Gravity (Artistic Pricks Ink Book 1) (8 page)

Breaking the kiss, Luke meets my eyes, before his eyes drop to my mouth again. His expression is a mix of shock and arousal. “Damn,” He murmurs, shaking his head.

“Everything okay down there?” Audrey shouts from the top of the basement stairs. “There won’t be any food left if you don’t hurry up.”

“Yeah, Mom.” Luke tosses out over his shoulder. “Be right up.”

“She can’t be serious,” I breathe, knowing there is no way she can eat everything Luke bought.

Luke nods. “Sounds like my buddy is here,” he says, steadying me on my feet before he releases me. “If we want to eat, we’d better get up there.”

Following Luke up the stairs, my mind takes over. Scolding me for my moment of weakness. Stopping in the kitchen to wash up, my mind replays the entire kiss on repeat. Over and over, slowly driving me crazy. What the hell was I thinking letting him kiss me? Even worse, I kissed him back! And oh my God! Now, I’m staring at his ass while he walks out in front of me. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Here they come now,” I hear Audrey say from the patio.

“They?” A male voice asks, curiously. “Hmm, that’s very interesting.”

Luke walks out before me, blocking my view momentarily. Walking out the door, I am nearly stopped in my tracks by the man before me. Mitch. The guy who has been at the club offering obscene amounts of money for a private dance from me is sitting at Audrey’s round, wooden patio table inhaling a bag of fries.

He looks different from his usual inebriated self. He looks stockier up close, his broad shoulders not slumped as they usually are at the club. I’ve never really gotten a good up close look at him. Looking up, his dark, deep eyes meet mine, and I freeze mid-step. Even though I take every precaution not to be recognized, I am terrified he knows who I am.

“Hmm, they,” Mitch says around a bite, arching a brow in Luke’s direction. “Got everything you needed. So I’m assuming it’s her car we’re fixing, since I didn’t buy any Plymouth parts?

“This is Mom’s neighbor, Kionna Slade.” Luke says gesturing to me. “Ki, this is Mitchell Taylor. He works at the shop too; well ‘work’ is a bit of a loose term I guess. Isn’t it Mitch?”

“Luke, you bought so much.” Audrey says, sitting beside Mitch. Looking up to me, she smiles. “Ki, have a seat.”

“No, thank you,” I reply, taking a step back toward the double doors. “I really should be getting home. I’ve got a disaster of a kitchen to handle.” I add, thinking back to the soap and water covered tile that I left before.

All eyes are on me, “Nonsense,” Audrey says, opening a small bottle of orange juice. “I never got to properly thank you for being so helpful the last couple days, so it’s settled. Sit.”

Looking around, my gaze runs over the pool and finally stopping on my house. So close, yet so far. Luke’s hand, at the small of my back, forces me toward the table. “Plotting your escape?” He whispers into my ear. “Or do you have some unknown fear of deli meat I should know about?”

Squaring my shoulders, I glare at him over my shoulder making him wink at me. Ugh. How does he have me hot for him one minute then absolutely wanting to kick him in the junk the next? Luke steers me so that I’ll be sitting between him and Mitch.

Perfect, just fucking perfect.

Unwrapping his sandwich, Mitch’s eyes move between Luke and me. “I know you from somewhere,” He blurts, studying me carefully.

Shit. “Um, I…” I start, for sure that he’s figured it out. Of course, I don’t want them knowing what I do for a living. The last thing I need is for regular like Mitch to know where I live or my real name.

“No, you don’t,” Luke growls, pointing a fry at Mitch.

“Whatever. I never forget a face,” he counters, winking at me. “Especially a beautiful one. I’ll figure it out, eventually.”

“I’m sure it will come to you,” Audrey says, smiling at Mitch before taking a bite of her sandwich.

Audrey is in her zone. Happy to make conversation with everyone while we eat. It’s very clear she’s been lonely for a while with no one in this big house but her and the cat. I don’t know how far into the meal it is, but at some point I begin to feel comfortable. Listening to Luke and Mitch tease and joke with each other, all while Audrey and I laugh and talk about random things. I can feel Luke’s eyes on me when I talk about growing up back East. “It was just Mom and I as far back as I can remember.” I can’t help smiling sadly, thinking back isn’t something I do often. It hurts too much. “But, I loved it. She never let me see how hard it must have been to raise me alone. We were a team. She was my best friend, in a lot of ways, and she will always be my hero.”

“She sounds like a remarkable woman,” Luke says, and I nod.

“Yes, she was.” I reply, clearing my throat to force the tears back. “I’ll always be thankful for the twenty one years I had with her.” My eyes dart to the pool in an attempt to keep it together. I haven’t cried for her in a long time and I am not about to do it here in front of them.

Audrey gasps, her hand covering her heart. “Oh honey, what happened?”

“Mom!” Luke snaps. “That’s personal.” Turning to me, he blows out a frustrated breath. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, it’s fine,” I say in her defense and take a deep breath in an attempt to maintain my composure. “She was in an accident on her way to visit me at college for the Winter Performances and Christmas Break. Drunk driver.” My voice cracks at the mention of the man who stole my mother from me. Who stole, possibly, the only person who will ever get to see the real me.

“I’m sorry,” Audrey says softly reaching over and covering my hand with hers.

“Wow, me too,” Luke says in agreement.

“Thanks.” My reply sounds robotic, as if I’ve given the same stock answer a million times before. And I have. The ache never truly goes away, it just gets lost in the shuffle of everyday life. It becomes a steady burn, that some days, is easier to handle than others.

Looking over at Mitch, his dark eyes are pained. His body tight and all of a sudden it looks like he is uncomfortable even breathing. “Mitch are you all right?” Audrey asks leaning over in her chair, her hand now resting on his upper arm.

“I’m fine,” He answers her, forcing a smile. Running a hand over his jaw, he groans. “Come on Luke, we’ve got a car to go get fixed,” Mitch says, pushing to his feet.

“Dessert?” Audrey asks, opening a small, blue Styrofoam container. “I just love these little brownie things,” she says popping one in her mouth before offering me one from the box.

“Mmmm,” Mitch groans grabbing the container before I can get one. His eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning, making me giggle at how quickly his mood changed. “I’ll tell ya,” He says, shoving them in his mouth two at a time. “That Charlie is one lucky bastard. He gets to live with this woman and all her bakery goodness.”

“Here,” Luke says opening another box. “Leah always gives me two orders since Mitch is a stingy dick with them.” Picking one up between his fingers, he holds it up to my lips. “Open up, this is gonna blow your mind.”

“I can feed myself,” I say. Luke’s eyes harden, but those lips. God, those lips that were on mine not even an hour ago, are quirked up in an ‘oh really’ smirk that I want to kiss off his damn face. Or maybe, smack off. The jury is still out on that one. Just as I reach for it, Luke pops it into his mouth and shrugs at me.

“Mmm, so good,” He groans around the bite of brownie, the delicious sound of his pleasure making my stomach flip. “Not how it works, Dollface.” Pushing to his feet, he closes the container. “Okay Mitch, let’s go get Ki’s car so we can fix it before it gets too late. We’ll take your truck so I can drive her car back. Key?” He asks holding out one hand.

“You’re gonna leave her hangin’ like that?” Mitch chuckles.

“Yep,” Luke replies, with a small grin.

“Dude, you’re a dick,” Mitch says, laughing outright now.

“Wait, what?” I ask. The only things I get are a shrug from Audrey and Mitch’s amusement as his eyes dart between Luke and me. Luke is completely calm, cool, and collected. His face giving absolutely nothing away. Yanking the keys from my pocket, I remove my car key and place it in his palm. Without another word, Luke disappears into the house leaving me a little confused and a lot pissed off.

“Hmm, that’s very interesting,” Mitch chuckles, following behind. “Nice to meet you, Ki.” He says before disappearing into the house as well.

Looking up at Audrey, I stand to my feet. “How about I give you a hand with cleaning up before I go home to tackle my own disaster?” I ask, gathering up the wrappers and bottles from where Luke and I were sitting.

“I’ll go get a garbage bag.” She nods before disappearing into the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Today has been one hell of a day and I have no idea how to make heads or tails of any of it. One thing I do know is if Luke Hanlon thinks he is the one calling the shots in this little game we seem to be playing, he’s about to get a rude awakening.

By the time Audrey and I get the patio cleaned up and everything put away, it’s nearly dark. “I need to get home, I’m sure my kitchen is a disaster,” I say, drying my hands with a dishtowel.

“Oh no, what happened?” Audrey asks me, pouring a cup of coffee for herself.

“Everything just went wrong today,” I reply, blowing out a breath. “Broken glass, burned food, and a dishwasher disaster I still haven’t cleaned up. Just a lot of things adding up only to be topped off with a broken down car.”

“Oh honey, I couldn’t handle all of that,” She sighs, staring down into her mug.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Audrey,” I tell her, tossing the towel to the counter. “You have no idea what you’re capable of until you do it.”

She just laughs sadly, “I haven’t done anything, for or by, myself in so long. Can you believe this is the first time I’ve lived alone in my entire life?” I say nothing, so she continues. “I got pregnant with Lucas straight out of high school and was forced into a marriage with someone I barely knew. Now all of that is over and done, has been for years now. I’m almost fifty four years old and have nothing to show for it except two children who I was never a mother to.” When I start to argue, she raises her hand. “Trust me, I deserve that truth.” Sitting the mug down, she huffs at herself. “I’m sorry, you don’t need to listen to my bullshit pity party about things I wish I could change.”

“So change it now.” The words come flying out of my mouth before I can call them back. It’s really none of my business, but I can’t help myself.

“Wwwhat?” She stammers in shock.

“It’s that simple,” I explain. “You’re living alone for the first time. Now, you’ll learn to focus on you. What you need. The rest, the fixing things with your kids, that’ll come once you’re stronger. You’ll see. For now, just take it one day at a time, Audrey. That’s all we’re promised anyway.”

“You’ve got a lot of faith in someone you barely know.” Turning to face me, she straightens her clothes and meets my eyes. Her eyes shine with unshed tears. Looking at her, I smile reassuringly.

Yes, I do have faith in her. Why? Because after my accident, I was her. I was robotic when my mother died, unfeeling. After my accident something snapped. I laid in the hospital blaming the world. Hating everything and everyone. I was all alone and a part of me was angry with her for dying. I knew better, that she would never have left me if she could have prevented it. That part of me, the broken girl with the crushed spirit, she just wanted her mom. I had to claw my way back from that and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Because of that I also know it’s possible.

“I believe in the power we possess as human beings to overcome heartbreak and loss. When we are knocked down, we stand the hell back up and fight with everything we have. If we don’t who will?” Driving my point home, I take a step toward her. “That doesn’t mean you don’t ask for help. You need anything, I’m next door. Okay?”

She nods, “Thank you, Ki.”

“Anytime,” I reply, as Audrey walks me to the front door. “Thanks for tonight, I needed it.”

“Anytime,” she says before closing the door.

Taking a deep breath, I walk through the yard toward my house. Luke and Mitch still aren’t back yet with my car so I decide to start on the kitchen while I wait. Unlocking my door, I step inside my front door and head through the living room and down the hallway to the kitchen. Flipping on the light, I roll my eyes. The tile is soaked.

“Ugh, can’t I just go to sleep and pretend it’s not there?” I ask the ceiling, hoping for some kind of divine intervention.

Since the ceiling isn’t answering me anytime soon, I figure that’s a no. Stepping into the kitchen, my feet nearly slip out from beneath me. Fucking soap. Stepping back onto the hall carpet, I pull off my sneakers and socks hoping bare feet will be better. Gripping the counter to steady myself, I move around the room to the pantry for towels.

Making it around the room, I yank open the pantry door. Standing up on my tip toes, I grab the mop off the hook and a handful of towels from the shelf to clean up the water. Spreading a towel on the floor, I step onto it in an attempt to keep from falling on my ass. I start mopping up the excess water, wringing and rising out the mop into sink as I work my way toward the doorway.

Stopping at the fridge, I move the trash can to clean behind it and it happens. A huge spider shoots out from underneath making me jump. Its furry legs scrambling across the tile and I lose my shit. “No!” I scream, turning to run like hell. My foot slips on the still slick floor at the doorway and I land hard on my back. My head bouncing off the tile making everything spin in front of me, but the threat is still here. Somewhere. Rolling to my stomach, I attempt to get up before that little motherfucker comes at me.

What? Those eight legged bastards are terrifying.

There’s a bang and a loud crash followed by shouting all taking me by surprise. While the room spins I scramble across the floor. My arms flail in every direction desperately trying to make sure it doesn’t get on me or God, in my hair!