I reach the door and undo the lock, gripping the knob and turning as gently as I can. I pull the door open, my heart hammering. The hallway is empty save for the shadows cast by the moon shining through the uncovered living room window. Dean’s door is closed, so I step further out into the hall, staying as close as I can to the wall, my injured hand clutched to my chest as my heavy-ass improvised weapon is in my other hand.
As I come to the end of the hall, I hear someone take a deep breath, and I swing. My battery organizer slams into the wall as a man curses. Light floods the room, and I stare up at Dean’s reddened face, his eyes wide with surprise then narrowing to slits in irritation.
“What the fuck, Kleo?”
“I’m sorry,” I say, dropping the organizer as my adrenaline disperses and I start to shake. “I’m sorry, I had a—I woke up and heard—” I trail off, my words not making any sense as I lean against the wall.
Dean reaches down and lifts the organizer. “What the hell is this?”
“My batteries.” I can’t help myself as I stare at his broad chest dusted in dark hair. He’s so damned magnificent. And yes, I did just use that word to describe a man. There’s literally no other word that could even come close to describing the walking sex dream that is Dean Lewis. Even as exhausted, emotional, terrified, and now embarrassed as I am, I can’t help but appreciate it.
Eyebrow raised, he looks at the pack then back up at me. “You keep your batteries in a mini suitcase?”
“Ugh. It’s not a suitcase.” I take it from him and move all the way into the kitchen. Setting it on the counter, I unzip the container and push the lid back. Dean comes to stand beside me, his large frame dwarfing me as he stares down.
“That’s, um, interesting.”
My case is full, each battery in its own hollowed-out circle in the foam casing. “It makes it easier to find things.”
“What’s wrong with keeping them in a drawer?”
I can see that he’s trying to distract me, though I have no damned clue why after I nearly took his head off. “I could have killed you,” I say, and he chuckles, lifting a glass of water and drinking deeply.
“Yeah, death by battery organizer, what a way to go.”
I stare up at him as the rest of my fear dissipates. To my absolute horror, laughter bursts out of me in a snort, and I cover my mouth with my good hand as more bubbles out of me. Dean’s face lights up when he smiles.
“Did you just snort?”
I nod as I try to stifle my laughter. It doesn’t work though, and soon, not even a hand over my mouth can contain it. “I nearly took your head off,” I say. “Can you imagine? How would I even explain that?”
Dean sets his cup on the counter, crossing both arms over his bare chest as he watches me, a smile on his face. “So my death is funny, then?”
“I mean, can you picture me trying to describe that to the police?”
“It would be an interesting headline, that’s for sure.”
We stare at each other, the tension between us so damn strong I doubt even a knife could sever it. “What are you doing up?” I ask, changing the subject.
He holds up his glass of water. “Needed a drink.”
I nod, feeling like an idiot for nearly bludgeoning him to death with batteries even as I want to reach forward and run my fingers over his body again. What the hell is it with this guy? He can be such an asshole, and yet he’s been there for me every single time I’ve needed someone. “I guess I’m going to go get some sleep,” I say, zipping my case up and wanting some distance between us before I do something stupid and ask him to come stay in my room so I don’t have to be alone.
“Goodnight.”
“Night,” I call back as I walk quickly to my room.
21
Kleo
“Can I get my che—” My phone rings, so I trail off, pulling it out of my purse. “Hey, Judson.”
“Hey, sis, where are you?”
“Moe’s, grabbing lunch. Why?”
“I was just out at the camp. Dean said Laura came by last night? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I wince. “Yep. Ray of sunshine as ever. And as to why I didn’t tell you, I figured you have enough going on without having a front-row seat to the never-ending drama fest that is my life.”
“Since when? I didn’t realize she got back into town, which is strange since everyone here knows everything about everyone.”
“I didn’t know either.”
“I’m glad you weren’t out there alone. She’s awful, Kleo. Keep that in mind. Always has been and probably always will be.”
“I know.”
He’s quiet on the other end of the line for just a moment before sighing and changing the subject. “Did you see the news?”
“I did. Looks like it’s going to hit us earlier than expected.”
“I’m headed to Mom and Dad’s to help shutter up. Want me to come pick you up?”
I consider it for a brief moment, but even as I can picture myself sleeping on the living room floor of my family’s home, I dismiss it. “I’m going to stay out at the camp.”
Daisy sets my bill down, and I reach into my wallet while propping my phone against my shoulder. Handing her my credit card, I glance back up at the screen as the same woman who’d spoken a few minutes ago stands in front of a large screen depicting what they think will be the hurricane’s track.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m watching the weather channel right now. It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a direct hit for us, so I’ll take the appropriate preparations, and I’ll be fine.”
“Kleo—”
“Judson, seriously, how many hurricanes have we ridden out together? I’ll be fine, promise.”
He sighs into the phone. “You really won’t come stay?”
“No.”
“Is it because of Dad?”
Partially, I admit to myself. We’ve bridged a huge gap since I got back, but one trip to the emergency room can’t undo two years of strain. Being trapped in the same room with him as we ride out this hurricane sounds stressful. But it’s what my family has always done. Judson and I were never allowed to sleep in our rooms during a bad storm.
All four of us always bunked in the living room since it’s in the center of the house.
“I want to start standing on my own,” I tell him. Which is honestly the truth. I’m beyond exhausted with everyone treating me like I’m a fragile child. “If—when I take over the camp, I’m going to have to know how to take care of it,” I say. “So this will be a good experience for me.”
“You know you can’t change your mind if things get bad.”
“I know. I’ll be fine.”
“All right. Don’t forget to grab some bottled water,” he reminds me.
“I won’t. Love you, Judson.”
“Love you, too.”
I end the call as Daisy is setting my card down in front of me. After leaving a large tip, I put it back in my wallet.
“How’s your brother doing?” she asks. “Your mom told me what happened with Sofia.”