Fire and Ice: Book One: Burned (The Fire and Ice Series 1) (9 page)

Hailey

Kellan
seemingly couldn't wait to get me out of his house, and hit the road. As he
locked up, I decided I agreed with him, looking down to my ridiculous outfit,
and removed my high heels, leaving me barefoot. Turning to me, noticing I'd
taken my shoes off, he gave me a perplexed look, asking me, "You're just
going to walk without any shoes on?"

I shrugged, and
said, "I'll be fine, I do it all the time at my house. It's no big
deal."

He furrowed his
brows before playing with his tongue ring, and then asking, "So where do
you live? I need to get back and get some sleep." I doubted sleep was the
first thing on his mind...ditching me seemed to be a priority, right now, and I
didn't appreciate it. I thought we were on the same wavelength last night. I
showed him my true colors, and now he's showing me his. Georgia was right;
Kellan is nothing but a player. He will obviously do whatever it takes to get a
woman into bed. I can't believe I fell for his act. I can't believe I fell
for...him. He'll most likely have a new woman in his bed tonight, forgetting
all about last night's promises.
Bastard.
A
bastard it would most likely take me months to get over, if ever.

I sighed at the
thought, and brought myself back to reality, as Kellan waited for my answer.
"About ten minutes from here. Hardwick Lane," I said flatly. With
that being said, he motioned to his car, and waited for me to lead the way,
unlike last night, and then opened the passenger side door for me, as I slid
inside, careful to brush the dirt off of my feet before he close the door for
me.

As he rounded
the car, I couldn't help but take in the wonderment of his features. Taut skin
I would never touch again. Muscles I would never feel against my body. His
glorious tattoos that I would never trace with my tongue, and his black hair,
messy from a restless night's sleep, which I would never run my fingers
through. His low-rise jeans sat perfectly on his hips, showcasing the hint of
what lie just a few inches south of them. Paradise. And yet, in a matter of
hours, he'd turned my world upside down, and broken it into pieces.

******

Kellan

After a
grueling, awkward car ride, I finally dropped Hailey off at her house, as she
climbed out the car, not waiting for me to come around and open the door for
her as she exited quickly. I couldn't say I blamed her; we'd barely said ten
words to each other the whole ride. Last night was a colossal mistake. I
thought she understood how I worked, and now I could see she was bitter and
angry with me. But I can't give her what she needs. Maybe it would be better if
I told her that in person, tonight at the bar. There's no point in having her
hold out hope. It would be best to just rip the band-aid off, and let her start
moving on with her life.

I manage to get
home in time for a short nap and a quick shower before I have to head to work.
I can see it's going to be a long day. I'm definitely getting too old for this
shit. Getting by on a couple hours of sleep a night, and then busting my ass
for up to sixteen hours a day is getting old. I'm feeling stuck. Feeling like I
need more out of life. There has to be something more out there for me. At any
rate, tonight, Foundry takes the stage. It's a weeknight, but our business is
increasing, and Jim wants to start bringing in more volume during the week.
They're a decent band, so we should pull in a pretty good crowd.

I make my way
into the bar through the back door, noticing Jim's car is already parked out
back, and hoping I'm not about to get reamed too badly for last night's
actions, yet fully prepared to swallow my medicine. I did cause quite a stir,
after all, and I'm lucky I haven't heard from the law by now. Jim could've
gotten in deep shit, but I doubt the assholes did anything about it, otherwise
I'd have heard from Jim about it by now.

I gingerly make
way down the hallway towards the office, not even getting the chance to reach
it before Jim bellows out, "Get your ass in here, Kellan!" Fuck. Time
to pay the piper.

I slowed my
roll, and crept as slowly as I could into the lion's den, noticing Jim had his
reading glasses on and his head bent down, staring at paperwork that had
accumulated while he was out sick. I leaned against the doorframe, and turned
my head to peer out into the hallway, waiting for him to finish his tasks.

"You
really shit the bed last night, Kellan, you know that?" he said, as I
snapped my gaze to him. He continued going over his paperwork, never looking
over to me. I didn't answer him, as I figured his rant had just begun. There
was a momentary pause before he removed his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and
finally looked in my direction, leaning back in his chair, as if he were settling
in to give me a long lecture; and I supposed he was. "You think you can do
whatever you want around here? Huh? Is that it, Kellan?" he questioned.

I didn't care
for the accusation, or his condescending tone. I was an adult for Christ's
sake. If he wanted to hash this out, the least he could do was talk to me like
a man, not an errant child. I opened my mouth to speak, but he stopped me in my
tracks, continuing, "You're not gonna act like some goddamn vigilante, got
it? That shit you pulled last night could have cost me my license."

"So you
want me to let the girls get manhandled by drunk assholes, and just stand by
and watch?" I interrupted, my tone coarse.

"That's
what the damn bouncer is for, Kellan. You see trouble, you go get Dunny."

I toyed with my
tongue ring, as I thought about how easily it would have been to avoid the
entire incident if I'd followed protocol. I nodded, saying, "You're right.
It was a gut reaction."

Jim shot me a
wry look. "I noticed Hailey's car was still here when I got in. I'm
assuming you made sure she got home safely," he said, dipping his head,
and peering up at me. Fuck, I'd been caught...sort of, and I never gave it a
thought that Hailey now had no way to get to work today. Fuck it...it wasn't my
problem. She'd have to call someone else. I wasn't cut out for this White
Knight shit, and last night was a disaster from the get go. Jim cut into my
thoughts. "Just so you know, Kellan, one more fuck up like last night, and
you're gone."

I stared at him
with utter disbelief. "But..."

"No buts!
You wanna go down in flames, have at it, but you're not taking me, or this
place with you." Jim rose from his chair and quickly brushed past me,
leaving me standing in shock.

******

Hailey

I've been
calling Kellan for over an hour, only to be sent to voicemail over and over
again. I've texted him a dozen times. I have no way to get to work, as my car
had been left there last night. I hadn't even given it a thought until I'd
started getting ready for work, and now it's nearly time for me to leave.
Shit...I'm in a real bind, and the only other person I can think of to call is
Georgia, since Jordan is already working. But the thought of being lectured and
ridiculed has me second-guessing dialing her number. It would be easier to call
in sick and have Jordan pick me up after his shift. I could easily tell him
that Kellan had taken me directly home after last night's fight, and that I'd
been too sick to call him earlier today, but needed my car for the morning.
What have I gotten myself into? The lies are starting to pile up, and my head
is swarming.

I finally give
up on Kellan and break down, deciding to call Georgia, since we both start work
at the same time. I fish out her cell phone number from my purse, and take a
deep breath as I dial it. She picks up in two rings. "So, Georgia's on
your mind, huh?" she trills out.

"What?"
I ask in confusion.

"What's
cookin' good lookin'?"

"It's
Hailey, from Jim's, remember?" I remind her.

"Yeah, I
know," she says flatly, before an uncomfortable silence settles in between
us.

"Do you
always answer your phone like that?" I question to break the tension.

She chuckles
before replying, "Witty, huh? My brothers hate it."

"How'd you
know it was me?" I ask, perplexed.

"I have
caller ID. Don't you remember me plugging your name into my phone last
night?"

"Um...well
if you have you caller ID, don't you know it's your brothers that are
calling?"

"Of
course...I just love fuckin' with them," she laughs out. "So what can
I do you for? You're not gonna bitch me out are you? Because that douche bag
started it last night...I had nothing to do..."

I interrupted
her, "Kellan told me what happened. The truth I mean...that he started
shit with you because he overheard us talking. No, I'm not mad at you. I...get
it now," I said hesitantly. "Look, I called because I need a
favor."

"Sure, I
mean, I'll try to help out. What's up?"

"I need a
ride to work. Could you pick me up? I wouldn't normally ask, but..."

"Hailey-would
you stop? I got you, sister. Give me ten and I'll be out the door. Where am I
headed?" I rattled off my address, thanked her up and down as she scoffed
at me, and clicked off the phone.

Georgia showed
up about twenty minutes later, and after she'd laid on the horn for a solid ten
seconds, waking up my mom, who'd fallen asleep on the couch watching her shows,
I had to run out and tell Georgia I'd be a few minutes until I got my mom
settled back in. Mom had been feeling worse and worse in the last couple of
weeks, but refused treatment, other than her regular medications.

Once I'd gotten
her comfortable again, I gave her a peck on the cheek, and jogged out of my
house, careful not to trip in my heels. Luckily I was getting used to walking
in the damn things. Unfortunately, they didn't hurt my feet any less over time.
Tonight I donned a short, black leather skirt, a red lace top that was see
through, and a black bra underneath. I wore fishnet stockings and knee-high
boots. There was going to be a band tonight, so we should have a good crowd, and
I needed all the money I could get. If Mom didn't start feeling better soon, I
feared I might have to call in a nurse to watch over her while I'm at work.
Things definitely weren't looking so bright in my future.

Kellan

I've pretty much
been keeping to myself all day, doing mundane chores, and giving Jordan the
silent treatment, other than a few necessary words here and there. He's not
pushing back...he knows better.

Hailey had been
blowing up my phone, and I finally turned the damned thing off. I didn't need
the headache. Just the thought of having to work alongside of her tonight had
me seeing red after the shellacking I'd taken from Jim earlier. She'll probably
get off Scott free, and yet if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be in this
goddamn position right now. If it weren't for Hailey, my life would be a whole
lot less complicated right now. Jesus, how can one woman get under my skin to
the point she's nearly turned my world upside down in a matter of a couple of
weeks?

The band is
beginning to drag their equipment into the bar, as I hear the familiar pull of
the heavy metal back door, while two jovial voices come chiming from the
hallway. Hailey and Georgia. I realize Hailey must have gotten a ride to work
with Georgia, and try to bury my curious thoughts, bowing my head and looking
around the bar for anything to busy myself with. I'm anxious and ramped up, my
nerves on full alert.

As I hear
Hailey approach, rounding the bar, I can't help but lift my head slightly and
peer at her from underneath my lashes. The look of trepidation in her eyes has
me hyper aware of the all-consuming events of the past twenty hours. I look her
up and down with incredulity marring my face, vexed that she would even fathom
wearing the barely there, provocative get up...a sure fire way to end up in a
situation exactly like last night's. I volley my eyes back and forth between
Hailey and Georgia, and realize Georgia is dressed in her usual attire, leaving
little to the imagination. I furrow my brow, squinting my eyes, as if I'm
trying to solve a mystery...the mystery of why Hailey seemingly ends up on the
receiving end of a bag of dicks, while Georgia gives a saccharine smile and
sassy attitude, her patrons eating up her little act as if she were a hostess
at a five star restaurant.

The thought
sickens me, and enrages me further as I glare at Hailey, narrowing my gaze on
her, gritting out, "You. Outside. Now." She gives me a befuddled
look, but decides not to argue as I turn my back on her, listening to her heels
click sharply on the linoleum tiled floored.

I swing the
back door open with harsh force, not bothering to hold it open for Hailey, as I
step into the cool night air, digging my smokes out of my pocket, and lighting
one up before taking a long, soothing drag. I stare out into the street as I
interlace my fingers behind my neck, desperately searching my mind for a way to
rinse the brackish taste of the past couple of week's events out of my mouth.
My nerves are fucking shot to hell and back, and I won't resign to the fact
that I brought it on myself. If I have to pay, others will pay their share
alongside me. An eye for an eye? Justice? Vengeance? Call it whatever the fuck
you want to...it's how I survive.

I barely
register Hailey's footsteps crunching against the gravel before she asks,
"Why did you drag me out here, Kellan?" in a slightly annoyed tone.
Is she fucking serious right now? She's gonna give me
attitude?
I clench my teeth, seething, as I try to bite back my hateful
thoughts. I can't...
won't
...stand for this
shit.

Letting my
hands fall to my sides, I swiftly stride to her, point my finger in her face,
and bark out, "You've got some nerve, Princess," as her jaw drops
open. She remains silent, staring at me intently as I flick my butt out into
the shale. "I didn't
drag
you anywhere,
sweetheart...but you sure as hell didn't mind dragging me into your mess last
night."

Her eyes grew
wide before she stammered out, "I...you...that wasn't
my
fault."

"Well, it
sure as hell wasn't mine, but I almost lost my goddamn job over it, and you're
sitting pretty, aren't ya," I sneered, as I backed her against the
building, caging her in.

Her demeanor
shifted as she became defensive, her voice rising as she said, "It's not
like I wanted it to happen, Kellan."

I tipped a
smile in her direction, as I let my hand fall to her thigh, then languorously
travel up the inside of her skirt, finding the hem of her panties, skimming
them as her breath grew heavy. "Do you want this to happen," I
whispered, my lips a fraction from her own. Quivering, she nodded. I dipped my
fingers below her panty line, finding her sweet wet spot, as I toyed with her,
barely skimming the outside. "Do you want
this?
"
I repeated.

"Mmm,"
she managed to reply.

"You have
to ask."

"Ask
what?" she breathed out.

"You have
to ask for it."

"Please,"
she begged, "I want it...I need it, Kellan."

I laid my face
against hers and breathed into her ear, "Ooh, that's right, baby,"
before drawing back and tilting my head to the side, giving her a wry grin and
a penetrating look. I continued, "You want it, and you know you do,"
as I withdrew my fingers, sliding her own wet juices along her lips as I said,
"Suck." She greedily obliged. With her tongue ravishing my finger, I used
my free hand to slide it from her waist to cup her breast, saying, "You
see, darlin', when you dress like this, you're asking for it."

She stilled,
pulling her mouth away from my finger as she looked at me with astonishment. I
sure as hell didn't expect the crack I received across my cheekbone; her second
attempt was thwarted, and only fueled my lust filled rage. There wasn't a whole
lot better than hate sex, and this was pretty damn close.

I grabbed her
arms to subdue her and shoved her against the building again, as she fought
against me, heaving out, "You fucking asshole! I trusted you! I gave you
everything
...that's what you asked for!" I gave
her a skeptical glare, before she continued, "That's what you said...last
night. Don't be
that
guy, Kellan." She
had it so twisted in her own mind, she wasn't thinking clearly.

I stepped back,
feeling more at ease that I wasn't about to be mauled, as I tried to recant our
conversations. Yeah, I'd had a few too many, and I probably said some shit I
should've kept to myself. But I know for a fact I didn't make any promises. I'd
have to be black out shitfaced to do something that stupid. "Whoa,
whoa," I threw up my hands, "I never said anything about wanting more
than one night with you, did I?" She stood immobile staring at me as if
she'd lost the ability to speak. I wanted to make this crystal clear to her.
"So tell me, exactly what did
you
hear me
say?"

She bit her
bottom lip as she looked at me hesitantly, before saying in a hushed tone,
"I asked you what you wanted from me and you said everything. Then you
said, 'You're mine tonight, just you and me', and then...well...Jesus,
Kellan...I love you and you're tearing us apart!"

Tears gathered
in her eyes, but it didn't deter my frustration from welling up. "Hailey!
There is no
us
. It was one night...don't you
get that?"

As I finished
my sentence, the back door swung open, and Jordan appeared, stepping out of the
bar into our space. With concern, he asked, "What the hell is going on out
here? Hailey, are you ok?"

I spouted out,
"Jordan, mind your own fucking business."

Without missing
a beat, he retorted, "She
is
my fucking
business."

My eyes never
left Hailey's, as I clenched my jaw, and tucked my hands into my pockets.
Finally, I turned to head back inside, my shoulder bumping against Jordan's as
I passed him. Just before the metal door clanged shut, I heard Hailey shout,
"Kellan, wait!"

******

Hailey

I stared after
Kellan, as the door slammed shut, my words falling on deaf ears, as my mind
reeled. I thought back to last night, the whole of it all...I wasn't naive.
Last night was every bit as real for him as it was for me. Kellan could lie to
himself all he wanted to, but he couldn't lie to me. This wasn't about him
losing his job, or the way I dress. This was about him wrestling with his own
demons. I saw it in his eyes last night. I've seen it before, felt it in his
touch, and heard it in his voice. He owns me; body, heart, and soul. His desire
for me reverberates throughout my entire being. And I know he feels it, too.

Suddenly pulled
from my hazy thoughts, Jordan cuts in, saying, "Did he hurt you? You
ok?" as he gently puts a finger to my chin, tipping my face.

I roll my eyes,
and reply, "Peachy."

Jordan leans
against the building, turning his hat backwards, and sliding his hand into his
pocket. He gives me a sympathetic look before saying, "He can't give you
what you need, Hailey. He'll destroy you." I stared at him in shock as he
continued, "You think I'm blind? Do you honestly think because you spent
one night with him, he's...what?...gonna up and reform? Become some altar boy?
Give up whoring around and sweep you off your feet?"

Tears began to
gather in my eyes at his acidic words. I placed my hand over my mouth to quell
my oncoming sobs. Jordan's eyes grew cold, and he turned to walk into the
building, stopping just before he entered. Without turning around, he said,
"You love him, don't you?" My silence must've spoken volumes.
"In the end, he'll make you hate him." Jordan disappeared through the
door, and I fell to the ground, my sobs now wracking my shoulders.

******

Kellan

I heard him
before I saw him. Jordan...fuck. Just what I needed, someone else up my ass
tonight. He rounded the corner, and we locked eyes, neither of us breaking the
silence for a moment. Jordan finally gave in, gritting out, "What's enough
for you, Kellan? Huh? When are you gonna be satisfied? When everyone around you
is as miserable as you are?"

"Shut the
fuck up, Jordan." I bit out, throwing my rag on the bar and stepping
towards him. He was pushing his luck, and sticking his nose where it didn't
belong.

He hung his
head and let out a sad chuckle, before raising it to meet my eyes again.
"You know what you are, Kellan?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Enlighten
me," I said dryly.

"You're a
sick, twisted fuck, that has nothing better to do than..."

"Well,
what do we have here," Georgia interrupted. I hadn't even seen her
approach, which is actually surprising, given, well...it's Georgia. She leaned
her chin on her folded hands, her elbows resting on the bar, playing the
innocent bystander part to perfection, all the while, looking like she was a
Pussycat Doll. I can't say the look didn't suit her, nor did her revelation
last night turn me off. She simply didn't do it for me. "Looks like you
fellas are leavin' me out of all the fun," she drawled.

I gave her the
skunk eye, saying, "Don't you have a lap to dance on?"

Jordan jumped
to her defense, of course. "Kellan, can you for once not be...
you,
you flaming prick!"

I inched my way
closer to him. "Call me a prick again, Jordan. Do it...
please!
" I said wild-eyed. I raised my hands in
the air, as people began to stare at us, shouting, "Goddamn, Jordan!
Please call me a prick. One. More. Time," gritting my teeth.

Georgia stepped
in between us, putting her hands on our chests, quietly saying to Jordan,
"I got this." She turned to me, gave me a wry grin, and said,
"Kellan, here's just jealous I get more pussy than he does, isn't that
right, K?"
K? First she insults my manhood,
and then gives me the most ridiculous moniker I've ever heard of.
Um...ok..."G". Hey...why don't we all start calling each other by our
phone numbers...then nobody would ever know my fucking name!