Holt

I struggled with whether or not to accompany Marcus to the new rehabilitation center in Colorado. All I want is to get back to Kinley, especially since she’s been dealing with family drama of her own, but I didn’t want to leave Dad to handle this alone. My final decision seemed like a smart balance. Go with them, get Marcus settled in, make sure Dad finds a comfortable place to stay nearby, then head back to Kinley.

Already, I’ve been here longer than I intended because Marcus has been an enormous asshole since they’ve started weaning him from the strongest pain meds. I’d have more sympathy, but it isn’t that he’s in pain, he wants them to stay high. The fact that he could still act that way, still continue on the junkie path after almost killing Dad and himself infuriates me, and I can’t wait to get far away.

The family therapy sessions with the new psychologist haven’t been going well. Marcus wants to blame me, Dad, his band, anyone but himself for the situation he’s in. The only thing that calms him down is music, and I’m grateful that Sutton, the drummer for Jilted, has been visiting despite Marcus’s shitty behavior.

After another session of hell disguised as therapy, I walk out to sit on a bench in front of the rehab center. It’s a beautiful place. Pale brown fields rush up to meet the mist shrouded mountains in the distance while the evergreens dot the land with a splash of color. In a few days it’ll all be buried under snow, but I plan to be gone by then.

Dad takes a seat beside me without speaking, and we gaze at the scenery.

“Marcus kick you out?” I ask.

“Afraid so.”

“I’m doing my best not to hate him.”

“I know.”

Silence resumes for a few moments before I glance at him. “I need your help with something.”

He raises his eyebrows.

“I need to pick out an engagement ring for Kinley.”

I don’t know what response I was expecting. For him to shake his head, tell me I’m being an idiot, or laugh, but it wasn’t the one I got.

A wide smile jumps to his face, and he grabs me in a bear hug that damn near cracks a rib.

“I realize we haven’t been together long, but—”

“Long enough to know. When you meet the one, time doesn’t matter much,” he says, letting go of me.

“I’m not asking her right away. I’m afraid I’ll scare her off and we haven’t really talked about marriage.”

Dad sits back on the bench and nods. “Have you talked about kids?”

“I know she’d like kids someday, and so would I, but not anytime soon. We both want to travel. She’s not seen much of the world. I want to show it to her.”

He slaps me on the shoulder. “I’m so damn proud of you. Come on. Let’s find a ring.”

We climb in my car, and let the GPS lead us to multiple jewelry stores in the area. Neither of us knows anything about rings or jewelry, but I know Kinley, and the sales woman at the final place is able to pick out something I hope she’ll love.

It’s simple, but classy. Gorgeous, but not ostentatious, just like her. The tiny box feels heavy in my pocket, weighted with all the possibilities of our future.

“There’s something else I’ve been thinking about,” I confess on our way back to our hotel. “I’ve been working on some stuff, and since the firefly song took off on social media, I’m going to release it and a couple of others.”

He stops mid stride, his posture rigid. “Did you sign with Plygant?”

“Fuck no. I wouldn’t let Sully anywhere near my work. I’m talking about doing it independently, without a label. You know Dante? The blues singer?”

We resume our walk up to the hotel suite we’ve been sharing. “Yeah, your friend Vince’s brother, right?”

“Right. He releases his own stuff and he was able to hook me up with a recording engineer, producer, and a mix engineer. I can work in the same studio where I worked on Jilted’s stuff.”

Dad grins at me, unlocking the door. “Near Kinley?”

“Exactly.” We both grab a drink and sit down. “It would take a few weeks to a month at least. I’d still be able to get back here in an emergency, but—”

Dad holds up his hand. “Go. This situation with Marcus is a long term thing, and he is not your responsibility. Go to Kinley. Go live your life. Be happy. It’s what I want for both of my boys.”

I’m not sure there will ever be a time when I don’t feel responsible for my brother, but I’m taking Dad’s advice. “Thank you. I’ve got a flight out early in the morning, before the snow hits.”

“Just be sure this is what you want. You’ve had a good taste of Marcus’s lifestyle, the paparazzi and groupies, the way he can’t leave the house without security. Make sure you aren’t opening a box you can’t close.”

Amber whiskey swirls in the glass as I twirl the cup slightly, thinking. “That’s why I want to go Indie. I won’t be subject to his schedules. I don’t have to do live shows unless I choose to. I don’t want his fame. I just want to make my music.”

Dad claps me on the shoulder. “Damn fine idea. What does Kinley think?”

“I haven’t told her yet. I’ll wait until I get to see her.”

“I’m sure she’ll be happy for you.”

Happy isn’t the word. Kinley is thrilled with my announcement. “So, you’re staying local for a while?”

“I am. I thought I’d rent a house between here and the studio.”

“Or you could stay here with me in the cabin,” she replies without hesitation.

Pulling her onto my lap, I nuzzle her neck. “If this works out, I could be here for much longer. I’ve been planning to get a place near you anyway.”

She peeks up at me. “Do you think it’s too early to move in together?”

If she only knew about the little velvet box tucked away in my luggage, she wouldn’t ask that question. “No, and I’d love to, if you’re sure. I just don’t want to move too fast for you now that things are going well.”

Her soft lips press against mine. “I’m sure. I love having you here.”

Tightening my arms around her, I lick her earlobe. “Then I guess we need to add my name to the mailbox.”

“I’ll need daily orgasms in lieu of rent,” she breathes, tilting her head as I kiss down her neck.

My hand finds its way up her shirt, and a groan escapes me as I realize she isn’t wearing a bra.

“No panties either,” she whispers. “I’m ready for you.”

“Are you ready for me to bend you over the arm of this couch and fuck you until you scream?”

“God yes.” I love the way dirty talk turns her on. “But you know I’m not a screamer.”

Challenge accepted.

We’re both stripped in seconds, and I throw a pillow over the plush arm of the couch, then bend her over it, pushing her hips forward until her toes hover just above the floor. “Holt!” she giggles, trying to reach back.

“Keep those hands on the cushion, Bug.” I lean over her, pressing my chest to her back, and murmur in her ear. “I’m going to fuck you good and hard. Until you can’t handle another second.”

Her face heats, and she throws me a challenging look. “I can take whatever you’ve got.”

“Oh, my girl, let’s see about that,” I growl, nipping the back of her neck, then kissing down her spine.

She cries out a little when I kneel behind her, spread her legs, and eat her like I’ll never get another chance. There’s no gentle licking or slow build up, just my face buried in her, sucking and licking while she wriggles, instinctively trying to get away from the overwhelming pleasure. “Holt,” she breathes, and tries to get her feet on the floor.

Holding her tight, I slap her ass. “Hold still.”

I dive back in, eager to cover every inch of my tongue with her taste, and slip two fingers inside her. Her cursing and struggle not to move makes me smile, but the way she cries out through her orgasm has my cock aching.

She breathes hard as I stand and lean forward to suck the back of her neck while I tease her with the tip of my cock. “You can take it, huh?”

“Give it to me. Hard.”

My hand leaves a red print on her ass, and I bury myself inside her with one quick thrust. Her hands fist on the couch, gripping the cushion. I love this woman more than I thought myself capable of, but I fuck her like I hate her. Fuck her so good she’ll never have another orgasm without picturing me behind her.

Her body scoots forward with the momentum, and I grab her hips, yanking her back, driving into her over and over, as hard and fast as I can. Her hands come back to grasp at my thighs. Grabbing them, I bend over, plunging into her as deep as possible, and bring her hands back to the couch.

Pausing like that, I press them to the cushion, my chest plastered to her back with a mixture of our sweat. “Where are those hands supposed to be?”

“Don’t stop!” she cries, and the indignant, desperate tone is the best thing I’ve ever heard.

Teasing, I slowly move out and back in, giving her just enough to drive her crazy, but not provide any relief. “Holt,” she groans, “I’m so close.”

“Not yet,” I order, grinning at how frustrated she is. She may hate it now, but she’ll thank me when I let her come. We’ve never really talked about what we like in bed, but we haven’t had to. The way she melts under my direction makes it clear she loves it when I’m in control. She’s so put together and in charge in her daily life, and I love that she can be this way with me. I could keep her like this forever, at my mercy, begging me to give her what she needs.

I keep the slow, steady pace while moving my thumb down to wet it.

Her body stiffens, and she gasps when I run my thumb between her cheeks. “Holt,” she whimpers, and I hear a wisp of fear in her voice.

“Do you want me to stop?” I murmur, rubbing the pad of my thumb over her tight hole.

“I—no one has ever…touched me there,” she confesses.

Fuck yes.

“Does it feel good?”

I know it does. Between my cock working inside her, and the rub of my thumb, she’s right on the edge. She just doesn’t want to admit it.

When she doesn’t reply or tell me to stop, I press the tip of my thumb inside, slowly breaching an area no one has been before me and introducing her to a whole new sensation. My other hand reaches to stroke her clit, and I thrust inside her hard.

She shatters, screaming my name, her body quaking as I keep going, drawing it out as long as possible. My cock is gripped tight and the pulsing of her orgasm yanks one from me as well, before I even know it’s coming.

Cursing, I grip her hip with one hand while the world spins, dissolves, and turns to nothing but explosive, searing pleasure.

“You’re trying to kill me,” she mumbles when I help her up, wrap my arms around her from behind, and kiss her neck.

“Is that a complaint?”

“Nope. I can’t imagine a better way to go.”

“Me either, Bug.”

Lying in bed the next morning, she grins over at me. “We need to stay at Foxhaven starting tomorrow. Everyone will be on vacation for Christmas. Are you going to visit your dad and Marcus?”

“No, Dad is staying with him. They have a dinner and celebration at the rehab center. Plus, Harriet is visiting, so I don’t think he’ll miss me,” I laugh.

“I’m going to have my friends over tomorrow night before they leave to visit their families too. Is there anyone you’d like to invite?”

“I’ll see if Vince would like to come. Do you remember him?”

“Was he the guy passed out on your couch, the one who tried to hit on me?”

Rolling over, I sit on the edge of the bed. “That’s him. I forgot he hit on you. Now I have to kill him.”

“Sounds reasonable.” She gets up and starts digging through her closet. “Foster and Anavrin are coming, and they’re bringing dates. Vince is welcome to bring someone as well. Everyone can crash here after.”

“Sounds good. I’ll talk to him today.”

A knock on the door gets us moving, and I open it to an unfamiliar man. “Hello, I’m looking for Kinley Matthews.”

“Mr. Lansdon,” Kinley says, joining me. “Come in.”

I recognize the name. He’s the other man Heather drugged, the one who didn’t want to cooperate.

“I’m sorry to come unannounced, but I need a word with you.”

“Of course.” Kinley turns to me and darts her eyes toward the kitchen. Fine, I’ll get out of the way, but I won’t be far.

“I’ll be in the next room if you need me,” I tell her, making sure the man can hear. I don’t know why he’s here, but I’m sure he’s pissed. Maybe he intends to sue, although then she would’ve been served. He wouldn’t come to tell her in person.

It’s bad enough that the police haven’t been able to locate Heather. She must’ve seen this coming, or maybe one of the staff let it slip, because she ran away from the halfway house and no one has seen her since.

I grab something to drink, then lean against the doorway, out of sight, but within earshot.

“I just want to apologize for what happened to you at Foxhaven, Mr. Lansford,” Kinley begins, but that’s all she gets out before he interrupts.

“I’m not here for apologies or to threaten a lawsuit. All I want is for this to go away. I’ve advised the authorities that I will not be pressing charges, and I just want to be sure I won’t receive any notices or phone calls from Foxhaven regarding this. My wife doesn’t know, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Of course,” Kinley agrees. “What action the authorities take is out of my hands, but you won’t hear anything from me. The only people who know you were targeted are my security crew and they’re very discreet.”

“I appreciate that.”

There’s a brief moment of silence before Kinley asks, “Do you know why she targeted you or what she was after? Did she steal any of your belongings? Your wallet?”

He gets to his feet. “No, she drugged me, so I’d have sex with her. Then used that to blackmail me. Either I sent her ten thousand dollars, or she’d tell my wife.”

Kinley’s soft curse sounds pained. “I’m so sorry. I understand you’d like to keep this private, but if you ever change your mind and want to prosecute, I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

“I knew your dad for years. Nothing like this would ever have happened when he was in charge,” he says, and I hear the door close behind him.

Kinley sits on the couch, and it’s clear she’s trying not to cry.

“Hey, it wasn’t your fault, and you’re doing everything you can to correct the situation,” I tell her, pulling her into my arms.

“He’s right,” she sighs. “Dad would never have let this happen.”

“Bug, you’re twenty-four and running an extremely successful resort that you inherited overnight. You have to allow for some mistakes. And she was your mother. None of us make logical choices when it comes to family. I’m proof of that.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” she says. “I won’t make that mistake again. When they catch her, she’s on her own. I never want to hear from her again.” She gets to her feet and takes a deep breath. “I need to get to work.”

She’s doing her best to shake it off, but I know she’s upset. It kills me that there’s nothing I can do about it. All I can do is give her another hug.

We finish getting ready and head our separate ways, Kinley to Foxhaven, and me to the studio. I’m excited to work on the firefly song today, and Ben Marsh, the producer, is already waiting on me when I get there.

“Holt,” he calls, sticking out his hand. “Good to see you.” We vaguely know each other from traveling in the same music circles but haven’t worked together.

“You too, thanks for helping on short notice.”

He chuckles. “Are you kidding? After seeing how fast that song to your girlfriend took off, I’d be a fool not to get in on this. You’re going places.”

I don’t bother to tell him the only place I’m going is back to Kinley. “I’m glad you liked it because I’d like to start with that song, Firefly. Then I have two more I think will work.”

“Let’s get to it, then.”

It feels so good to be the one on the other side of the glass, the one actually playing and singing instead of running Marcus’s errands and correcting him when he fucks up my lyrics. The time flies by, and it isn’t until it’s almost time to leave that I remember to hunt down Vince.

“Hey, asshole,” I greet, poking my head in the studio where he’s working. He rises from where he’s been hanging out, watching his brother sing.

“About time you came back. I heard you’re laying down your own shit.”

“Word travels fast. Listen, Kinley is having a small holiday party tomorrow night. Handful of people, just drinking and hanging out at Foxhaven. If you’d like to come. You’re welcome to bring someone and crash for the night.”

“Party? What party?” Dante says, stepping through the door to join us.

My phone buzzes, and I laugh, calling out behind me as I exit. “Bring that asshole too.”

The phone call turns out to be some telemarketer bullshit, so I tuck it back into my pocket and head home.

Home. The cabin may not feel like home—I can’t remember the last time anywhere really has—but home is wherever Kinley is.

If I thought Foxhaven seemed empty during the snowstorm with only a few guests and a skeleton crew, it’s really deserted now. Kinley closes the resort for an entire week through the Christmas holiday, and until our friends show up, it’s just the two of us.

Snow falls lightly outside, and I start a fire in the sitting room fireplace. We’re likely to end up in the game room once everyone is here, but for now, this is a good spot. My footsteps echo in the empty hallway when I go to look for Kinley and find her assembling two huge pizzas in the industrial kitchen.

“I’m getting a real The Shining vibe tonight. Almost expect twin girls to pop up in the hallway.”

Laughing, she puts the pizzas in the refrigerator. “It’s Christmas, not Halloween.”

I slide my arms around her from behind and nuzzle her neck. “I’ve got a present for you, too.”

“Is it the package I’m always happy to open?” she teases, palming me through my jeans.

“That’s always at your disposal.”

Spinning around, she links her arms around my neck. “I have something for you too. I’ll give it to you when we’re alone tonight.”

“Ooh, is it dirty?”

A shout echoes down the hall. “Woo hoo! Where the hell is everybody?”

Giggling, she steps back. “Come on. We have guests.”

Anavrin stands in the lobby, digging through a bowl of candy on the counter.

“I thought you were bringing a date,” Kinley says.

Anavrin shrugs. “He got too clingy.” A grin widens across her face. “Did Foster tell you who he’s bringing?”

“No, why? Is it one of his boy toys from the strip club?”

“No.” She draws out the word. It’s all she gets to say on the subject because Foster walks in with his date in tow. Liam Carter looks a little uncomfortable, and I don’t blame him. He’s the top country musician right now, and while there’s been more and more speculation about his sexuality, he hasn’t come out.

“Liam, it’s good to see you again,” Kinley greets.

There’s not much time to chat because Dante and Vince enter with a woman who looks familiar. Vince introduces her as his date, Brenda, and she gives a shy wave. She’s petite and pretty, and I swear I know her from somewhere.

“You work at the studio!” I announce, snapping my fingers. Everyone stares at me like I’m an idiot. “Sorry, I knew you looked familiar.”

“Sort of,” she replies. “I own the Fiesta Tacos food truck.”

Leave it to Vince to combine his two favorite things. Pretty girls and tacos.

Once everyone has been introduced, Kinley makes sure everyone has a room for the night, then we all meet in the bar for drinks.

“My staff have the week off, so you’ll have to make your own drinks,” she announces, making herself and Anavrin a drink.

“Fuuuck yeah,” Foster exclaims, hopping over the bar and rummaging through bottles.

“I’m putting some music on!” Anavrin calls, stepping into a storeroom. Rock music pours from the ceiling as I hop on a stool and watch Kinley.

“What the hell are you making?”

Foster cracks up. “Dude, it’s so gross.”

“It’s not gross!” Kinley slaps his arm. “It’s orange soda mixed with whipped cream vodka.”

“Out of all these choices, that’s what you’re drinking?” I tease.

She hands a glass to Anavrin. “It’s delicious. Tastes like an orange creamsicle.”

“You can barely taste the alcohol, so we always get trashed when we drink these,” Anavrin laughs. “Is that what kind of night it’s going to be, Kin?”

Kinley raises her glass, then takes a couple of gulps.

Anavrin follows suit, and the party begins.

An hour later, everyone is gathered around the largest table in the bar, talking and laughing. Brenda is quiet, but she seems to be having a good time. Foster and Liam keep eye fucking one another, and I swear I’ve seen some looks between Dante and Anavrin. I can’t say I blame him. She’s pretty with her long blonde hair, blue eyes, and tits that enter a room a minute before she does.

But all I can see is Kinley, and when she jumps up to dance with Anavrin to one of her favorite songs, I can’t take my eyes off of her. The way her teeth flash when she smiles, her ass bouncing as she gyrates to the music. I’m going to fuck her half to death when I get her alone.

Vince looks around and asks, “Do you have a dartboard?”

“Sure, let’s move to the game room,” Kinley says.

Grabbing a few bottles of booze, we march down the empty hall to the massive game room. A pool table waits in the center. There’s also a ping pong table and air hockey, plus the dartboard against the back wall. Another wall features a huge television with multiple game systems connected.

“Holy shit. I’m never leaving. Just consider me a permanent resident now,” Vince says, and Kinley giggles.

She’s having so much fun tonight. I’ve never seen her drink this much, and though I know she’ll regret it in the morning, I’m glad to see her letting go and enjoying herself. I’ve had a few drinks, but I have no intention of getting drunk. I need to keep an eye on Kinley and let her have her turn to party.

“Kinley!” Foster calls out to her from across the room where he’s been playing pool with Liam and Vince. “Can we use the pool?”

Kinley grins and heads toward them. “Sure, the heater is off, but it shouldn’t be too cold yet.”

“Skinny dipping!” Foster cries, and drags a laughing Anavrin and Liam out the door.

Kinley wraps her arms around my neck. “Want to swim?”

“You want to get naked in front of them?” I’m not so uptight I couldn’t go along, but I don’t want her to do something she’ll regret tomorrow.

“Panties and bra,” she suggests with a shrug. “But you’re welcome to free the beast.”

Laughing, I accompany her and the others down to the pool. Kinley advises Brenda that there are suits in the tiny gift shop off of the lobby and that she’s welcome to one when she sees she isn’t comfortable undressing. Brenda gives her a grateful look and heads off in search of one.

Foster may have been the one to announce we were skinny dipping, but when he gets in wearing a tiny pair of underwear—seriously, a thong?—everyone else follows suit and keeps underwear on.

Kinley grins up at me as she shoves down my jeans, and I pull her shirt over her head revealing a thin, pale blue bra. It’s not going to leave anything to the imagination once she’s wet. Same goes for her matching boy short panties.

“This isn’t fair!” Vince calls out. “Bunch of gym addicts are making me look bad.”

“Just take your shirt off so we can see the love handles,” Dante taunts him.

“Fuck off, I don’t have love handles.”

Foster and Liam are the first ones in, and Foster hoots, “Shit, it’s cold!”

Kinley steps to the edge and sticks her toes in. “It’s not that bad.” I can’t resist. Creeping up behind her, I scoop her up and jump in.

She tries to yell at me when we surface but neither of us has any air as we struggle and gasp to adjust. Okay, it might be a little cold. Especially judging by the nipples stabbing me in the chest—not that I’m complaining.

“Holt! Christ, I’m sober now,” she laughs.

She slings her arms around my neck and wraps her legs around my waist. My cock doesn’t care one bit that we have friends around us, and she hums in my ear. “Somebody doesn’t mind the cold.”

“Your wet body is wrapped around me, and I can see your nipple rings,” I murmur, dipping my head to tug one with my lips.

“Fuck,” she curses.

We all radiate away from each other, and Kinley and I end up at one set of steps. Sitting on one of the lower steps, I can’t be seen from the waist down, unless they’re looking underwater. Kinley straddles me, rubbing against my cock that’s more than ready to go.

A glance around shows me that Liam and Foster are making out in one corner, while Vince and Brenda are messing around in the deep end. Anavrin sits on the edge of the opposite end of the pool, grinning down at Dante, whose gaze is locked on her chest as he treads water. Maybe because her bra is as transparent as Kinley’s.

Kinley’s eyes flash with a wicked gleam as she nips at my ear and says, “Put your cock in me. They can’t see.”

Fuck me, this woman is going to kill me. I know she has a little exhibitionist in her. Hell, the first time we had sex was outside in a gazebo. I’m not going to deny her now. Reaching down, I free my erection and she pulls aside her panties.

Her eyes fall closed as I sink into her, and the shock of her heat after the cold of the water feels amazing. She slides her hips forward and back so slowly it’s excruciating.

“Bug,” I whisper.

She glances around to see no one is paying us any attention. I’m pretty sure there’s a mutual hand job going on over in Liam and Foster’s corner, judging by their expressions.

“As long as we aren’t splashing, they can’t tell,” I assure her. “Fuck me, Kinley. Nice and slow.” As much as I love taking control, having her ride me in view of our friends is a whole new level. I’m not going to last long, especially when her cheeks start turning pink.

“Can you be quiet if I make you come?”

She nods so fast it makes me laugh, and she buries her face in my neck, still steadily fucking me. She could scream my name loud enough for people in the next state to hear, and I wouldn’t care, but I don’t want her to regret this later when she sobers up.

I know she’s as close as I am, and when I slide my hand into her panties and rub her clit, she pulses around me. I feel her bite my neck as she tries not to make a sound, and I grit my teeth, coming hard inside her.

This is not the kind of party I expected.

Once she’s recovered, I slip out of her and we both adjust our underwear. “You throw the best parties,” I tell her, and her laughter echoes through the room.

Fucking Kinley in the pool was hands down the best part of the night, but the whole night was fun. No one lasts much longer in the pool, and we end up back in the bar in varying stages of undress, dancing and drinking until nearly dawn.

Kinley is swaying on her feet when I scoop her up and bid everyone good night. By the time we’re undressed and in bed, she’s snoring away. Exchanging gifts was forgotten, but it can wait until morning. Nothing could be better than what I have right now, anyway.

Her.

Kinley is not happy when she wakes and it’s a wonder they can’t hear her groan down in the lobby.

“Aw, my poor girl, do you want me to go get you some orange soda?” I tease.

A pillow bounces off my head, and she pulls another over her eyes. “Ugh, I might be dying. It’s no time for jokes.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rub her back. “Stay put. I’ll go get you something to drink. Do you have any pain killers here?”

“Top drawer of the front desk.”

The hotel is stone silent as I make my way downstairs. Everyone else is busy sleeping off the alcohol too. I grab some Gatorade from one of the refrigerators and find my way around the unfamiliar kitchen enough to make some toast. After sticking the bottle of painkillers in my pocket, I return to the room to find Kinley in the exact position I left her.

“You really aren’t good at hangovers, are you?” I chuckle.

“I don’t get them. I never drink like that.” She groans, sits up, then flashes a smile at me. “I had fun though.”

I set the plate of toast beside her and hand her the Gatorade. “Yeah, me too.” My finger trails over her bare leg. “Especially in the pool.”

“I can’t believe I did that.”

“Do you regret it now?”

“Nah, everyone was getting some. It wasn’t like I was the only one.”

She nibbles on the toast and takes a sip of Gatorade. “Here, take these,” I tell her, handing her two pills. “Then take a shower. You’ll feel better.”

My phone beeps with a message from Vince, letting me know he, Dante, and Brenda are leaving. I guess we weren’t the only ones awake. While Kinley showers, I run down to lock the doors behind them and find Anavrin and Foster sitting on the couch in the sitting room.

“How is Kinley?” Anavrin asks.

“Hungover.”

“Join the crowd,” Foster moans.

“Tell her I’m putting a pan of cinnamon rolls in the oven. That should get her moving,” Anavrin says.

“Okay, she’s in the shower. We’ll be down in a few.”

Kinley looks a little better when I return. She’s dressed in leggings and a long shirt, with fuzzy socks on her feet. Adorable.

“Anavrin and Foster are downstairs. She’s making cinnamon rolls.”

Kinley sits on the edge of the bed and reaches down to grab a package. “I forgot to give you this last night.” She hesitates a moment before handing it to me. “It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I’m not sure. I don’t want you to be…upset.”

Now I have to know what’s in the box. First, I grab her gift, so we can open them together.

I slip off the bow and open the box, peeling away layers of tissue paper to find a new strap for my guitar. She’s had it embroidered with my first name. “This is great!” I assure her.

“There’s more,” she murmurs, opening her gift. “Oh my god! Really?” She holds up the brochure showing the over-the-water bungalows in Bora Bora. “Are we going here?”

“For a week. As soon as both of us can take the time off.”

Squealing, she tackles me, and kisses me hard. “I love it!”

She sits up and watches as I pull the last item from the box she’s given me. The tissue paper falls away and it’s like I was kicked in the stomach. My brain can’t even adjust to what I’m seeing. “Kinley,” I whisper. “This is my mom.”

“Yeah.” Her voice is small and steeped in caution. “I went to that pawn shop you told me about, where you got Samilla. I wanted to get you a keepsake from there, but the guy had this. I asked for a copy, but he gave me the original.”

Silence fills the room as I try to swallow the knot in my throat. My fingers trace the picture. “I remember this moment. She came looking for me, so we could get something to eat and she stayed a moment to hear me play. I had no idea anyone took a picture,” I choke.

“It’s okay if you don’t like it. If…it brings back bad memories or something.”

Speechless, I pull her into my lap, and hug her tight. “I love it. I don’t have any pictures of her, much less of both of us together.”

It’s her turn to be surprised. “I didn’t know that.”

“By the time Dad took me back to that hotel, they had already thrown out her stuff, and I didn’t think to look for photos before I left.” Hugging her tighter, I press my lips to her forehead and murmur, “This is the best gift anyone has ever given me. Thank you, Bug.”