Under Your Skin (3 page)

He snorted. “She'd love being around tattoo artists all day. The language alone might give her a heart attack. Should I bring her to hockey practice too? I'm sure sitting on the bleachers will be great for her knee.”

“Don't be an ass, Kai.”

“Don't expect what I can't give.”

“Won't. Not can't. Again, you choose this life.”

He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. He and his sister could do this all day, and he didn't want to.

The touch of Jaleesa's hand on his arm made him open his eyes and stare at her.

“You're not a child anymore. You've moved past all your mistakes. When we helped you get the studio, I really thought you were moving on.”

“I have.”

“No you haven't. Get a life.” She smirked. “A real one. You can't keep everything compartmentalized. It's not normal.”

“You don't make any sense. And don't try to shrink me. You're not my caseworker.” He knew exactly what she was talking about, though. Separating the sections of his life was the only way he had to dig out. He worked successfully on each area and then moved on. Without overlap, everything worked. And if he screwed up, he wouldn't lose it all again.

She shook her head. “I'm going back to read to Mom.”

He eased away from the wall.

As she opened the door, she asked, “Will you be back tomorrow?”

“Probably.”

He left the hospital and thought about what Jaleesa had said. His little sister always pushed advice on him in one form or another, but this felt different. This wasn't her usual nagging about getting a girlfriend when she meant wife. This wasn't about being more involved with his nieces and nephew. Or even about how to run his business like a real job. Today's attack felt personal.

Which wasn't like Jaleesa at all. She was one person who had always been in his corner no matter what stupid shit he'd done. She was the only one to visit him in jail when all of his “friends” abandoned him. She'd convinced her husband to lend him the money to open Ink Envy. He couldn't understand why she pushed at him now.

He drove back to Ink Envy in a foul mood. Coming in the back door, he tossed his keys on the desk in the office and noticed the plate with a single Rice Krispies Treat. His stomach grumbled so he took a bite. The damn thing was so sticky he was afraid he'd lose a filling. Before he got a chance to sit down, Tommy knocked on the door frame.

“Got a minute?”

“What?” He didn't feel like talking to anyone right now, but he had a business to run.

“My sister's looking for a job.”

“And?”

Tommy shrugged. “I thought maybe you'd hire her?”

“Can she ink?”

“No. I meant like office shit. Making appointments and stuff.”

“Do I look like a babysitter?”

Tommy crossed his arms on his chest. His lanky frame would never look threatening. “She's pregnant. No one's going to hire her. I thought maybe you'd do something nice.”

“I'm not in business to be nice.” Plus, with his luck, she'd go into labor on his watch and there was no way he wanted to deal with that.

“Couldn't hurt to ask.” Tommy spun on his heel and left.

Kai had managed to go years without anyone asking him for anything. Suddenly everyone had expectations. What the fuck was that about?

Norah tugged at the T-shirt she wore. It stretched so tightly over her belly, she looked like the Hulk busting out of her clothes. Maybe she had to buy maternity clothes. Until now, she'd gotten by wearing old, worn-out shirts and unbuttoned shorts. The baby and, in turn, her belly, weren't done growing and she didn't think her clothes would last.

But then she'd have to ask Jimmy for more money and she hated that. Especially for something she'd only need for a month or so. And if she kept the baby that would be even more money, at least until she could get a job. Where did that leave school? She couldn't imagine having a baby, working full-time, and going to school. She enjoyed sleep too much.

“Norah!” Jimmy's bellow came from downstairs.

“Coming!” she called back. She forced a smile. Tonight she'd officially meet Moira, Jimmy's girlfriend. She walked down the stairs. All of her brothers sat around the living room waiting for her.

Dad sat on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV.

“Did you test your blood?” she asked him.

He answered with a grunt.

She sighed and went to his bedroom to grab the kit. He'd been battling diabetes for years and whenever Jimmy turned his back the old man didn't bother to do anything he was supposed to. Tommy and Sean didn't try to get him to do anything. She didn't think they even knew what the steps were. Jimmy came in from the kitchen.

“Seriously? We're supposed to be out the door already and he didn't test?”

“Did you tell him to test?”

“He knows.” Jimmy reached for the kit.

“I got it.” She took the kit and stood in front of her dad. Without prompting, he held up his index finger. A quick prick and Norah saw that he was fine. She packed a dose of insulin just in case. Then she turned back to Jimmy. “Why are you here? Shouldn't you be driving with your girlfriend?”

Kevin snickered from his perch on the chair. “He doesn't trust us to show up on time.”

Jimmy pointed to the small clock on the mantel. “And I was right. Moira's meeting us at the restaurant. Let's go. Who's driving?”

Sean shrugged. He never drove a car when it was warm enough for his motorcycle.

Kevin stood. “I'll take Dad and the boys. You can have Norah.”

He was still pissed she wouldn't tell him who the baby's father was because he wanted to go to Boston and beat someone up. It was a point of contention between him and Jimmy. Jimmy sided with her and protected her from all of them.

“Don't you already know Moira? You were in the same grade together in school.”

Kevin tucked his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Yeah, I know Moira. But Jimmy's buying dinner.”

Jimmy pointed a finger at him. “You need to be nice. No causing trouble with Moira.”

Kevin just smiled.

That's when Norah remembered the times Kevin would come racing into the house because he'd teased Moira so badly her brothers had chased him home. Norah had been too young to understand, but there was a story there. Jimmy puffed his chest like he was gearing up for a fight with Kevin. Norah grabbed his arm. “Let's not keep your lady waiting.” She led him out the front door.

Behind her, she heard her brothers and Dad moving out as well.

Once Norah was settled in the car, she asked, “So what's the story with Moira and Kevin? Did they used to date or something?”

Jimmy grunted, which she interpreted as a no.

“That doesn't explain much.”

“Kevin was always an ass to her. In school and out. He tries to torment her.”

“Then why bring him to dinner?”

He blew out a deep breath. “Because she's part of the family now. They need to be around each other without fighting.” He smiled. “And Moira knows how to fight.”

With each new piece of information, Norah decided she liked Moira a little more. She had to admire anyone who'd give Kevin a run for his money. Jimmy pulled up to a casual chain restaurant.

“What? No fancy food for us?” she joked.

“Hell no. Moira suggested we go to the restaurant Liam works at, but our brothers are animals. I'm not taking them someplace with cloth napkins. I don't even know if any of them own a tie.”

Norah laughed. The truth was, the only time she'd ever seen her dad in a tie was when he attended a funeral. “It's good though because I don't have anything nice to wear either. At least until I get back to my normal size.”

Jimmy got out of the car and came around to her side to meet her. “If you need something, let me know.”

“I'm okay. I've been looking for a job, something to make some money, but I'm not having any luck. I have no experience for the jobs I'm finding online and one look at me for an in-person application and I don't have a shot.”

“You don't need to work. We'll take care of you.”

She leaned close to him as they walked into the restaurant. “I know. You've always taken care of me. But I need to do something for me, to keep busy, keep my mind off things. Most important, I need a break from Dad.”

Jimmy smiled. He knew better than anyone how difficult their dad could be. As soon as they entered the building, Norah saw Moira. She was hard to miss. Her red hair was like a flame and her bust led the way. Norah thought her boobs were big since getting pregnant, but she had nothing on Moira.

Moira went on tiptoe and kissed Jimmy. Then she turned to Norah. “You must be Norah. It's nice to meet you.”

They shook hands and Moira looked behind them. “Where's everyone else?”

“They drove themselves. They should be here soon.”

Just then their brothers barreled through the door.

“Moira, baby, good to see you.” Kevin pushed past them all and wrapped his arms around Moira. She immediately leaned back and shoved at Kevin's shoulders.

“Would you grow up?”

He tried to pull her tighter, but Jimmy's hand slapped on his shoulder.

“I'm just welcoming her to the family.” Kevin snickered.

Moira placed a gentle hand on Jimmy's arm. The anger in Jimmy's eyes melted when he looked at Moira. Norah wanted to sigh. She never thought about her big brother being in love, but he was. He was like a new and improved Jimmy.

She had a feeling Moira had quite a bit to do with that.

The hostess showed them to a table and passed around menus. The guys all ordered a beer and Norah's mouth watered. She hadn't had a drop of alcohol in a long time. She missed going to clubs and parties with her friends.

“Just a water for me,” she said, and went back to perusing the menu. Since she wasn't going to rack up a bar tab, she could splurge on dinner. Maybe dessert.

Moira, who sat next to her, leaned close. “Whatever you do, save room for the brownie sundae. It's awesome. Not as good as Super Cup, but still delicious.”

“Can you read minds? I was just thinking about dessert.”

Jimmy eyed her over Moira's head. “Dessert's a given with Moira, especially if there's chocolate involved.”

After they'd placed their orders and had drinks in front of them, Jimmy cleared his throat. “I wanted you all to come out tonight because I have something to tell you.”

He reached over and held Moira's hand. “I know you all know Moira since we grew up across the street from each other, and you know we've been dating. But I asked Moira to move in with me.”

“Dude, the house is a little crowded, don't you think?” Sean said.

“We plan to buy our own house, not move in there.” He looked to their dad and waited for a comment.

Seamus O'Malley was usually a man of few words, unless you counted cursing, so Norah didn't expect much. But he raised his bottle of beer. “I guess a congratulations is in order then. To Jimmy and Moira.”

Everyone raised their drinks and said congrats. After the announcement, Jimmy seemed to relax. He talked with Dad about cases he was working on and Tommy, Sean, and Kevin discussed some car thing that Norah had no interest in. She managed to feel completely out of place with her own family.

Old resentments bubbled up. She wouldn't feel like this if they hadn't sent her away.

Moira turned to her, stopping her train of thought. “So tell me about yourself.”

“What do you want to know?” She rubbed her belly. “I'm obviously pregnant. Not married. Haven't finished college. I don't have a job.” She sighed. “My life is pitiful. Tell me about you and how the hell you manage to put up with my big brother.”

Moira laughed loudly. “He's not easy, that's for sure. It's like he's missing the gene that gets people to talk. He grunts and sometimes yells, but getting information out of him is exasperating.”

“Noticed that, did you?”

“But I love him. He's a pretty amazing guy.”

“Yeah, he is,” Norah conceded. For all of his shortcomings, Jimmy had always taken care of her, even from a thousand miles away.

“I'm a journalist. I do freelance work.”

Jimmy leaned back to catch Norah's attention. “She goes to parties every day and then writes about it. Tough life.”

Moira smacked his arm.

“Just kidding. She writes some amazing things about the charity work being done in the city to improve people's lives. She'll make you want to pull out your wallet.”

Norah liked seeing Jimmy being playful. Over the years, he'd always been too serious.

“Yeah, Mouthy Moira always did have a way with words.”

Moira shot Kevin a dirty look. Then she leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I do go to a lot of parties. It's a pretty kick-ass job.”

The waitress delivered their food and Moira continued to talk. “What was your major before you left school?”

“Nursing.”

“Do you plan to go back?”

“I'd love to, but I need to at least take a semester and figure out where I can transfer and not lose credits.”

“It's a lot to handle all at once.” She waved at Norah's plate. “Eat up. We'll order dessert and talk some more. Maybe we'll send the guys home and make it a girls' night.”

“You don't have to be my friend. I'm happy for Jimmy. Even if I hated you, as long as you made him happy, I'd suck it up.”

“That's good to know. I want to be your friend. You're all important to him and that makes you important to me. Maybe not Kevin, but the rest of you. Plus, you just moved back to town, so I'm guessing you don't have many girlfriends. Jimmy's great, but he's not a woman.”

Norah stared into Moira's wide bright blue eyes. She was serious. “I think that would be great. I miss being around another girl. Thank you.”

* * *

As Kai rounded the corner to his mom's hospital room, he heard, “Come on, Mrs. Ellis. You can handle this. Step off the edge of the bed.”

Kai entered the room and saw a woman leaning over his mom trying to pull her to standing.

“Should she be doing that yet?”

The woman looked over her shoulder at Kai. He recognized her as the nurse who'd been caring for his mom. “She needs to exercise often. She has to get used to the knee. It's a process, but it won't work unless she cooperates.”

“What's the problem, Mom?”

Lani jabbed a finger at the walker near the bed. “That thing. I'm not old and crippled. I don't need that. I know how to walk.”

He rubbed a hand over his face. “Can I have a minute with my mom?”

The nurse nodded. “I'll be back in five.”

When she was gone, Kai didn't get a chance to say anything. “Don't start with me, Kai. That thing is the beginning. I use that and all of a sudden I'm too feeble to take care of myself.”

His mother's stubbornness might kill him. “Walking will be hard at first. This is just to help.”

Her eyes filled. “If I need the walker, then you'll have reason to get rid of me. Leave me in that old folks' home.”

“I told you, it's not an old folks' home.”

She sniffed, fighting back the tears. He realized it wasn't stubbornness, but fear that drove his mom. She'd never been afraid of anything. It was a stab to the heart to see this. He sat on the edge of the bed. “You'll be back at Jaleesa's in no time.”

“No. Old people like me, they never get to leave those places. They suck the life out of you.” She spoke like she was spilling a secret, something she was sure of, but wasn't supposed to know.

He knew then he couldn't send her to the rehab facility. He sighed and swallowed hard. “If you do what you're supposed to do here, I'll bring you to my house until you're back to normal.”

Her mouth eased into a shaky smile.

He pointed at her. “That means you do everything the doctors and nurses say, even if you have to use a walker. If they tell me you're being uncooperative, off to the facility.”

She touched his arm and her wrinkly hand looked older than it should. When he leaned close to kiss her good-bye, she rubbed his jaw. “You need a shave.”

“Be good. I'm going to check with Jaleesa.”

He left the hospital and went home to move his stuff. On the way, he called Jaleesa and told her the plan. Jaleesa said she'd organize getting the equipment, like a rented hospital bed, delivered. He hadn't even thought about that.

At home, he spent his entire morning moving his weights and benches down to the basement, which meant he also had to move his poker table over and rearrange the space for his biweekly game. Fuck. He couldn't let his mom anywhere near the guys. If she knew he was still friends with them, it would be an epic battle.