by Nikki Lane
“I will admit,” Callum continued, “I was a little concerned with your condition afterward.”
“Condition?” I said.
He smirked. “You were quite upset at one point. Crying even.”
“I was crying?”
“Yeah,” he said. “About some guy named Paul. A selfish, immature, cock and balls, as you kept calling him.”
“Oh my God.” I cowered under my hand.
My face burned with the heat of a thousand suns. The room started to close in on me.
Holy shit.
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out except a few stuttering vowels.
“Do you need some more water?” Callum said.
“No,” I replied, with a little too much eagerness. “I just didn’t think I could feel any more humiliated than waking up in your room with no memory of what happened the night before and…I was wrong.”
I needed to escape. Now.
I bolted up from my seat, hitting my knee against the edge of the table, disturbing the silverware and plates. I took a steadying breath. “I need to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”
I didn’t give Callum a second to speak and headed straight for sanctuary. Thank God the bathroom was empty. I whipped out my phone.
“Holy hell. I need to get out of this date,” I said to Shelby as soon as she picked up the phone. “I need you to call me back in five minutes and pretend that you’re my father and say that my dog got hit by a car or I dunno, something.
“Whoa, whoa. What the hell is going on?
“I cried after we had sex,” I whispered into the phone.
“I’m sorry, after what?”
“Sex!”
Some little old woman came through the bathroom door as I yelled the word like a maniac.
She gave me a condescending eyebrow furrow as she made her way to the stall. I walked to the farthest corner of the bathroom.
“So what? You’re not the first girl who’s done that,” Shelby said.
“I can’t go through with this now. I’m totally mortified.”
“Welcome to my life.”
“Be serious.”
“Rose,” Shelby said. “Take a deep breath and relax.”
I did as I was told.
“I want you to go back out there and start over.”
Just as I was about to counterargue, our waitress breezed through the door. I waited for her to find a stall, but she stood there, watching, waiting for me to get off the phone.
“I gotta’ go,” I told Shelby, ending the call.
“Callum wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Of course she was on a first-name basis with him.
“He did?”
“Yeah,” she said, crossing her arms. “He wants to know if you plan on coming back out.”
“He said that?”
She nodded, giving me a look like she had better things to do. I doubted fishing dates out of the ladies’ room was in her job description.
“Let me ask you something,” I said, getting a little closer to her. I could feel the little old lady from before staring at me as she washed her hands and pretended to primp her hair. “Do you think I’m crazy for going out with someone his age?”
And that was what my life had come to. Soliciting dating advice from strangers—amongst toilets.
“Not at all,” she said, checking herself out in the mirror. “It’s not like he’s a disgusting old man or something. He’s like really hot.”
“I know, right?”
She ran her tongue over her teeth and wiped at the corner of her lips before heading toward the door.
“Besides,” she said, pausing with the bathroom door hanging from her fingers. “He’s always bringing girls our age for dinner here.” She smiled like she knew she put the dagger in my heart.
I couldn’t go through with this.
I managed to walk out of the bathroom and back to the table without throwing up. Callum wasn’t there, and for a minute, I thought he decided to leave, not wanting to waste his time.
“You’re back.” The wisp of his breath tickled my ear, sending a flash of goosebumps over my body.
I pushed my hair behind my ears. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go.”
Callum held on to the back of his chair. “Is something wrong?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.
“Yeah.” Now, I just had to think of what. “I’m just…not feeling well. And I think it’s best if we go.” I was embarrassing myself with that lame excuse, I know. But at that moment, I couldn’t care less.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. But don’t worry about taking me home. I’ll get a ride.”
“That’s not necessary,” he said. “I can take you home.”
My stomach flopped. I felt sick. Sick with myself and sick with the idea of what other people were assuming as they looked at us from the corner of their eyes. I headed for the exit, needing some fresh air to breathe. A few minutes later and Callum came strolling out.
The car ride home felt like an eternity. I tapped my foot and kept my stare out of the window. I already had my hand on the door handle at the first sight of my house. Callum parked the car in the driveway. As I got out, I noticed the lights were still on at Kieran’s. Did he wait up for me? Of course not. The guy was nocturnal. I was amazed he functioned during normal waking hours and was able to hold a steady job.
My heart battered in my chest as I heard Callum get out of the car. I ignored him and headed straight for the house.
“Rose,” Callum said.
“Thanks for taking me home.”
“Can we do it again sometime? I think I’d like a do-over.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” The keys in my hand chimed as I pushed my hair from my face. “I’m sorry, but I made a terrible mistake.”
“I wish you would tell me what’s upset you so much.”
“This just isn’t going to work. I’m really sorry,” I replied. “Goodnight, Callum.”
“All right.” He waited for a few minutes, stock still, before walking back to his car. He paused before getting back in. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
I didn’t move until his car disappeared down the road. I plopped down on one of the porch steps, not giving a shit whether or not I busted a seam. I pulled out my phone to call Shelby. Just as the phone was starting to ring, a nagging noise cut me off, filling the air with its maddening reverberation. I hung up the phone and switched my stare to next door.
Kieran was at it again with the chainsaw. He stood with one foot planted on the trunk of the fallen tree and the other foot on the ground, using the chainsaw to divide it into smaller chunks.
I slipped off my heels and traversed the lawn. Kieran saw me coming and cut the chainsaw off.
“What are you doing?” I asked. My hands were balled into fists as I planted them on my hips.
“Firewood. We’ll have plenty this winter.”
“I don’t even have a fireplace.” My shoes dangled in the air as I waved my hands.
“Neither do I.”
I was starting to seriously question his sanity.
Kieran plopped the chainsaw down. “How was your date?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I crossed my arms, trying not to gape at his stomach when he lifted the hem of his t-shirt to wipe his face.
Hot body and crazy brain. It was a dangerous combination.
“What happened? Did you have to cut his food for him into itty bitty pieces?”
“You’re hilarious,” I replied, glaring at him. I turned to head back to the house.
“I’m starting to enjoy this,” he called after me.
“Enjoy what?” I didn’t bother to stop or look back.
“The view I get of you in that dress, walking away from me.”
The soles of my feet clung to the gritty cement of the driveway. I swung around slowly to see him standing there, his hands resting on either side of his hips wi
th a satisfied look on his face.
“Goodnight, Kieran.”
“Goodnight, Rose.”
Chapter 8
It was ridiculous. This was the seventh—no eighth—time I peeked through my window to look next door. Kieran’s house had quickly become the place to be on Saturday night. I already decided that joining in on the festivities was not an option. That’s why I’d been wearing my pajamas since six-thirty. Not that I had let pajamas stop me from stomping over there before.
Kieran texted me twice, asking if I changed my mind about going over. I stared at my phone, still debating how to respond.
There was no way I was going over there.
Calling Shelby was out, since she was busy with the new boyfriend. I plopped down on the couch, ready to find something on TV that would drift me off to sleep. Sure, it was only ten at night. I would finally get to bed at a decent hour and wake up tomorrow after a full night’s sleep. My body would thank me in the morning.
I hated everything on TV. After browsing the movies, nothing intrigued me enough to commit two hours of my life.
My phone chimed, and I grabbed it with the quickness that only true desperation could produce. It was another text from Kieran. A row of question marks. It had been two hours since his last text, and he was still expecting an answer.
Nope. Not going. I was going to stay right here and pretend I was totally having a great time—by myself—alone.
………..
Oh, fuck it.
I bolted off the couch and headed for the bedroom to change. I found the shortest pair of denim shorts I owned and paired it with a tight white cotton top. I decided to forgo my usual Walmart’s-finest bra and pulled out the heavy artillery—the most expensive bra I owned that promised to suck in, push out, and turn heads. For the price I paid, it should have been able to do my taxes too with an audit free promise. I undid the braid in my hair, which left it a little crimpy, and brushed it until it fell smooth down my back. A little make-up and a lot of moisturizer, and I was ready to go. I adjusted my boobs so that they sat evenly just above the neckline. Some strappy sandals and ha! Not bad.
Now all I had to do was work up the nerve to walk over there by myself. It didn’t seem to bother me before when I was ready to call the cops looking like something that just crawled out of the swamp. But this was different. As much as it chagrined me to admit, I was enjoying Kieran’s company. Once I got the final approval from Walter, who couldn’t seem less interested with the conversation we were having about the whole situation, I finally walked out the door.
A few people crowded Kieran’s front porch, their lingering eyes laying heavy on me. I gave them a meek smile and shrugged past them, my heart hammering in my chest.
The front door swung open just as I was about to ring the doorbell. Scott, the short feisty one, was once again there to greet me. This time he didn’t look so happy.
“Kieran,” he grumbled without saying a word to me. “The grumpy hot neighbor’s here again.”
I squirmed on the porch, my face turning twenty shades of crimson as Kieran trudged through the crowd. His eyes lit up the moment he saw me.
“Hey.”
I gave him a lame wave. “I’m not here to bitch you out or anything.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You mean, you’re actually here to hang out?”
“Yeah.”
Scott put his arm around my shoulders. “All right. Hot girl is crossing over to the dark side.”
“Hot girl’s name is Rose,” I said, letting him drag me into the house.
“Okay, Rose,” he replied. “Let’s get you something to drink.”
He led me into the kitchen. I waited as he poured us each a shot.
“I’ll do one, too,” Kieran said.
“All right then,” Scott replied.
He handed me a plastic cup filled a quarter of the way with amber liquid. We clinked cups, and I felt the burn as the alcohol flamed down my chest.
“Whoo,” Scott shouted when he was done.
I cringed, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Kieran!” We all turned to see Blondie emerging from the crowd. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
She was not to be outdone. I was sure one wrong move and her nipples would pop right out of her insanely low-scooped shirt. Her skirt left little to be imagined. Maye she had just come from a bikini wax and forgot the rest of her clothes at the salon. She pulled Kieran by the arm, trying to coax him out of the kitchen.
“How about another one?” Scott asked, as I stood distracted.
“Sure,” I replied, watching as Kieran’s gaze locked on me as he was led back into the crowd.
* * * *
“Did I ever tell you about the time…” Scott took another sip of his drink. “When I went bungee jumping stark ass naked?”
“No,” I said, leaning over in laughter. Scott and I had become instant best friends thanks to our mutual consumption of tequila. “You’re…” I was laughing so hard I couldn’t get the words out. “You’re kidding.”
The crowd had thinned in the last few hours, but there were still enough people to consider it a party. Kieran had kept his distance the whole night thanks to the efforts of Blondie, whose name I discovered was Heather. I would catch him staring at Scott and me whenever he could steal a look. I tried to act like I wasn’t paying attention. But once in a while, our gazes would meet.
“You ready for another one?” Scott asked me, holding up his empty beer bottle.
“Sure,” I said with a shrug.
Kieran plopped down on the couch opposite of me. “She’s good.” He was talking to Scott but looking at me.
“Yes, captain,” Scott said, saluting and grabbing a beer for himself.
“Since when do you tell me what to do?” I asked Kieran. I turned to Scott. “I would like another drink, please.”
Scott did a U-turn into the kitchen.
“You’ve had enough,” he mumbled to me. “She’s had enough,” he repeated louder to Scott.
Another U-Turn into the living room.
“And how would you know I’ve had enough?” I asked.
Scott froze, still standing. “Dude, maybe you should just let her have another drink.”
“Dude, why don’t you shut the fuck up?”
Scott held up his hands in surrender. “Relax, man. She’s all yours.” He walked away to join the few people outside.
“What is your problem?” I asked. “I finally join the party, and you’re cockblocking my fun?
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to get completely wasted.”
I scoffed. “You’re one to talk.”
“You’re nothing like me, Rose.””
“I can handle my liquor,” I said. I’d probably be reconsidering that statement tomorrow morning.
“You’re getting sloppy drunk.”
I blinked a few times, not completely believing what I just heard. “You’re such a jerk.” I shot up from the couch, but gravity was not cooperating. I stumbled back into the cushion.
“Rose,” Kieran said with a sympathetic tone. “Come on. Let me help you.” He held out his hands, but I swatted them away.
“I’m fine,” I snapped. “Thanks for the great time.” I managed to get up and made my way to the door. I didn’t have to look back to know Kieran was following me.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t you have someone to entertain?”
“I’m walking you home.”
“I live twenty feet away. I think I can manage the walk by myself.”
“I don’t care,” he replied. “I just planted those flowers by the door, and I don’t want you to trample them with your drunk walking.”
“Fine,” I said, shaking my head.
I zigzagged across his driveway and stumbled over the grass to my side of the lawn. I tripped on a crack in the concrete. I swore I heard a snicker from behind me.
“Where’s your shadow at?” I asked as I jammed the key into
the door.
“She left about fifteen minutes ago.”
I turned to face him after I swung the front door open. “Aw, not spending the night?” I stuck out my lower lip.
“Not tonight.”
“She turned you down.” I sucked a sharp breath threw my teeth. “That’s too bad.”
Kieran looked away, smiling. “She didn’t turn me down. Just the opposite actually.”
There was that look again. Direct and deep. Like into the depths of my fucking soul deep. I straightened up, using the doorframe to balance. “Thanks for walking me home.” My voice had become raspy, and the words came out with an unintentional seductive tone.
“Thanks for coming over and not calling the cops.”
I smiled. “Well, I’m not making any promises for the future.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
I swayed a little. “Sure. More than okay. Super.” I swayed a little more and lost my footing. I knew the chances of me ending up on the floor were high.
Kieran stepped in just in time to break my fall. “Sure about that?”
His emerald eyes were framed with long, dark lashes. I would kill for lashes that long. His thin gold chain, adorned only with a plain cross, glistened as it escaped from under his shirt.
“Kieran?” I whispered.
The chirping crickets serenaded us for the few quiet seconds that passed.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for walking me home.”
“You said that already.”
The hair on the back of neck stood on end as he put my long hair back behind my shoulders. His hand gently swept down my hair and grazed the bare skin peeking from under my shirt at the small of my back. “I’m happy you came over.”
“I actually had a good time.” I looked up at him.
“You’re definitely a tough egg to crack,” he said. “But I think I’m going to like living here.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do.” He edged a little closer.
Close enough that I was sure his next move would be his lips on mine. I was stuck in a blissful state that didn’t consider the rights and the wrongs of this moment. I closed my eyes.
“Goodnight, Rose.”
My eyes flew open, and I deflated like a popped balloon. He grabbed my hand and kissed it. I couldn’t think of the last time a guy kissed my hand. And then I remembered—never.
