet.”

  My cleaned running shorts and T-shirt were at the foot of the bed. I pulled them on, then slipped on my socks and tied my sneakers before I made the bed and went out to greet Marilyn. She was bustling around the kitchen, putting away the last of the groceries and finishing up breakfast.

  “So why’d you stay here last night?”

  “Evie offered. I haven’t been sleeping well.”

  Marilyn stepped up to me, cupped my cheek, and tilted my head down. She dropped her hand and stepped back but kept her gaze firm on mine. “She said you’d had a rough couple of years.”

  “My brother committed suicide a couple of years ago. My mom hasn’t handled the loss well.”

  Marilyn laid her hand over mine and squeezed. “Lordy, honey. I’m some sorry to hear she’s struggling. Grief does weird things to a mind. Just you remember that.”

  I frowned, uncertain of what she was trying to tell me.

  “I’m talking about Evie now, Kai. How much of her story has she shared?” Her tone was as serious as her gaze.

  “Probably not enough. We’ve only known each other for a few weeks.”

  “You kids these days. Sometimes I don’t know what to make of all this bed hopping.”

  “Once again, we didn’t do anything. Not that I should have to tell you that. And, anyway, I respect Evie too much to seduce her for a night of fun.” Now my cheeks were burning just like Evie’s normally did. Was blushing contagious? “I’m not talking to you about this anymore.”

  “What you and Evie do tog
ether on your own time isn’t any of my business. I mean that.” She slid an omelet onto a plate, added a piece of toast, and set it down in front of me with a cup of coffee.

  “This looks great. What time is it anyway?”

  “Just after nine.”

  I paused, the coffee halfway to my mouth. “Nine? Really?”

  “Sure as the Dickens. Are you missing class?”

  “No, I don’t have anything until ten. I’ll have to eat and run. I can’t believe I slept so long. So well.”

  “You ever heard those stories about the knights? Medieval fighter guys, I mean. Tough as nails. The one practice that showed the other his complete trust was falling asleep next to him. That’s intimacy—letting someone see you at your most vulnerable.”

  No way was I touching that comment. I forked up my first bite of breakfast to excuse my lack of speech. I hummed in the back of my throat at the explosion of flavor in my mouth. The only other person I knew who could cook like this was Abbi’s mom, Lia. She and Marilyn would own the city by the taste buds if they opened a restaurant together.

  My freshman year, I’d taken a psychology class, expecting it to be an easy A for my science credit. It wasn’t, but I’d learned a ton from the grizzle-haired professor. About halfway through the semester, he asked us about our sleeping habits. How many of us had roommates versus bed partners. At the time, I’d found the lecture invasive and immature. Now that I was older and, hopefully, more mature myself, I understood the prof’s point.

  We didn’t sleep together to be more vulnerable with another person; maybe there was trust inherent in the decision, but we slept with others because we are social beings. Night could be scary and bad things come out in the dark—all our fears, worries, inadequacies. With someone else there to lull us into slumber, it became a social engagement. And that was what we all craved on some level.

  Plus, waking up next to someone, knowing they cared enough to pass the night with you… I’d do it again. Soon. If Evie was game. Correction, my fiancée. I munched on my toast, unsure why I wanted to smile.

  “She likes you.”

  “And I like Evie.”

  “She’s been through a lot, too, young man.”

  “She told me her mom died and she went into the foster system. Like Paige,” I said, the words bitter in my mouth. I sucked down the rest of my coffee and polished off the omelet, but it didn’t taste the same. Evie, young, vulnerable, and scared pissed me off. Caused me to burn with the same fierce protectiveness I felt for Paige.

  If Evie and I went through with our plan, we’d have to hoodwink Marilyn as well as Sue. That probably wouldn’t sit well with Evie, but after hearing her story, I was pretty sure Evie would do just about anything to ensure Paige’s continued well-being. We shared that need—to keep that little girl safe.

  Marilyn made an odd noise that perfectly showcased her disapproval. “But that’s not what I meant. Her mama hooked, Kai. Got the snot beat out of her more than once. She died at forty-one. Still young herself but definitely been around the block a few times.”

  I stood and grabbed the coffee pot, refilling Marilyn’s mug then my own. “How do you know all that?”

  “I knew the case worker sent in to take care of Evie—I’d made a point of finding kids to help out at one of my businesses. We’ve seen some good success for the kids that way. But Evie split out before the social worker got to her after an incident with her first—and only—foster family. I’m surprised we didn’t lose that girl to a gang.”

  “Was she…did someone hurt her?”

  Marilyn’s head was tipped down, and she seemed to be contemplating something deep in her coffee. “She said no. But she was on the streets for a couple of weeks, Kai. Sex is currency there.”

  I shoved my coffee mug away, my stomach churning with the ugliness of Evie’s life. No wonder she’d do anything—even something as crazy as marry me—to help out Paige. Evie knew just how dangerous foster care and the streets could be.

  “But there are good families in the system?” I asked, once again thinking of Paige.

  Marilyn opened up her arms. “I used to take in kids. That’s why I know so much about Evie’s history. I’d planned to be her foster mom.”

  “Wow,” I said, leaning back against the chair. “Does Evie know?”

  Marilyn wiggled her finger in front of my nose. “She doesn’t, and you aren’t going to tell her. No how.”

  “Why’d you tell me?”

  “I don’t rightly know.” We sat there, in silence. “So you can see why I was more than happy to hire her on at my coffee shop and get her in this place. She’s had it harder than most, and I feel the same way about Paige. She’s a cutie who deserves a good break.”

  I tried to swallow the ball of anger building in my throat. “You want me to leave Evie alone?”

  Marilyn reached across and patted my hand. “No, honeybun. I want you to realize how strong that girl is. But everyone has a limit, and Evie’s gotta be doggone close to hers.”

  9

  Evie

  Kai’s friend Abbi came into the shop, dragging a heavy backpack and wearing a determined expression. Behind her, chattering away, was another woman I’d not yet met. She was older than me—I’d guess around thirty. She had thick, dark-brown hair and eyes nearly as blue as Abbi’s. She wore jeans, silver ballet flats, and a man’s button down over a black tank top. Her slim frame looked graceful in the large shirt, and I envied her confidence and who-gives-a-shit attitude.

  “Hey, Evie,” Abbi called.

  I liked her. She’d come up to me a couple weeks ago and introduced herself and Nessa. They’d been regulars in the shop—like most of the students on campus—and I’d learned their names, but Kai’s interest in me clearly made them more interested, too. I’d tried being standoffish, not liking the association through Kai, but Abbi was nice and funny. Plus, she and Nessa made a point to come into the shop most afternoons to study and chat. They’d grown on me, and now I looked forward to seeing either of them.

  I nodded back, already finishing up her drink. I walked Abbi and the woman to their table and smiled. “I didn’t know what you wanted. Abbi’s in here so much, it’s easy to remember her order.”

  The woman laughed. “I’m Briar Moore-Crewe. Abbi’s aunt.” She held out her hand and I shook it.

  “Nice to meet you. You’re working on your counseling degree, right? That’s what Abbi said.”

  “You, too,” she said with a smile. “Yep. Nothing like being a mature student. Abbi’s going to help me with my science coursework, and I need lots of caffeine. Maybe a latte?”

  I nodded and headed back behind the bar where Henry stood gaping. I stepped on his foot as I walked passed. “Stop staring at her. It’s creepy.”

  “Do you know who that is?” Henry gasped.

  “Abbi’s aunt.”

  Henry snapped his mouth shut and glared at me. “It’s not fair that you get to know all the cool people, Evie. I’m serious. You could share some of that.”

  I steamed some milk and said, “Fine, I’ll bite. Who is she?”

  “Hayden Crewe’s wife. From Jackaroo. As in the world’s hottest band. As in—”

  “You better calm down before you wet yourself,” I said, laughing. “So I shouldn’t tell you that Abbi’s stepdad and mom were in here with Abbi and Clay on Sunday?”

  Henry looked faint. “No,” he moaned. “I missed meeting Asher Smith.”

  “’Fraid so.”

  “You’re mean, Evie. So mean.”

  I finished making the latte and, with a smirk at Henry, said, “I’m taking my break.”

  His expression was crestfallen as he eyed Briar with longing. But he was smart not to approach her. That’s just not the way we did it here.

  I walked toward the table with some serious trepidation. Now that Henry had filled me in, I was nervous to even talk to such a powerful figure—even if most of that fame was because of her husband.

  “I just don’t
get it,” Briar moaned.

  Abbi’s tensed jaw showed her level of frustration. I set the coffee gingerly at Briar’s elbow and turned to tiptoe away. Briar’s long fingers snagged my sleeve near my wrist.

  “Not so fast! Abbi says you’re working on your PhD. in science. Can you explain this to me?”

  She showed me the concept as I wiped my now-sweaty palms on the seat of my pants. “My degree is in pharmacology. And psychological counseling,” I thought to add.

  Without letting go of my shirt, Briar yanked over a chair from the table behind me. “Oh, thank goodness! You have to understand this stuff then. Sit down. Please. I’m begging you.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at her tortured expression. “You were taught girls suck at science, huh?”

  Briar shook her head. “No. I love science. I was premed when I started school, but I struggled with the cellular stuff. I was much better with the chemistry part, but this eludes me.”

  Abbi propped her chin on her fists. “Mom said you dropped that major because Dad was sick.”

  Briar leaned her head back against the chair’s metal back and stared at the ceiling. “Something I conveniently let your mom believe because I was embarrassed that I sucked at this so much. So of course I have to have the same damn course more than a decade later with the same damn professor who still thinks I’m an idiot.”

  While they were talking, I flipped the textbook to the page that was supposed to correspond with bacterial systems. I huffed at the poor wording and even worse illustration on the page. I turned the book to Abbi so she could see the explanation.

  “No wonder you’re having a hard time. This textbook is terrible,” I exclaimed. “Here.” I pulled out my phone and opened a website. I clicked a couple of times before I found the explanation I wanted. “Watch this. It’s only a few minutes. I’ll come back and we’ll go over each piece then.”

  Briar took my phone gingerly as if expecting it to bite. I made my way back to the cash register and rang up a few more customers, all the while keeping an eye on Briar. She’d stopped the video and was taking notes. Once she started it again, she frowned, bringing the screen closer to her face.