Effortless (Thoughtless #2)(43)
Author: S.C. Stephens

Needing to block out the sudden image of my mother explaining the birds and the bees to me when I was thirteen, I briefly closed my eyes. Not able to answer, I only nodded and quickly walked over to my sister.

Anna smiled and wrapped her arm around me. Changing her topic of conversation, she started talking about a cute boy that frequented her work. I wanted to frown at her but I didn’t. Anna and Griffin certainly weren’t exclusive and could date whomever they pleased, but really, I had to wonder about a guy who frequently dropped by Hooters. Sure, it may not be a strip club or anything, but single guys dropped in for one reason and one reason alone…and it wasn’t for the hot wings. And Anna deserved better than a horn dog like that.

Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes at myself. Anna was already involved with a horn dog. Well, at least I knew that particular dog, and he was pretty harmless. I mean, he wasn’t some creepy stalker guy and he wasn’t violent. Compared to the potential rapists that Anna could be involved with, Griffin, with all of his gross, obnoxious behavior, was actually preferable. God, did I just defend Griffin?

I was distracted by my musings from a knock at the door. Anna gave me a tiny smile then stood up. "I’ll get it."

Dad pointed at her, a frown back on his face. "Sit. I’ll get it."

I bit my lip and sighed, hoping Dad went easy on Kellan. It was Christmas and all, and even if we’d sent him away as a cover story, he had been nice and gone to the store to get the family some milk…and hopefully some eggnog too.

Anna and I followed after Dad as we made our way to the front door. Adjusting the button-up pajama top that he was wearing and trying to stand as tall as he could, Dad prepared himself to open the door. I had to smile at the show; Dad was closer to Denny’s height and Kellan was still going to tower over him. If he was going to try and intimidate Kellan through size, it wasn’t going to work.

As Dad slowly opened the door, Mom came up behind us all, wanting to join in on the welcome party. The winter wonderland behind Kellan made for the perfect backdrop as the door swung all the way inward. His black leather jacket matched his black shirt and the confliction with the scenery made him impossible to miss. The movie star good looks didn’t hurt either.

From very quietly behind me, I heard my mother mutter, "Oh my…"

I flushed as Anna giggled. Mom had seen pictures of Kellan, of course, I’d sent more than a few care packages back home, but seeing him in person was something else. Dad, obviously not having heard his wife’s reaction to my boyfriend, eyed Kellan up and down. Throwing on an effortless smile, Kellan extended his hand, the one not currently holding the plastic grocery bag. "Mr. Allen, it’s very nice to finally meet you. I’m Kellan Kyle."

Dad sniffed a moment before taking the gorgeous boy’s hand. He shook it for a long time while he silently judged to see if Kellan was worthy of me. I knew from experience that Kellan wouldn’t pass Dad’s test today. It had taken three months of almost daily interaction for Dad to not say Denny’s name with a sneer. And until Denny had taken me away, Dad had really liked him.

"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. 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 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. Swallowing, I nodded at him encouragingly.

Digging into the plate of bacon, Dad smiled. "Oh, well, that’s good that you’re finding success." Kellan nodded at him, taking the eggs as they made their way around the table. As Dad loaded his fork with food, he asked, "So what do you boys call yourselves anyway?"

I cringed, knowing my dad wasn’t going to like this. Anna laughed while Kellan looked down, seemingly unsure if he should say it to the man he was trying to impress. Maybe understanding that lying would do no good right now, Kellan picked up his fork and muttered, "D-Bags."

Dad sputtered on the food he’d just attempted to swallow. Coughing a little, he leaned over his plate. "Excuse me?"

Clearing his throat, Kellan looked up at him. "Um, the band…we’re named…D-Bags." He shrugged. "It’s just…supposed to be funny." As Dad narrowed his eyes, clearly not amused, Kellan murmured, "We might change it…if we go mainstream."

Anna looked between the two men and laughed. Spunkily shaking her head, her high ponytail flipping around her face, she told Kellan, "You better not. I love that you’re Douchebags."

Kellan bit his lip to hide his amusement while my mother gasped. "Anna!"

Teasingly shoving Kellan’s shoulder back, Anna laughed again and dug into her food. Dad frowned at my sister, but said nothing more about the band’s name. There was a moment of silence around the table as we all ate in peace. Mom’s food was incredible and I nearly purred as I popped a gooey piece of cinnamon roll in my mouth. Kellan watched me eat it, a slightly devilish look in his eye. I smacked his leg under the table, warning him as quietly as I could to behave himself.

When he playfully grinned at me, popping a segment of a roll into his own mouth, I had to look away. I’d suddenly envisioned licking cinnamon and sugar off his skin, and that was certainly not a thought I should be having on Christmas morning…at my parents’ table. While Kellan chuckled, I met eyes with my dad. He was watching us with a furrowed brow. His eyes darted past me for a second, into the living room, and I held my breath, hoping he didn’t piece anything together.

What he did say, though, made a cold wash of nerves go over me, and I suddenly would have preferred him asking about last night. "Kellan…is it true what they say about rock stars?"

Kellan finished his roll and looked around the table. Bunching his brows, he shook his head. "What do you mean?"

Dad paused to take a bite of his bacon while I tensed. There were so many different paths he could take this conversation down, and all of them were bad. "You know, about the women that follow the bands around, trying to…get to know them."

Anna dropped her fork and stared at Dad while Mom brightly exclaimed, "Would anyone like some more eggs?"

Kellan ignored her question, keeping his eyes locked on Dad’s. "Some women are like that, yes, but it’s a lot less than you would probably think-"

Dad cut him off, waving his bacon slice in the air. "But it is true, though, you do have women trying to seduce you? To lead you away from my daughter?"