Under Your Skin (7 page)

As they left the bedroom, Tanya gave him more instructions to help Lani with her exercises, which she was supposed to do for fifteen minutes at a time throughout the day. Why the hell had Jaleesa thought he'd be able to live his life? He couldn't leave his mom alone.

He'd told Jaleesa he'd hire someone and that's what he needed to do. When Lani woke from her nap, he sat by her bed. “We need to talk about getting some more help for you, Mom.”

“I don't need help. That little Tanya just wore me out is all.”

“And she'll do it every time she comes here. But you need to do your exercises throughout the day so you can get better. I can't be here all day every day. I have a business to run. I'm thinking about hiring a home healthcare worker.”

“I don't need a nursemaid.”

“If you don't do your exercises, we'll have to send you to a rehab facility. We won't have any other option.”

“I'll do them. Do you think I like being all cooped up like this? Not able to see my friends and do what I like?” She humphed at him.

“We'll see how today goes, okay? I have to go to work. Do you need me to get you anything before I go?”

“Help me up out of this bed and I'll be fine. I might move slow, but I'm still moving.”

Kai helped her get to her feet and watched as she shuffled to the living room. Once she was settled on the reclining couch, he handed her the remote.

She lowered her brows and pressed her lips together.

“What is it? You need more meds?”

“No. My book from the table in the bedroom.”

He should've guessed. He grabbed the book and her phone and set them both on the couch beside her.

As he walked out the door, he called, “Don't forget your exercises.”

She mumbled something back at him, but he tasted freedom and didn't wait. Instead of turning on the air conditioner in the car to combat the heat, he rolled his windows down and turned the music up. He hadn't realized how much he needed to escape.

His freedom was short-lived, however, because his phone started ringing before he even reached the shop. He turned the music down and answered. “What's up, Mom? I just left you.”

“I know. I'm not senile. You need to go grocery shopping. Get some food in this house.”

He sighed. His grocery shopping tended to consist of buying frozen meals and some fruit. “I'll call Jaleesa and have her bring stuff when she comes later.”

Lani huffed out a breath and then hung up. Kai cranked the music and drove the last few blocks in peace.

When he strode into the studio, Tommy was working on a woman's ankle. A thorny rose twisting around. Kai stopped to check his work. It looked good. The kid had talent.

After making sure his station was prepped for his client that afternoon, Kai sat at his desk in the office and focused on drawing a scene from Hell. With every line, he felt like he was filling in the illustration of his current life. He worked for more than an hour, doing a simple line drawing in pencil to make sure he had it right. He'd send a copy to the client and then talk about colors and fill. The guy wanted the complicated picture on his back. He would need at least three sessions, maybe more.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. A text from Jaleesa.

 

 

Fuck. He'd totally forgotten to call Jaleesa. Sorry. Forgot.

 

 

I'll handle it. He slid the phone back in his pocket and stowed the drawing for later. His client should be here soon. It was a touch-up and fill job on a tattoo he'd finished a couple of weeks ago.

At his station, he checked his tools again as his client pushed through the door. Joe called, “Hey, Kai. Ready for me?”

Kai nodded. “Have a seat. Let me take a look.”

Joe pushed up the sleeve of his shirt. The tattoo had healed well.

“You're good,” Kai told him. “Take the shirt off and we'll get started.”

Just as he snapped on his gloves, his phone rang again. He was tempted to ignore it as he usually would in front of a client, but knowing his mom was home alone made him check. It was her. He tapped Joe's shoulder. “Sorry. I have to take this.”

Joe shrugged and relaxed in the chair.

Pulling off his glove, Kai answered. “What's wrong?”

“Your sister didn't bring food and I need more books.”

Kai pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course it wasn't a real emergency. “I forgot to call Jaleesa. I'll handle it. What about books?”

“I'm on the last chapter of the book I'm reading and I only have one more. It won't last the night. I need more.”

He couldn't believe she was bothering him at work over some fucking books. “I'll see what I can do,” he bit out, and hung up. How was he supposed to focus on work? Kai looked up at Tommy, who was staring at him. “What?”

Tommy shrugged. “I don't think I've ever seen you take a personal call at work. It's weird.”

A sudden thought hit him. It might not be the best idea, but it would solve his immediate problem. He pointed at Tommy. “Your sister still looking for a job?”

“Yeah.”

“Is she trustworthy?”

“Of course. She doesn't have a record and she's clean.”

“Tell her to get her ass over here now. She's hired.” As soon as the words left his mouth, his muscles relaxed.

“For what?”

“I'll tell her when she gets here.” He sat down beside Joe and got to work. If things went as he planned, he wouldn't have to worry about stupid calls again.

Norah dug through the pile of maternity clothes at a frantic speed. She had no idea what to wear. What does one wear to work at a tattoo parlor? Tommy didn't know what Kai wanted her to do so he'd been no help. She didn't want to wear a pretty dress only to find she'd be scrubbing toilets.

Then again, she didn't know if she'd take the job if she had to scrub toilets.

Yeah, she would. She was desperate enough to do just about anything. And the thought of
just about anything
sent a surge of lust through her again. She remembered the way Kai had looked at her. She shook her head. That was wrong. Hormones were interfering with her thought process again. Between the hormones and her ongoing loneliness, her body didn't have a chance.

She grabbed the sundress and slipped it over her head. The sneakers on her feet would stay because once she removed them, her ankles started to swell. Then nothing would fit. After brushing her hair, she twisted it into a braid and grabbed her keys.

From the couch, her dad looked at her. “Where you going?”

“Job interview.”

He hadn't spoken to her much since she'd come home. He tolerated her nagging at him about his meds, but he didn't mention her pregnancy once. She didn't know what to think of it. He was like this extra body in the house that she cared for but didn't know.

“Good luck,” he said.

“Thanks.” That was about as real as any interaction with Seamus O'Malley went for her. She didn't have time to diagnose her relationship with her dad. Far too many things already crowded her brain.

She walked out the door into the oppressive August heat and humidity. The air was so thick she almost had to swallow it to fill her lungs. At least the AC still worked in her car. She started the engine, but stood outside until the air in the car circulated.

Once she was on the road to Ink Envy, her nerves attacked. She knew nothing about working for a tattoo artist. Maybe he had some office busy work for her. But Tommy said he'd asked and Kai shot him down. She wondered what had changed.

It was early enough in the day that rush hour traffic hadn't started yet, so she made good time getting there. Her luck held as she found a parking spot two doors down. It was about time something went in her favor.

She pushed through the door of Ink Envy and saw Kai working on a client. For a moment, he froze, looking at her. He didn't say anything so she sat on the old leather couch at the front. She wondered where Tommy was.

“You ready for a break?” Kai's low, rumbly voice danced over to her, even though he spoke to the guy less than a foot from him. “You want a drink or something?”

“Sounds good.”

“Hey, Tommy.”

Tommy came from the back somewhere. “Yeah.”

“Get Joe something to drink. I'll be right back.”

Norah stood and that's when Tommy noticed her. His face brightened with a smile. That was something she worried she wouldn't see again. Tommy's easy smile directed at her. Kai peeled off gloves, tossed them in the trash, and walked toward her. Then he kept walking to the front door.

Weird.

She followed him outside. She squinted in the sun, but Kai moved and blocked the glare. Her own personal eclipse.

“Tommy says you're trustworthy.”

“Okay. Is there a reason we're out here?”

“Yeah. I don't take care of personal matters at my business.”

“So hiring me is personal?” She was so confused.

“I need someone I can trust. I assume with the exception of your condition,” he said as he pointed at her belly, “that you're able-bodied and can do things like run errands.”

“Yeah.” This was sounding fishier by the minute.

“My mom just had knee replacement surgery. She's staying at my house until she's back to normal. I need help. She's fucking driving me crazy with phone calls for stupid shit like groceries and books.”

Norah bit the inside of her cheek to stop from laughing. His face filled with frustration but she found it amusing he thought food was frivolous. “What are you hiring me to do?”

“Whatever my mom needs. Groceries, books, remind her to do her exercises.”

“I can't lift her. You know, given my
condition
.” Her hand waved in a circle over the baby.

“I can get her out of bed in the morning and she's been okay from the couch to the bathroom. My sister stops by to check on her. I need you to get her what she needs.”

Norah thought about it. She could handle this as long as she didn't have to lift the woman. Running errands for an hour or so would get her out of the house and keep her moving. “How much are you paying and how often would you need me?”

“Shit. I hadn't thought about that. Ten bucks an hour?”

More than she was expecting, but she didn't let it show.

“The hours might be weird because I don't work regular hours. But it's not like it would be full-time. Maybe a few hours a day?”

“Sure. It's not like I have people knocking down my door to hire me.”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out keys. “For future reference, don't tell a prospective boss no one is looking at you. They'll think you're tainted.”

He worked a key from the ring.

Watching his hands, she said, “Right now, I pretty much am tainted. I'm a single pregnant woman without a college degree and little work experience.” She left out the fact that she didn't look at him like a prospective boss. More like a delectable piece of meat.

Kai took her hand and placed a key on her palm. “You're not tainted. You're pregnant. It's temporary.”

Warmth spread through her as he spoke. Was he still holding her hand?

“Key for my front door. My mom won't answer if you knock.” He pulled out his wallet and handed her a hundred dollars and a business card. “Have her make a list of whatever she wants and then go get it. The address is on the back of the card.”

“Anything else?”

“Keep her happy and away from calling me. If you could get her to do her exercises, that would be great.”

“Okay.” She fished her keys out of her purse and tucked his key and cash in the side pocket. “Is she expecting me?”

“I'll call her.”

Then he walked back into the studio without another word. Talking to him was like talking to Jimmy. He only offered the minimum number of words.

As she got back into her car, she was grateful she wouldn't be scrubbing toilets after all. Ten bucks an hour wouldn't make her rich, but it would be enough that she wouldn't feel like a total sponge living off her family.

It didn't take long to get to Kai's house. She didn't know what she'd expected, but this wasn't it. A cute little brick ranch house with green shutters on the sides of the windows. As she walked up the sidewalk, she glanced around back. Fenced backyard. She hadn't thought to ask if he had pets. A small dog would be cute, but Kai struck her more of a beast of a dog kind of guy. She knocked on the front door before using the key. No dog answered, so she figured she was safe.

“Hello, Ms. . . .” Crap. She didn't know Kai's last name. What was she supposed to call the woman? She should've looked more closely at the card he'd given her. The one she'd left in the cupholder in her car. She shut the door behind her and called again, “Hello?”

“In here.”

Norah turned the corner and saw an old woman sitting in a reclining couch. She stared at Norah for a moment and then said, “You're Kai's
friend
?” The way she'd said the word made Norah think she didn't believe Kai. Even Norah had to admit that calling her a friend was pushing it. She didn't think he even liked talking to her.

“Yes. I'm Norah.” She walked forward and held out her hand. The woman gripped it tight.

“Lani Ellis.”

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Ellis.”

“You have good manners. Kai said you're not a home nurse.”

“Nope. I'm just doing him a favor. He said you need some groceries and something about books.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a small notepad and pen. “If you make a list for me, I can run to the store and get what you want.”

Ms. Ellis rattled off a list of groceries and then a list of authors whose books she wanted. Norah hadn't heard any of them before but she'd mostly been reading textbooks for the past few years, so it wasn't unusual. As the lists grew, Norah imagined the hundred bucks dwindling. Quickly.

“Kai also asked me to remind you to do your exercises. Do you need help?”

Ms. Ellis's eyes got squinty and then she pointed at a machine beside her on the couch. “I hate this thing.”

“If your doctor wants you to use it . . .”

She folded her hands in her lap. “I can't get my leg up into it.”

Norah set her purse on the floor. “I'll help. Turn your body and I'll lift.”

It was slow-going, but Norah got her strapped into the machine. “Can you handle it from here?”

“Yes.”

Norah retrieved her bag.

“Thank you.”

It was more than she'd gotten from Kai. “No problem. I'll go to the grocery store and get everything there and bring it back. Then I'll go to the bookstore.” The added trip, while not efficient, would allow her to check on Ms. Ellis. Kai hadn't told her to check up, but if her job was to keep his mom off the phone, Norah would have to make sure everything was taken care of.

The grocery store at the end of most people's workday was not the place Norah wanted to be. Over the past few weeks, she'd only gone to the store midday when there were no crowds. This sucked. Halfway through her trip, she had to find the bathroom to empty her bladder. Again. Besides not being able to see her feet, having to pee approximately every ten minutes had to be the worst part of pregnancy.

She pushed her cart through the store and checked things off her list. She grabbed some more yogurt for herself as long as she was there. Her back ached as she stood in line to pay. Usually the self-checkout moved faster, but today her luck had run out. People moved slowly, the scanner bleeped more often than necessary. Norah began to question if she was ever going to get out of the store.

By the time she returned to Kai's house and unloaded the groceries, she was ready for a nap. She sat at the kitchen table for a minute to rest her feet and ease the ache in her back.

“Hey, girl.”

Norah's head snapped up. Had she dozed off? How embarrassing. She pushed to her feet and went to the living room.

“I need my leg out of this thing.”

Norah moved toward the couch. “I'm more than happy to help you, but my name isn't girl. It's Norah, Ms. Ellis.”

“I just met you the one time. I didn't catch your name.”

More like she couldn't be bothered to remember it. Her father was the same way. Snapped at people to prove he had some kind of authority. Norah undid the straps, lifted the woman's leg, and set it back on the floor.

“Get me my cane.” She pointed toward the floor near the edge of the couch. Sure enough, a cane lay on the floor.

Norah raised her eyebrows at her. “You commented on my good manners. I assumed that was because you had them too.”

“Please.”

Norah half bent, half squatted to get the cane. Once it was in front of Ms. Ellis, the woman gripped it and tried to stand.

“Do you need help?”

Pressing hard onto the cane and using the arm of the couch, she rose a few inches off the cushion. Then sank back.

Norah let out a slow breath. “Come on, then.” She held out her arm and helped hoist Ms. Ellis to her feet. Norah had told Kai she couldn't lift anyone, but his mom was far from heavy and she'd pulled enough of her own weight to make it possible for Norah to help.

“You shouldn't be lifting me or anything else in your condition. You look ready to burst.” She inched forward and step-shuffled toward the kitchen.

“I have weeks left. Almost a month. Can I get you something from the kitchen?”

“I need to walk. Part of my exercises.”

Norah sat on the chair near the couch and waited for her to come back in case she needed help sitting down, which was exactly what happened. “I'll go to the bookstore now. I don't know if they'll have all of these books. Do you want me to get as many as they have or would three be enough for now?”

“It's getting late. It'll keep until tomorrow. You can come back then and I'll let you know how many to get. It's almost dinnertime. Did you buy food to cook?”

“I just bought what you gave me on the list. Kai didn't tell me to plan meals for you.”

Ms. Ellis sighed. “That boy. Jaleesa, that's my girl, Kai's sister, she brought lunch earlier. There might be leftovers. Could you warm them up?”

Norah nodded. She went back to the kitchen to figure out dinner. Norah saw what was happening. Ms. Ellis was lonely. If Norah did all of the shopping today, she probably wouldn't have a reason to come back tomorrow. It wasn't quite the deal she'd made with Kai, but Norah couldn't just leave.

She knew the pain of that kind of loneliness and she wouldn't wish it on anyone.

* * *

Kai finished giving aftercare instructions to his client and yelled to Tommy that he'd be back in an hour or so. He rushed out the door and drove as quickly as possible to his house. He'd tried calling his mom and she didn't answer, so he got worried. He shouldn't have left her alone.

He burst through the front door to find her sitting on the couch, already in her nightgown, a book on her lap.