Best Kase Scenario (Hyde Series Book 2) Read online

  “It looks like it’s flying on your arm,” Piper said, giving my hand a squeeze.

  Unable to force out any words, I returned my gaze to the Supernatural rerun on TV. I jumped as a loud buzzing filled the air, drowning out Sammy’s angsty pouting.

  I felt a quick, gentle pressure followed by a slight burn.

  The noise stopped as Ray asked, “Not too bad, right?”

  “No, not at all.” I worked to relax and loosen my muscles. “Okay, let’s do this.”

  With a click, the buzzing started again. The pressure increased on my skin followed by a burning itchiness.

  I tried to focus on Dean and Cas’ raw sexual tension, but even that couldn’t distract me.

  “It’s just a bee sting,” I muttered to myself as I closed my eyes.

  Yup, that’s all. Hundreds of bees with sharp metal stingers stabbing into my flesh.

  “Balls,” I heard from the TV.

  You said it, Bobby.

  *******

  Slowly inching the front door open, I slipped through and eased it closed behind me. I held my breath as I heard it click into place. Frozen, I waited, only exhaling in a quiet rush when nothing happened.

  The herd of elephants trampling through the living room informed me I’d breathed too soon.

  Trying to pet the dogs into submission, my eyes darted between the stairs and the doorway that led to the kitchen. I tried to calculate my chances of pulling off a swift escape.

  I knew my efforts were futile even before Kase stepped into the living room. Once I got a look at him, though, I couldn’t remember why I even wanted to move.

  Shirtless, he was holding a plate and drying it with a towel. His loose jeans hung low on his hips, exposing the wide band of his boxer briefs. His abs were wet, some foamy bubbles clinging to the trail of hair.

  Lucky bubbles.

  Did I just think of dish soap as lucky?

  Am I getting aroused at him doing dishes?

  Based on my own wetness, I’d say yes. Yes, I am.

  “Let me see it,” Kase said, startling me.

  My brows shot up before I remembered his mind hadn’t taken the trip into the gutter with mine.

  “You guys really are gossipy,” I said.

  “Yeah. Now let me see.”

  “Maybe later.” I crossed my arms, fake shivering as I headed over to the stairs. “I’m actually super cold, so I’m gonna go grab a hoodie.”

  “It’s eighty out.”

  “Uhh, but I’m—”

  “Harlow.” He set the plate and towel down before walking toward me.

  I fake yawned. “Seriously, so sleepy right now. I’m thinking a nap—”

  “Harlow,” he repeated.

  Giving up, I met his amused eyes. “What?”

  “Let me see it.”

  Sighing, I lifted my arm as he moved in close.

  “Help me out here.” His brows drew together. “What am I looking at?”

  I pointed to my inner wrist. “Right here.”

  “The freckle?”

  “No, next to it.”

  He pulled my wrist closer. “Near the smudge?”

  “It is the smudge.” I snatched my arm back and shook my head. “I mean, it’s not a smudge. It’s a representation of how short life is. Just one tiny line in the vast expanse of time and space.”

  His lips twitched like he was fighting a smile. “So you changed your mind?”

  “No, it’s an abstract—”

  He lost his fight, grinning wide. “Yeah, you changed your mind.”

  “Did not.” He opened his mouth to argue, but I continued, mumbling, “I passed out.”

  “What was that?”

  “I passed out.”

  He looked me over, his eyes searching. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Why didn’t you just tell me? What was your long term plan here?”

  “I dunno. Wear a hoodie for the rest of my life? Draw it on with a sharpie? I didn’t think it through, okay?” Putting my hands on my hips, I glared as he threw his head back and started laughing. “It’s not funny.”

  Curling his hand around the back of my neck, he pulled me tight to him. “You’re right.”

  “Then why are you still laughing?” I asked, trying not to laugh myself.

  “‘Cause it’s seriously fuckin’ funny.”

  Giving in to it, I relaxed against him and let out a giggle. “The needles touched me and I slid right out of the chair. I came to a few moments later to Ray and Piper yelling and panicked. They were threatening to call you and an ambulance until I told them I used to pass out anytime I got a shot.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were getting inked?”

  “I wanted to surprise you.” When he quirked an eyebrow at me, I shrugged. “Okay, and I didn’t want you to see if I passed out. I figured no amount of arguing and explaining would stop you from tossing me on your shoulder and running me to the hospital.”

  He nodded, cupping my cheeks. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “My ego’s a bit bruised. And I rested there, but I’m still pretty wiped.”

  Getting that I wanted to move off the subject, he jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Hungry? I picked up Chinese.”

  As if on cue, my stomach growled, answering for me. “Noodles?”

  “Already in the fridge.”

  Glancing down, the smudge of navy blue caught my eye. It wasn’t my original plan, but little in my life was. And as I walked with Kase into our kitchen to eat already cold noodles, I could only think one thing.

  “Perfect.”

  *******

  “Thanks for coming in,” Rhys yelled across the bar as I pulled off my hoodie and tied on an apron.

  Tapping my finger on the touchscreen computer system, I clocked in and waved away his comment. “No biggie.”

  “I mean it, Harlow.” He stood close enough for me to hear him over the noise. Dark circles were under his blue eyes, and there was no sign of his dimpled smile. “I said I’d work around your schedule, but you’re in here more than anyone else. Tuesdays are supposed to be your night off, and I think you’ve worked five of ‘em straight.

  “Honestly, it’s cool. I like it. It’s fun, in a crazy, hectic kinda way.” I squeezed his arm. “Kase is working late, and I had no plans other than unpacking. I should be thanking you for helping me avoid that.”

  “You’re not gonna quit now that you’re shacking up with Teo?” he asked, hiding his question in a teasing tone.

  My ego wasn’t as inflated as Kase’s, but I knew I rocked at the job. I was quick, could invent delicious boozy beverages, and was friendly without being too much.

  Even if there were a million other potential bartenders that could say the same, Rhys didn’t have them.

  He did, however, have a lot of flakes, train wrecks, and liars.

  And me.

  “Nah.” I shook my head. “You know I’d get bored without all this excitement.”

  “Can I get a beer, or are you two gonna just stand there and eye fuck?” an asshole customer yelled, acting like he’d been waiting for hours and not the maybe thirty seconds he’d actually been standing there.

  Rhys’ jaw clenched before he smiled.

  It wasn’t a friendly one.

  Uh oh.

  He turned to the douchebag who was waving around the bottle of his weak, watery beer like it was something to be proud of. “Sorry about that, man.” He raised his hand and gestured to the side. “Let me get you something for the inconvenience.”

  Robbie and Drew, two huge bouncers, came up behind the guy.

  “Let’s go,” Robbie said, his voice firm.

  “Are you serious?” the guy blustered. “I just wanted a fuckin’ beer.”

  Rhys leaned over the bar. “And you were a prick about it.”

  The guy leaned back, but tried to play it off like he was settling in. “I’m not going anywhere. I wanna see the manager.”

&nbs
p; “You’re looking at him. And, before you ask, I’m also the owner.”

  The asshole’s face fell as he looked up at the bouncers and back at Rhys before puffing his chest out. “Whatever. I’m never coming back to this dump.”

  “And we’re really gonna miss all that cash you’re dropping on those two dollar specials.”

  Still trying to hold onto his bravado, the guy stood and gave us the evil eye.

  When Drew stepped forward, though, he scurried away, almost knocking into a table as he went.

  “See?” I smiled at Rhys as I mixed pineapple soda with cake vodka before adding whipped cream and a maraschino cherry garnish. “How could I leave this glamourous life behind?”

  The next couple hours flew by in a haze of clinking glasses, fake smiles, and flowing booze. My flushed face was overheated, my makeup most likely smudged or totally gone, and I was counting down the minutes before I could take my bra off.

  Pouring a draft, I nodded my head, vaguely following along with a customer as he rambled on. I glanced to the side and saw Kase take a stool in the corner by the entrance. Rhys passed him a beer as they talked, but Kase’s eyes stayed on me.

  Lifting his hand, he crooked a finger at me.

  I’m working. I can’t just drop everything and go see him.

  Not for five, maybe ten seconds.

  “Excuse me,” I said to the customer, interrupting him as I set down his glass.

  Going from behind the bar, I grabbed empties as I made my way around. I handed them off to Rhys before stepping between Kase’s spread legs.

  “What’re you doing here?” I asked after giving him a quick kiss.

  He lifted a beer to his full lips, and I suddenly felt very jealous of the bottle. “Could ask you the same thing.”

  “I work here.”

  “Not Tuesdays.”

  “Rhys called me in.” I gestured around us. “This is nothing compared to earlier. It was slammed.”

  Putting his bottle down, Kase cupped my ass. “Got all the way home after a shit fuckin’ awful day.” His hold tightened as he pulled me close, his voice lowering. “Found an empty house instead of the lani pussy I was hoping to sink into so I could fuck away my bad day.”

  I leaned closer to him, my lips parting.

  Before I could say anything, like suggesting we find a storeroom, Kase continued. “I get you working and think it’s cool as fuck you’re always willing to jump in and help. Just leave a note next time.”

  My brows lowered. “I texted.”

  “Nothing came through. And I texted and called you a couple times.”

  Taking my phone out of my apron, I slid my finger across the screen but nothing happened. I tried again. “Mother fu—” I ended on a growl, fighting the urge to throw the thing across the room. “It must not have gone through. I drop it a few dozen times, including into the wet sand today, and now all of sudden it doesn’t want to work. Weird.” Shaking my head with an exaggerated sigh, I tried turning it off. “How’d you know where I was?”

  “Shot in the dark.” He took my phone and removed the back. Popping the battery out then back in, he replaced the cover and started it up. “This thing is ancient. Like, one step above a flip phone.”

  “Dude, don’t joke. My hot pink RAZR was the best.” Taking it back, I swiped across the screen and was relieved when it worked. A long, constant stream of vibrations let me know just how much I’d missed. “Definitely better than this thing.”

  “I’ll add you to my plan and get you a new phone this week.” My face must have shown my surprise because he laughed. “Living together now, Harlow. Being on the same phone plan isn’t that drastic of a jump.”

  I grinned, putting my cell back in my apron. “Living together is one thing. A phone plan, though?” I gave a low whistle. “That’s a two-year commitment.”

  His amused expression turned serious as he pulled me close. “Looks like we’ll be having a lot of phone contracts.” After giving me a quick kiss, his voice dropped to a whisper. “Now get back to work so we can get home and I can have my lani pussy.”

  Speechless, wet, and in serious danger of literally swooning, I grabbed his empty bottle and got back to work.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Solo and the Moist Lovers

  Harlow

  Stretched out in my lounge chair, I watched as Kase made his way across the sand, fresh margaritas in hand.

  Hmm. Maybe I can convince him to strip to his boxers and fan me with a giant leaf, too.

  Probably not a good idea to try it with your mom and sister here, perv.

  Once they’re gone, though, maybe pick up some grapes and—

  “Gonna have to move,” Kase muttered to himself, cutting through my fantasy.

  My brows shot up so far they were practically in my hairline.

  Kase had his house built with the mindset of never moving.

  Ever.

  “Why?” I asked, sure I must’ve misunderstood.

  After handing our drinks off to Mom and me, he crouched by my chair. “A toddler wouldn’t know not to go in the water.” He tilted his head toward where Hadley was building sandcastles a couple of feet away. “Hads gets it, but I’m still panicking every time she moves. Never thought of it then, but no way I wanna raise our kids this close to the ocean.”

  My jaw dropped and my eyes went so wide I was surprised they didn’t pop right out of my head.

  Like he hadn’t just casually mentioned us procreating, Kase dropped a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll be home later. Love you.” He looked at my mom. “Keys?”

  “I left them on the kitchen island for you. Thanks, Kase,” she said with more weight and meaning than were needed.

  It was enough to snap me out of my baby stupor.

  Waiting until Kase was out of earshot, I asked, “Mom, what’s going on?”

  “From the sounds of it, I’m gonna have grandbabies!” She sipped her drink. “I don’t feel like a grandma. Maybe a nana, though.” She gave a firm nod. “Yes, definitely a nana.”

  “Mom, you know that’s not what I mean.”

  Covering my hand with hers, she squeezed. “You’re always my sweet girl.” She sighed deeply before looking at me. “I’m leaving David.”

  My heart clenched, my thoughts racing. “Are you… I mean, I can—”

  “I’m fine. And, no, you aren’t moving back in. Even if I’d let you, which I won’t, I don’t see Kase shacking up in your old room.” She gave a little laugh. “Actually, I take that back. I see Kase doing whatever to keep you happy. But Hadley likes having a toy room, so you’re out of luck. And, before you suggest it, yes, this house is gorgeous. And, sure, there are plenty of rooms. But from the sounds of it, Kase already has plans to fill them with babies.”

  I wanted to get caught up in her positivity, but I couldn’t. My mind was stuck on the worry. “Mom, this is serious.”

  “Life is rarely serious, sweet girl. Especially not about something like this. David and I aren’t right for each other. We never were, although I’d hoped.”

  “But logistically, is everything okay?”

  She laughed again, but the sound was soaked in sadness. “You’re your father’s daughter. Yes, logistically I’m fine. Everything is in my name. Between his insurance and investments, your dad made sure we were financially set for life, and then some.”

  My eyes were in danger of popping out again. “I didn’t know that.”

  “You didn’t need to. At least, I didn’t think so. Were you worried about money?”

  Only a little. You know, just enough to get nearly naked in front of strangers.

  I fought a blush as I shrugged. “A bit.”

  Putting her glass down, she leaned toward me, taking my hand in both of hers. Her eyes were filled with remorse. “I wanted to protect you from everything. You were already hurting when we lost your dad, and then I got sick…” Releasing her hold on me, she sighed and shook her head. “I should’ve guessed, being your father’s daught
er and all, you’d worry about money and practical concerns.”

  “I, uhh, thought maybe, with David…”

  “You thought I married him for his money?” Fluffing her hair, she grinned and winked. “Flattering to know you think I’ve got gold digger looks. But no, David and I keep our finances separate. Leaving him won’t create a hardship on me.”

  “Does he know?”

  Mom nodded. “He’s upset. He loves me, and I love him. Just not in that way. Not like your dad.” Picking her glass back up, she tapped the rim and softly said, “Sugar. David still gets me salt. I mentioned it once, and Kase remembered. Harrison remembered. Always.” She shook her head, wiping away tears. “Your dad was irreplaceable. That’s why I started seeing David. I thought I needed someone the exact opposite.”

  I hadn’t realized her picking someone so different had been a conscious choice.

  I studied her face, looking for any signs of doubt or indecision. “Are you sure about all this?”

  “Oh yeah,” she said, using her firm, no nonsense tone. “What your dad and I had was once in a lifetime. I know I’ll never have that again—”

  “So you’re just gonna be alone?”

  Her happiness was most important, no matter how it came. But just like she wanted me to live my life, I wanted the same for her.

  “Maybe.” She tilted her head to the other side. “Or maybe not. I just know even if I’m never going to have that kind of love again, I want something close to it. I deserve that.”

  “Yeah, you do. Are you happy?”

  “I’m sad, but not in the way I should be.” At my bad attempt at an inquisitive brow raise, Mom explained. “It feels more like a friendship ending. I didn’t marry David for money or security. I loved him and he loved us. He’s always been good with you and Hads. But it wasn’t right and the more I pushed it, the worse I felt.”

  Emptying my glass, I ran my finger around the salt covered rim. “Kase said you felt guilty.”

  “Kase is smart.”

  I looked over at her. “He also said me living my life is part of why you’re feeling better lately.”

  “Then Kase is extra smart.” Tears filled Mom’s eyes as she reached for my hand. “I didn’t know about the money, but I did know you were stressed about me being sick. You spent so much time at home, watching over me and waiting to help, especially with Hadley. Then I’d have a flare up and you’d jump in and take care of everything. It became a cycle.”