Effortless (Thoughtless, #2)(92)
“Uh-huh,” was Dad’s response to Kellan’s introduction.
Mom sighed irritably and stepped around us. Maybe feeling that her husband wasn’t being quite as hospitable as he could be on Christmas morning, she walked over to the door. Placing her hand on Dad’s shoulder, she addressed Kellan. “It’s nice to meet you too, Kellan.” Motioning into the warmth of the house, she added, “Please come in, it’s freezing out there.”
Kellan smiled at her as she forced Dad to step aside so he could enter.
Glancing at me quickly, a wry smile touching his lips for a moment, Kellan muttered, “I know.”
I looked away before I started laughing. When I looked back, Kellan was extending the bag to my mom; Dad had his hands on his hips, clearly not thrilled that another male was in his home, trying to sweep away his little girl. I didn’t bother telling Dad that I’d been swept away long ago…
“Mrs. Allen, I noticed that you were low on milk so I got you some more.” Mom smiled as she took the bag and Kellan looked over at me again, adding, “I got some eggnog, too, just in case anyone wanted some.” He smirked at me as he turned back to my mom.
A flake of snow in his hair melted, dropping to his cheek and rolling down his skin. Every female in the house watched its progression.
257
Snapping out of it first, my mom smiled and took the bag from him.
“Thank you, Kellan. That was very thoughtful of you.” Shrugging, Kellan looked down at the floor, a soft smile on his lips. “It was the least I could do, since you’re letting me stay for a few days.” Dad dropped his hands from his waist and twisted his head to stare at me. “A few days?”
I’d sort of failed to mention that when I’d asked about Kellan staying.
Honestly, I hadn’t been sure how long I’d get to have him. My insides squirming at the thought of all the time we’d have together, I frowned at my father. “Dad!”
He sighed and shook his head, but didn’t complain any further. I was sure I’d hear more later, but for the moment, he was being nice enough to not say anything around Kellan. My mom watched the showdown between Dad and me with a raised eyebrow, then encouraged Kellan to take off his jacket and make himself at home. I slung it up on the coat rack for him, bouncing a little as I took his hand. It was just so nice to have him near me again. I knew the next separation would hurt…but I’d deal with that when it happened.
Kellan smiled once he smelled the combination of coffee, cinnamon and bacon. Looking perfectly at ease with my family, he sat at the table across from Dad. While I made Kellan a cup of coffee, Dad eyed him like he was going to go mental at any moment, pull out a WMD or something. Kellan only smiled at him, asking if he was a Cincinnati Reds fan or a Cleveland Indians fan. Dad brightened, then stopped himself.
Shrugging, he said the Reds were alright.
Mom and I both looked at each other and rolled our eyes. Dad was glued to the television whenever his favorite baseball team was on the air. It was well known in the house that if you wanted anything from Dad, you waited to ask for it until the Reds were winning… and didn’t even bother asking if they were losing.
I returned to the table just as Kellan started going into specifics of the game. I listened to his deep voice, enraptured. He knew more than I realized he did. Kellan had never struck me as the athletic type. That had 258
been Denny. He’d always been watching highlights on TV. Denny and Dad had bonded together over a few amazing plays. But Kellan knew enough to keep up his end of the conversation and had Dad engaged until Mom and I set the plates of food down.
Pouring myself a huge glass of eggnog, I sat beside Kellan. He glanced over at my glass and smiled to himself. I squeezed his thigh under the table, thanking him for the treat he’d gotten just for me. As we gazed at each other for a moment, I had to firmly resist the urge to lean up and kiss him. My father cleared his throat.
Kellan glanced up at him as Anna handed Kellan a plate of bacon. As Kellan took some, my dad pointed at him with the serving spoon. “So, Kiera tells us you are in a…band?”
Dad said the word like it was foreign, like he wasn’t sure how to pronounce it. His face held an equally confused expression. To Dad, bands were something you did as teenagers. To Dad, real men went to college, got degrees, and joined the stereotypical work force. Dad just didn’t understand Kellan’s life choices at all. I frowned as I looked across the table at him. He might understand better if he knew Kellan’s history, knew just what music had helped him through, but that wasn’t my story to tell. And it wasn’t one Kellan told openly.
Passing the plate of bacon to me, Kellan gave me a warm smile. “Yes, sir. We’re on tour right now. Our next show is on New Year’s Eve in D.C.”
My shoulders slumped a little at the news. Having a definite departure date kind of sucked. Dad brightened a little, though. Slopping a mess of eggs on his plate, he casually said, “Oh, so you’ll be away a lot…on this tour-thing?”
Grabbing the plate of rolls from Anna, who rolled her eyes at Dad, Kellan quietly said, “Yes…” He grabbed a roll and handed the rest to me. Our fingers touched under the plate and Kellan stroked my thumb with his. The expression in his eyes screamed an apology—that he’d be leaving soon, that he’d be gone for so long, that we’d be separated again.