Mollify (3 page)

“You’re right it wouldn’t be a good idea,” his compliance has my eyes lifting back up to see him smiling so warmly I swear any of the tension I was feeling from earlier today is gone. “It would be a fantastic idea.”

Oh, it’s not enough God let him grow up to look like something you’d pray to see on an erotic book, he had to make him irresistibly charming too? How is that fair?

“Best one I’ve had yet.”

“Let me get your cake.” My body spins around and quickly heads towards the back where Haven is cleaning some of her decorating tools.

Upon seeing me she tries to hide a smile. “You’re awfully red.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.” She wipes her hands on her apron. “It is adorable. Who is he?”

“Who is who?”

“The guy that has your face turning that crimson.”

“Order is for Kellar.”

“Logan or Dean?”

“Dean,” I quickly answer. “Who’s Logan?”

“His father. He looks just like him.”

“Wait, but his father....” the end of the sentence stops at the memory of the man who I know as his father invades my mind. The way he used to yell at Dean. The bruises. The way Dean would curl into a ball in the corner of my room from being so hungry after staying days at his own home.

Don’t start please. I know. I know. I want answers. Hell, I bet you do too. And maybe it would be a good idea to go and get as far away from Marcus and that lifestyle as soon as possible. I never fit in there. It’s not like the change will be that drastic.

“His father is Logan “Unbreakable” Kellar. The ex MMA fighter. World champ?” I shake my head, clueless to what she’s referring too.

Sports really aren’t my thing. Reading about sports boyfriends are. Read a book featuring a sweetheart hockey player a couple weeks ago. Swoon.

“Hm. Well, let’s just say Logan broke some records and made a very big name in the history books of MMA fighting. Seen him in action too by the way, he’s impressive,” she says, retreating to grab the order in a navy blue cake box with the bakery name in white writing.

Her husband is a Marine, so the entire place is decorated in those colors. I know you’re thinking not the most warm and fuzzy colors for the shop, but look around, this place is exactly that.

“Besides, JD and Faith, Kellar’s daughter, go to the same preschool. We end up at many of the same birthday parties.”

“She’s with him,” I mention.

“He’s so good with kids. Life of the birthday party most of the time.”

“He goes to children’s birthday parties?”

“Yeah. He’d do anything for his family. Especially his sister. You can tell by the way he falls all over her to try to keep her happy. Dean’s got a good heart, but be careful with that one.” Her warning is proceeded by her handing me the box. “All the ladies want a piece.”

Don’t you? His ass is tighter than mine. Take a bite out of that white chocolate? Yes please.

I bring the cake from around the back to see Dean squatted down in front of the display case, fighting with his baby sister again.

“Little Bit, I can’t make the pretty girl come to the party.”

“Yes you can,” she whines stomping her foot. “Just take her. Hold her hand!”

“It’s a little more complicated than that,” he sighs toying with the ends of her hair that’s almost curlier than mine. “It’s not like when I force you to go somewhere. She’s a grown up. She has choices. She gets to say no.”

“No.” Faith folds her arms across her chest looking more adorable than she did before.

How on earth is all that cuteness rolled into one little girl not dangerous?

“She says yes.”

“She can say no.”

“But she says yes!”

“Faith—”

“Bubba.”

“She’s right,” I interrupt the conversation, the banter too cute to endure. “I say yes.”

“See,” Faith giggles motioning for her big brother to pick her up again.

Instantly he does and kisses her cheek. Looking at me, hope sparkling in those eyes I’ve missed, he questions, “Really?”

“Yeah.” I take the cash he’s offering and ring it up. “But it’ll have to be when I get off, so I can just meet you at the party. I mean...is that gonna be weird? Me crashing your grandmother’s birthday party? That already sounds weird.”

Chuckling he denies, “No. Not weird. Very much so my family.” After a brief pause he says, “If I can have your phone number, I’ll text you the address.”

“Sure.”

Dean struggles, but manages to get his phone out, anxiously waiting for me to ramble off my phone number. With each number that comes out of my mouth I swear he gets more and more excited.

Do I need glasses? Now my eyes are broken?

When I’m finished I hand him back his change and slide the box at him.

“I’ll see you in a couple hours.”

“Sounds good.” My face tries to hide the smile but can’t.

Add magician to the long list of things Dean is. And I don’t just mean for casting this stupid smirk on my face...

Chapter 3

Dean

Dropping Faith onto her feet I instruct, “Go potty and then you can tell mommy and daddy about Megan.”

“Pretty Megan, Bubba.” She points at me.

Is it strange that my baby sister just pulled me a date?

“Yes. Pretty Megan. Now go and then I’ll let you tell them.”

After all if she announces it and shows excitement they’ll immediately be less likely to think I’m up to trouble. Which I’m not. I swear. I can’t believe the only girl I’ve ever loved just dropped back into my life. First date, my grandmother’s birthday. Not ideal and probably a little weird, but you’ve met my family right? We redefine the boundaries of normal daily.

I take the cake box to the kitchen and place it on the counter top, the sound of arguing immediately grabbing my attention. Walking back the direction I came, I pass our formal living room area and head for my parent’s bedroom door that’s right across from the stairs.

As I get closer I try to make my footsteps lighter.

It’s not eavesdropping when they’re yelling.

“I wanna talk about this now Maxx,” my father’s voice strongly says.

“Oh...now that you can pry yourself away from the phone you wanna talk about it? Okay well I don’t. I have a birthday party to get ready for.”

“Dress and talk.”

“Because when has that ever worked out for us?”

More information than I needed. Hey, don’t tell me that. I know it’s one of the drawbacks of eavesdropping.

“Maxx, I’m serious.”

“And so am I.”

“How can you not want more children?”

Oh shit. This isn’t good.

“Because I have two! I have a wonderful son, who albeit gets into trouble sometimes, but is an amazing person.”

See. Best parents. They say shit like that when they don’t think I’m around
and
to me.

“And an adorable little girl who is going to turn my hair gray long before I’m ready. I’m good. Two kids is plenty to take care of on my own.”

“On your own?”

Oooo. Not good mom. Not good.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t make me say it, Logan.”

“Fucking say it, Maxx.”

“This conversation is—”

“No. It’s not over. What the fuck do you mean on your own? I have been there for my kids!”

“When you can be!” She screams in return. “When you can be Logan!”

“And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

What do you mean I really should stop listening? No way. You can stop if you want but I can’t. These are my parents. The two people who fought like hell to get me and keep me. Most of their battles are in some way shape or form mine too. This one however I’m not taking sides. Not just yet.

“It means,” I hear a deep exhale come from mom. “It means that after Faith was born your career sky rocketed. You traveled more than either of us predicted. You were barely home when you were home because of training. I spent a lot of time just me and the Kid—”

“But I retired—”

“Yeah. And started your own gym with Jake and that eats up most of your time. Don’t get me wrong. You two together seem to be a profitable pair. Hell, when you open the other location, your income from it all is going to triple. You make enough money from it that you have two kids who will never want for anything. And that’s on top of all the money you made fighting. Then there’s the youth program you started last year, which I love. Which I am glad you did. Which I know has changed so many teens lives because they now have that outlet. I really am thankful Logan that you have a future that’s constantly growing. But all of those amazing things suck and suck and suck your time Logan. There’s not a shit ton left over for me and Faith and the Kid. A few hours here. A weekend there. No, now is not as bad, but it comes in waves with you. Look, I’ve already done the single parent thing. I refuse to do it again. I’m not ready to have another baby and neither are you.”

“No baby!” Faith’s voice yells from in their room.

Shit! When did she rush by me? Why didn’t you say something!

Rushing in after her, I see Dad pick her up into his arms. “Don’t you want a brother?”

“I have a Bubba,” Faith pouts.

“Yup.” I slip an arm around Mom seeing she needs the support.

I’m still not choosing sides, really. She just needed a hug. Clearly.

“Okay. A sister. Don’t you want a baby sister?” Dad tries again and Faith pouts harder.

“No!”

Frustration on his face grows, “Why not?”

“My daddy!” She yells. “My Bubba! I don’t wanna share!”

“Oh, so mommy’s just chopped liver?” Mom mutters pulling away from me “Awesome.”

“I love you,” I smirk.

“Mmhm.” She suspiciously looks at me.

“Sharing is good Faith,” Dad tries to encourage.

“If memory serves me correct you didn’t always feel that way,” my joke gets me a glare from him.

Haha. Sharing mom was never an option.

“Did you get the cake?” He adjusts his grip on my Faith.

“Yup and I—”

“Bubba is bringing Pretty Megan to the party!” Faith exclaims and both my parent’s eyes fly onto me.

Cute, but not subtle.

“Who’s Megan?” Mom folds her arms across her chest.

“The cake lady!” Faith squeals.

“You picked up a girl while you were supposed to be grabbing your grandmother’s cake?” Mom looks at me disapprovingly. Quickly she looks at dad, “See. You already have a mini you. No need for more.”

When he opens his mouth to argue back, I interrupt, “No. She’s not just any girl. She’s
the girl
. She’s the one from the photo.”

“The one you took from...” Mom’s voice trails off. “The one who used to be your best friend? That gave you the firetruck and told you never to forget her?”

“Exactly!”

Great. Now I sound like Little Bit. Is that so wrong? To be this fucking excited? How often does your dream chick just walk into your life? Better yet how often does your dream chick walk out and almost ten years later just walk right back in? Go ahead and research that shit. I’ve got a minute.

“That’s sweet you two found each other again.” Mom smirks.

“It’s weird. Feels like we were never apart...” A goofy smile comes on my face.

That is not normal right? That whole haven’t seen each other in forever, but feels like you never left thing. What? Why do you have a giant ass smile too?

“Anyway, I invited her to Mimi’s birthday party and with a little help from my baby sister she was convinced to go.”

“No one likes to tell me no.” Faith plays with a curl. “That’s what Daddy says.”

“Just because we don’t like to, doesn’t mean we won’t.” Mom fusses while Dad simply shrugs.

Yeah. Not one Kellar by the balls, but both of us. If it wasn’t for Mom she would be so much worse.

“Kid it’s perfectly fine that she comes. Now if it was some random girl you were bringing because you wanted to Daft Punk and Pharrell, we’d have a problem.”

Slightly confused I stare at her waiting for her to explain when it hits me.

Oh! The song! Get Lucky. Clever. Outdated. But still pretty clever. And now stuck in my damn head. Thanks Mom.

“It’s not. I just...I don’t know. I never expected to see her again, then BAM there she was. Suddenly I was that ten year old hopping off the swing to walk her home all over again,” I confess.

Shit. Why do I feel like I’m in for trouble? One thing I’ve learned from watching everyone hook up in this family is love equals trouble. The real kind of love anyway.

Dad smirks and says, “One girl in the morning and a different girl in the evening. Yup. My kid.”

“That’s not a moment to be proud,” Mom scolds taking Faith out of his grip.

“It is if Megan does to him what you did to me,” the comeback threatens to make Mom smirk.

Fighting it hard she turns before anyone can see it. Now talking to Faith she says, “Come on Little Bit. Gotta fix your hair and change you for Mimi’s party.”

“Yay!” her voice trails off as they head for the stairs.

Once they’re completely gone, I turn to look at Dad who is still smiling. “Promise me something Kid.”

“What’s that?”

“If this girl is as amazing as you remember her, which by the goofy fucking look on your face she is, don’t let her get away twice.”

Prepared to shrug it off, not sure if it’s love or nostalgia, I start, “Come on Dad... I—”

“No.” He points a stern finger at me. “Promise. And thank me later.”

Darting my eyes to the ground I mumble, “Fine. Promise.”

Get away twice? It’s not like I had control over the first time. Almost a decade ago her parents moved somewhere up north because of her father’s job, leaving our friendship ripped apart. I’ve never forgotten the day I watched the moving truck drive away with more than just my favorite stuffed animal. It left with a very special piece of me that hasn’t ever been replaced. That weird piece that I tried filling with sports and working out. That weird piece that I’ve tried filling with sex and more sex. That weird piece that without it, it feels like someone is twisting a needle inside trying to pop my kidney. It’s that weird piece I knew I could never really be whole again without it being filled. But I never thought that piece would come back. I never thought I’d ever get anything close to what my parents have. And now that I have the chance, I’m not gonna fuck it up.