“How the fuck do you know what I do?” He set his empty bottle on the bar and waved the bartender over to order another round.
“Because ever since you moved out, you’ve focused on your life. You’re only in our lives when you’re with us. When you’re at work, you’re there a thousand percent. No one else crosses your mind.” Sean scooped up the fresh bottle and gulped.
“I’m supposed to be paying attention when I’m at work.”
Tommy took his bottle. “But you don’t forget other people exist. How many dates have you broken?”
Kevin opened his mouth to argue and realized that he couldn’t. While he didn’t think Kathy held the broken dates against him because she understood why he’d broken them, he still broke them.
“Like Jimmy always says, man. Priorities. Get ’em.” Tommy took his bottle and slid off his stool. “I’m gonna go talk to the guys before we head out. Good luck. Thanks for the beer.”
“Anytime.”
He spun on his stool and braced his arms on the bar. “Did I really neglect you guys after I moved out?”
Sean shrugged. “We were grown, so I wouldn’t say neglect, but you had no idea what was going on, and then you got all pissy that you were in the dark.”
Sean was right. He had felt out of the loop a lot recently. Looked like he had a lot to remedy in his life. He slid his untouched bottle of beer in front of Sean. “Enjoy your night. Thanks for the advice. I have a lot to think about.”
“Anytime. Especially if you’re buying.”
Kevin smiled. He’d missed having his brothers around all the time. He just hadn’t realized how much. Time for him to figure out how to find balance in his life. First for Kathy, then for his family.
Chapter Seventeen
Kathy needed a quiet night at home. After everything that had happened with Kevin the other night, her head had been spinning. She’d wanted to just blurt out that she loved him too, but she wasn’t ready to be that vulnerable. She couldn’t quite figure out why she was still holding back, though. Kevin was a changed man. He’d done nothing to make her think he’d cheat.
She sat on her couch with a glass of wine and a Lifetime TV movie where she was guaranteed a happy ending. Unfortunately, while she’d hoped for a light, fluffy movie, she’d gotten stalker-of-the-week thriller. Just as the bad guy lurked outside the heroine’s window, Kathy’s doorbell rang.
She jumped and yelped. Laughing at herself, she went to the door. Kevin stood on her doorstep.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I know we didn’t have any plans, but I need to talk.”
“Come on in.”
He followed her through the door and locked up as she returned to her spot on the couch. He eyed the TV, so she muted it. “What’s up?”
“I have something for you.”
“Ooo . . . I like presents.” She smiled and held out her hand.
“I hope you stay that excited.” He set a key ring and a piece of paper on the table.
“What’s that?”
“It’s not what you think.” He rubbed the back of his neck in the way he always did when he was nervous. “Well, it is, but for a different reason.”
She sat back and waited for the reason because this was beginning to feel like pushy O’Malley syndrome.
“Those are keys to my apartment. I’m not trying to make you nervous. I want to prove I have nothing to hide. You can come over day or night, with or without warning, whether or not I’m there. I’ll never be upset. You would be a welcome surprise at any time. I have nothing to hide. Snoop through my underwear drawer, dig through my closet, look under my bed. Whatever you need.”
“Aren’t you worried I might find your porn stash?”
He laughed. “Anyone with half a brain knows you watch porn online.” He reached for the paper on the table. “Speaking of which,” he said, as he handed the slip to her. “This is the password to my laptop and my phone. If you want access to my social media accounts, too, say the word. I couldn’t remember the passwords off the top of my head.”
Kathy sat in stunned silence.
“Say something.”
“I . . . I don’t know what to say.” Suddenly she was overwhelmed with emotion and tears filled her eyes.
“Ah, fuck. How’d I mess this up again?”
“No, no, you didn’t.” She blinked back the tears.
“I don’t know what else to do to show you that you can trust me. I’m in this, Kathy, whatever it takes, however long it takes.”
“Oh, God. Shut up and kiss me already.”
He took her face in his hands and brought her close. His lips were soft against hers but his tongue was insistent. His taste was heady. Kathy got lost in the moment and the emotion behind the kiss and Kevin’s gesture.
He loved her.
She pushed him back on the couch and rose over him until she could straddle his thighs. She rocked her hips and felt him harden beneath her.
He tugged the band out of her hair to set it free. Her curls created a curtain around them as they kissed.
Kevin flexed his fingers on her hips, holding her tightly to him. He pulled his mouth from hers and rained kisses down her neck. “You feel so good.”
“You too,” she managed, rubbing against him, making herself wet.
He growled and bit down on her neck. “Fuck. I need to be inside you now.”
Kevin flipped them over so he was on top of her and her legs wrapped around his waist. He pushed her T-shirt up and mumbled praise for her lack of bra. He continued the thrust and grind against her as his mouth latched on to her nipple.
She arched against him, nails scraping and yanking at his shirt. She reached between them and unsnapped his jeans. “Thought you need to be inside me.”
“I do.” He grabbed her sleep pants and yanked them off in one quick move, tossing them
