Overtime(83)

“What can I say, I am adapting to the South,” Karl said, but then his gaze cut to Jordie. “I’m not kidding either.”

“10-4, won’t happen,” Jordie said, holding up his hands. “Promise.”

“Holding you to that,” Karl warned.

“I think we all are,” Regina commented and soon everyone was nodding as Kacey looked up at him. Wrapping his arm around her, he kissed her forehead and she smiled. He’d lay down and die before he hurt her. He just couldn’t. It would be catastrophic if he did. He would not only lose Kacey, he’d lose them all. They all believed in him, supported him, and he couldn’t let them down.

He couldn’t let himself down.

“There is dinner in the kitchen. Might need to feed the appetite you built up,” Lacey teased.

“Might want to drink some hot tea after all that screaming, sweetheart,” Regina added, and Kacey’s face burned once more, while Jordie sputtered with laughter. She shot him a dirty look and he shrugged.

“Well, we are hungry,” he said and she shook her head. “And you do scream really loud.”

“We are never gonna live this down,” she groaned as the rest of the family laughed.

“Probably not, but I’m okay with it,” he said, pulling her to the kitchen.

“Why? It’s embarrassing!”

He looked back at her, his lips curved. “But it was fun.”

Her lips pursed as she shrugged. “Very true.”

“Hey, keep it down tonight though. Mena needs her sleep,” Karson called at them and Kacey let her head fall back.

“I need a place of my own,” she groaned as she plopped down on a stool. Jordie glanced over at her as he grabbed the two plates that had been left out and put them in the microwave. Turning, he leaned against the counter, eyeing her. “What?” she asked and he shrugged, not sure how she was gonna take his next suggestion. Figuring that it was now or never, he smiled.

“We could get a place,” he offered and her eyes widened.

“I mean, shit, Jordie, can you take me on a date first?” she joked and he chuckled.

“Just saying,” he said and she grinned. “But what are you doing tomorrow night?”

“Whatever you are,” she decided and he grinned back.

“Dinner and movie? Maybe some surfing on the realty site before I make you scream all night. Which, in return, would lead to more teasing by your family, which would lead to you wanting your own place.”

“You’re insufferable!” she said, throwing an empty cup at him. He caught it, laughing as she said, “I don’t know. That seems a little crazy.”

“No, crazy is getting married.”

She gave him a deadpan look. “Well, duh.”

“But I’m down for that too.”

“Oh my God, please tell me that’s not how you are proposing to me,” she groaned, shaking her head.

“Nah, but just saying.”

“I can’t handle you right now, you’re giving me whiplash,” she said, shaking her head. “But yes to the date, and maybe to the screaming sex if it goes well.”

“Oh, it will, and I don’t think we’ll make it home,” he said, his eyes dancing with desire.

“I like the way you think,” she said, licking her lips. “But we’ll have to take your truck, my car won’t give us enough room.”

“Good thinking,” he agreed before getting their plates out of the microwave just as a knock came at the back door.

Setting them down, he looked at the door as she got up, a bewildered look on her face. “I wonder who that is,” she said as she went to the door. She opened it and he watched as her face twisted in confusion as she said, “Liam?”





“What the f*ck is he doing here?” Jordie called out, and Kacey waved him off as Liam rolled his eyes. He looked a mess, not his usual, put together self. Though what surprised her most was not that he was there, but that he was holding flowers. What could he possibly want?

“I know it’s late and I’m sorry I came by unannounced, but I need to see you,” he said, holding out the flowers. She took them, confused, as he said, “I wanted to talk to you. I feel like earlier I didn’t really get to express how much it would mean to me for you to go with me. You didn’t give me much of a chance to talk.”

“I thought it was pretty cut-and-dried, Liam. I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to say right now.”

He nodded. “I know. Can I come in?”

She knew she should say no, but before she could say anything, Jordie yelled out, “No.”

Turning to glare at him, she said, “Hush, you.”

“What?” he asked innocently. “Why does he need to come in?”

To her surprise, Liam barreled in, glaring at Jordie. “Why does it matter to you?”

Letting out a sigh, she knew this was going to get ugly if she didn’t control the situation, but unfortunately—and, of course—Karson and her dad had come into the kitchen.

“What’s going on?” Karl asked. “What the hell is he doing here?”

Karson looked at Kacey. “No, really, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, it’s fine. Everyone just chill out,” Kacey said, holding her hands up before placing a hand on Liam, but he shook it off. “He’s leaving.”