Page 1 of Make Me Stay

Chapter1

Kai

I couldn’t sleepin my parents’ guest room for another night.

I loved my parents dearly, but they were ready for lights out at ten in the evening.

I’d been out on my own as soon as I received that graduation certificate from high school. Indigo Valley was as sleepy as it came, and I wanted to get out and explore. I’d officially been in almost every state of the US, as well as a good deal of Canada and Mexico. Having a strong back and the ability to pick up just about any trade, I’d been able to jump around from job to job and make enough money to travel, then to rinse and repeat.

I slung my trusty rucksack over my shoulder and headed down the stairs.

“Where are you off to?” My mom frowned at my bag.

I swallowed the snarl that was bubbling up. Another reason I needed to get out of my parents’ place. I wasn’t used to answering to anyone anymore.

“I’m going to crash at Wyatt’s place. He’s helping me with the Burnette house so it’s just easier to go together.”

My mother narrowed her eyes. “You’ve barely been home a week, Kai.”

“I know, Ma.”

“We were hoping we’d get to see more of you.”

“And you will. We have weekly dinner by decree, don’t we? I can’t resist your marinated steaks, you know that.” I kissed her cheek.

“You make it sound like it’s a chore.”

I heard the hurt in her voice.

“It’s not. I promise it’s not. I missed Wyatt just as much as you guys and he stays up past nine.”

She wrinkled her nose at me. “You try starting the day at six and see how late you stay up.”

I did start my days at six, but I wasn’t going to argue with her. Working construction meant an early start, but I’d never needed much sleep. The best part of being in my twenties.

“I’ll see you on Friday. I promise.”

She sighed. “All right.” She slipped her arms around my waist and hugged me tight.

I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. All of us Murdock men were above average in height. Even me—the runt of the litter, so to speak—was six feet tall. I rubbed her back with my free hand. “It’s nice being home, Ma.”

“I can feel you getting antsy, Kai.”

“Sully needs me here, so I’m here. I promised, didn’t I?”

She slipped away from me. “Yes, you did.”

“Ma. I like being home. I just miss having my own space, that’s all. I’m going to look around for a short-term rental.”

I could see that she wanted to protest. Sure, saving money staying at my old childhood place was a better idea, but I really did need my own place. Especially if I was sticking around for a bit. And Sully was filling my pockets with all the jobs he had lined up from his Thunder from Down Under moment at his girl’s house in April. Here we were just a month later, and the jobs weren’t slowing down.

In fact, I was dragging Wyatt into this latest job just because we couldn’t keep up.

“Okay. I know I can’t dissuade you, anyway.”

I laughed. “No, but you know how the Valley is. I’ll be five minutes away, no matter what.”

“Fine, fine.”

---