Everything After

by Melissa Toppen

  She has sure done a pretty good job of keeping herself busy and avoiding me since we arrived here, that's for sure. I know she is still embarrassed about the other night and practically throwing herself at me, but if she knew just how badly I wanted to bury myself inside of her that night, embarrassment would be the last thing she would be feeling.

  Her eyes fall to me for a moment and she realizes immediately that I am watching her. I can't tell from this distance, but I would almost bet that her cheeks are a dark pink right now. If there is one thing I have learned about Nora Brandt, it's that I can make her blush simply by looking at her a certain way. She gives me a weak smile and then immediately looks back down at her cards, not able to hold my gaze for more than a few seconds.

  I can't stop thinking about the way it felt to hold her the other night, kiss her. I am no stranger to women. I have learned the ins and outs, likes and dislikes, what to do and not to do, several times over. I have mastered the art of seduction. I know as soon as I meet a woman what it will take to make her crumble.

  Not that I'm cocky. No, that's Gabe's thing. I'm just confident. I don't pretend to believe that every woman will fall at my feet. But I do believe that I can make every one that I want, do just that. Or at least I thought I did, until I met Nora.

  “Killian get your ass over here.” Chet waves over to me as I lounge on the front porch.

  Shaking my head, I take a long drink of my beer and settle back onto the wooden porch swing that looks out over the massive front yard of the six bedroom, four thousand square foot home where Kate's family resides.

  Gabe throws me a disgusted look and then calls for a rematch. Nora smiles and replies. Though I can't hear exactly what she is saying, I can tell from her body language and her facial expression that she is more than up for the challenge to take Gabe and Chet down again. Kate laughs, watching the interaction between them.

  It's so strange how seamlessly Nora has fit into our group, our family, in such a short period of time. We have been very close knit for years and only Kate, who has been with Chet for three years now, has managed to gain our acceptance as one of us. Well, again, until Nora. Something about this girl just changes the game on so many levels and honestly, it's fucking unsettling.

  “Killian, do you mind helping me with these?” Kate's mom, Sara, steps out onto the front porch, balancing two large trays of food in her hands.

  Jumping up, I set my beer on the ledge of the porch and quickly relieve her of the tray filled with raw hamburger patties. She gives me a gracious smile and then heads down towards the lake where Kate's dad, Ron, is working with Aiden to get the grill going.

  This is only the second time I have visited here, the first being last spring when we played a show just a couple of hours from here. But even still, Kate's parents treat me and all the other guys like we are just another part of the family.

  Crossing the grounds behind Sara, a petite round faced woman in her early fifties, I can't help but be envious of Kate and the life she must have had growing up here. It's not every day that someone is lucky enough to have parents like hers or to live on a property as amazing as this.

  For someone like me, someone whose never known what it truly means to have a family or at least not much of one, I find it almost difficult to accept that there are people like Ron and Sara in the world. People that will bring you into their home, welcome you into their family, without even knowing a single thing about you.

  “Come on woman. We aren't going to have any propane left by the time we get the food on the grill.” Ron gives his wife a hard time, wiping sweat from his bald forehead with the back of his hand.

  “Oh don't be so dramatic.” She laughs, setting the food down on a small square wooden table that sits just inches from the side of the grill. I step past her and drop my tray of food directly next to hers before stepping back.

  “Anything else you need?” I ask the two, nodding at Aiden who seems a little too excited about getting to help man the grill.

  He's wearing an apron that matches the one Ron is wearing, Grill Master, printed across the front in large bold letters, a long metal spatula held upright in his hand.

  “Actually could you do me a favor?” Ron asks, pulling my attention to him. “Can you run up to the shed around the back of the house and grab the grill tray. It should be hanging on the left wall?” He asks, pointing to the cooling rack of the grill where the tray should go.

  “Absolutely.” I say, spinning and making my way back up the grounds towards the shed.

  Glancing to the table where the others are playing cards, I immediately notice that Nora is no longer there. The match has now shifted between Chet, Kate, and Shane, Kate's teenage cousin.

  Turning my attention forward, I scan the yard but don't see her anywhere. Figuring she must have stepped inside for whatever reason, I make my way around the back of the house, which is actually the side that faces the road. Even though it sits back far enough from the street that you forget one is even there, it's still close enough that you can vaguely see it through the trees, especially if a car is driving by at that exact moment.

  Spotting the small shed just feet from the back of the house, I quickly step inside and locate the grill rack. Just as I am about to make my way back outside, I hear Nora's laughter and freeze, footsteps sounding just feet from the shed.

  “So what's up with you and Killian?” Gabe's voice is what I hear next.

  “There is nothing going on between me and Killian.” She responds, her voice calm and collected. I don't know why her statement bothers me but honestly, it fucking does.

  Do I want there to be something going on?

  Fuck.

  I am so all over the place right now. I need to get laid, that's it. I haven't had a woman since we left Georgia, which has only been a few days but feels more like a fucking year at this point.

  “Is that why you spent the night in his bed the other night?” He teases.

  “No. That would be because you pumped me full of alcohol.” She bites playfully.

  “Don't act like you didn't enjoy it.”

  “Oh yes, I rather enjoyed making a fool out of myself and then spending the morning hugging the toilet. Great times.” She says sarcastically.

  “I think it looked good on you.” His demeanor gives away that he is once again trying to woo her and it would appear, failing epically. I don't know how many times she is going to have to shoot him down before he finally gets the hint.

  “Oh yes, stumbling drunk, I'm sure I looked fantastic.” I can't help but smile at the tone of her voice.

  This girl has so much bite and yet, with me she seems to lose some of that. That has to mean something right? That she's at least a little taken with me?

  What the fuck is wrong with me?

  I immediately shake my head, hating how fucking pathetic I sound. Who fucking cares? This is one girl. One girl that in a few weeks, will leave my life forever.

  Get a fucking hold of yourself Killian.

  “I think just about anything looks good on you.” Gabe croons, his voice dropping low, which makes me think he's now closer to her.

  “It's not going to happen Gabe.” Her voice is also lower.

  “Why not?” He asks, cockiness thick in his voice.

  “Because I am here to work.” She says gently. “You're cute, really. A little annoying and completely relentless, but cute. I'm just not interested in a random hookup.”

  “What if it was more than a random hookup?” He asks. I have to stifle my own laughter when hers bursts from her throat.

  “Oh Gabe.” She tries to calm her giggles. “If only you were capable of anything else. But not even then.” She tacks on.

  “How about a kiss then?” He asks, the smile clear in his voice.

  “Why on earth would I kiss you?” She laughs again.

  “Well if you're going to deny a man who is clearly into you, the least you can do is give him one small taste.” Again her laughter drowns out e
verything else.

  “No.” She laughs.

  “But...” Gabe starts to object again and for whatever reason this seems to be my undoing.

  “How many times does the girl have to tell you no before you leave it the hell alone dude?” My gaze immediately goes to Nora as I step out of the shed. Her eyes go wide and like clockwork, the pink hue begins to fill her cheeks.

  “What the fuck?” Gabe bites at me. “Why are you creeping?” He points towards the shed.

  “I was getting this for Ron.” I say, holding up the rack. “The real question is, why are you still harassing her?” I gesture towards Nora.

  “Man fuck you. Can't blame a guy for trying.” He gives Nora a seductive little head nod which prompts her to laugh again. “I'll see you later baby.” He blows her a kiss, causing her to laugh harder.

  “Bye Gabe.” She shakes her head at him as he practically skips away.

  “I'm so sorry about him.” I immediately feel the need to apologize.

  “Ah.” She swipes her hand through the air. “He's actually kind of growing on me.” She admits, looking in the direction where he just disappeared around the side of the house.

  “Really?” I don't mean for my voice to sound so intense and I certainly don't miss the hint of surprise that lights up her features at my reaction.

  “Not like that.” She giggles, shaking her head. “I just mean, I think it's kind of our thing now. You know? He hits on me, I shoot him down. I dare say if he went a day without making at least one pass at me, I might think he was mad at me.”

  “I get it.” I nod, trying to play off my reaction. “Just let me know if he ever takes it too far.” I tack on.

  “Will do.” She gives me a slow smile and I swear, I feel my fucking insides twist. What is it about this girl that completely throws me?

  Fuck...

  “Well I should get this to Ron.” I say, holding up the rack, feeling a heavy awkwardness settle over us.

  My frustration only grows at this fact. Awkward? I never feel awkward. Hell, now that I think about it, I never feel most of the things that I feel when in the presence of this girl. She has me fucking tangled, tripping over myself when normally I glide seamlessly.

  “Yeah, I'm going to head inside for a few.” She gestures towards the house.

  “Okay. I'll see you later.” I say, wishing I didn't sound like such a fucking tool.

  “Yeah. See you later.” She agrees, turning and quickly disappearing inside of the house, leaving me standing here wondering what the fuck just happened...

  Chapter Sixteen

  Nora

  “So tell me.” Killian nudges my shoulder with his as we sit side by side on the ground, just feet from the lake that backs Kate's parents’ house. “Is this how you normally spend your Fourth of July holiday?” He asks, a playful grin pulling up the side of his mouth.

  “What, you mean at an amazing lake house surrounded by a bunch of rock stars?” I say mockingly. “Of course it is.” I laugh.

  “I like your laugh.” His smiles grows wider as he pushes a piece of stray hair away from my face. The small flutter of butterflies that have been flapping around in my stomach for a good portion of the day, suddenly turn into a full on swarm.

  “Thanks, I think.” I scrunch my forehead playfully, feeling the tension mount with the contact.

  “Shut up and kiss her already.” Chet's voice booms from behind us and we both turn in time to see him and Kate making their way towards us, the rest of the band and Kate's mom not far behind them.

  “You're an ass.” Killian laughs, turning back out towards the water as Chet flops down next to him.

  “I hope you guys are ready.” Kate bounces excitedly next to Chet. “My Dad does the best fireworks display in all of Texas.” She boasts proudly. “Well my cousins and Uncle Mike help a lot too.” She tacks on.

  “I can't remember the last time I saw fireworks.” I admit, meaning to actually think it and not say it.

  “What?” Chet leans forward, giving me a look of disbelief.

  “I mean, I used to see them as a kid, growing up in D.C. The fourth of July celebrations there are huge. But I don't think I have been to a fireworks display since I left for college.” I realize this fact as I am saying it out loud. Has it really been that long?

  “That is just un-American.” Killian laughs next to me.

  “This coming from the Irish lad.” I do my best to impersonate his accent but end up failing miserably and the entire group erupts in laughter.

  “What was that again?” Killian chuckles next to me, his eyes bright in the moonlight shining off of the water.

  “Shut up.” I laugh, nudging him with my elbow.

  “And for your information, I am an American citizen.” He tries to conceal his Irish accent but it only ends up coming out sounding like a bad Irish impersonation rather than sounding American. I try to stifle my laughter as Kate's mom signals us.

  “They're getting ready to start.” She points to the dock where the four men are standing, a giant stack of fireworks in front of them. Sure enough, within seconds the first round shoots off into the sky and explodes into a brilliant spread of pink and blue.

  The firework display is all that Kate said and more. The family certainly spared no expense, especially considering after twenty solid minutes of huge fireworks, the display is still going strong. Looking to my right, Kate and Chet are both lying flat on their backs looking up at the sky, while Gabe and Aiden are grouped at the end, drinking beer and enjoying the show.

  Kate's mom has yet to sit down. I have noticed that she is more busy watching the men than the actual display, a look of worry creasing her forehead. Clearly she does not like that her husband is working with the fireworks but is too good of a sport to put a stop to it. I wonder if she has this reaction every year and almost bet that she does.

  Lying down, the moment my back becomes flush with the ground, Killian mirrors my actions, throwing me a cute little grin before looking back up at the fireworks that continue to erupt above us. Just as I start to lose my focus of the man lying next to me and the display takes the forefront in my mind, I feel Killian's fingers skirt gently up the back of my hand and my entire body tenses.

  He turns his face towards me just as I glance in his direction. Giving me a slow smile, he flips my hand upwards and entwines his fingers with mine, a satisfied smile turning up that irresistible mouth of his when I don't fight his action.

  I can't tell you the last time someone held my hand and I certainly never expected Killian to. It's such an innocent act and yet, sends a thrill rushing through my entire body.

  I don't like that I like the feeling of my hand engulfed in his. I don't like that I don't want this moment to end. And I especially don't like that I don't want it to stop here. I can't stop myself from glancing in Killian's direction over and over through the rest of the show.

  I can tell by the smile that seems permanently attached to his face that he can feel my eyes on him and yet, he makes no attempt to look my way. By the time the last firework explodes in the sky, my entire body feels like it might do just that; explode.

  The entire group erupts in applause and I can hear the men on the dock cheering in success, but I can't rip my eyes away from the man lying next to me. This incredibly talented, attractive, sweet man that has completely captivated me.

  Chet jumps to his feet and then turns to help Kate off the ground, which prompts me to pull my hand away, not wanting to give the other members of the band the wrong impression.

  While I have accepted that I am past the point of just being a journalist and not their friend too, I also know that there is still a thin line between what is and is not acceptable and whatever is going on between me and Killian, no matter how innocent, is definitely unacceptable given my place here.

  Pushing into a sitting position, I don't wait for Killian to sit up before jumping to my feet. Doing my best to dust myself off, I tense when I feel Killian's hand brush agains
t my back.

  “You have grass all over you.” I hear the laughter in his voice as his hand works on removing it from my shirt.

  When he brushes along the small of my back and his hand grazes the top of my backside, I immediately step away. “I think it's fine.” I say, quickly turning to face Killian.

  “Hold on.” He laughs lightly. Reaching over, he pulls a long piece of grass from my thick hair and tosses it to the side.

  “Thanks.” I smile, working my hands through the rest of my hair to ensure that I don't have anything else in there.

  “Dad is going to set up the fire on the other side of the dock. You guys coming?” Kate interrupts the tension filled moment, pulling my attention to her.

  “Yeah. I'm going to run up to the house really quick. I will meet you guys down there.” I say, nodding to Kate and then Killian as I set off in the direction of the house, just needing a moment to myself to collect my bearings.

  Once inside the beautifully decorated country home, I quickly cross to the small powder room on the first floor and proceed to wash my hands and straighten the tangled mess my hair has become. Deciding to pull it up into a messy bun on top of my head, I secure it with a hair tie from my wrist before taking another long look at myself in the mirror. My gray tank and jean shorts give me a more casual look than I am used to and for a moment, I worry that I am becoming too comfortable with this group of people.

  It's so easy to get wrapped up in this world and lost in all its charms. I have to keep reminding myself that I have a job to do, that I am here to work. Letting out a loud sigh, I click off the light and exit the bathroom.

  I no more than step into the hallway before I practically run face first into Killian's chest. I jump, startled, having no idea that anyone was in the house with me.

  “Shit Killian.” I take a step back, trying to calm my sudden panic. “You nearly gave me a heart attack. I....”