“How many?”
“Let’s go five each.”
I pull out a hundred and set it on the dresser.
“And I need something that’s going to help me piss clean.”
Dac goes to his closet, pulls a box down, and starts rifling through it. He tosses a box onto the floor. “Drink this and you’ll piss clean. Try to give yourself at least twenty-four hours though.”
That shouldn’t be too hard. I was scheduled to work all day tomorrow, and I don’t think Deklan would push too much for the test. Curtis on the other hand was going to be a major pain in the ass.
“Does it work?”
“Goddamn right it works.” He grins. “I’ve personally had great results with that one. It’s gotten me out of a scrape or two.”
I was going on the word of a dealer, but at this point it was all I had.
He puts the pills inside a small baggie and zips it closed.
“I’m getting some great smoke out of Hawaii. This shit will blow your mind.”
Pot had never been my thing. “No, I don’t think so.”
My phone rings. I glance down. It’s Deklan. “Dude, I have to go.”
Dac nods and shows me the door. “You know where to find me.”
I press the button to answer, but it’s too late.
The phone rings again.
I start jogging. “Hey.”
“Where are you?” Deklan asks, doing his best to not sound too irritated. But I sense it all the same.
“I went for a walk.”
“Hmmm.” A few silent seconds pass and I clear my throat. “So what’s up?”
“Uncle Steve has the keys to the apartment ready. You want to go check out our new place?”
I smile. I am so ready to get the hell out of Curtis and Terry’s house. “Hell yes.”
“Get your ass home, then.”
The pills and pee clean kit are still in my pocket when I enter the house. Alec has left and I’m relieved. I don’t need Curtis rubbing the little motherfucker in my face. It’s all I can do not to tell Curtis what I think of him either, but I bite my lip to keep the peace.
Deklan comes up from the basement. “You ready?”
“Definitely.”
In the truck, Deklan is watching me. “Don’t worry about Alec. Curtis said he was just showing him a few techniques.”
I didn’t buy that for a second. “Are they really going to replace me with a sixth grader?”
Deklan frowns. “Why would you be replaced? Curtis just overreacted and thought you were high when you weren’t.”
He’s serious. He completely trusts me and I feel like such an asshole for lying to him.
“You’re not going anywhere, Ryder. I’ve got your back.”
Those words stick with me as we walk around our new place. The apartment is better than I imagined. Sure, it smells old, like all ancient buildings do, but man, I appreciate the detail and craftsmanship in the original woodwork. There are nine-foot doors throughout and just as Deklan said, there is a bathroom and a laundry room between our bedrooms.
As lame as it sounds…I feel like I can breathe for the first time in forever.
Deklan is standing by the corner window of what will be our new living room. “Pretty amazing, huh?”
“It’s nicer than I thought it would be.” I join him at the window and we stare out at the surprisingly great view of the park in silence. A million different emotions are rushing through me. For a second I am half tempted to come clean. It’s Deklan, after all.
When the girls arrive Deklan grins and I’m strangely relieved that they showed up before I said anything. After a quick tour, we sit on the floor, sun shining on our faces.
I could handle this, I think to myself. Just the four of us, chilling out together. I’d never been the monogamous type, but after watching Deklan and Kenzie’s relationship evolve, I definitely saw the benefits.
“Wow, this is really nice,” Brooke says, sounding pleasantly surprised.
Ange stands and rests her hands on the windowsill. She’s leaning forward, looking out at the park. Her pert little ass looks amazing in her tight jeans. “When’s move in day?” She glances over at me and my gaze shifts abruptly to her face.
I’m busted, and we both know it. She smiles and turns back to the view.
“Friday,” Deklan says.
“Do you need help?” Kenzie asks, leaning against Deklan.
Deklan nods. “Of course. I’m hoping you two can help put things away. Ryder and I are both at a loss on how to organize a kitchen.”
“Do you have kitchen supplies?” Kenzie asks.
Deklan winces.
“How about we all go to Ikea together?”
The suggestion had us piling into Kenzie’s car and headed to Portland.
Soon I’m standing in a box store with my buddies. Ange and Kenzie are debating over some black candlestick holders while Deklan is checking out a monster size picture of a 57’ Chevy that would look pretty bad-ass on our living room wall.
It was all so surreal. I had a job, our band was gaining a name for itself with a gig at Gorge Days, and now I had my own pad with my best friend.
For the first time in a long while I am looking forward to the future. I could do this…if I can just keep my shit together.
I sit on a bright red microfiber settee that I can only see sitting in a photography studio. “What do you think?” I ask, unable to keep the smile from my lips.
Deklan’s lips quirk. “Uncle Steve is giving us his old furniture.”
I try to recall the furniture he’s referring to. “You mean the leather?”
“I think it’s pleather.”
I shrug. “Hey, I’d be happy with lawn furniture.”
“Me, too. It’s gonna be amazing, bro. You wait and see.”
Ange
I’m eating a bagel with cream cheese in the kitchen when Cole walks out of the bathroom with steam following in his wake.
“Good morning, ladies.”
The bagel gets caught in my throat. He’s wearing a wife beater and pajama pants, and I can smell his body spray from here.
“You okay?” Kenzie asks.
I nod, ignoring the heat that is racing up my neck to my cheeks.
Melissa is beaming. “Good morning, sweetie. I hope I didn’t wake you up this morning.”
Kenzie glances at me and rolls her eyes. Melissa’s favoritism toward her oldest is borderline nauseating.
“I’m used to waking up early for practice anyway.” He flashes her a winning smile. “I just hope one day you’ll have a three bedroom apartment so at least I’ll have my own room when I visit.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” she says, ruffling her hand through his wet, slicked back hair.
She pours herself a cup of coffee and returns to her room.
“You want to grab a shower next?” Kenzie asks.
I shake my head. “No, you go ahead.” I watch as she leaves the kitchen and heads towards the bathroom.
Cole grabs an apple out of the crystal bowl on the kitchen counter and takes a bite. We are sitting side by side, and his hand is moving up and down my thigh. It’s small stuff, but I know he wants more.
He got home really late last night and I had wondered who he’d been out with. I know it wasn’t my place to ask him, and yet my curiosity was getting the best of me. I imagined the leggy Nadia from the lake.
“So what are you up to today?” he asks, tossing the partially eaten apple into the trashcan.
“We’re heading to the farmer’s market and then the guys have a concert tonight.”
Cole nods. “Sounds like fun. I don’t have anything going. Mind if I tag along?”
It takes me a second to realize he was being serious. I sincerely doubt that Kenzie would want him to come hang out with us. They manage to be polite around each other, but it was pretty obvious to those who knew them best that the relationship is strained.
“I’ll ask Kenzie and make sure it’s okay. I don’t know how it works with the band passes, you know.”
“Don’t you want me there?”
His eyes hold mine for a few seconds, and I realize that there’s a part of me that doesn’t want him there. “Of course I do.”
Leaning in, he kisses me softly. He pulls back the slightest bit and stares into my eyes. “I want you so much.”
My stomach tightens into a knot.
The doorbell rings.
I jump a foot.
He laughs under his breath and stands to answer the door.
A squeal sounds a second before a girl throws herself into Cole’s arms.
“Payton, what are you doing here?” Cole sounds alarmed.
Payton must have caught on to Cole’s reaction, because the sweet smile on her face turns into a frown. “I came to see you!”
He puts her at arm’s length. “Payton, I’m headed home this weekend.”
Her eyes widen. “You’re mad I’m here, aren’t you?”
“No, of course not. I just wasn’t expecting you.” He forces a smile. “A call would have been nice.”
“I’m sorry—” Seeing me, her eyes go even wider and she looks back at Cole with a questioning look on her face.
“This is—”
“Hi, I’m Ange,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m Kenzie’s best friend from San Diego.”
She immediately relaxes and takes my hand. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
Payton is adorable. Standing just over five feet tall, with long brown hair with big curls, she stares at me with her beautiful brown eyes.
We even dress a similar way. She had on a sundress with a cute little sweater over the top. “Is that the new Bende’ collection?” I ask, and she grins, showing deep adorable dimples.
“Yes, the new fall line.”
“Gorgeous,” I say, pouring myself a cup of coffee. I hate coffee, but I need to keep myself busy.
I listen as the two make small talk.
Cole glances at me, and I force a smile. “I have to get going. Kenzie and I are heading out to a concert tonight with the boys.”
If possible, Payton’s smile broadens as she slips her hand into Cole’s. “It was so nice meeting you.”
Cole, on the other hand, doesn’t look very happy at all.
Kenzie walks out of the bathroom. “We have twenty minutes.” She stops short when she sees Payton. “Hey,” she says, the word sounding like a question.
“You must be Kenzie.” Payton is beaming. “I recognize you from the pictures.”
They make quick work of the introductions. Payton talks non-stop, and all Kenzie has to do is nod and answer in one syllable responses.
When Deklan and Ryder arrive, Payton looks a little alarmed. I am amused, because for the first time, I don’t see the overwhelming sense of excitement that comes over women when they see the two. Or maybe I had misread the situation, because her gaze keeps shifting between the two men. Finally, she gasps. “Oh my God, you’re The Frozen.”
“You know them?” I ask, surprised that someone from out of town recognizes them.
“You guys played at the Puyallup County Fair a couple of summers ago. I live in Orting.”
“Nice little town,” Deklan responds and shakes her hand.
“It’s nice meeting you both. Just wait until I tell my friends that I met you. They are going to be so jealous.” Payton looks at Cole. “How could you have failed to tell me that your sister is dating the drummer of The Frozen?”
“He’s also the founding member of the band,” Ryder is quick to add.
Deklan shifts on his feet, and I find it sweet that he’s so humble.
Cole looks irritated that she’s so excited about meeting the band.
“You guys want to come to the concert tonight?” Ryder asks, and I know it’s all Kenzie can do not to kick him in the nuts and drop him to his knees.
***
We walk through Farmer’s Market but I see little. I’m still confused by what had just happened. Cole had been kissing me two seconds before his girlfriend, who I hadn’t heard of, nor had his family heard of, had showed up at the door. And now they were going to the concert with us tonight.
Kenzie is doing her best to keep me in good spirits…but I’m struggling.
I’m pissed. How could Cole have been so deceitful? I’d asked him about dating at college and he said he didn’t have time with football.
Freaking liar.
I pull out of it and smile when Deklan buys Kenzie a huge bouquet of flowers. Not to be outdone, Ryder buys me a bouquet of daisies.
When we arrive back at Kenzie’s apartment, we put our bouquets in vases. I’m almost disappointed Cole isn’t here to see me walk through the door with flowers from Ryder.
He had left a message on the counter telling Kenzie to give him a call so we could drive over to the concert together.
Kenzie calls him and he’s up the road at a restaurant. He tells us to stay put and he’ll be right here.
I so wish he’d reconsider and just stay home with his girlfriend.
No such luck. Payton is glowing with happiness as they walk in the apartment, hand in hand. She’s changed into a sleek, sexy black dress. It’s very similar to a dress I own, and I’m reminded yet again of how alike we are.
I change into skinny jeans, and borrow one of Kenzie’s shirt that shows off the better part of my back. I finish off the outfit with sexy boots.
My mom would definitely not approve of the outfit.
Kenzie’s does my makeup and it’s difficult for me to look in the mirror. I look different.
Ryder grins when he sees me. “You look great, Ange,” he says, and gives a wink.
“Thanks,” I reply, glancing at Cole.
He barely looks at me.
Payton gushes about how good we look.
“Payton, we might have to take some equipment in the car with us, so you should probably drive just in case,” Deklan suggests, and I’m so relieved.
The four of us pile into the car. Ryder is driving, and he keeps watching me in the rearview mirror.
I quickly look away.
“You okay?” Kenzie asks me for like the eightieth time in as many seconds.
“Of course.” I force a smile. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
I half expect to see a sly grin on Ryder’s face, but there isn’t one. As though sensing my mood, he cranks the music a little louder and I sit back and stare out the window.
How ironic when I had felt so close to the finish line that suddenly it’s like the rug is ripped out from underneath me. Cole and I had been getting closer. We were comfortable, friendly, and yes, even a bit overly flirtatious…and it had been fun while it had lasted.
“We don’t even know if they’re dating,” Kenzie says matter-of-factly.
“She came by herself, Kenz. A girl doesn’t do that unless they’re dating a guy.”
“You’re prettier.”
“Drop it,” I whisper and she nods, but she’s pissed at her brother. I am, too.
“I wished he would have just stayed home. I mean, it’s not like he’s ever gone out of his way to invite us to his events.”
“We did go to all the bonfires at his football games.”
“Yeah, but that’s different. Everyone went to those games. It was a family outing. But this, this is my life and the last thing I need is him coming home and talking shit about my boyfriend and his band,” she whispers.
/>
I completely understand her concern. I would feel the same way, especially if my relationship with my brother was as strained as her relationship with Cole.
When we arrive at the venue, I feel calmer.
Ryder opens the car door for me and even grabs my hand to help me out.
Cole and Payton are approaching, and Ryder doesn’t bother to drop my hand. He even tucks it into his elbow and we start walking. Deklan and Kenzie are five steps ahead of us, hands entwined. He leans down and kisses her cheek and I smile.
Ryder does the same to me and I nearly trip over my feet.
Normally I would tell him to knock it off already, and yet I’m strangely relieved and endeared by his effort to make me feel better. “You look sexy.” His voice has a soft, sultry quality to it that I feel all the way to my bones.
“Thanks.”
I glance over my shoulder. Payton and Cole are holding hands as they walk our way, but Cole’s staring at my ass.
I step closer to Ryder, and he squeezes my hand in his. “You’ll have a great night,” he says. “Just wait and see.”
FOURTEEN
Ange
We are immediately ushered into the theater while the guys go in search of Brooke and Curtis. For the first time, we had seats, and I was grateful to not be watching from side stage.
I make sure to sit furthest away from Cole. It was just…awkward.
“So…how long have you been going out with my brother?” Kenzie asks the second Cole got up to get some munchies.
“We’ve been seeing each other exclusively for about five months now.”
“That’s great,” Kenzie says, fake smile in place.
“My little sister misses him so much that she nearly fought me to come.”
“Does she go to UW as well?”
“No, she’s a sophomore in high school, but because my family lives so close, we visit a lot on weekends…that is, when Cole isn’t busy with the team.” Payton glances at Kenzie. “I am so excited to finally meet your mom. I wanted to before, but Cole said it just wasn’t the right time. She’s an amazing woman. I respect her so much.”
Ryder's Redemption (Badboy Rockers #2) Page 11
