Forever After All by Kaylee Ryan

Chapter 9

Rip

I’ve been sitting at my desk for twenty minutes. I’ve stared out the window pretty much all that time. I wanted to beg McKenna to cancel on my sister, but I know they miss each other. I also wanted to ask her where they were going to dinner so that I could just happen to be there. I realize my thoughts are stalker-ish, so I refrained. Now, here I am, sitting and staring off into space, thinking of her.

My phone rings, pulling me out of my McKenna daze, and I laugh when I see it’s my sister calling. “Lara,” I answer.

“Big brother.”

“What’s up?”

“Oh, nothing. I just called to tell you that Colby might be reaching out to you. I’m having dinner with Mac tonight, so he might be lonely. He mentioned calling you and Corbin.”

“Yeah? Where are the two of you headed?”

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“You going to tell me what’s going on between the two of you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” It’s not a complete lie. I don’t know what’s going on. I know that I want her. More today than I did at the lake on Saturday and more than the day she left for college. Time hasn’t diminished my desire for her. It’s fueled it.

“Come on now,” she pries.

“I think I need to have this conversation with her first.” Eleven words are all it takes for my sister to understand my feelings for her best friend.

“How long?”

“A while.”

“How long is a while, Rip?”

“High school.”

“Wow,” she whispers. “I always thought maybe, I mean, I know she had a crush on you, but you never pursued her even when you had the chance.” She’s quiet, and so am I. What do I say to that? That I knew she was interested, but I was doing what I thought was best for her? “What are you going to do about it?”

“Still trying to figure that out.” What I don’t tell her is that I can’t seem to keep my hands off her best friend or that McKenna is all that I can think about.

“I can help.”

“No. I don’t need your help.”

“I’m her best friend. You need me,” she says with confidence.

“I don’t need your help,” I say again, trying to steer her away from whatever point it is that she’s trying to make.

“She’s always had a thing for you.”

I know.“She was always leaving for college.”

“Rip Callahan, are you going to claim your girl?”

“If it’s meant to be, it will be.” That’s what I tell her, and that’s what I also keep telling myself. I want it to be—more than my next breath. I want to be able to call her mine.

“Well, I’m going to help you.”

“Lara,” I warn.

“Tonight, she and I are having dinner and drinks at the Silver Star. We’re meeting there at seven.”

“I’m not crashing her time with you. I know she misses you.”

“Well, I miss her too, but I want this to happen. She could be my sister.” She lets her proclamation hang between us.

“What, am I not a good enough sibling?”

“We can’t share clothes.”

“You and Kenna do that now.”

“Figure it out,” she says, calling an end to our back-and-forth banter. “I’ve never known you to back down from something that you want.”

She’s right. I don’t, and when it comes to McKenna, I don’t want to. “Who says I’m backing down?”

“Gah! Why are men so damn confusing?”

“Everything all right with you and Colby?”

“Yes! This is about you. You want her. Hell, it wouldn’t surprise me if you were half in love with her, and I’m offering my help. I want you to get the girl, and you’re being stubborn.”

“I don’t need your help, little sister.”

“Well, you’re getting it anyway. I’m team Rip and McKenna all the way.”

Me too, little sister. Me too.“Have fun tonight. If you two need a ride, you call me.” I leave no room for argument in my tone.

“Sure thing, big brother,” she says, way too cheerily. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Was there a reason you called?”

“Nope. I’m good. Can’t a girl just call her brother?”

“Laramie.” I sigh.

“Gotta go. Bye, Rip!” The line goes dead.

I toss my phone on my desk. Resting my elbows on the dark mahogany wood, I bury my face in my hands. I’ve never wanted someone or anything, for that matter, as much as I want McKenna. My sister is right. I never back down from what I want, and this isn’t me backing down. No, this is me planning for the long game. The end game. This is me wanting her for more than just a small moment in time, and I want her forever.

You can’t rush forever.

* * *

I’m pacing the living room, wearing a path into the hardwood floors, when my cell phone rings. It’s Corbin. “Hello,” I answer, continuing to pace.

“What are you getting into tonight?”

“Nothing much.” Just driving myself crazy wanting to go into town, to the Silver Star specifically. Just to see her. Have I ever been this taken by a woman? No. No one has ever gotten to me like McKenna has.

“Colby and I are going to grab some food and a couple of beers. You in?”

“Where you going?”

“Silver Star. I guess Laramie and McKenna are going to be there. He wants to be close in case they need a ride home.”

I stop pacing, and from my reflection, in the window, the scowl is gone, replaced with a smile. “I’m in.”

Corbin’s laughter is loud and boisterous as it flows through the line. “I figured as much. Meet us there?”

“When?”

“Thirty minutes?”

I don’t need to look at the clock to know that it’s seven. “I’ll be there.” I end the call. The girls will have had time to order and probably be started on dinner by the time we get there. I should probably feel guilty or like I’m spying on her, but I don’t. I’m just going to be there in case she needs me. They can have their girl time. I’m just backup. If she doesn’t need me, at least I’ll get to see her. Lay my eyes on her. That’s more than I can say for the past five years. I need to soak up as much time with her as I can. How else am I going to get her to fall in love with me?

Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling into the parking lot of the Silver Star Saloon. I don’t see Corbin or Colby’s trucks, but I spot my sister's car right away. I scan the lot looking for McKenna’s and don’t see it. They must have ridden together. I debate on going in alone, but that would be way too obvious. Instead, I turn off the truck and tap my fingers against the steering wheel as I wait for the guys to show up.

When Colby’s truck pulls up, I grab my keys and my phone and meet him in front of our trucks. “Where’s Corbin?”

“He’s on his way. Let’s grab a table.”

I nod and follow him inside. As soon as the door closes behind me, my eyes are scanning, looking for her. I spot them at a high-top table. They both have plates of food and a beer in front of them. Something my sister says makes McKenna laugh. She throws her head back, and I swear the sound finds its way to my cock. That’s nothing new when it comes to McKenna, but this time, the sound is stopped by my heart and squeezed it as well.

She takes my breath away.

Luckily for me, Colby is just as gone for my sister. I don’t even have to suggest that we stop by their table and say hello. His feet carry him like a man on a mission. “Hey, you.”

Laramie lifts her chin for a kiss. I’m envious as I turn to McKenna and her bright smile.

“Hi.” She smiles up at me.

Unable to stop myself, I bend down and press my lips to her cheek. “Hey,” I whisper huskily.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“Just came to eat, and this one wanted to make sure Laramie didn’t need a ride home.” I point to Colby.

“Like you wouldn’t have done that same thing if he hadn’t. I know how protective you are of her,” McKenna replies.

She’s right. I am protective of my little sister. I also know that Colby’s got her. Always. He loves her fiercely. I should feel guilty that I wasn’t concerned about my sister, but I know that I don’t have to be. Instead, all I could think about was McKenna. Seeing her, making sure she was okay. I’m protective of you too.

“He’s got her,” I say with confidence. “But who has you?” I ask. I reach out and push her hair over her shoulder. The silky strands feel so damn soft as they run through my fingers.

“I’m good, Rip.”

“You are now,” I assure her.

She opens her mouth to speak but quickly closes it. I’ve rendered her speechless. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I have this feeling I need to explain. Placing my hand on the back of her chair, I turn so that I’m blocking out everyone else. “I know you’re strong and beautiful,” I add. “I just want you to know you’re not alone. I’m always going to be here.” Wanting you.

“I love you both, but it’s time for you to go,” my sister says, breaking the spell we’re under. I stand to my full height, keeping my hand on the back of McKenna’s chair, letting my fingers lightly trace over her shoulder.

“Have fun, babe.” Colby kisses her quickly.

I smile down at McKenna. “Have fun, babe.” I wink at her and follow Colby to the small booth in the corner that gives us a clear view of their table.

Colby and I order drinks and wings, just as Corbin slides into the booth next to Colby. “Took you long enough,” I tell him.

“Work sucked today,” he explains.

“How’s the build going?”

“Good.” He nods. The waitress delivers our beers, and Corbin orders one for himself and an order of wings. “The homeowner keeps changing shit and gets pissed when we go over budget.”

“I’d hate that part of your job,” I tell him. Corbin and Colby both work for their father’s construction company, James Construction.

“Tell me about it. Dad keeps hinting at retiring, wanting us to take over,” Corbin says.

“What about you?” I ask Colby.

“It’s part of the job, but I hate that shit.”

“Why don’t y’all hire someone to deal with the additions and the finances?”

“Not a bad idea,” Colby agrees.

“It’s always been a family thing,” Corbin chimes in. “Wait.” He turns to look at his brother. “What about Laramie?”

“What about her?”

“She said the other day she was ready for a change. She’s been working at the hardware store since high school. She knows her way around the industry, and she’s a lot less burly about these kinds of things than we are.” He chuckles.

“She is going to be family.” Corbin grins.

“Speaking of, you two set a date yet?” I ask, leaning back so the waitress can deliver our wings.

“Not yet. She’s talking to McKenna about that tonight.” He nods to where the girls are sitting. “I don’t care when. Sooner rather than later if I have my choice.”

My eyes travel to their table, and the girls have their phones out, I’m sure discussing dates. My heart gallops in my chest. I’ve married McKenna twice in my life, and I wouldn’t hate it if we could do it again. Only this time for real. Baby steps. We’ll get there.

“How’s the farm?” Corbin asks.

“Same old. Just doing my thing,” I tell him. We spend the next hour or so just shooting the shit. Somehow I manage to be present in the conversation and keep an eye on my sister and my… my McKenna. At least I want her to be mine. Corbin leaves to go to the bathroom, and I glance over at the girls. There are two guys hovering over their table.

“Not on my watch,” I mumble, sliding out of the booth.

“What are you….” Colby's voice trails off when he sees what I’m going to break up. He makes it to Laramie. At the same time, I reach McKenna. “Hey, baby.” He leans in and kisses his fiancée.

“Miss me?” I ask McKenna. I slide my arm around her waist. The perks of them sitting at a high-top table.

Her brown eyes peer up at me and are filled with relief. “Always,” she replies.

“Hey, you with this guy?” the drunk ass asks McKenna.

“Yes. We told you we were taken,” she tells him.

“Whatever.” He looks over at his friend. “Let’s go.” They walk away from the table without a fight.

“Thanks,” McKenna says.

Unable to stop my mouth, I lean in close, placing my lips next to her ear. “It gave me an excuse to hold you.” Her quick intake of breath tells me that’s not what she was expecting me to say. Good. I like the idea of surprising her.

“Our heroes,” Laramie gushes dramatically. “You ready to go, Mac?”

“Yes. This was so much fun. I miss hanging out with you like this,” McKenna replies.

“It’s almost over, and then you’ll be working one job and living a normal life again. No more studying.”

“Can’t come fast enough.”

“You going to Colby’s?” I ask my sister.

“Yeah, after I drop Mac off.”

“I can take her.” I turn to McKenna. “I can take you.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.” Hell yes. Any chance to have her all to myself, I’m going to take it like the selfish bastard I am when it comes to her.

“What are you doing this weekend? We need to get together and do some planning.” My sister’s eyes are bright with excitement.

“I’m all yours,” McKenna tells her. “As long as I get a few hours of studying in. I take the test next Wednesday.”

“I’ll call you.” My sister hops off her chair and comes around to hug McKenna and Colby. I then give my sister a hug and shake Colby’s hand. “You make sure she gets home.” Laramie points at me, then laces her arm through Colby’s and leaves.

“Hey, you all heading out?” Corbin asks, appearing at our table.

“Yeah. I’m going to drop McKenna off. Colby and Lara just left.”

“I’m heading out too. I have to be up at the supply house early in the morning. See you all later.” Corbin waves.

“Ready?” I ask McKenna.

“Yes.”

She stands from her chair, and with my hand on the small of her back, I lead her out to my truck. The ride to her place is short and quiet. Not uncomfortably so. For me, I’m just relishing having her in my truck next to me.

“I really missed it here,” she says, resting her head on my shoulder.

“Yeah. You’ve been gone a long time.”

“Five long years,” she sighs.

“You’re home now, Kenna.”

“Sometimes, I feel as though life is passing me by. Laramie and Colby are getting married, and I’m still single and just getting ready to start my career.”

“It’s your dream, right? I know I’ve asked you that, but are you sure this is what you want?”

“More than anything. It’s just hard to watch everyone growing and building their lives and feel like I’m just standing still.”

Pulling into the driveway of her grandparents’ house, I put the truck in Park, letting the engine run. I turn in my seat to face her. “What do you want, Kenna?”

She turns to face me. “I want to be a lawyer. I want to take over the practice that Gramps built. I want to live in this town, raise my kids here.” She hesitates before saying, “Sorry. I’m rambling.”

I take her hand in mine. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You have the job and your home. The kids, well, we’ll have to work on that one.” My tone is teasing, but the image of her carrying my baby has my cock pressing against the zipper of my jeans.

“I know. I just hate that I’m missing so much. I feel so disconnected. Laramie and I always said our kids would grow up together.”

“Is there something my sister and Colby are keeping from me?”

“No.” She laughs. “I’m just thinking about how life doesn’t always turn out the way we think it will.”

“You’re right. But sometimes it’s better. There have been a lot of changes, but do you know what won’t?” I wait for her to shake her head. “You, and how you fit into our lives. No matter how much time passes, you’re still our Kenna.” My lips tilt in a smile.

“You’re a good man, Rip Callahan.”

“Come on. Keep them coming.” I motion for her to keep the compliments heading my way, making her laugh.

“Thank you. Sometimes I get in my own head.”

“We still on for tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

Leaning in close, I press my lips to hers in a soft caress. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Thanks for the ride,” she says breathlessly, reaching for the handle. I watch her walk to the front porch and disappear behind the door before pulling out of the driveway.