Keeping the Beat: An Adrenaline Novel (21 page)

              “Great. I didn't know it was possible to be this happy.” I couldn't stop the smile I felt coming over my face. “I wish I wouldn't have been such an idiot for so long. I put us through so much for no reason.”

              My aunt shrugged and placed her hand over mine. “You had some things you needed to work out. Now that you know what you can have, you have the opportunity to make the most out of it.”

              A part of me wanted to confide in my aunt, to ask her advice on how to tell Kenzie about my past, but before I could the back door opened again. Garret walked in with Jared trailing behind him both of them sporting matching grins. It was possible Wyatt was right when he said a love bug was going around.

              “Hi mom,” Garret greeted giving his mom a peck on the cheek before glancing at me. “Jace.”

              Jared gave me a nod before Lorraine pulled him close for a hug. “I wasn't expecting any visitors this morning and now I have three. To what do I owe this visit?” Garret sat down next to me as Jared moved to sit next to Aunt Lorraine.

              “I came to see if I could borrow one of your suitcases. Jared and I are going on vacation next week and I can’t find my luggage. I think Wyatt took it but he says he didn't. Knowing him it’s lost forever.”

              Aunt Lorraine clucked her tongue in disapproval shaking her head. “I’ll make sure he replaces what he took. You can borrow my suitcase in the meantime. Where are you guys headed off to?”

              Jared smiled and drummed his hands on the kitchen table. “Hawaii. We’re all set to go to the islands. Figured on the way back we can make a pit stop by my parent’s house so they can meet Garret.”

              “Oh that’ll be nice,” Aunt Lorraine said smiling at her son. Garret nodded his head looking a little nervous. “Don’t forget to bring them something nice when you meet them Garret. I don’t want Jared’s parents to think I’ve raised a rude man.” 

              “I’ll be sure to do that, mom,” Garret replied dryly.

              Jared reached across the table and laced his fingers through Garret’s giving them a reassuring squeeze. “They’re going to love you. I’ve talked about you enough I think they feel like they already know you.”

              “All good things I hope,” Garret murmured with a tilt of his lips.

              Jared shrugged. “Mostly good things.” He smiled widely, giving me a wink when he noticed me staring at him.

              “He can’t lie to them, Garret.” I laughed when my cousin frowned at me. “You can only stretch the truth so much.”

              “Asshole,” Garret punched me hard enough on the arm to make me wince. “Where’s Kenzie? You’re always nicer when she’s around.”

              “She’s at work,” I answered, hearing the destitute quality of my voice. Garret must have too judging from the smirk on his face. “She doesn't get off until later tonight.”

              Aunt Lorraine snapped her fingers. “I knew there was a reason you wandered over here.”

              Hiding a smile behind my hand I glanced over at her. “Just wanted to see what you were up to is all.”

              “Uh huh,” she said shaking her head. “As long as you're all here I might as well feed you. Emma sent over some brownies for Simon’s game Sunday and she made some extra for me. I guess I can share them with all of you.”

              “You’re the best, Lorraine,” Jared said taking a brownie when Aunt Lorraine offered him one.

              My aunt smiled brilliantly. “I know.”

Chapter 20

Kenzie

              My shift at JJ’s had been particularly shitty tonight. A bachelor party had decided to hang out at the bar and pester the hell out of me all night. I couldn't wait for them to leave, even though the tips were good. Conner had taken pity on me and let me leave early, taking over my shift much to the party’s disappointment.

              With a sigh of relief I climbed into my jeep and headed towards my house. I wasn't supposed to get off of work for another two hours so I knew Jace would be at his house at the ranch, not waiting for me at home like he usually was.

              Pulling into my driveway I turned off the ignition and climbed the porch stairs feeling bone tired. All I wanted to do was cuddle with Jace and watch a movie. When I reached for the front door I hesitated noticing that it was already open. Thinking Jace had decided to come over earlier than planned I walked inside and called out for him.

              When he didn't answer I frowned moving around the house. Something felt off. Taking my phone from my back pocket I quickly dialed his number and placed the phone to my ear heading back towards the front door. I felt eyes on me with every step I took and a cold sweat broke out along my brow.

              “Hey, sugar,” his warm voice greeted me. “Are you on your break?”

              “No Conner let me go home early.” I glanced over my shoulder and froze when I saw a shadow move behind me. “Are you at my house?”

              “No I’m at my house, but I’m on my way over there.”

              I felt panic bubbling to the surface and began to hurry towards the door. “I think someone is in the house.” I thought I had left the front door open behind me but as I turned to face it I saw that it was closed.

              “What?” His loud voice made me wince and pull the phone away from my ear. “Where are you?”

              “I’m inside but I’m leaving right now.”

              Just as I reached the door I felt a hand grip my shoulder. Smothering a scream I whirled around to see Sydney standing before me with a smile on her face.

“Kenzie, you just got here. Don’t leave now.” Her eyes looked wild, her cheeks flushed as she glanced at the phone clutched in my hand. “Hang up the phone.” The cheery smile faded from her face and she looked at me with such rage that I immediately did what she said.

              “Don’t you dare hang up this phone, Kenzie.” I ignored Jace’s panicked words and pulled the phone away from my ear, placing it into my pocket.

              “Sydney, I’m surprised to see you here.” In my house. Uninvited. I knew Sydney was a bitch but Jace may have been right when he called her crazy. She had to be for her to be waiting for me in the dark, in a house she had never been to before. Her smile was bordering on manic when she took a step closer to me, her eyes shining bright. I caught a glint of something in her hand but tried to keep my gaze on hers.

              “I was surprised to find you fucking my boyfriend, but alas here we are.” She shrugged and I caught a flash of silver in her palm. I swallowed hard when I realized what she was holding but took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. With the state she was in it was a good idea to play into her delusion until help came. I knew Jace would be racing to get here, especially since I had left him on the line in my pocket.

              “I didn't know you and Jace were still together.”

              “Of course we are,” she huffed and looked at me like I was the one who was out of my mind. “We’ve been together for a year. He just missed our anniversary.” Her lips formed into a pout as she fidgeted with the object in her hand. “I tried to get ahold of him but his number changed. I’m thinking you had something to do with that. You always were so controlling over him.”

              “I’m sorry, Sydney. Jace lost his phone, he had to get a replacement.”

              She nodded like my excuse made perfect sense and I let out a small sigh of relief. I didn't know how long we had been standing here but it felt like eternity. It took twenty minutes to get to my house from Jace’s on a good day. I expected Jace would cut that time in half.

              “When I didn't hear from him I thought it would be best if I dropped by. Surprise him like I used to when the band was touring. He was always happy to see me when I met him backstage after a show.”

              She looked at me expectantly so I nodded agreeing with her words. “I remember.”

              Her smile flashed once before she seemed to remember why she was there. “Then I went to his house and saw the two of you together. It seems your pathetic little crush finally wore him down.” She sneered and I took an involuntary step back at the hateful look she gave me. “I was upset to see Jace playing house just after our anniversary but I’m willing to forgive him. You? Not so much.”

              “Sydney,” I cleared my throat and took another step away making her brows slam together. “I didn't mean to hurt you. I’m sorry.”

              “You don’t look sorry.”

              When I started to move so the couch was between us her face contorted, her arm jabbing out to showcase the sharp blade in her hand. I immediately recognized it as one of the knives from the set in my kitchen.

              The thought of Jace having to find me in a bloody pool on the floor gave me a new sense of momentum to play into Sydney’s game. Swallowing the scream that was clawing it’s way up my throat I held my hands out in front of me. I was helpless to stop the tears springing from my eyes but figured those would work in my favor.

              “I promise I’m sorry you’re feeling this way Sydney.” That was the truth. I was so sorry she was sick enough over Jace to put us through this after he had broken things off with her. “Why don’t you put that down and we can talk about it. We used to talk about stuff all the time.” I let out a breath when she started to lower her hand back to her side.

              “You were always a good listener,” she gave me a little smile. I wanted to look away from her, to see how close I was to the door but didn't want to chance making her angry again. Her mood was so unstable and I didn't know what she was going to do. I remembered that Jace was still on the line and felt my heart stutter in my chest. Who knew how she was going to react if he came bursting through the door the way I expected he was planning on doing.

              “I still am.” I licked my dry lips and took a hesitant step back. When the door handle started to rattle Sydney’s attention was momentarily diverted giving me a chance to take a few more steps before her head snapped back towards me. The sudden thud against the wood made us both jump before the door crashed in to reveal Jace breathing heavily in the doorway. He sized up the situation, his eyes raking over me before flashing to Sydney.

              “Sydney, what the fuck are you doing?” His harsh voice made the hair on my arms stand up. I winced and began to shake my head hoping Jace would get the hint. Until we got the knife away from her she was a danger not only to us but to herself.

              “She came to see you, Jace.” I tried to keep my voice steady but heard how shaky the words came out. Shock was starting to set in as Sydney looked between the two of us. I wanted to push past her and run into Jace’s arms but didn't dare.

              Something in my eyes must have tipped him off but the hard look didn't leave his face. He shifted so that his complete attention was focused on Sydney. I knew the moment he saw what was in her hand because all of the color drained from his face.

              “Sydney, put that down right now,” his words were clipped betraying his own panic. I saw him take a step into the room, flinching when Sydney turned to point the knife in my direction.

              “Jason do not take another step!” For a second I didn't think he was going to listen but he made himself stand still. His eyes sought mine and the emotion I saw swirling in them made my knees feel weak. Sydney was watching his face just as intently and what she saw there made her skin tinge red with anger. “Stop looking at her like that!”

              Before I could process what was happening, Sydney let out a howl of rage and flew at me with the knife in her hand.

Jace

              As Sydney lunged towards Kenzie I sprang into action, my mind screaming as I shot across the room. My long legs ate up the distance between us and I wrapped my arms around Sydney hard, squeezing her against my chest before she had a chance to reach Kenzie. My muscles tightened around her making the knife fall out of her hand and clatter to the floor.

              “Call the police,” I barked the order at Kenzie once I assured myself she was okay. Sydney was screaming and wiggling against me trying to break out of my hold. I had to stop myself from snapping her in half. Because her struggles were starting to get tiresome I pressed her against the wall, wrapping one of my legs around hers to stop her from kicking at me.

              “Jace.” The sound of Kenzie’s choked voice almost brought me to my knees.

              “Call the police. Now!” I yelled. When I turned my head I saw that she had started to shake. Kenzie gave a nod and reached into her pocket for her phone. “Go in the other room, Kenzie.” When she looked like she wasn't going to move I barred my teeth at her, raising my voice at a high enough volume to make her jump. “GO!”

              When she was out of sight I bit down on my lip trying to rein in my temper. The whole drive over I had to listen to Kenzie calmly respond to the ravings of a lunatic. And that was before I knew Sydney had a knife. I never wanted to hurt a woman before in my life, but thinking about what could have happened if Kenzie hadn't been so smart or if Sydney had moved a little quicker had me reconsidering my resolve.

              I wanted to tear Sydney apart. 

              “They’re on their way,” Kenzie’s soft voice pulled me back from my angry thoughts. She was standing in the doorway of the kitchen watching me with wide eyes. I heard Sydney start to say something and couldn't stop myself from shaking her, making the words slide back down her throat.

              “Shut the hell up, Sydney.” She listened, staying silent as the sirens started to wail in the distance. I felt an overwhelming urge to slam her skull against the wall, to punish her for what she had tried to do. I bit my lip hard enough that I tasted blood waiting for the cops to show up and get this woman away from me before I lost it.

              Two uniformed officers identified themselves at the door before stepping over the splintered wood. They glanced around the room, holstering their weapons before they crossed over to where I was standing with a subdued Sydney.

              Once they had her cuffed and out of my sight, one of the officers took Kenzie’s statement and I felt the anger seeping into my veins all over again. My hands started to shake as she calmly told the officer how Sydney had been waiting for her when she got home from work. How she was delusional, believing she was my girlfriend when we had been broken up for months. The officer glanced towards me at that part. The older man’s eyes were skeptical as he gauged my reaction.

              I gave my statement after Kenzie’s, crossing my arms over my chest when she came to stand next to me. Her arm wrapped around my waist as I spoke and I knew if I looked over at her I wouldn't be able to hold back everything I was feeling. When the officer was satisfied he told us he would be in touch before nodding and leaving us standing alone in the living room.

              As soon as he was gone Kenzie turned and wrapped her arms around my torso burying her face in my chest. My arms folded around her and I pulled her so tight against me I doubted she could breath properly.

              “Are you okay?” I croaked out, grabbing her face between my hands to look into her eyes. They had a glazed look in them.

              “I’m fine. Are you okay? You’re shaking.” She reached up to grab my neck and I knew she felt my pulse hammering against her palm. I had never been so scared in my entire life. So many emotions were churning inside me I didn't even know how to answer her.

              “Let’s go.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her outside. “You can’t stay here until I fix the door.” The police were still in the street when we strode past them. I tucked Kenzie under my shoulder wanting to shield her from the prying eyes of the neighbors who had trickled out of their houses to see what the commotion was about.

              “Jace, talk to me,” Kenzie whispered once I had pulled off of her street. I tightened my hands on the steering wheel watching her out of the corner of my eye. She reached across the console until one of her hands was resting on my arm. “Jace.”

              “Please, Kenzie.” I closed my eyes briefly with a shake of my head. My chest burned with the effort it took to keep breathing. I pressed my foot down harder on the gas pedal, speeding back towards the ranch. When we reached the property I turned down the road heading towards Declan’s house. I saw Kenzie glance at me but she didn't comment on our destination.

              Throwing the car in park I rested my forehead against the wheel for a minute before climbing out and walking around the hood to open her door. Declan must have heard us pull in because he was standing at the front door when I turned to start up the porch steps. The smile of greeting faded from his face when he saw my expression.