5. Kieran
5
KIERAN
I sink into the warm, bubbly water of the jacuzzi and wait.
The place is deserted.
It’s perfect.
Heaven.
I didn’t think King would go for it when I asked for a little preview of his latest project that’s set to open in only a few days’ time, but to my surprise, my big brother was unusually accommodating.
It was probably Tate. He’s softened a lot since her, and then Prince, came into his life.
A smirk pulls at my lips as I think about the changes in my big brother.
I never thought I’d see the day where he willingly changed a diaper, but apparently hell has frozen over, because he is the most incredible father.
Soft music plays around me, mixing with the sound of running water. There are people running around everywhere behind the scenes getting this place ready, but you wouldn’t know from in here.
I lose myself in the tranquility of the moment and rest my head back.
Minutes tick by, and I’m not joined by anyone.
I wasn’t lying when I told Effie that everything she needed was in the locker room. I ordered it first thing this morning and gave the spa manager strict instructions to leave it out for her.
She should be ready by now.
Gazing around, I decide to take matters into my own hands.
Pushing from the water, I climb out, quickly rub myself down with a towel, and head toward the door for the ladies’ locker room.
Cracking it open, I shout, “Effie?”
“I’m coming,” my best friend calls back.
I don’t know what it is, but there is something in her voice that gives me pause, and without thinking, I push the door open and walk in.
“What’s wrong?” I ask when I find her standing in the middle of the room in her white fluffy robe with her arms wrapped protectively around her middle and tears in her eyes.
Her bottom lip trembles as she watches me approach. “I shouldn’t be here. I should be with Grams.”
“Effie,” I sigh, taking her face in my hands and holding her eyes. “It’s okay to look after yourself.”
She feels guilty for taking some time out. I get it.
“As soon as we’re done here, we’ll be at her side. And I promise you, you’ll feel better because of it.”
She nods once, but she doesn’t look like she really agrees.
“I promise, Eff. Now,” I say, changing tact, “let’s see this swimsuit. It looked hot when I chose it."
“Kieran,” she complains, her grip on the robe tightening as her cheeks heat.
“What? It had your name written all over it.”
“I never would have chosen this.”
“Exactly why I did. Come on. Show me.”
She lets out a pained sigh before huffing, “Fine,” and pulling the front of her robe apart.
“Holy fuck,” I breathe, my eyes widening.
My breathing picks up as heat races through my body.
I know she’s got a banging body; I’m not blind. But shit.
My lips part to say something, but it’s like words suddenly don’t exist as filthy images I should not be having about my best friend flicker through my mind.
That scrap of red fabric would be perfect to bind her hands before her back while I…
Effie quirks a brow at me and I remember where, and who, I am again.
“T-that…that was a good choice.”
“You’re not supposed to look at me like that,” Effie snaps, quickly pulling the sides of her robe closed again, covering up the insanity hiding beneath.
“What? I’m still a man, and you look?—”
“Stop,” she demands, having reached up on her tiptoes and slapped her hand across my mouth.
“Sorry,” I mumble against her palm.
I give her my best puppy dog eyes in the hope she’ll drop her hand.
But she doesn’t immediately, and like a child, I stick my tongue out and lick her palm.
The second her hand falls away, I burst out laughing at the look of disgust on her face.
“Ew, you’re so gross,” she predictably complains before rubbing her hand down her robe.
“Can we go out there and relax now? It was boring on my own.”
She stares up at me for a beat, a smile emerging. Her face is clear of makeup, letting me see the smattering of freckles she has on her nose and cheeks. Her hair is tied up and she’s wearing her glasses. Team that with the robe and she looks adorable as hell.
“Fine. Just…don’t look at me like that again.”
Without waiting for a response, she takes off toward the door I came in through a few minutes ago.
“I’m allowed to think my bestie is hot, you know.”
She shakes her head, letting me know that she heard me, but she doesn’t comment.
“Wow,” she breathes as she steps out into the pool area. “This is beautiful.”
It’s not the first time that she’s been to a place like this. She’s been to the spa at The Broadway more times than I can count. But this place has that beat. The decoration and interior design are insane. The full wall of the waterfall opposite us sure helps with that wow factor as well.
“King didn’t do too bad, huh?”
“He should be impressed,” she muses as she walks the length of the pool, making a beeline for the jacuzzi just like I knew she would.
“I know you’re watching.”
“How? You’ve got your back to me,” I say, doing exactly what she’s accusing me of.
“I know you, Kieran Callahan. I know how your mind works.”
“And yet you’re still my friend. That’s impressive.”
“It can change,” she warns as she shrugs off her robe, throwing it onto the closest lounger before quickly climbing into the water.
I want to comment on just how good her ass looks in the suit, but I refrain.
Any other woman I’ve ever met would want to hear just how hot she looks. But not my best friend. She’d rather I tell her she looks ugly and unattractive—which I’d never do, because she’s not. Both inside and out, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. It’s why we’re still as close as ever despite the many differences in our lives.
“Good, right?” I ask, joining her and sitting on the opposite side so I can observe her.
She lets out a long breath before her eyes find mine.
“You might have been right,” she reluctantly admits.
“I’m sorry, I think I got a bubble in my ear. What was that?” I tease, a smug grin wide across my face.
“You were right. I needed this,” she says again in a rush despite the fact she knows I heard her loud and clear.
“I know,” I state proudly. “I know exactly what you need.”
She shakes her head again, and I can’t help but laugh at the small smile playing on her lips.
“Just think how happy Grams is going to be later when you tell her about how well I’ve treated you.”
I expect her to laugh, or maybe agree, so I’m shocked when she tenses.
“What?” I ask, a frown pulling at my lips.
“N-nothing,” she stutters, making me even more curious about her reaction.
Lifting her hand from the water, she fidgets her ring around her finger.
It’s not an unusual move for her, but she usually only does it when she’s nervous.
I remember watching her at school when we were getting ready to sit a test. Whether it be a ring, or necklace, or even a pen, she’d be constantly fidgeting with it.
“That’s pretty,” I say, nodding toward the diamond ring she’s twiddling.
She gasps again, and her hand sinks beneath the water.
“It’s nothing special,” she says in a rush.
“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice taking on a more serious note.
Effie studies the bubbling water for long seconds, and I quickly conclude that she’s not going to respond.
Scooting closer, my thigh bumps against hers beneath the water.
“Effie?” I whisper, reaching out to tuck a loose lock of hair behind her ear. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”
She nods, letting me know that she’s hearing me, but she still doesn’t respond.
Resting my arm across the back of the jacuzzi, my fingers brush her shoulder, and shock forces her to turn and look at me.
Her eyes bounce between mine as she fights some kind of internal battle over whether to tell me what she’s thinking about.
“I mean it, Effie. Anything you need, anything you want, all you’ve got to do is tell me. I’d raise hell for you if necessary, and you know it.”
Her mouth opens and closes. She’s right on the cusp of saying something when a soft voice rings around us.
“Good morning. Are you two ready for your treatments?”
We both turn sharply toward the woman talking to us. I don’t know what Effie’s reaction is, but I glare at her in the hope it’ll scare her off so we can finish this weird conversation we’re having. Sadly, it doesn’t work, and the woman moves closer.
“I have you down for full body massages and then facials to start,” she explains, focusing on Effie.
I sense my best friend glance at me curiously. While a massage might be a pretty regular thing in my life these days, a facial…not so much. But hey, when in Rome and all that.
“Sounds great,” Effie says, surging from the jacuzzi and climbing back out as if she’s got the hounds of Hell snapping at her heels.
She has her robe on and is following the therapist toward the door in the blink of an eye.
In a rush, I jump out and fold my own robe over my arm.
“Hey,” I say, quickly catching up to her. “Are you okay?”
She looks up at me with a wide, fake smile on her face.
“Yeah. Everything is great. I’m so excited about this.”
I don’t get a chance to question her. Not that I want to with an audience. Instead, I’m guided to a room and greet my masseuse while Effie is led next door.
It’s no big deal. We can talk later. Maybe she’ll have figured out the words she needs to say by then.
I tell the masseuse not to go easy on me, but holy hell, for a relatively small woman, she really knows what she’s doing. She gives our sports therapist at the facility a run for her money.
By the time I walk out of that room, I feel alive in a way I haven’t for quite a few weeks. Oh, and my face is nice and soft too. Shame I’m the only one who’s going to get to feel it.
Sure, I could go out and hook up here. Without sounding too arrogant, it would be pretty easy. But I’m not here for my dick. I’m here for my best friend, and the last thing she needs is a night out as my wingwoman.
She isn’t back from her treatment when I return to the pool. I’m not surprised; I booked her in for the full works.
I make the most of both the sauna and steam room before retreating back to the jacuzzi with my cell.
Just like earlier in the day, it’s boring alone, but at least I know Effie is being treated like a queen.
After ignoring numerous emails from both my agent and our team publicist, I reply to a few messages from the guys and my brothers, and assure my mom that I’ve arrived safely, and that Effie is okay.
Effie emerges a while later with a shiny face, red eyebrows from where they’ve been waxed, and freshly painted nails on her hands and feet.
“How do you feel?” I ask.
“Depends on which bit of me you’re referring to. My brows are naked, but my muscles are loose.”
I chuckle. “I mean, shit could be worse.”
She rolls her eyes at me.
“I know you want to make the most of this. But…can we go?” she asks.
I frown, not expecting that request to come so soon. But I understand.
“Of course. Meet me out the front in thirty?”
“Twenty,” she states, letting me know just how desperate she is to go and see Grams.
“You got it, Luck.”
I leave her at the entrance to the ladies’ dressing room before making my way to the men’s.
I’m ready in ten and waiting for her on a couch in reception. She isn’t far behind me, and as soon as she emerges, she makes a beeline for the exit.
I fall into step beside her, and silently we make our way to the car.
She says a few words, but nothing about the conversation we started in the jacuzzi, and once I hit the freeway and decide to bring it up, I notice that she’s fallen asleep.
At least I achieved my goal; she’s a little more relaxed.
All I need now is to find Grams awake and alert, and the three of us can have a good afternoon.
Sadly, just under an hour later, it’s clear that isn’t how we’re going to spend the rest of our day.