Effortless Page 7

Chapter 7

 

  History Lessons

  After getting chastised by Matt for missing practices, Kellan was diligent in not missing any more. Unfortunately, things worked out so that I couldn't go to another rehearsal, so I saw less of Kellan in that last week then in all of the weeks previous. We'd sort of been hovering around each other lately, blowing off friends and easy-to-miss obligations to roll around in Kellan's bed for a few hours. It was inexcusable of us really, since his practice was important and the few classes I'd skipped had been important. But we'd needed the time together as each looming day brought our separation to the forefront.

  So having that cycle of irresponsibility broken by Kellan, who was suddenly being focused again, was a bit of a struggle for me. I adapted though, throwing myself into work, school and friends. And Kellan made our time apart interesting by trying out his new cell phone. He'd interrupted me a few times during class by texting me highly inappropriate comments. Most of them made my cheeks flush bright red. Honestly, he was too seductive, even through technology.

  But eventually Friday was upon me at last.

  There was feeling in the air when I woke up in my new spacious bed, a feeling of goodbye. I woke up with Kellan's arms around me, my cheek lying on his chest. He was stroking my hair in a soft, repetitive fashion, his fingers gently tucking strands behind my ear, so I knew he was awake.

  Stretching, I lifted my head and looked up at him. Midnight blue eyes, deeper and more beautiful than the darkest oceans, stared back at me. Smiling, he ran the back of his finger down my cheek. "Mornin'," he whispered.

  Smiling, I leaned up to gently touch my lips to his. "Good morning. "

  We didn't say anything more and I laid my head back down on his skin and held him for at least another hour. He held me as I tightly as I held him, occasionally kissing my hair. It was one of the most comforting experiences I'd ever had, and I knew a part of me would remember this morning forever, tucking it away to pull out on a later day, when I was missing him so much I physically ached.

  After a fast eternity of bliss, it was time for me to get ready for school. I grudgingly pulled away from Kellan, but he came with me, a playful smile on his face. That impish grin followed me into the bathroom, all the way into the shower. Trying not to be too distracted by the stream of water flowing down the lean muscles of his frame, I let him pamper and caress me. He lathered me with soap and affection, touching me everywhere but refraining from turning the moment into a sexual one. He only washed me and I in turn washed him. It was comforting, too.

  Once we were finished, the water turning chilly on us, he wrapped himself in a towel and headed out to make us some coffee. I smiled at the low-slung cotton riding just over his backside, and quickly got myself dressed so I could rejoin that half-naked body.

  Dressed for my day in jeans and a few layered t-shirts, I opened my door at the same time my sister did. Blinking sleepily, even though it was well past eleven by now, she scratched her wildly attractive bed head. "Hey, sis, you headed out to school?"

  Nodding, hoping my sister didn't decide to go to the kitchen for any reason, since Kellan was still currently only rocking a towel-skirt, I stepped in front of her line of vision. "Yeah, pretty soon. Kellan's taking me, so you can have the car today. "

  Anna nodded and yawned. She had the car most days so that really wasn't news to her. Stretching so that the tight t-shirt she'd slept in rode up her bikini-clad hips, she nodded towards the kitchen. "He in there? I should wish him a good show tonight. "

  Hearing Kellan humming, I tried to block my sister's vision even more. She may not care if I'd seen her boyfriend in all his glory, but I didn't need her ogling Kellan in his. That was my job. "Yeah, he's making coffee. " When she smiled and took a step towards me, I grabbed her shoulder. Looking down at her scantily dressed body, I raised an eyebrow. "Would you mind putting on some clothes before you go waltzing out there?"

  Covering a yawn, she shook her head. "He doesn't care, Kiera. I'm like a sister to him. "

  Sighing at the impossible beauty of the sexpot before me, I shook my head. "Please?"

  Maybe seeing my expression as I wistfully glanced over her curves, she finally nodded. "All right. "

  After she slinked back to her room, I darted into mine and grabbed Kellan's clothes. Holding the bundle tight to my chest, I hurried down the short hall into the kitchen. Kellan was leaning against the counter with his hands behind him, his glorious chest on full display. I paused a moment to just stupidly stare at him.

  His hair was a damp, disheveled mess, and water drops occasionally dripped onto his shoulder. One drop followed the curve of his collar bone before trailing over the elegant script of my name above his heart. From there, the frisky ball of water rolled over his pec, across his ribs, and straight down to the deep V cut of his lower abdomen. It traveled that line quite a distance before finally hitting the absorbent towel slung around his hips. It was the luckiest damn drop of water on earth.

  "Kiera?"

  Kellan's entertained voice brought my eyes back up to his highly amused ones. Grinning crookedly, he raised an eyebrow. "See something you like?"

  Flushing, I tossed his clothes at him. He flinched at the sudden move but managed to catch them. "Anna's awake and getting ready to come out here. Can you get dressed please?"

  I said that last part forlornly as I glossed over his body again. Lightly chuckling, he set his clothes on the counter and watched me watch him. I bit my lip as another drop traveled down his broad back. "You sure?" he asked, still amused.

  Sighing, I took a quick glance back at Anna's room. Luckily the door was still closed. "Yes. "

  When I looked back at him, he shrugged and unwrapped the towel from his waist. In the middle of my tiny kitchen, he let the material fall right to the ground. My eyes widened at the sight of him completely bare. Kellan didn't need to. . . um, glorify his manhood with accessories like Griffin did. He was absolutely perfect in his natural state. Flushing red hot, I watched him lightly shake his head at me and very slowly grab his underwear from the pile. I wanted to snap at him to hurry, and at the same time I wanted him to slow down even more. Smiling, I knew this mental snapshot would also come back to me when I was missing him.

  When the last piece of clothing was over his body, I sighed sadly and walked over to lace my arms around his neck. "I'm gonna miss you," I murmured, shaking my head at him.

  He smiled, lacing his arms around my waist. "I'm gonna miss you, too. "

  We were softly kissing when my sister entered the room. "Damn it, was he in a towel?"

  I looked over at my sister frowning playfully, pointing at the evidence piled on the floor. Grinning, I laid my head on his chest. "Yes, sorry, you missed the peep show. "

  Sighing dramatically, she reached into the cupboard next to us and grabbed a few coffee mugs. "I always do," she muttered, handing one to me, then Kellan.

  Laughing and shaking his head, Kellan disengaged himself from me so he could pour everyone coffee from the pot that had just finished brewing. When he handed a full one to Anna she politely thanked him. Taking a small sip, she raised her eyebrows at him. "Hey, good luck at your show, Kellan. I'm gonna get off work a little early so I can catch the tail end of it. "

  Kellan nodded and smiled, handing me a cup with room for creamer in it; I couldn't stand black coffee like he and my sister could. "Thanks, Anna. I'm glad you'll be able to make it to this one. " Smiling at me, he poured a final cup for himself. "It should be good. " He shrugged casually, like it was just another show and not his farewell show.

  I bit my lip to stop the stinging sensation building in my eyes as I poured a good helping of flavored creamer into my mug. I didn't want to get emotional over the fact already. There would be time for tears later, I was sure. Anna sighed, the sound matching my mood. "I wouldn't miss it for anything, Kellan. "

  She gave him a supportive pat on the shoulder then left us so we could
have one last peaceful morning together with our cups of coffee. And it was the most comforting of all.

  After driving me to school, Kellan threw his arm over my shoulder and walked me to class. The people here were finally used to seeing him walking down the hall, since he walked me nearly every day, but the girls still stared appreciatively. I'd considered skipping today, so we would have all the time in the world together, but Kellan had firmly told me no. School was important, he'd said, and I'd missed too much already. Knowing he was right, I'd reluctantly agreed.

  Surprising me, Kellan walked me all the way into my classroom. When he walked me over to a row with a couple of open seats, I rolled my eyes at him. "I can handle this part. You can go. . . nap or something. "

  Chuckling adorably, he shook his head and, holding my hand, walked backwards down the aisle with me. "I'm not walking you to your seat. " Edging past a couple of girls staring at him wide-eyed, he sat down and motioned for me to sit beside him. "I'm joining you," he said, smiling brilliantly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

  I stared at him open-mouthed. He'd teased about sitting through a class before, but I never thought he'd actually do it. Kellan wasn't dumb or anything, but he wasn't exactly the academic type. He'd be bored out of his mind sitting here with me while the teacher droned on and on about morality clauses in contract agreements. Shaking my head, I sat down beside him. "All right. "

  Chuckling, he slung an arm over my shoulder. Looking over at him, I raised an eyebrow. "No falling asleep. " He laughed a little and stroked my arm with his thumb. Smiling, I added, "And no funny business. I actually need to learn this stuff. "

  Kellan rolled his eyes and made a pledge over his heart. "I'll be the perfect student. " Facing forwards, he muttered, "And if I'm not, you can punish me later. " His grin was so devilishly attractive, I had to look away. Unfortunately, I looked right across the room at Candy.

  She was sitting with her friends, her head turned all the way around as she stared at the rock star sitting in on her class. Her surprised expression nearly matched what my own had been. As I leaned into his side, resting my head on his shoulder, her expression relaxed into a neutral one. Rolling her eyes and muttering a word that I could clearly tell was, "Whatever," she jerked back around to the front of the room.

  I grinned and waited for my boyfriend to receive his first college lecture. I hoped he liked it.

  In a way that surprised me, Kellan was the perfect student. He listened enraptured, even leaning forward a little. During a discussion period, he even piped up with a couple of well thought out questions. I smiled as he got into a debate with a guy a few rows down from us. Kellan's side of the argument was much more persuasive, and the legitimate student in the room conceded to it by the end. The professor commended Kellan on his points, then tilted his head like he was trying to place who Kellan was. . . and if he was actually a student. Eventually he gave up trying to figure it out and dismissed the class for the day.

  I was very proud of my boyfriend as we left the room. Given another life, he probably would have done really well here.

  Kellan was ear-to-ear smiles and I clenched his hand, loving that he'd loved it so much. Everything was going great, until he walked past a group of giggling girls. Feeling bold, they stepped right in front of us, blocking our exit. Still on cloud nine, Kellan smiled at the group. "Ladies?" he asked politely, tilting his head.

  They giggled even more at being addressed. I wanted to sigh and roll my eyes. There was something about him that turned mature, educated, enlightened women into fifteen-year-old school girls. I'd seen it happen way too often.

  The boldest of the group stepped forward. "You're Kellan, right? We just love your band. "

  Nodding politely, an odd expression passed Kellan's face as he studied the group of women assembled before him. It was something that the girls probably wouldn't notice, but I did. It was almost like he was trying to place a name with a face. Throwing on an effortless grin, he smoothly said, "I'm glad to hear you enjoy us. Our last show is tonight at Pete's. " Leaning in, he raised an eyebrow at them. "I hope you guys can make it. " His tone was so suggestive that I actually raised my own eyebrow. I was used to him flirting a little with them, but sometimes he took it just a bit too far.

  They, of course, ate it up. Kellan smiled as he flicked his eyes over the group. He kept looking at one in the back and I curiously started examining her too. She was biting her lip and eyeing him in an intimate way, a way that clearly said she was a step above the other fawning fans around. It was a look I'd seen before on women who'd approached him, or sometimes even shown up at his place. It was the look of a woman who'd shared a bed with him before, and probably wouldn't mind sharing a bed with him again.

  As his eyes kept flashing over hers, I finally registered the look I was seeing on his face. It was an expression of, I know you. . . how do I know you?

  Irritated by the whole situation, I started to subtly pull away from him. Maybe taking the hint, he excused himself from the gawkers. "It was nice to meet you all. . . I'll see you at the show. " I groaned a little that he'd tossed that in at the end. Now they all probably assumed that he literally meant he'd spend some time with them at the performance tonight. And I've-slept-with-you girl was probably expecting a great amount of personal attention.

  I was scowling by the time we were outside. He noticed. "Hey, what's wrong?"

  Glaring over at him, I rolled my eyes. "I hope you all can make it. See you there, ladies," I mocked, not really meaning to.

  He stopped and stared at me. "I was just being friendly with some fans, Kiera. It doesn't mean what you think it means. "

  I stopped, setting my hands on my hips. I was fine with the fans, truly, I was, but that girl in the back had gotten under my skin. It was so weird to have so many people know what being with him was like. . . in that way. And they kept popping up everywhere. This girl, Candy, Rita, and I was pretty sure about that mechanic chick too. . . and that was just in the small circle that I saw often. I knew the list was much, much longer than that.

  Pointing back to the building, I snapped out, "You've had sex with that girl!"

  He blinked at my tone and my words, then his face heated. "And?"

  I blinked that he didn't even try and deny it. "And. . . and. . . " Not having a real argument, I sighed and hung my head. "And I'm tired of running into girls who know what making love to you feels like. "

  He sighed and stepped into me, cupping my face. His voice and face softer, he shook his head. "No one but you knows what making love to me feels like. " Raising his eyebrows, he rested his head against mine. "I didn't even know what making love was like until you. "

  Pulling back, he tilted his head at the building. "What happened with that girl. . . was just sex. A mindless, physical act that had no meaning or feeling behind it. It was just pleasure. . . and I don't even really remember it. "

  Squatting down, he met my eye. "I remember every single time with you. Even before we were together, being with you haunted my dreams. I couldn't forget, even when I wanted to. . . " His thumbs brushed over my cheeks as I felt tears falling down them. "You. . . seared me. That's making love. That is something that none of them have over you. You are. . . unforgettable. . . and I love you. "

  Sniffling, I swallowed a couple times before I could finally say, "I love you, too. "

  He kissed me then, and I felt the passion and the truth in his words. They'd had him, but not like I'd had him. For some reason, I was different to him, and I was eternally grateful for that. I was still thinking about all of his conquests on the drive to his place, though. Feeling a little melancholy, I sat on his couch after we walked in his door. He sat beside me, a little cautiously.

  "Kiera? You're not still mad, are you?"

  I shook my head as I looked over at him. "No, I'm not mad, I'm just. . . "

  Sighing, I bit my lip. Looking nervous, he shrugged. "You're what?"

  K
nowing we had to have this conversation sooner or later, I gritted my teeth and inhaled. On the exhale, I calmly said, "I'm curious. . . about the women. "

  Looking away, Kellan sighed, like he'd known this was coming. "Kiera. . . you know why I use to. . . "

  He trailed off, staring at the floor. Grabbing his cheek, I made him look back at me. "I know, Kellan. I know why, I just don't know. . . how many. "

  He pulled back from my fingertips, his brows pulling together. "How many? Why do you. . . ? Why does that. . . ?" Shaking his head, he shrugged again. "What difference does that make, Kiera?"

  Sighing as I stared at the floor now, I shrugged. "I don't know why, Kellan. I guess I just want to know how many. . . . others. . . I could potentially run into. " I peeked back up to look at him; his brow was still furrowed. "Do you know how many there has been?"

  He swallowed, his eyes avoiding looking at me. "Kiera, I'm not really comfortable with. . . " He sighed and finally looked at me. "Can we not do this, please? Not today, not when I'm leaving tomorrow. "

  I sighed again, wishing I could just let it go again. But I'd let it go too many times already, and really, this was the perfect time to talk about it. "We should have this conversation, Kellan. We should have already had it, but you and I had. . . different problems getting together, so this just kept getting put on the back burner. But it's important. . . we need to talk about it. "

  Exhaling, he shook his head. "Why? It's ancient history. I'm not that guy anymore, Kiera. I'm not gonna be that guy again. Can't we just ignore it?"

  Cupping his cheek, I shook my head. "We can't ignore things and have a solid relationship. And. . . it's not ancient, Kellan. That girl today proves that it's still relevant. We're going to run into these girls over and over and I need. . . " I exhaled in a rush, "I just need to know what I'm up against, Kellan. "

  Dropping his head he muttered, "You're not up against anything. " I didn't say anything and he peeked up at me, hope in his eyes that I'd drop this. When I didn't, when I just kept silently sitting and waiting for him, my heart in my throat, he sighed and nodded. "I don't know how many, Kiera. . . I'm sorry. "

  Looking around the room, he leaned over and rested his elbows on his knees. "I suppose if you do the math. . . " He looked down at his hands. "I've been having sex for about a decade, with two or three different girls a week," he peeked up at me, guilt all over his face, "on average," he looked back down at his hands, "so that's. . . . "

  I held my breath, already having calculated the answer. He looked up at me and blinked after he did the math. "Crap. . . that's over fifteen hundred girls. " He looked back down to his hands and muttered, "That can't be right. . . "

  I sighed, knowing it was. Even if he only had sex twice a week with a different girl each time, that was over one hundred girls a year. Since he'd started so young, and he had almost ten years of that sort of behavior under his belt. . . well, that was almost a thousand girls. And that was assuming a low average. I had a feeling some years had been much higher than two or three a week. Sometimes he'd had two or three a day.

  He looked a little ill as he sat on his couch, considering that. He clearly never had before. "Jesus," he muttered. "I really am a whore. "

  Actually feeling bad for him, I put a hand on his knee. "Well, I can see why you don't remember them all," I whispered.

  He looked up at me, horrified. "I'm so sorry, Kiera. I didn't realize. . . "

  He shook his head and I shook mine too. "I wasn't trying to make you feel guilty, Kellan, I just. . . we should talk about this openly, honestly. "

  Sighing, he leaned back against the couch. Nodding, he splayed his fingers out to me. "What do you want to know?"

  "I know you don't remember all of their names, but do you remember their faces? Would you recognize them all if we ran into them again?" I cringed, thinking of this afternoon.

  He bit his lip, thinking. "Maybe girls from the last few years, but before that. . . no, I'm sorry, the faces blur together and you know I didn't always ask. . . " he looked down," their names. "

  I squeezed my hand on his knee, and asked the one question that I really needed answered, the one that seemed the most relevant. . . and the one that terrified me a little. "Were you safe. . . with all of them?"

  My heart thudded in my chest. True, STDs and other communicable diseases were high up on my list of concerns, but the one thing that scared me the most was the idea of some woman out there having had his child after a one night fling with him. It happened all the time. It was so plausible. It terrified me to no end that some woman knocking on his door would also come with a toddler. . . with midnight blue eyes.

  His eyes immediately flashed up to mine. "Yes," he whispered, his voice sounding completely sure.

  Sighing, I slumped against the couch. "Kellan, you don't have to lie to make me feel better. . . just be honest. "

  His hand came out to cup my cheek. "I am. Even from the first, the very first, we used condoms. I always carried some with me after that day. I didn't want. . . " he sighed and shook his head, "I didn't want another. . . me. . . to happen to some girl. "

  I stared at him blankly, amazed that the circumstances of his own conception had sacred him straight, so to speak, even at the tender age of twelve. Without thinking about it, I murmured, "How can you be sure. . . if you don't remember them all?"

  He shook his head. "Because it was my rule, and I never broke it. It was the one thing I. . . was good about. "

  Frowning, I pushed his hand away from my face. "You weren't with me. You never even thought about it with me. "

  There was a little heat in my tone as I thought about all of our skin-on-skin moments. He looked down, his eyes flicking back and forth. "That's because. . . " he peeked up at me, "it was you. " I furrowed my brow, not understanding. He sighed, bringing his fingers back to my cheek. "I wanted you. . . so much. . . and in a way I'd never wanted any girl. " He rested his forehead against mine, exhaling lightly. "I loved you. . . even that first time. I didn't want anything between us. I wanted. . . "

  Pulling back, he looked away. Grabbing his cheek, I made him look at me. "You wanted what?"

  Looking guilty again, he shrugged. "I wanted. . . to own you. I wanted a part of me in you. " He cringed. "I wanted to mark you, make you mine. " Sighing, he shook his head. "Because I knew you really weren't. . . but it made me feel. . . closer to you, to think that way. "

  He lowered his eyes as mine watered. "I'm sorry. . . I shouldn't have done that. "

  Swallowing, I brought his mouth to mine. "I love you, too," I muttered between our lips.

  Grabbing his head, I pulled him back as I laid down on the couch. He went freely, settling himself over the top of me as our mouths moved in perfect synch. Breaths heavier, our kiss intensified and my body melted under his, ready for him to stake his claim on me again. But when I tangled my fingers in his messy hair, lightly scratching his scalp, he pulled away from me.

  Staring down on me, he shook his head. "Don't take this the wrong way, but can we not have sex right now? Can we just. . . cuddle. . . until you have to go in to work? I just want to be close to you for a while. "

  Shifting my fingers to brush some stray hair from his forehead, I searched his eyes. "Yeah, of course. "

  He smiled lightly and kissed me one final time before shifting to lie beside me. His head on my shoulder, he wrapped his leg over mine and laced our fingers together. Kissing my knuckles, he sighed softly. "I love you, Kiera," he whispered.

  Kissing his forehead, I rested my cheek on his head and absorbed the feeling of his body sprawled across mine. I was wrong before, this was the most comforting thing ever.

  We stayed that way, cuddling and silently comforting each other, right up until it was time for me to go to work. Almost immediately upon entering the bar, Kellan was handed a shot of something from Sam. A big grin on his imposing face, the huge bouncer clapped Kellan's shoulder. "Here, man, it's your night,
drink up!"

  Kellan immediately swished it back. "Thanks, Sam. " He grinned, laughing a little as he handed the empty glass back to him. "I never thought you, of all people, would hand me alcohol. "

  Kellan laughed a little more and Sam rolled his eyes, his smile dropping. "Well, since you're not going to end up on my doorstep tonight, I'll allow it. "

  I frowned at Kellan, remembering his confession of getting himself obliterated on Sam's doorstep because of me. I'd had to deal with the drunken idiot that night, when I'd had no idea why he'd gotten tossed. It was a little surprising that he could joke about that evening now, but that was Kellan. If anything, he'd developed the ability to bounce back. I supposed, with his life, he'd had to.

  Sam shook his head then laughed and clapped Kellan's shoulder again. "We're gonna miss you, Kell. " Walking away from Kellan, I thought I heard Sam mutter, "Drunken idiot. "

  Ignoring that last part, Kellan shouted back, "Thanks!"

  I tried to walk with Kellan to his table, but it seemed like every third step we took someone stopped him, usually offering him a drink along with their congratulations. He happily took them all, slinging them back and thanking the person offering it. After the fourth such stoppage, I gave up walking with him and kissed him on the cheek, telling him that I had to get to work. He nodded as he took another shot from someone. Shaking my head, I hoped he slowed down enough so that he could actually give his final performance tonight. It would be quite a disappointment to his fans if I had to drive the drunken idiot home in an hour.

  By the time I officially started my shift, he was surrounded by a boisterous group of men and women. Everyone seemed to want some time with him before he left tomorrow. I was grateful that we'd had our tender moments already today, but it did make me sad that our private time was over. I'd have to share him from here on out.

  About an hour after my shift started, the rest of the band showed up. The place erupted into fanfare with the whole group assembled; it was about ten times as loud as the applause they'd received after Bumbershoot. Everyone here was proud of their boys and wanted to wish them well. The bar was bursting at the seams, and there were still a couple of hours before the show officially started.

  Hearing the noise, Pete popped out from the back. He sighed despondently at his entertainment moving on from him, then shook his head and raised his hands into the air. The place eventually quieted as everyone twisted to look at him. Kellan, working his way through the crowd to stand near his band mates, locked eyes with Pete.

  Smiling at the singer, Pete said, "Kellan. . . boys. . . you've done wonders for my little pub and I'll never forget that. If and when you return, you always have a place here. " Kellan smiled, his eyes drifting to the floor. The other D-bags beamed, smiling at each other. Sniffing in a clearly emotional way, Pete shook his head. "Anyway. . . a round for everybody, on the house!"

  The bar erupted and my eyes widened. There were a lot of people here. As Pete went over to chat with his band, Jenny, Kate and I got to work on pleasing the masses with their free beers. It took an eternity to get everybody satisfied, but eventually, with Rita, and the day bartender, Troy, helping out, we did. As a content murmur filtered throughout the place, I leaned against the bar and sighed, already exhausted.

  Kate and Jenny leaned against the bar with me, one on either side of me. Kate blew a stray piece of hair out of her eyes, the first stray piece of hair I'd ever seen on her. "I'm gonna miss those guys, but whew, this is gonna be a long night. "

  Rita popped over behind us, pouring us each shots. "A round for the ladies!" Troy walked up to her side and Rita gave him a suggestive smile before pouring him one. "And you too, I suppose. " I hid my smile from her, not bothering to tell her that I was pretty sure Troy would never be interested in her the way her smile insinuated. I was pretty sure Troy's interests laid elsewhere. . . like in my boyfriend.

  Clinking glasses, we all took a quick shot. It burned going down, but afterwards it was warming and calming, just enough to help me get through tonight's chaos. As Rita and Troy moved off to help start the next round for people, Jenny sighed and laid her head on my arm. "I'm going to miss Evan. . . and the guys. Pete's just won't be the same. "

  I nodded, resting my head against her. "I know. . . nothing will be the same really. "

  Kate sighed and we both looked over to her. "Yeah, I have some really good memories of those boys. " Giggling, she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "A couple summers ago they kidnapped me for my birthday. " She grinned at Jenny. "Evan made me wear that stupid birthday hat, remember?"

  Jenny grinned back at Kate and shook her head. "Yeah, that was fun. " Wistfully, she looked over at the guys. "I remember when they did a show in Eastern Washington. A group of us decided to road trip it over the pass with them. We all got stuck halfway through when Griffin's Van broke down. We had to camp at a rest stop. " Jenny started laughing, Kate and I joining her. "Matt never booked another show over the mountains after that. "

  Jenny wiped her eyes as the memories of that trip washed over her. I sighed, wishing I had been here for those happy times. Kate reached over and tapped Jenny's shoulder. "Remember the water slides fiasco?"

  Jenny nodded. "Yeah, Griffin still isn't allowed to go back there. "

  They both started belly laughing, and I frowned, wondering what the creaton had possibly done. Tears streaming down her cheeks, Jenny said, "And remember the rooftop party? The heights freaked Matt out and he spent the whole night in the exact center of the roof. " Wiping her eyes, Jenny laughed out, "Kellan had to sling him over his shoulder to get him to leave. "

  I laughed with them, imagining that, then I sighed. I'd missed so many memories. Giggling nonstop, Kate added, "Remember when you walked in on me and Kellan that one New Year's Eve?"

  I instantly stopped laughing and swung my head around to Kate. She instantly stopped laughing too, remembering who I was. "You and Kellan?" I looked her up and down with narrowed eyes, like it had just happened. "What?"

  My tone was a little bitter and Jenny put a hand on my shoulder. Kate blanched and shook her head. "We didn't have sex. . . it didn't get that far. " She pointed over to Jenny. "She. . . " Biting her lip, Kate shrugged, looking very apologetic.

  My eyes narrowing even more, I put my hands on my hips. "Why didn't you ever mention this before?"

  Kate cringed a little bit. "What was I supposed to say? Hey, I nearly had sex with the guy you're seeing? That's not cool. " She shrugged again. "Besides, it was a while ago, and we were really, really drunk. I don't think he even. . . " Looking around self consciously, she shrugged again. "I should get back to work. "

  Feeling my cheeks heat, I didn't say anything and she quickly turned and fled. God! He'd done Rita, he'd asked Jenny out, and now I come to find out that he'd seriously made out with Kate. Did Kellan not have a history with anyone at Pete's!

  Seeing me fuming, Jenny stepped in front of me, putting both hands on my shoulders. "He's different now, Kiera. " Looking over to where Kate had disappeared, Jenny shook her head. "And don't hate her for caving into him. " Looking back at me, she raised an eyebrow pointedly. "You know how persuasive he can be. "

  I flushed for another reason and slumped a little against the bar. "I know. . . I just wish everyone in the entire world didn't have some sort of sexual history with the man I'm in love with. "

  Laughing softly, Jenny ducked down to meet my eye. "It's a lot, Kiera, I know, but I'm sure it's not everybody. " Shaking her head, she smiled cheerily. "I don't have a history with him. I've never even kissed him. " She instantly frowned and pulled away, her eyes suddenly deep in thought. "Hmmm. . . "

  My mouth dropped as she shook her head, her frown lines getting deeper. I smacked her shoulder. "You have kissed him, haven't you?"

  Looking back at me with a small grimace, she shrugged. "There was this one time after he drove me home from a shift. " My mouth dropped wider and I made a very unladylike noise. She twist
ed her lips and shook her head. "Sorry, I forgot. It wasn't too long after I started working here. He was looking sad and lonely and he offered to drive me, so I caved and said yes. Then we were talking in my drive and he leaned over and kissed me. " She shook out her beautiful, blonde head of hair. "I pushed him back and told him I didn't want to. " Rolling her eyes, she added, "I think that's what started him hounding me for a date, until I finally put my foot down. "

  She shrugged as she stared at me, like it was no big deal. Closing my eyes, I shook my head and stormed off to the back room. I needed to go some place where another woman that Kellan had been intimately involved with was not. And right now, that meant I had to be alone.