Fugitive: A Bad Boy Romance (Northbridge Nights Book 2) (18 page)

“Yeah.” She sighed. “I know.”

“So.”

“So.”

We both burst out laughing. I leaned over and kissed her, my mouth roaming over her cheeks, her eyelids and her forehead before settling over her delicious cherry lips. When I pulled away she moaned. “You taste like me. I fucking love it.”

“And I love fucking you,” I murmured.

“
I
t’s
Kara’s thirteenth birthday in two days,” I pointed out, drying my hair with a towel. I kept a spare one in my gym bag for precisely this type of occasion.

“I know,” Kieran replied. He shifted in his seat and zipped up his pants. “I’ve been meaning to call Bianca. I want to see her but…I don’t know. What would I say to her?”

“She’s more mature than you think. I’ve watched over her these past two years. She’s transformed in many incredible ways,” I reassured him. “She’s very easy-going.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re the ‘cool aunt’. I’m her dad. The one who abandoned her before she was even born.”

I rested a hand on Kieran’s shoulder. “You didn’t abandon her. You saved her.”

Kieran scoffed. “Hardly.”

“What matters is, she’s happy and healthy now. That money you gave Bianca really went a long way. She used some of it to take all of her kids on vacation. They really needed it.”

“But Kara doesn’t need me,” Kieran said, shaking his head. “Maybe I would be better off never meeting her.”

“Don’t say that. She’s been asking about you for months now. Always calling me up and asking when you’ll be let out.”

“You think she’ll hold anything against me? For what happened before?”

“No, she’s not like that,” I reassured him. I tossed him the towel and turned on the heater. Hot air blasted my face, opening up my pores. “It’s hard to explain. You’ll just have to see for yourself.”

On the way home, Kieran asked, “So, should we talk about what happened back there?”

“Which part?” I asked, smiling. “The part where I exacted my revenge? Or the part where you fucked my brains out in the snow?”

“Both.”

“It was fun. I’m glad we finally got it out of our system,” I said. “No regrets.”

“Rach…”

“Hmm?”

“Was that all it was to you? Something you got out of your system?”

I stopped at a red light and turned to him. His face looked crestfallen. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“It wasn’t…a pity fuck, was it?” Kieran asked, eyes hooded. His body had grown rigid. Uncompromising.

“No. Of course not,” I said.
How could he think that?

“It meant something to me,” Kieran continued, “something pretty big.”

“You’re scaring me,” I said. “I don’t like where this is going.”

“It was my first time in twelve years and it fucking blew all my past encounters out of the water. Tell me we have a future, Rach.”

I chuckled. “Of course we do. You think I just had sex with you for no reason?”

“I need more than that, Rach.”

“Take it slow, alright, Kieran? We’ve got all the time in the world,” I said. I reached over and clasped my hand over his. “No rush.”

Kieran settled for my answer and looked out the window. The snow had stopped, but in the past few hours, it’d managed to cover everything in a fresh blanket of white. For a long time, the only sounds in the car came from the squeaky windshield wipers and the radio.

When I pulled up to the curb in front of my place, I saw Kieran still sitting stiff as a board beside me. “You okay?”

He nodded, opened the door and shuffled up to the apartment building. His feet dragged, as if they were cinder blocks. I locked my car and jogged up after him. “What gives, Kieran?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry if I’m acting strange. I just…I’m just trying to get used to all of this. My head’s a mess. It’s been a rough twelve years.”

“I totally understand. Don’t worry, I’ll help make this a smooth transition for you. I’m here for you, K.”

Kieran nodded as I unlocked the front door. We entered the lobby, stomping our muddy shoes on the carpet. As we walked toward the elevator, someone called out my name. I swerved around and there they were: Bianca and Kara, waiting in the lounge area.

“Bee! Kara!” I cried, running toward them. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight.” I launched in Bianca’s arms, giving her a tight squeeze.

“We got here earlier than expected,” Bianca explained. Her face was ruddy from the cold, and she shivered, despite her neon pink winter coat.“We wanted to come here first, in case you were home. Just got here about fifteen minutes ago.”

“You two look great,” I remarked. “Hey, kid.” I beamed at Kara, who was staring down at her shoes. She was wearing a burgundy pea coat and wool tights with rain boots. An absolute princess. “Oh, Kara, I’m so glad you’re here. I need to introduce you to someone.”

I turned around and saw Kieran, who stood rooted to the spot, shock plastered all over his face. I wasn’t sure if he was still capable of speaking or moving. I waved a hand in front of his stunned face, trying to snap him out of his reverie. “Yoo-hoo! Earth to Kieran!”

“She—They—I—”

I laughed. “Aww, look at him. He’s terrified.”

Kara and Bianca chuckled.

“Did you arrange all of this?” Kieran whispered.

I nodded. “Surprise!”

Kieran groaned. “I should’ve known…You kept dropping hints…I’m going to get you for this later.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, taking him by the hand. Once we stood in front of Kara, I made the introductions. “Kara, this is Kieran. Kieran, Kara.”

Kara held out her gloved hand. “Nice to meet you, Kieran.” She seemed so formal I was worried she didn’t like him. But as soon as Kieran shook her hand, she pulled him in for a tight hug and cried, “C’mere. I missed you, Dad!”

Kieran nearly burst into tears, I swear to God. He lifted Kara up off her feet and spun her in circles until both of them were dizzy. I’d never seen a man so happy to see his daughter.

Bianca and I laughed. As we made our way upstairs (Kieran took both Bianca and Kara’s suitcases), I caught up with Bianca while Kieran and his daughter chatted animatedly about her school, friends and siblings. Kieran and Kara took the elevator, while Bianca and I trailed behind and took the stairs. After all, we had a lot to talk about.

“This turned out better than I’d imagined,” I said, letting out a sigh of relief. “For a second, I thought they’d hate each other.”

“Not possible,” Bianca said. “Kara’s been dying to meet him for years. She needs a father figure in her life, now more than ever. Puberty and hormones and all that.”

“How are Tyler, Misty and Dylan?” I asked.

“Out of control, as always. I really needed a break. Tyler and Misty are starting ninth grade, and Kara’s starting eighth grade this September. Then there’s Dylan…he wants to go to school with his brother and sisters every morning.”

“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full. You met anyone yet?”

“No time,” Bianca said, wiping her glasses. “Besides, no man in his right mind would date a single mom with four kids. Get real.”

“Don’t give up hope yet, Bee. You never know.”

“Oh don’t you worry your pretty little self over me. I’ve got a Mr. D that keeps me plenty happy.”

“Mr. D?”

“Silicone. Ten inches. Bright purple…”

“Oh God, Bianca. That’s enough.” We laughed all the way upstairs.

* * *

O
ver pizza and pop
, we laughed into the wee hours of the morning. It was two a.m. by the time Bianca, Kara and I squeezed into my king-sized bed. Kieran was left sleeping on the couch, which he said felt like a luxurious mattress after the piece of shit he’d slept on during the last two years.

The next morning, I woke to an array of tantalizing smells. At first, I thought Kieran was whipping up breakfast for all of us. Then I realized that my bed was empty. I rolled off the mattress, brushed my hair and padded into the living room. Bianca and Kara had already freshened up and they were cooking breakfast together. An idyllic family picture. Though Bianca was Kara’s aunt, they had a bond that superseded anything I’d ever share with my aunts. They shared a closer relationship than I did with my own biological mother.

“Morning, Rach,” Bianca said, taking butter out of the fridge. “Sleep alright? Kieran’s still out like a light.”

“A bit groggy, but more or less awake,” I said. “What are you making?”

“Kara’s making it. I’m supervising,” Bianca said. “Kara, you tell her.”

“I wanted to make waffles for Dad,” Kara said slowly. Her fingers were dusted with flour, and bits of batter clung to her cheeks. She was adorable. Always loved baking. Kara had a real talent for it.

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Kara,” I said. “But no waffles for your favorite auntie?”

Kara laughed. “Of course I’m making enough for everyone.”

I walked over to Kieran and arched my brow. He was practically falling off the couch and slobber dripped from his mouth. “Should we wake him up?”

“Let’s,” Kara said.

“You grab that foot and I’ll grab this one,” I said, winking at Kara. She wiped off her hands and joined my side. “On the count of three, let’s flip him off the couch.”

Kara nodded.

“One…two…
three!
” We twisted Kieran’s calves and he rolled off the sofa with a thump. He landed face first on the laminate and jolted awake. Kara burst out laughing. Kieran clutched his head and groaned. “What the hell…”

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” I said. “Your daughter is making us all waffles.”

“Am I dreaming?” Kieran asked.

“Nope.”

“So yesterday really happened?”

I caught his unspoken meaning and nodded. “Yup, you really reunited with your daughter.” Sinking down lower beside him, I whispered in his ear, “We also fucked like rabbits in the snow.”

Kieran swallowed hard. “I think I’m going to need some coffee.”

“Already made,” Bianca said, pouring him a cup. “Now get up, lazy bum.”

I pulled Kieran up and he walked over the kitchen, where Kara was ladling batter into the waffle iron. “You know how to cook,” he said, stunned.

“I’m thirteen, Dad. Of course I know how to cook.”

“Not only does she know how to cook, she’s amazing at it,” I added.

“You’re calling me Dad,” Kieran said, rubbing his eyes.

“Would you prefer I called you Kieran?” Kara asked.

“No…” Kieran stammered. “Dad…sounds nice. I just…I can’t believe…”

“Calm down, breathe,” I said. “In case you didn’t already know, you’ve been her father for some thirteen years now.”

Bianca and Kara laughed.

“Kieran’s a bit slow sometimes,” I teased. “He’ll come around once the shock wears off.”

“Well, it’s not fair. You’ve known Kara for two years now. I’ve just met her.”

“He makes a good point,” Bianca said. “How about we let these two have some much needed bonding time today and you take me shopping, Rach?”

“Sounds good to me,” I said. “Kieran?”

Kieran nodded. “What should I—we—do?”

“Whatever you want,” Bianca said. “You’re her dad.”

“And you’re her mom,” Kieran reminded her. “You sure you trust her with me?”

Bianca laughed. “No drinking, no drugs, curfew at ten.”

“You better listen to Mom,” Kara said. “She gets real mad when we break curfew.”

Over the fluffiest golden waffles with maple syrup, we talked about Kara’s new school, and all her friends. She taught Kieran how to use Facebook and Snapchat. He was bewildered that we could video call friends living on the other side of the world for free using a cellphone app. “I was a bit of a technophobe, even before prison,” he admitted.

I loved watching Kieran interact with his daughter. His demeanor completely changed when he was with her. He was gentle and patient. He listened to every word she said and never interrupted. He asked questions and shared stories. I had no doubt he’d finally be the father figure Kara had been waiting for all her life. He finally had his family, and he was in a happy place. That made me happy too.

After Kieran left with Kara for some daddy-daughter time, Bianca trained her eyes on me and asked, “So, spill. What’s the deal between you and Ki?”

“We…” I paused and bit my lower lip. “I’m not sure.”

“You slept with him.”

I groaned. “Is it that obvious?”

“Girl, I knew it the moment I saw you two enter the building.”

“It was—It kinda just happened,” I said.

“You don’t need to explain anything to me,” Bianca said. “The bigger question is, do you like him?”

“I do.”

“Does he know that?”

“I think so.”

“You two have been batting eyes at each other for two years now. Time to act like adults and talk about your future together,” Bianca said.

“I don’t know, Bianca…our history…it’s pretty messed up,” I said, rubbing sleep from my eyes.

Bianca arched her brow. “Name one couple whose relationship
isn’t
‘messed up’.”

I had a feeling it was a rhetorical question, so I didn’t answer it. After a pause, I changed the subject. “How about I take you shopping at Skylander Mall?”

Bianca chuckled, unswayed by my attempt to evade her interrogation. “I’m just saying, girl, if you want to be with him, let him know, and let him know now.”