Sixteen
1805 Words
Waking hours later, Kennedy noticed that the room was dark, but she could still see the shadows of the furniture. Moaning, she tried to move, but whatever was around her waist held her in place. She felt the hardened chest she was pulled flush with, and her face heated up with embarrassment.
Never before had she thought about staying in a bed alone with Memphis, and it brought tears to her eyes to know that he stayed with her the entire time she needed him. Relaxing in his arms, she wasn’t expecting him to pin her down. His eyes searched hers, but not in a way that made her feel judged. No, he was looking at her with concern. “How are you feeling?”
His voice was softer than normal as he gently adjusted the blanket around them. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep with you, but I was tired too, so I took advantage of the situation.”
Attempting to talk proved difficult. It was like someone had planted cotton balls in her throat, it was so dry. When he held the glass of water to her lips, she fought the tears that sprang to her eyes. “I hate this.”
“Hate what?”
“I hate being taken care of,” she grunted.
Memphis threaded his fingers through her hair. Meeting her gaze, he said, “You only hate being taken care of because you’re too stubborn to ask for help. Having assistance doesn’t mean you’re weak. You can’t possibly handle everything alone, Kenni.”
Shock, then understanding flickered in her eyes. “You knew?”
“Just like I know your nostrils flare out when you’re pissed. I know that social cues are not Nix’s forte, but it doesn’t bother you at all. There’re so many little things they don’t know about you, Kennedy, but I’ve noticed and kept them secret for years. I really do pay attention to subjects I enjoy,” he said.
Her heart stuttered over a few beats as her eyes searched his. The clear, honey-coloured irises were free of any kind of humour. “I still don’t get it. Why aren’t you running away yet?”
“You want me to?” He asked, amused at her confusion.
She blinked, “No. I guess not.”
He held up two more cards, “Round two: dessert. Based on the card you picked earlier, I already booked the eatery.”
Unable to stop herself, Kennedy laughed. “Okay, so let me get this straight. You’re really going to make my birthday a game?”
“Pretty much, yeah. Don’t you like it?” He asked, raising a brow as he scowled.
“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just that everyone else is so… so… direct. This is actually sort of entertaining. I have no idea what we’re doing, but I’m the one picking it out.” She replied.
Memphis grinned, loving that she was so much calmer than she was that morning. “Well, if it takes away the thought that I’d plan anything you don’t like, I only wrote the stuff that you do like on the cards. What you pick is a surprise, but it isn’t outside your comfort zone.”
Slipping from the bed, she walked out of the room without a word. Smiling, Memphis made the bed again before sitting down to wait. He knew that she’d likely gone to the bathroom, and he wasn’t going to be that guy.
“What guy?”
He paled, his eyes snapping up to her face as she walked back into the room. “Um, I said that out loud?”
“Duh,” she answered, giving him a sideways smirk. “Well?”
“I refuse to be the kind of guy that’s always got to know the who, when, where, and what of your life. Unlike those guys, I pulled up my big boy pants when you said yes to dating me.” He told her. Holding up the cards again, he chuckled when she stared at them like they would bite her.
Kennedy shook her head, knowing that he wasn’t about to give up trying to make her day a little bit fun. Walking over, she lazily picked out one of the cards and flipped it over to read it. “Nadège Patisserie? Are they open?”
“Already called each place for the closing times, so yes. Content du choix?” He asked, getting to his feet as he heard his father enter the house.
“Oui,” she said, hugging him tightly. “Je suis très heureux. So, after dinner we’re making a getaway?”
Memphis grinned, nodding as he led her down the hall. Seeing his father over the rail, he called out to the man. “Yo, Dad, Ken’s awake. We’re all set to leave if everything is still going ahead.”
Thomas glanced up the stairs at the pair coming down. His eyes narrowed on the girl before he relaxed. Taking a step closer, he carefully looked for any sign that she was not as okay as she was pretending to be. “You’re sure you’re up for it, Ken?”
“Yeah,” she replied. As if to prove she was alright, she hugged him. “Thanks for earlier. I was in and out of it, mostly out, but I really am feeling better now. I think sleep deprivation made me wonky.”
Memphis started laughing, and she felt her face redden for the second time that day. He shook his head, putting an arm around her shoulders. “Babe, it’s okay. I got you. Since the others got no clue about it, your secret is safe with me.”
“What secret?” Thomas asked, quirking a brow at them.
Kennedy pulled on her shoes, tucking the laces into them when she was done lacing them up. Sighing heavily, she knew that Thomas was not going to let the subject drop. Leaning against the wall while her boyfriend got ready, she smirked at the man staring at her quizzically. “Don’t think too hard, Thomas. I’m not a morning person because I either choose sarcasm or violence unless the person waking me up is a kid. That’s when I got to curb the potty mouth and use a different tone.”
“And Memphis knew this?”
Her smirk widened, “Yeah, apparently, he does. So, what are my next options for after dessert?”
Giving her a half-hearted glare, Memphis shook his head. He tapped the coat he was wearing, silently reminding her that the inside pocket zippered shut, so there was no way to get to them without his notice. “Nope. Not until after dinner. That way, we get to keep the night interesting.”
“Okay, so where are we going to eat?” She asked, pulling out her phone to check for messages and calls. There were some from the crew telling her to take some time to unwind and be safe. Declan and her sister messaged to check on her, as well. There were a few from the Don, too. “Callum messaged? Shit.”
Calling his phone, she looked over at Thomas as he watched them get ready. As soon as she caught the keys Memphis tossed her way, Callum’s voice came over the line. “Hey, Partner.”
“Hey, yourself. How are you feeling?” He asked in genuine concern.
“Better. I didn’t realize my body was shutting down like that and I’ve been under a s**t-ton of pressure lately, so I haven’t been taking care of myself the way I should be. Amber can lecture me later, but lesson learned,” she told him.
He laughed, “Alright, well, enjoy the rest of your birthday.”
“Memphis is determined to make that happen,” she told him. Hanging up, she sighed. Taking a day off of school was not something she normally did, but she’d been exhausted. It pushed her to the point of emotional and mental breakage, but she was back with a vengeance. As the evening wore on, Kennedy couldn’t help wondering what they were going to do after the family left them alone.
Ryland was already there and walked over to hug both girls as soon as they arrived. “I’m so glad you’re both doing well.”
Scowling, Declan was about to say something when Memphis stopped him. Glaring at the teen, he was sure that there was some snotty remark about to be made. However, Memphis shook his head. “That’s their father’s younger brother.”
“That true, Tem?” When the woman nodded, he folded his arms over his chest and sighed. “Alright, fair enough.”
After the meal, which went surprisingly well, Declan looked over at his sister-in-law. “Ken, what are you two doing for the rest of the night?”
The girl looked up, her eyes bright. “Curfew?”
“No curfew. You’re eighteen now, so just return at a reasonable hour and keep the noise down,” he replied.
“Memphis has got a few things planned, so I’m not sure when we’ll be back. If I don’t come home, I crashed at Thomas’s place. We good?” She asked, wanting to know if the plan was okay with him.
Declan nodded, “Yeah, Princess, we’re good.”
Watching them leave, Memphis dangled her keys in her face. “So, dessert?”
“Let me pick again,” she said slyly, enjoying the game he’d created for her.
Rolling his eyes, he pulled out the next set of cards. “Round Three: Play.”
“Oh?” Grabbing one, she flipped it over and squealed happily. Jumping into his arms, her legs locking around him, she heard him laugh huskily in her ear. “We’re going to the SkyWheel!? You’re the best!”
Memphis held her as she vibrated with delight. “Yeah, I thought you might like that one. The other card said shooting range.”
Pouting, she huffed, “I really want to go to the SkyWheel! We haven’t been there in ages!”
Again, he laughed as she slid down his torso and stood to her full height in front of him. Realizing just how much shorter she was, he snickered. “Shorty, are you actually whining like a normal girl?”
“Are you complaining, Slinky?” Taking a pot-shot at his height.
“Nope, just amused,” he sat in the driver’s seat and turned the key in the ignition. Smiling at her, he nodded. This, he realized, was the side of her the others never knew existed. The side she only showed to him. “Let’s go have some fun.”
- Writer
