Effortless (Thoughtless, #2)(167)
Kellan pointed back at where Denny and Abby’s table had been taken over by a group of boys that barely looked legal enough to be here.
“Someone nabbed your spot.” Running a hand back through his hair, Kellan shrugged. “The band’s table has a couple of spots open…if you guys want to join us?”
Denny and Abby glanced at each other for a second, then Denny nodded. “Yeah, sounds nice…mate.”
Kellan smiled, gave me a final kiss on the head, then clapped Denny’s back. As they started walking back to where Matt and Evan were talking with each other, all smiles over being back home, I heard Kellan lean 472
down and mutter, “Hey, sorry for being an ass a few weeks ago. That was a…misunderstanding.”
Smiling up at him, Denny clapped his back. “Don’t worry about it. I’m used to you being an ass.”
Abby giggled as she clung to Denny’s hand. Kellan shook his head, but eventually laughed. The sight of them bonding again brought tears to my eyes. I’d really never thought that they’d get their friendship back.
It took a pretty big person to see past the pain and betrayal. But Denny…was a pretty big person.
Denny and Abby left an hour or so later. Arms wrapped around each other, they seemed the picture of merriment. I smiled and waved as they disappeared out the doors to head back to the home that I’d helped Denny prepare for her. I wondered if he’d done what he’d said he’d wanted to do, and filled the house with flowers on the day of her arrival.
Being the sap he was, I figured he had.
Justin’s band and Kellan’s band closed out the bar. In fact, Jenny and I had to force most of the boys to leave. Justin in particular had seemed happy to stay put until morning. It was so typical of a guy his age that I instantly felt even more relaxed around him. He was just another drunk guy, like all the other drunk guys I’d ever met. And as Matt and Griffin had to physically help him into Griffin’s van, I wondered why I’d ever been nervous around him.
My own D-Bag was the last to leave. Sitting on the edge of the bar, Kellan chatted with the weary bar owner as I cleaned up the mess everyone had left behind. Clapping Kellan on the shoulder, Pete thanked him again for lining up a new band. Pete hated looking for talent, but liked the draw of a live act. And Rain’s band was really starting to bring in the crowds—guys and girls alike. From what Cheyenne had confessed to me one afternoon, her crush had now moved on to Poetic Bliss’s drummer, Meadow. I was relieved that not only was she not crushing on me anymore, but that she hadn’t fallen for Tuesday. I’d just never be able to keep a straight face during any conversations revolving around her.
When I was finished wiping spills and refilling salt shakers, I smacked Kellan’s thigh and wished Pete a goodnight. Pete waved us off and 473
grumbled something about me not letting Kellan tend bar anymore, since he technically didn’t work here. By the way he said it, though, it was clear that he’d hire Kellan on the spot, if Kellan were interested.
Waving goodbye to Pete, Kellan ignored his comment and any implied offers of employment. He had a job, one that about to explode on him. Holding my fingers tightly in his, Kellan hummed a song as he walked us to his car.
Loving the peace in his voice, the merriment in his eyes, I leaned into his side. His eyes brightened when they came upon his “baby.” As promised, I’d taken good care of her. I’d used only the best gas when filling her up and even had her waxed the other day, in preparation for Kellan’s homecoming. The orange lot lights cast a glow over the car as it shined beneath them.
Running his hand over the polished black metal, Kellan gave me a boyish grin. “Thanks for not wrecking her.” Kissing his jaw, I murmured, “I know what she means to you…I was good to her.” Releasing Kellan, I started walking around to the other side. “I only got her up over a hundred that one time.” Kellan’s jaw dropped as his eyes flashed down to inspect the Chevelle more closely. Shaking my head at him, I got into the passenger’s side.
Kellan was frowning at me when he got into his preferred spot—behind the steering wheel. “Not funny,” he muttered.
I grinned and leaned over to kiss him but he pulled back. As I frowned, he smiled. “Happy Birthday, Kiera.” I started to tell him that it wasn’t my birthday yet, when I realized that it was. It was just a few hours into it, but technically, it was now my birthday. “Thank you, you’re the first one to say it.” Smirking, he leaned into me. “I know, I planned it that way.” His lips were on mine then, soft and teasing as he moved against me.
His tongue slid along my lip and I shuddered, delighting in the sensation. Cupping my cheek, he angled his mouth to fully enclose me. My 474
breath heavier, I parted my lips to let him in. I groaned when his tongue brushed against mine. It had been weeks since our last physical en-counter. My body was burning for him to touch me.
Inhaling his wondrous scent into me, I pulled back from his mouth.
His lips parted, his eyes blazing, he stared at me intently, like he wanted to devour me. God…I wanted him to.
“Take me home, Kellan.” Placing my hand on his thigh, I leaned over to breathe in his ear, “Take me to our home.” He groaned. Biting his lip, he closed his eyes for a second and stopped moving, stopped breathing. Pulling back, I tilted my head at him.