“Did you?”
He nodded. “Yep, went home with them and never left.”
“And you lived happily ever after?”
“Not exactly. I spent the next three months walking on eggshells. Didn’t want to screw up and have them send me back. It worked for a while, until I got in trouble at school. Wanted so badly to get a hundred on a test, I cheated and got caught. They called my mom and dad in. I remember sitting in the chair feeling like my life was over. I fucked it all up. The ride home was hell. No one said a word. When we got home, my dad sat on the couch and I just lost it. Crying and begging not to send me away, swore up and down I’d do better, nearly worked myselfup so bad, I almost puked.”
Kenzie’s hand cupped his jaw. “Aw…Bogs,” she whispered.
“Then my mom came over, gave me that smile, and hugged me real tight. God, man, I latched onto to her as if she was my last chance.” He gulped a breath. “I was trying to memorize how it felt.”
He had been so convinced they would send him back that he wanted to at least be left with the memory, a good one, something he could hold onto when he was scared and alone.
“But they didn’t send you back?”
“No.” Bogs smiled. “My dad said I was their son and there was no way in hell I was ever going anywhere. Then my mom gave him a glare for saying hell.” Bogs laughed. His mother didn’t tolerate cursing.
“I still remember being wrapped in my mom’s arms and my dad kneeling down in front of me. He said they didn’t expect me to be perfect and they didn’t want that. They just wanted me to be me.” He cocked a brow. “Without the cheating, of course.”
Kenzie snorted. “Did you get in trouble for cheating?”
“Hell yeah. No dessert for a week, and double chores. My dad said a good man would have to take the consequences for his actions but there was nothing I could do that would ever have them send me away. I was their son.”
Kenzie dropped her lips to his and kissed him slowly. “Then you got your happily ever after?”
He had gotten the childhood every kid deserves but it wasn’t his end. He was pretty sure he was staring at his end. He wanted what his mom and dad had. He craved the cliché--in good times and in bad, ‘til death did them part. He saw it and he felt it. Kenzie was it for him.
He shook his head and kissed her lips again. “Not yet, but I’m working on it. How am I doing, pretty girl? Am I gonna get that happily ever after?”
Her eyes softened and her lip quirked up. “Yes,” she whispered.
ChapterNineteen
A week had passed since their first official fight and the moment that marked them as a couple. Best week of her life. They continued with their routine, staying at Jonah’s house at night, and work during the day. Bogs had promised he would reach out to Trent so she could at least talk with Taylor. She missed her. Luckily, an invitation to hang out with Bogs’ sister and the wives came at the perfect time.
Kenzie stood at the front door of the small house rocking on her heels. The music from inside the house was loud and the sound of laughter had her smiling and peering over at Bogs. He looked down and rolled his eyes before leaning forward and knocking again. This time practically pounding on the door. He had tried the handle when they first arrived but the door was locked.
He pulled out his phone and texted quickly. Ten seconds later the door flew open and Roxanne shouted, “You’re here!” Kenzie jolted in surprise and then chuckled. An obviously intoxicated Roxanne grasped her wrist and yanked her inside the door.
“We been here for ten minutes, Rox. You better drop the volume on that music before T’s neighbors call the cops,”Bogs said with his arms folded. Kenzie almost burst out laughing when his sister stuck her tongue out at him.
“What are you, the fun police? Relax, Bogs, it’s not that loud. Besides, all T’s neighbors are scared shitless of him so they won’t call it in, and Cass is keeping us in line.”
Kenzie watched Bogs move forward but Roxanne’s hand shot out, stabbing him in the chest. She shook her head. “No boys allowed. Go meet the guys at E’s. And don’t come for her until we call.”
Don’t come for her? What had she gotten herself into? She was expecting a few laughs and drinks, not a hostage situation.
She was surprised this morning when his phone rang and after answering it, he handed it to her. She almost thought it might be Taylor but it wasn’t. His sister invited her over for a girl’s night. Now, there she was, about to spend a few hours with what sounded like a rowdy bunch of women and being held captive.
Bogs snorted. “Can I at least say bye?”
Roxanne looked between Bogs and Kenzie and nodded. “Fine, but make it quick and get out.”
Kenzie stepped forward meeting him at the door. She half expected Roxanne to stand there and watch but she turned around and shouted, “Kenzie’s here!”
Kenzie burst out laughing as Bogs cupped her jaw and snickered. “Good luck, pretty girl. Don’t let them corrupt you, that’s my job.” He pressed his lips to hers in what should have been a quick kiss. Instead, he angled his head, deepening the kiss, sliding his tongue along her bottom lip. Blocking everything from her mind, she opened up and entered his mouth. God, this man could kiss making it feel like the first time, every time. How did he do that?
She gripped his shirt in her fist and tugged him closer. His lips spread in a smile but that didn’t stop her from continuing the kiss. The girl’s night seemed like a good idea but now,here, kissing him? She was rethinking it, and maybe sneaking away with him back to the house.
