Текст книги "Whisper to Me"

Автор книги: Christina Lee

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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

Chapter Thirty-five Kai

I cupped her face in my hands. “God, what you do to me.”

I nibbled and licked her bottom lip and then swept kisses along her neck. I flicked my tongue against her collarbone and then down the center of her chest. Drawing her soft breast into my mouth, I sucked it into a stiff peak.

She grasped my neck as her other hand worked between us to flick open the button of my pants. All lucid thought seeped from my brain as her fingers worked my zipper, and she then gripped me firmly in her palm.

I groaned as my mouth found her other nipple and tugged it between my lips. She cried out and ground her ass against my legs.

“Touch me, Kai,” she mumbled in a haze of desire. “No holding back. I need to feel your hands.”

I knew she was saying these words because I’d been too delicate with her this past month. But now—I couldn’t hold back now even if I tried.

My hands traveled to her ass, and I jerked her skirt up around her waist. She was wearing a lacy white G-string like some goddamn angel.

“Are you trying to kill me?” I grunted out. “I need to see that pretty pussy right now.”

Her head fell back, and she moaned in an erotic way that appealed to some animalistic part of me. My longing for her skyrocketed and my patience grew thin. I grasped hold of the thin strings on either side of her panties and ripped them away from her body.

Her eyes were wide in wonder as the lacy material slid from my fingers to the floor.

“Gorgeous. So goddamn gorgeous,” I whispered as my finger reached down to tunnel inside of her. She whimpered so loudly the neighbors might have heard, but it was arousing as hell, considering we’d had to be quiet every other time.

And now she was grasping my dick and rubbing it against her thigh, trying to scoot her body closer. “Fuck, baby.”

I removed my finger from inside of her, and she brought it to her lips.

Watching her lick my finger clean was one of the sexiest damn things I’d ever seen.

She pumped her hand up and down my erection and then rubbed the tip over her soft center. And holy fuck, my dick coming in contact with her wet entrance almost made me explode on contact.

She jerked her hips forward, intent on joining our bodies, and I grabbed hold of her shoulders. “Wait, Rachel . . .”

“I’m not holding back this time,” she said, her eyes glazed over with longing. “I need to feel you inside of me. Right now.”

“Oh, you’ll feel me.” I clutched her cheeks in an effort to keep her focused. “I’m going to bury myself inside that gorgeous pussy until you scream my name and come all over my dick.”

Her eyes widened and her lips parted. She loved when I talked dirty and I planned on delivering. “But we need to find a condom.”

I hadn’t bought any condoms in a couple of months but there was certain to be a spare around here somewhere. She wasn’t thinking straight, so I needed to be the rational one.

“No condom,” she said adamantly. “I want you inside me with nothing between us.”

Goddamn. My dick was now standing at attention. “Rachel, what the fuck are you saying?”

“I want to feel this”—she ran her fingernail over my piercing—“inside me.”

My face fell. Is that what this was all about? She’d never been with a pierced guy before. She only wanted the thrill of it.

“Don’t you dare even say it,” she hissed. “This is about you. About every single part of you. And every single part of you and me together.”

Her eyes met mine with fierce determination. And I saw everything in them. Honesty and sadness. Desire and affection.

“I’m on the pill and I . . . I want to do this with you,” she whispered against my lips. “Right now, Kai.”

“Fuck, Rachel, you’re going to make me come before I even get inside of you.”

She wiggled her hips over my crotch, the tip of my dick resting at her entrance. And it felt . . . holy fuck, it felt incredible. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to hold back.

“I want you so fucking bad,” I growled.

I lifted her ass and yanked her forward, so that she was fully straddling me. Our eyes met as she was suspended there. I wanted to be sure this was absolutely what she wanted—that we were making this decision together.

“Yes,” she whispered, and then I slowly lowered her onto me. We both groaned as I entered her. My brain had liquified. The sensation was unimaginable.

Incomprehensible. Un-fucking-believable.

In another second, I had filled her completely and was so damn deep inside her body. I wanted to remain nestled there. Joined as one.

I’d only ever gone bareback once, and it’d been a stupid drunk-ass mistake. But this . . . fuck . . . this was like towering above the clouds, stomach swooping, senses on high alert, as the entire universe was laid out before you.

Grabbing hold of my shoulders for leverage, her nails dug into my skin. Her lips were parted, her eyes fiery with hunger. Engrossed in her task, she lifted up again and moaned before sinking back down, taking me inch by fucking inch.

I grabbed hold of her hips, desperate to slam her down over me, but allowing her to set the pace. My eyes threatened to cross as she continued to move. The feel of her wet and dripping center clenching my dick as she found her rhythm was a sensation I wouldn’t soon forget.

My legs were trembling and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out. Her eyes were glassy and she began quivering with each thrust. “God, Kai, when you hit . . . that . . . one spot.”

And then she fell apart in my arms, shuddering all around me. A rosy flush had crept over her chest and cheeks, and her lips were shivering—I remained motionless, watching her, my thumbs brushing tender circles over her thighs. I wanted to keep thrusting but I also needed to witness this—Rachel coming undone. It was breathtaking.

“Don’t stop, Kai,” she finally said, catching her breath. “Keep moving.”

“Hold up a minute,” I said. I flipped her onto the bed and yanked down her skirt so that she was on my sheets completely naked. Her knees were bent, her feet flat on the mattress. Her skin glistened and her buds were still hard. I took a mental picture of her, so that when I was halfway around the world, I’d have a snapshot of this moment.

I stood and pushed down my pants, finally feeling unrestricted.

Her eyes roved over my bare skin, top to bottom, and then she sighed. “You’re beautiful.”

I worked my way up her body, licking her calves and her slick thighs, before landing between her legs. I needed to taste her again, in case I was never given another chance.

She squirmed and moaned as I sucked on her swollen nub.

After a few seconds more, she yanked at my hair. “No, Kai. Inside me. Now.”

“So bossy,” I said, crawling up her body. “I like it.”

I positioned my tip near her entrance and my thighs quivered with blinding need. I was so ready to just bury all of myself inside her warm body—to pump her full of my fears and doubts and regrets about leaving.

She wrapped her legs around my waist, and I pinned her arms above her head, consuming her eager lips. I thrust inside her, hard and deep and wet.

And holy fucking Christ, she felt tight and warm and goddamn perfect at this angle.

The sensation was almost too much to handle, and I stilled my body, hissing through my teeth.

“Move, Kai,” she said, snapping me out of my reverie. “Harder. Faster.”

She didn’t have to ask twice as I pumped into her hot and solid over and over, attempting to release all of it—my pain and passion and sorrow. Her thighs trembled and she arched up against me, her nails biting into my back as she was swept away again, mumbling my name against my neck.

It only took a few more firm thrusts before I let loose inside her. I attempted to pull out, but she gripped my ass and drove me into her, as I groaned deep and long.

“Fuck. Goddamn.” I sank down on top of her, attempting to calm my racing heart. I was a shuddering, panting mess. “So incredible.”

I kissed her neck and rolled off of her, still wanting to keep her close.

I reached for the towel from my earlier shower and cleaned her up, placing a soft kiss on each breast.

I feathered my fingers through her hair, over her jaw, and across her lips. The only sound was our heavy breathing as we lay quietly studying each other.

The finality of this moment—and the sorrow that came with it—slowly crept back in like a dense fog descending upon us.

And I saw the realization mirrored in the dark flecks of her eyes. I didn’t want to let her go, and I adjusted my arms across her stomach to grip her tighter.

We lay there for several long minutes, each lost in our own head.

Eventually, she pushed out of my grasp, and my heart lurched. I watched, trying to memorize her beautiful body, as she stood and began dressing. Her skirt, then her bra, before she tugged her top over her head.

Her face was a map of emotions as she looked down at her ripped underwear lying on the floor, considering whether to pick it up. In the end, she left it there.

She finally met my gaze, a silent, heartrending good-bye reflected in her eyes.

Knee propped on the bed, she leaned over, her mouth hovering close to mine. As her lips brushed my cheek, I closed my eyes, reveling in her touch. Her mouth feathered over my shoulder, my chest, and then down to my stomach and my muscles contracted from the intimate contact.

Her lips closed around the skin above my waist and she sucked, hard. I groaned and my fingers flew to her hair. “Rachel, what are you . . . ?”

She pulled back to admire her handiwork, then stood up and moved toward the door.

“Wait,” I said, emotions clogging my throat.

I wanted her to stay. And I needed her to go.

My heart threatened to burst from my chest. And then felt as if it might stop beating altogether.

She shook her head without turning around.

Her fingers roughly gripped the door handle, her knuckles turning white.

And then she was gone.

Chapter Thirty-six Rachel

I decided to return to school a week early because the condo felt too empty without Kai.

The night we had that amazing, mind-blowing sex, I couldn’t stay in the same space any longer. So I drove to my mother’s house, where I broke down and told her everything. She held me and kissed my head and told me that if he felt the same way, I’d know soon enough.

But I knew she was wrong, and besides, I didn’t want to hold out hope. Furthermore, his texts were vague, almost drab. I understood what he was attempting to do—to make sure we kept in touch—but they were almost too painful to read.

Arrived in Amsterdam. It’s rainy today.

Thanks for the weather forecast, Kai.

Whereas I didn’t know very much when he’d lived in Amsterdam the first time, now I knew almost too much. I kept picturing him tooling around town, grabbing coffee, meeting hot Dutch women.

Truth be told, his texts had become my lifeline. So I was screwed either way.

I now lived with Ella in Avery’s old apartment and that made my parents feel more secure. Living alone would have made them worry too much that I’d get sick and have no one to check in on me. I think Ella and Avery felt the same way, even though they never voiced it.

I had been open with them about my crush on Kai and a few things that had gone down—but some details would remain private, just between him and me.

They were convinced that Kai’s feelings for me extended beyond friendship, given how he’d acted the day after the concert when I was hospitalized. But I assured them that he’d always been protective of me, especially three years earlier, during recovery.

Getting back into my class load felt good—as if I was moving forward with my life.

Business had picked up at Pure since the grand opening, so with Mom’s support, we hired some part-time help. That assuaged my guilt about returning to my college life. Not that there was any real life left.

I certainly had no earthly desire to attend any sporting event or party. Besides, Kai had basically ruined guys for me. I would forevermore remember how it felt to have him inside of me. And right now, nothing would compare.

Before I hit the road, Dakota and I finally had it out. She told me I was brooding, I told her she was bitchy, and we decided to lay it all out on the line.

I figured everything else had pretty much been ruined, and I wasn’t enjoying my current relationship with Dakota anyway—how we tiptoed around each other—so I needed to finally have an open discussion with her.

“I can’t be who you want me to be,” I said one morning over a cup of coffee. It had been quiet between us. I could tell stuff had been on her mind, too. We used to be more open with each other. Until I had stuff to hide.

And now I still had stuff to hide, and I was weary from the effort.

What in the hell did I have to lose anyway?

“Which is who, exactly?” she said, huffing out a gust of air.

As if she’d been exasperated with me. The same thing I’d been feeling from her since my friends had come up for the concert. Even they’d given me less shit than she had. Sure, they’d call under the pretense of worrying about my campus housing, when in reality it was about my health and I couldn’t begrudge them that.

They seemed to have moved beyond the fact that I had kept plenty from them. But it appeared Dakota couldn’t.

“Miss Goody-Goody,” I said, straightening myself and trying not to cave under her stern gaze. “I know I was that girl before, but I’m not anymore.”

“Finally,” she said, letting out a breath. “God, Rachel, you may not realize this, but I actually admire you.”

“Admire me?” I said in a daze. Dakota’s entire countenance had changed. “For what?”

“For one thing, fighting so hard through your recovery. You went through hell day in and day out.” She grabbed the creamer and topped off her coffee. “And second, for just . . . being your own person. Doing what you wanted. It wasn’t the best way, surely . . .”

I rolled my eyes. She just couldn’t help herself.

“But you were strong. You did things your own way.” Her hand slapped the table, making me jump. “You weren’t completely out-of-your-mind scared about the future—like I’d been for you. I was freaked out and probably didn’t always act in your best interest. I’m sure I was a pain in the butt most of the time.”

I thought of how sheltered I’d felt by Dakota and my parents and how I’d longed to just break free and fly away . . . like Kai. How beautiful he looked in all of his uninhibited glory.

So maybe I had channeled a bit of him during the past three years.

Just thinking about Kai hurt my heart.

“Thank you, Dakota. Hearing you voice that . . . means the world to me,” I said, all of my anger flying out the window. “You’re kind of hard to hold a candle to.”

“Yeah, right,” she mumbled. “I know I act like I’m Miss Perfect—at least that’s what Shane calls me.”

She dipped her head. That was such an un-Dakota-like move that my eyes flicked up to study her. “Is that why you’ve been . . . walking around like you have a stick up your ass?”

“Kind of . . .” She bit her lip.

“Out with it, now,” I said, nudging her leg beneath the table. “Dakota, we used to tell each other everything. What happened to us?”

She gave me one of her award-winning looks.

“Okay, I get it—I had everything to do with that. Keeping our phone calls and visits short. I’m sorry.”

“I’d like to get back to where we once were,” she said.

“Start by telling me what’s wrong,” I said. I knew by saying that I might have to reciprocate, but at this point, I was tired of holding it all in.

“Shane is leaving next week.” She took a fortifying breath. “You are, too. And Kai already left.”

God, how selfish had I been that I didn’t notice that my seemingly strong friend would also feel left behind? She just always sounded so tough—working a ton of hours, hanging out with casino employees, and keeping busy with her college courses.

“Oh, honey,” I stood up to give her a one-armed hug. We were verbal but not always demonstrative in our affection. But I felt like I needed to be this time. “I didn’t know you felt that way.”

“Of course I do—you guys are my family.”

I playfully yanked on a strand of hair that had come loose from her ponytail. “Shane is your family, too?”

“Well, no. Shane and I . . .” She looked down at the table, a rose color climbing up her cheeks.

“There’s something there, asshead. I’m no dummy,” I practically hissed. “Massive sexual chemistry.”

“I’ve been denying it for a long time,” she said, finally looking me in the eye.

“Isn’t that because your brother didn’t approve?” It felt better not saying his name out loud.

“Probably,” she said. “But Kai said something to Shane before he left for Amsterdam.”

“What in the hell did he say?”

“His exact words were: ‘Go for it, dude.’”

My jaw hung open incredulously. “As in, you and Shane?”

“Yeah,” she said, her eyes wide. “Shane said he seemed different. More open to the idea. Said he didn’t want to hold anybody back from finding happiness.”

“Holy crap.” What in the hell had made Kai change his mind about that? Was it because of what had happened between us?

“And you may not think I’m so perfect after all,” Dakota said, twirling a coffee-stained napkin in front of her.

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Shane and me. We’ve . . . kissed. We’ve . . . made out a couple of times this summer.”

“You dirty little slut.” I laughed, actually relieved that Dakota had faults—vulnerabilities—just like the rest of humanity. “And?”

“It was amazing,” she said, with a dreamy glint in her eyes.

Then her eyes darted away. “But now he’s leaving.”

I squeezed her hand. Gosh, if she only knew how wrecked I was over someone leaving, as well. “It’s not like you can’t date long-distance. You both have a year left. You’ll figure it out.”

“That’s exactly what Shane said.” She, however, didn’t look entirely convinced.

“See?” I said. “Think positive.”

“God, I feel so much better now that I told you,” she said. “I suppose I should thank my brother. Or not. That little shit.”

I grinned and shook my head. Siblings. “Why do you think Kai gave his blessing?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “He’s been different, more mature. Maybe I was wrong to get on his case all summer.”

“Please, you’re always on his case. This summer was no different.”

She chuckled. “True.”

“Dakota . . .” It was on the tip of my tongue and I needed to just come out with it. “You know how close I feel to Kai, right? I consider him one of my best friends.”

She nodded. “You guys have a close friendship. He respects you a lot.”

“I . . . think”—my neck and cheeks and ears heated up—“I’ve developed a little crush on him this summer.”

Dakota stayed silent, and I had no idea what she was thinking.

Shit, had I ruined everything by telling her?

She folded her arms across her chest. “So you finally admit it?”

My head snapped up. “Huh?”

“In my opinion, you’ve had a crush on my brother since high school. Along with every other girl,” she said. “I don’t know what it is about girls swooning over bad boys. We’ve got to do something to save ourselves.”

I laughed, but it wasn’t genuine. Dakota lumping me in with every other girl made my stomach turn over. Brought me back to reality. Gave me the good thump on the head I needed.

“I’m sorry, Rachel,” she said, biting her lip. “I don’t know if my brother will ever settle down.”

“No, it’s cool—I’ll totally get over it,” I said, shaking my head vigorously. Suddenly I wanted to take it all back and suffer silently again. “I won’t see him for a long time, anyway.”

And that’s what kept me grounded as I got through my first month of classes.

Remembering how unconvinced Dakota had sounded about her own brother.

Chapter Thirty-seven Kai

The first thing I did when I arrived in Amsterdam—besides taking a lengthy shower and a nap—was to tell Johan that I needed more shifts in order to learn everything I could about the business.

I’d had a long plane ride to think it all through. Returning to Amsterdam didn’t exactly sit well in my gut. So I needed to use my time here wisely and force myself to figure out what the hell I was doing with my life.

I worked long hours at the studio and absorbed as much information as I could about equipment, instruments, and relationships in the music biz. An idea was beginning to take shape, and when I told Johan about it, he was cool with it. He even said it didn’t surprise him.

What had kept me going was the adrenaline rush of finally having a goal and doing the work to achieve it. I didn’t even bother with weed, even though it was more readily available over there. I also pretty much hung on Rachel’s daily texts.

I couldn’t shake our last night together. The way she’d looked at me, how it felt to be buried so deep inside her. When her white lace underwear fell out of my suitcase my first night back in the Netherlands, I almost texted her a picture of it. To remind her of the incredible connection we’d had.

That first week, I also couldn’t help running my fingers over the damn hickey on my stomach that she gave me before leaving my room. I imagined her lips there and wished it would stay on my skin forever.

And now, as I thought about Rachel’s smile, her struggles and determination, the blood rushed through my ears with a thunderous roar. Fuck. It was time, goddamn it. To be brave and present in my own body.

I needed to go after what I wanted and not let some other guy have her. Maybe my goals were shit compared to goals someone like Andrew had. Maybe she wouldn’t think I’d measure up. Hell, even I wasn’t sure if I measured up, but fuck, I needed to at least try.

If I professed my feelings for Rachel and the moment fell flat, then at least I would have given it my all.

So while I worked on my strategy, I kept texting her, in an effort to send her daily reminders that she was still in my thoughts, even though I was a whole world away.

Me: Got to sit in with a new band today.

Rachel: On bass?

Me: Yeah.

Rachel: Very cool.

Me: So . . . those upstanding college boys keeping you on your toes?

Rachel: Ha ha. Bet there are enough Dutch woman to keep you busy over there.

Me: The only woman I’ve been busy with recently has been you.

Holy shit, I had actually confessed something over text. My heart was bouncing inside my chest. My fingers shook on the keyboard.

It seemed to take her forever to respond. Had I professed too much? Suddenly I was doubting myself. Again.

Rachel: Yeah? Been working too many hours at the studio? Not enough play time?

Me: IDK, something like that.

As soon as I sent that dismissive response I wanted to take it back.

So I followed it up with one more text.

The night before I left was intense, Rachel. And despite what you may think, I’m not jumping from bed to bed. Anyway, gotta run. Talk more, soon.

Her response back had been a vague Okay and came way late, like maybe she’d had no clue what to say. The following day we resumed texting normal, friendly stuff about our days.

* * *

Before long, I was sitting in my parent’s office at the casino. I’d been home a couple of days and had sworn Dakota to secrecy. But I knew that wouldn’t last long. She’d already informed Shane, which I’d been cool about. He was my best friend, after all.

And despite giving my sister and best friend my blessing, I still wasn’t ready to hear the nitty-gritty. Just like I was sure Dakota wouldn’t want to hear how I couldn’t get Rachel’s beautiful body, soft voice, and warm lips out of my head.

I’d shocked the shit out of my sister by returning and asking if I could stay at her place for a while longer, until I got my life in order. I didn’t tell her about Rachel, not yet. I wanted to reserve that information for Rachel’s ears alone.

If she wanted me, then we could tell everybody, together.

I was afraid she was either already in deep with Andrew or still wanted to remain unattached, but given the personal nature of our recent texts, I was hoping my intuition had been right. That maybe she was missing me as much as I was missing her and would be willing to take it to the next level. To give us a fair chance.

But I needed to be looking her in the eye when I said everything I wanted to say.

I needed to see deep inside her heart—inside her soul. Even if fear, uncertainty, or guilt was hiding beneath those emerald irises.

If I had to—no matter how hard it would be—I’d walk away.

As I made my way into my father’s office that morning, Stuart spotted me near the lobby. Eyebrows raised, he asked, “You okay, son?”

“Yep. Just back in town. . . . to make my own peace,” I said, throwing his famous quote back at him. “To live with the choices I’ve made.”

A gigantic smile draped his cheeks right before he gave me two good clunks on my back. “Make Chief Red Hawk proud. And your father.”

Something that felt a lot like pride bubbled inside my chest as I stepped inside my father’s office. Only to have it be deflated instantly.

“Have a seat, son.” My father’s voice was biting, stern. Disappointment was mapped across his face. My mother stood to the side of his desk, worry etching her brow.

He waited until I was seated before he said, “What happened in Amsterdam this time?”

“Honey . . .” my mother began, but my father held up his hand.

“No,” he said. “I’m not going to go easy on him.”

My stomach was all twisted up in knots. I had this desperate need for my parents to see me navigate my life without being such a fuckup. To show them that I had a real plan, one that I was excited about. But it would take some convincing.

“Mom and Dad,” I said. I felt like I was giving the speech of my life. “I know I’ve really screwed up the past few years. Please know that you’re really great parents.”

My mother made the motion to move closer to me, but my father cut his eyes at her and she stayed put. He was fuming mad, and she knew how to pick her battles. She was sure to give him an earful later.

“It wasn’t so much that I chose to mess up,” I said. “It was more that I just didn’t care about anything.”

My father’s head sloped into his hands. I knew that would disappoint him most of all. The fact that I’d been handed opportunities and had squandered them. That’s not who he was or how he’d raised me. But sometimes you couldn’t be told something—you needed to be shown. By falling down on your own damn face and experiencing gut-wrenching emotions.

“I’ve finally figured out what I’m passionate about. What makes me truly feel alive. Happy,” I said, trying to meet my father’s gaze. “But I might need your help.”

The color had drained from my father’s face. He was on the verge of disowning me and I was asking for more help. Fuck.

“Only on the front end, as a loan,” I said. “I’ll pay back every cent.”

My father straightened up. That got his attention. I’d never had an actual proposal before.

“Go on,” he said, giving my mother a cursory glance. She seemed stunned into silence.

“I didn’t love living in Amsterdam,” I said. “But the experience did help me realize that I was good at something. Something I’d like to do as a career.”

“If this is about going on tour . . .” my father began, but this time Mom cut him off.

“Let him finish, echtgenoot.” That was the Dutch word for husband. But when my mother used it with my dad, it was as a term of endearment that meant something like my man, and he instantly softened.

“I . . .” I took a deep breath. “I want to start my own recording studio.”

Eyebrows raised, my father’s gaze flicked quickly to mine. My mother’s eyes were glassy and her hand tightened on my father’s shoulder.

“I’ve been told I’m a great sound man and, God, I . . . I love it.” The words rushed from my mouth, as emotions burst in my chest. “Taking a band’s music and creating . . . magic.”

My parents silently stared at me.

“I know you want me to finish school . . . and I can do that at the Music Conservatory here in town,” I said, to show them I’d done my research. “In the meantime, I want to start building my studio. I’ll need to rent a space and all the equipment. Johan even offered to spread the word with his American contacts.”

My dad no longer looked on the verge of rolling his eyes. He actually seemed impressed. “Where?”

“I scouted out a space in the Commons.” It was the same artsy part of town where Pure was located. “I made an appointment to see it in person.”

My father tapped his finger against his lips, as if thinking it through.

“I can still help around here if you need me,” I said. “You know, with your taste in music.”

My father cracked a smile. “Smartass.”

“Admit it, echtgenoot. You liked having your son around,” my mother said.

My father nodded. “Those acts you booked before you left town were impressive. Stuart said the crowd has changed a bit in the evenings. That’s a good thing.”

I smiled at the compliment, the tightness in my chest loosening.

“One more thing.” I shifted in my seat, feeling like I could finally breathe again. “I’d like to organize a benefit concert here for Micah.”

“Micah?” My father’s eyebrows bunched together.

“Sam’s grandson,” I said. I’d kept in contact with Micah while I was overseas. He’d download the links to cool music I’d text him. “They’re struggling with medical bills. I can bring in good acts and we could charge a cover—which would go directly to helping the family.”

In two strides my mother was in front of me and she threw her arms around me. “I’m so proud of you.”

My father came around his desk, and I stood to shake his hand. Then he gave me a few slaps on the back, which was his version of a hug. “Your mother and I will discuss what you’ve proposed. We’ll need to see some sort of a business plan.”

“Of course,” I said, backing away toward the door. I figured he’d treat this like a business proposition and I’d be ready for him. “I appreciate it, Dad.”

As I twisted the doorknob, I heard my mother’s voice. “Kai?”

I looked back at her. A sly smile draped her lips. “Are you gonna get the girl?”

I grinned. “I’m sure gonna try.”