Here We Are

“I love how supportive you are,” I gush.

“Why wouldn’t I be? Kaye has so much talent. I’m not going to get in the way of that if I can help it,” Felix says and shrugs.

It’s the most I’ve ever heard him say outside of helping Kaye to tell me their story. Damn, I agree with Kaye. Felix has one sexy ass voice. All that phone sex they used to have.

There’s another Black that has a voice just like his. Only that voice has a hint of humor and a tiny rash when it drops and gets dirty. Felix’s eyes lock on me and I swear I see a secret little smile on his lips. It’s as if he can see my thoughts.

Mm. Note to self. Beware of wearing my thought on my face around Felix.

He releases a small laugh and I can’t help but think he just read my thoughts. It’s a bite unnerving.

“I’m glad all of that is behind us. We’ll finally be married in three more months,” Kaye coos, looking up at Felix dreamily.

“Do you think you’ll ever write about what happened?”

Kaye pauses. I can see the wheels turning inside her head. Her face screws up before she shrugs.

“You know. I see it this way. Inspiration comes from life experiences. You never know,” she winks at me.

“I’ll tell you one thing. That shit’ll never happen again,” Felix mutters.

“Yeah, because you screen everyone with a full blown background check. I haven’t proved it yet, but I swear he goes through my social media list to screen my followers,” Kaye teases.

“Whatever,” Felix grumbles.

“Who’s pregnant, me or you? You’re so grumpy today,” Kaye cracks up.

“You’re pregnant?” I gasp.

“Oh shoot,” Kaye groans. She looks up at Felix apologetically. “Sorry?”

It dawns on me that Kaye has been drinking water all night. Her being pregnant would account for the glow she seems to have. It also says a lot about how watchful Felix has been over her.

Felix looks at me and winks. “She’ll keep our secret.”

“We’re waiting until everyone returns home. We didn’t want to take Noah and Bean’s shine,” Kaye whispers.

“Your secret is safe with me. Congratulations,” I whisper back.

“You know my brother is a great guy. Don’t let the teasing fool you. He’d treat you just as good as the rest of us treat our women,” Felix says with those watchful eyes on me again.

“Oh, that’s not going to happen. I’m not his type and I don’t think he’s mine,” I wave him off.

“You could have fooled me. I see sparks fly whenever you two are next to each other,” Kaye beams.

I shake my head. She writes too many of those books. Ryan and I would crash and burn before we ever start. We’re just too different.

“I don’t think so,” I reply.

“None of us started out easy. Give him a chance. I’ve never seen him work this hard for a female’s attention,” Felix says warmly.

“He can stop wasting his time. I’m not that type of girl.”

“What type?” Ryan’s voice startles me.

He had gone to get drinks, as Kaye and Felix finished telling me their story. We’ve been sitting in the back of the bar, while everyone else has taken over the pool tables. From what I understand, the O’Brien’s own the place.

“Um, that’s it right? The last of the stories?”

“Yes and no,” Kaye giggles. “We’ll see you at the wedding right?”

“Oh, I…I hadn’t planned to be there,” I reply.

“Nonsense. You have to be there. It’s sure to be eventful,” Kaye wiggles her brows.

My interest is peaked. One of these days my curiosity is going to get the best of me. I know it is.

“She’ll be my plus one,” Ryan says in that cock sure way of his.

“I don’t know about that,” I scoff.

Ry leans over me until our faces are just a breath apart. I stop breathing. I’m so still I could be a statue. He licks his lips and I feel the heat of the gesture against my own.

“You know all about my family, but what do you know about me?” He rasps, causing my nipples to tighten.

His voice alone is like a bolt of lightning. I hate that I have this type of reaction to him. This pull seems to be getting stronger, not weaker.

“Cat got your tongue, Nene?” He asks, my nickname rolling off his tongue.

“No,” I say breathlessly.

“Um. Well, let me tell you a few things you need to know about me. One, when I know something is mine, I’d move heaven, hell, and earth to get to it. Two, I never give up. Three, it’s all fun and games with me…until it’s not.

“I knew you were mine the first time you fell into my arms. I’m patient, Carmen. As a matter of fact, I prefer to take my time. I hate to rush. Things get missed when people rush. You’ll know when I’m done teasing you, gorgeous.

“When you lose your breath and you need me to think straight. When my Ryan is the only thing that comes to mind. You’ll know. We’re done dancing around this and I’m coming to claim what’s mine,” he says so slick, my mind is convinced he just licked me between my legs.

“Well, damn. That’s going in a book,” Kaye says after a low whistle.

“Really?” Felix laughs beside her.

Ryan

I roll my eyes. I don’t have to turn to him to see the smile on his face. I can hear it in his voice. I don’t reply. I’m too focused on Carmen. She’s so cute. She’s been nursing the same beer for about an hour now. I can tell I fried the fuck out of her brain.

Felix got roped into a game of pool, once he and Kaye finished dishing their story to Carmen. He’s been cleaning Jeremiah out since. A glance over at the pool table tells me it won’t be much longer before Felix finishes the job.

“Hey, I wanted to talk to you.”

My head snaps in Carrick’s direction. He has curbed his accent, grabbing my attention. I know he’s serious and the look in his eyes confirms it. I focus on my cousin and the haunted look in his eyes.

My brows knit. Carrick is older than I am. I’ve always looked up to him like I do Wyatt. He’s more like a big brother to me.

“What’s up?” I ask, showing him he has my full attention.

Carrick looks down at his hands. I watch as he blinks slowly a few times. The wheels in his head are turning so hard, I promise you I can hear them. I wait patiently, knowing he’s putting his words together. When he speaks and his accent is tuned down again, I lean in closer.

“It’s been almost two years since we talked of me coming to the States. Felix has Kaye and Dashawn. He says I can still come stay with him, but I don’t want to be a bother. Have ye moved out of yer condo?” Carrick lifts his blue-hazel eyes to lock with mine.

“Not yet. I’ve been thinking of moving out or getting a roommate.” I reply and shrug.

Carrick nods, licking his lips. Once again, I wait him out. I can feel the tension surrounding him.

“This will always be me home. I just need a change. Have you ever felt like yer body is in one place, but yer heart be in another?”

He shakes his head, as if to clear it. I think on his question, my eyes travel over to Carmen. I absently rub at my chest. Yeah, I guess I do understand what he means.

“I think I know what you mean,” I nod.

“It’s odd. I have no clue why I’ve been feeling this way, but it’s been weighing on me lately. I just feel like maybe what I’m looking for is on the other side of the pond,” Carrick muses.

“Dude, without question, my door is open, whenever you’re ready,” I reassure him.

A relieved smile takes over his face. I watch as his demeanor changes back to the confident, playful Carrick I know. He pats me on the shoulder, his mischievous smile in place, right where it belongs.

“Aye, glad ye be ken on the little lass. More knickers for me when I arrive,” he teases, nodding at Carmen.

I turn to see her staring over at us. She turns away the moment my eyes find hers. My lips pull into a grin.

I look to Felix to see him laughing his ass off at a sour looking Jeremiah. Uncle Ronan is in the corner nursing a beer, looking like a grumpy bear. It reminds me that he’s been in the States going back and forth between New York and LA for a while now. I know there’s a story there, but he hasn’t been willing to share it.

“I tell a lie, I don’t like ye,” Jeremiah booms at Felix.

“I guess that game is over,” I chuckle.

“Aye, I don’t know why Jeremiah loves giving away his money,” Carrick snorts. “Ach, I won’t complain about collecting me fees though.”

I laugh as Carrick heads over to the pool table. His steps seem to be lighter. I wonder what all that’s really about, but I shake it off and head for the table my little reporter is sitting at.

It’s time to get to my end game. Enough dicking around. It’s time to create our story.