Текст книги "The Scheme"

Автор книги: Mia Kayla

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“Everything okay?”

I remained silent, wondering how I would tell her I was now doing the guy she used to date. I doubted she’d care, but I also doubted her ability to understand our mutual arrangement.

I let out an exaggerated sigh and continued to chew my pinky nail.

“I know something’s wrong. Spill it.”

I heard the rustle of sheets and a door shutting. She must’ve left Kent sleeping in their bed.

I let my head hit my mattress, threw my arm over my eyes, and started rambling. “Remember, I went out this past weekend to a club I knew Dr. Hot Pants would end up at?”

“Yeah,” she said, prompting me to move on.

I let it out in one breath without gulping for air. “Well, he left with a redhead, which pissed me off, and let’s not go into the fact that he left with a different woman last weekend. So I had this bright idea—because I always get bright ideas—that I’d use Brian to make him jealous. But when Dr. Klein left with that woman, one thing led to another with Brian and, before I knew it, we were a little tipsy. But still, holy mother of God . . . it was the most raw, animalistic sex I’ve had . . . ever. And it’s been great . . . until I almost mentioned Cole last night, and now it’s not that great.”

My body relaxed as I let out a low laugh. “Oh gosh, I feel better already.” Maybe all I needed was to vomit all that pent-up emotion to my best friend.

I had stunned her into silence because she didn’t say a word. I listened to her breathing and waited for her to respond.

“Beth, are you there? Where did I lose you? Before or after the animalistic sex?” I started to laugh until . . .

“How does he know about Cole?” she asked carefully.

The corners of my mouth pulled down at the sound of that bastard’s name. My chest tightened as I twisted the edge of my covers between my fingertips, wondering why I’d almost slipped about the one thing I never slipped about. “I started to tell him . . . but I didn’t finish. He just guessed. He knows something’s wrong with me.”

Of course he does. Is it so obvious that I’m damaged goods? The only thing I’ve ever held onto was a stable job. Everything else has gone to shit. My father. All men after Cole.

“Nothing’s wrong with you. You did nothing wrong,” she said sternly.

But if her words were true, then why couldn’t I get over it? Why couldn’t I move on?

She let out a frustrated sigh. “What’re you doing, Kendy?” Her tone turned accusatory, which I didn’t appreciate.

“Having fun,” I snapped back, feeling my blood pressure rise.

“Don’t you have your sights set on that doctor?”

My insides heated at the tone in her voice. “So?” I sassed. “Brian knows. What we’re doing is mutual.”

“I’m just saying. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Are you concerned about me, or about another girl hurting Brian?” It was a low blow, and I knew my words were a slap in the face, but I didn’t need her to lecture me on how to live my life.

“Both,” she stated plainly. “I don’t want either of you hurt.”

“I’m having fun, Beth.” I already had a mother. I didn’t need another one.

“I can’t imagine this ending well. Hear me out, babe. I know him . . . the kind of guy he is, and I know you. I know you want the doctor and why you’re so damn set on having him—”

“Stop!” I didn’t need to hear anymore of her lecture. “I’m done with this conversation.”

I was about to press end on the phone, when her voice softened. “I love you, babe. We’re cousins, and we’ve been best friends since we were six. I know what you’ve been through.” Her voice dropped. “But . . . you never mention his name or what happened to anyone except me. So why did you . . . to Brian?”

I didn’t respond, because I didn’t have an answer. I wasn’t sure why I’d spilled my guts to him. Or part of my guts. He was doing something to me. Something about Brian chipped at my exterior, the one I’d been working so hard to keep up.

Maybe it was his happy-go-lucky demeanor, or his sweet concern for my wellbeing. Or maybe it was my need to connect to someone and not having a close friend in New York. Or maybe it was just him. Who knew?

Gulping down my inner thoughts, I told her, “I have to go.” Then I threw the phone on my bed and dropped my head in my hands.

I hadn’t signed up for this, all this chaos. I’d moved here to leave the craziness behind and move on. Why did everything seem to keep pulling me back to Bowlesville, to when I was seventeen?

Breathing in through my nose and slowly out my mouth, I let out an exaggerated sigh. After a moment, I pulled myself out of it and went to take a shower. Things with Brian would be fine. We could manage this FTF thing. Everything was going to be fine.

Right?

***

BRIAN

After work, I walked into the condo, dropped my laptop bag onto the hardwood floor, and went straight to the fridge. “Hey,” I said, acknowledging Trey, who was spread out on the couch. “Dude, don’t you work?”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Daddy dearest is out of town on business, so I cut out early. You look beat, man. Hey, can you grab me one of those?”

I reached for two beers, tossed one to him, and plopped my ass on the couch next to him. “I finally got the Tiggins Corporation to agree to sit through a presentation.” As I lay my head back, I felt the tense muscles in my neck relaxing. Damn, this had been a long week. “Now it’s a matter of making them choose us over their current bank.”

He knocked my shoulder, hard. “Great job, man! That’s what you’ve been banking on. We gotta celebrate.”

I would’ve been more excited if I wasn’t exhausted. My usual A-game had been a bit off in the boardroom today. I couldn’t help it, though. My mind was preoccupied with more than work, running rampant from my night at Kendy’s and our strained conversation. I still wanted to question her, and so many times I’d had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from asking about her past. But she’d use her tempting sex appeal to change course. She was a fiend, addictive. Sex with her was raw, wild, and uninhibited. I wouldn’t have been dead tired if she hadn’t rushed me out of her bed at two a.m.

She blamed it on the FTF handbook and her god-awful rules. I didn’t understand what the deal was. If we had a mutual understanding about our relationship, why did it matter if I crashed at her place?

This morning, I had to press my snooze button twice. It took a while to wake up, even after a cold shower. My body was physically exhausted, plus the nerves from the morning meeting had worn me down. Still, I couldn’t get enough of her.

Physically, she tired me out, but hanging out with her, being in her presence, rejuvenated me.

I glanced at my watch. I hadn’t been home more than ten minutes, and I was already itching to see her again.

Trey took a swig of beer and rested his elbows on his knees. “Where are we going?” He had a smile on his face like he wanted to cause some trouble.

“I’m going to Kendy’s.” As soon as it slipped out, I regretted it.

“Oh boy. Getting some action tonight.” He lifted his fist, but I stared at his outstretched hand and left him hanging.

I raised an eyebrow, tired of his teasing, and moved my eyes to the television. Maybe Kendy and I were only friends that fucked, but I didn’t appreciate Trey joking about it.

“So you getting serious?” he prodded, fishing for more information.

I didn’t know what to tell him. All I knew was that I didn’t want it to end.

“No. It is what it is. A fling until she decides it’s over.”

He ducked his head into my line of sight and asked again, “You like this girl?”

“Me?” I shook my head in response. “Not in the way you’re thinking. We have a mutual agreement. That’s all.”

Besides, I needed to be focused. If I won this new deal, I’d make my quota for the year and could position myself for a promotion. It was the next big step on my radar.

“Hmm.” Trey tipped back his beer. “Mutual understanding . . .”

I didn’t appreciate his sarcasm. “Yes.” I gave him a look, telling him I didn’t need to be pestered any further.

Trey took another swig of his beer and stood. “Chill, man. I’m just playin’.” He slapped my back before moving toward his bedroom.

I ignored him, reached for my phone, and texted Kendy.

Me: Hey, still want me to come over?

Kendy: Lover boy!!!! But of course. Be here at 8.

I blinked a couple times at her text and rolled my shoulders back. The stiffness in my neck, which had started to dissipate a few minutes ago, was back. Mutual agreement or not, part of me felt like the appetizer, not the main course, a feeling I was familiar with.

I shook my head. This mutual relationship was my choice. I already knew what I was in for. In my prior relationship with Beth, she’d chosen the other man. I hadn’t previously been prepared for that. There was a difference.

I rubbed at my brow to ward off an oncoming headache. Before I contemplated what our relationship was any further, I placed my phone on the table and got ready for our next date.

ELEVEN

KENDY

The scent of coffee from my mug filtered through the air of my one bedroom apartment. There was nothing more refreshing than a fresh brewed cup of coffee.

“So, you wanted to talk?” I prompted, bringing the mug to my lips.

Sarah sat on the stool at my kitchen island, holding my Mickey Mouse mug as she blew at the steam rising from the cup. She had some important news to tell me about Dr. Klein, so of course I’d told her to come right over.

“I’m sorry. Super Cupid failed you. I just wanted to tell you this in person, since we’ve been on different shifts lately.” Her eyes dropped to my granite countertop, one of the many beautiful features which had drawn me to the place. “I’m working my magic on the other side, promise you. I’ve been dropping your name whenever he’s around.”

I rolled my eyes, thinking back to Saturday night when I had been dressed to impress, but had bedded the man I hadn’t been expecting to leave with. I didn’t know what more I could do. “Well, that night you got a stomach virus and left me without a wingman, the night you abandoned me . . .” I gave her a joking narrowed eye. “He left with another woman. If I wasn’t Kendall Lynn Miller, I’d be losing hope here, and be on the verge of giving up.” I didn’t need to mention that he’d left with another woman the next week too. Saying it out loud would only increase the blow.

“Forget that girl.” Sarah waved her hand in dismissal. “That was a one-night thing. You’re going to be a forever thing, so you can’t give up.” Her eyes turned sympathetic as she shook her head before she placed her hand on my forearm. “On a good note, he asked about you,” she sang, her eyeballs practically popping out of their sockets. “He wanted to know if you were dating anyone.”

I perked up, her words sinking into me. Had I finally caught his attention?

She blew her dark hair from her face. “I have never, ever failed in a hook-up situation. I set my sister up with our neighbor, my friend with a boy who works at Wal-Mart, and my old roommate with the personal trainer at my gym. All have ended in successful relationships and marriages,” she said proudly. “God has graced me with a talent; a talent for leading everyone in the right direction to their true loves. I guess the only person I can’t set up is myself.” She shrugged like it was no big deal, but I heard the sadness in her tone as she slumped against her seat and focused on my Mickey mug. Maybe Sarah had been hurt before.

I leaned over. “Don’t worry,” I said, giving her arm a consoling pat. “Someone’s going to scoop you up, take the arrow from their back pocket, and shoot you themselves, right in your fine ass.”

She smiled, but it didn’t meet her eyes. It made me wonder if she’d been burned before. She shook it off and perked up. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll just keep at what I know best.”

Sensing the sour mood in the atmosphere, I changed the subject. “So what do I do now, Miss Cupid?” I wondered how long this waiting game was going to drag on. When would the prediction become true? I was getting impatient.

“You just wait right there.” She pointed a finger at me. “I’ll be back to work on him tomorrow. It’s just a matter of time.” She got this glint of excitement in her eyes as though her mind was turning, solidifying her plans in her head. She raised one hand in the air, like she was going to take flight. “Super Cupid to the rescue.”

At that, we both laughed.

***

A knock at my door jolted me from the couch and had my heart skipping a beat, maybe two. Sarah had left an hour ago, and I was glad, because if she had met Brian, she’d ask questions I wouldn’t be able to answer.

Opening the door, I was greeted with a panty-dropping smile as he stepped in, holding a bottle of wine.

“Hiya!” I waved him in, greeting him in my usual Kendy bouncy ways. “You come bearing gifts,” I said, taking the bottle from his hands.

“Why, yes I do.” He smirked, his hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. He was wearing a Cubs T-shirt, a baseball cap drawn low, and his signature dark jeans, which made his rock hard thighs look amazing.

My eyes moved to the large clock dial in my kitchen. It was eight on the dot. He never failed. As always, Brian was punctual. It was one of the many qualities I admired, especially since I was always the one running five minutes late. I called it Kendy-Standard-Time.

I placed the wine in the fridge and spun back to his charming smile. A whole bunch of awkwardness filled the air as I shifted from one foot to the other. I locked eyes with him, baby blue to crystal blue, and the next second, I angled my head downward.

I knew why he was here. He knew why he was here. It was too early to get it on, yet here he was. I sighed heavily and chewed on my bottom lip as heat moved to the tips of my ears. It seemed we had forgotten how to hang out.

Finally, he stepped forward. “Come here.”

I wrung my hands together. Nervousness bubbled to the surface, though I didn’t know why.

When I didn’t move, he inched closer and cupped the back of my head. Then he bent down and kissed me, and I melted against his soft lips as smoldering heat rushed through my entire body. I pushed my body against him, my nipples pebbling with arousal. The effect this man had on me was undeniable, instant.

Damn. What this man could do with his lips. Hands down, the best kisser I’d ever encountered. He should teach a class he was so damn good.

When I tilted my head to feel the tip of his tongue, his lips slowed down.

He lightly brushed his mouth against mine then pulled away, leaving me with a burning desire, an aching need, for another kiss.

With one thumb, he grazed my cheek tenderly. “Did you have dinner?”

I blinked a couple times, in a daze and still high from his kiss. I took a slow, level breath to calm my stammering pulse and shook my head. “No, not yet. You?”

“No,” he replied, flashing me his sweet smile. “Let’s get dinner, pretty girl.”

Our eyes locked and I drowned in his. Warm. Sweet. The deep blue reminded me of a clear ocean, one you’d like to dive into, swim in, and never come out of.

My breath caught at the loving look in his gaze. “Okay,” I said softly.

His hand traveled from my cheek to my arm, interlocking our fingers and leaving a trail of goose bumps where he touched.

I peered up at him through my lashes, shying away as the warmth spread to my cheeks. “You know you don’t have to buy me dinner to get laid. You already bought me wine.”

He chuckled and then winked, wiggling our interlocked fingers. “Don’t worry. I’m feeding you so you can work it off tonight.”

I squeezed his hand back, offering him my seductive smile as my insides tingled with anticipation. Though, I had to admit I was looking forward to our dinner date, too.

Hanging out with Brian was easy, like breathing, effortless. It didn’t feel like work being in his presence; our conversations flowed easily. I craved his attention, and he always had a way of making me feel wanted, as though he also craved my attention.

Admittedly, a part of me would be sad when this arrangement came to an end.

***

BRIAN

After dinner, I paid and led her out of the restaurant, pulling her in close as we maneuvered through the crowd.

Luckily, we were still close by and could walk back to her place. It would have taken forever to hail a cab.

A few blocks from her apartment, she jerked us to a stop in front of a post office. “Can we stop in here?”

“Sure.” I followed her inside and into a booth, where she reached for a pen in her purse, took out her checkbook, and started filling out an envelope.

“What’re you doing?” I asked, leaning against the counter. I was strangely impressed by her neat handwriting.

She smiled her golden smile. “Sending my mama money.” Her eyes lit up as she said it, like it made her happy to send her mother money. “She works hard at the diner, but I’ve been sending her more money so she can cut back on her hours.”

I cocked my head, lifting an eyebrow. “I thought she was dating the boss.”

She slapped my shoulder before taking the paper and heading into line. “It’s Mama, and my mama is not going to take one thing from that man, even though Hank is sweet as pie. She’s not taking anything from him until he puts a ring on her finger.”

She stepped into the line and the guy in front of us eyed her up and down. Of course he did. Kendy was gorgeous. There wasn’t an ounce of makeup on her, yet she was captivating. Her summer skirt lay mid-thigh, accenting her shapely legs, and her fitted white tank top was short enough that when she moved in certain angles, you could see a small span of her stomach.

When she smiled her sweet smile up at him, he returned her gesture and then he eyed me up, most likely wondering if I was the boyfriend. My lips pressed together in a tight line, my eyes telling him to face forward and carry on, which he did.

This boiling feeling inside of me was foreign. It surprised me. I’d been protective of my sisters, and maybe of my girlfriends in the past, but never jealous. Something about Kendy brought out this new side of me.

I rubbed the base of my neck as tension rose to my shoulders. It was an emotion that made no sense, especially since we weren’t officially together.

She folded the check in half and then in quarters, like she was trying to hide it in her fingers.

“You’re going to stick it in the envelope like that?”

She shrugged. “Yep. Maybe she’ll think I sent her an empty envelope for once and then bam, it drops out like a nice surprise. I’m sure she wouldn’t put stuff past me. I’ve wrapped earrings in a small box before, and placed it in multiple larger boxes. Then I gift wrapped that baby in duct tape.”

I chuckled, displaying a wide smile. She and her mother seemed to have the best relationship. I wondered if she got her happy-go-lucky personality from her, too. “Do you send her money often?” I felt like a shitty son all of a sudden. I’d thought I was good, because I’d always remembered to send birthday and anniversary cards.

“Yep. Every other week, when I get my paycheck. I started doing it when I graduated and began working. The first time, she sent the check back and wouldn’t accept it. I just about flipped on her.” Her infectious laughter rippled through the room. “She’s so used to taking care of me. It’s just a great change to take care of her.” She peered up at me with pride in her eyes. “I love my mama. She’s been through a lot.” Her voice trailed off as her smile dimmed. “Being a single mom is hard . . . and I’m just happy I can finally give back.”

Behind the counter, the older attendant with a full head of grey motioned for Kendy to step forward. I stood behind her as my jaw tightened, a slew of emotions filling me. There were so many facets of Kendy’s life I didn’t know about. Her cheery exterior was a façade, holding in a young woman who’d been through her own struggles in life.

When she was finished, she strolled out the door and, once again, I followed.

She went on as we walked down the crowded street. “My father left us when I was eleven. From eleven to seventeen, I waited for him to come back. It wasn’t until that psychic told me to stop waiting that I knew he was never coming home.”

A sad smile passed over her beautiful face. “It’s hard waiting and wishing and thinking that every day I might wake up and he’d be right there beside me.” She shook her head as her chin trembled. “I hoped and prayed he’d come back, just to mend my mama, who would not stop crying. I never told her I saw the psychic, though. I didn’t have the heart. I didn’t know which was the lesser evil, breaking her heart or letting her hope with no future.”

She dropped her lashes to hide the hurt. “The next week, just like Evangeline had predicted, I saw him with his new girlfriend at a county fair, one town over. Fucking bastard. He saw me and just turned away.” She nodded once and, as she lifted her head, I sensed a glimmer of hope pass through her eyes. “That psychic was the best thing that ever happened to me. I stopped waiting for something that was never going to happen.”

As I stared at her profile, I noticed she looked lighter. Like a little bit of her shell had broken off. I reached for her hand, locking our fingers. If anything, our connection made me feel better.

A tiny smile touched her lips. “Now I’m just waiting for this last prediction to come true.”

I nodded once, slowly coming to the realization and understanding why she needed everything she’d been told to come true. “It will.” I patted her hand to reassure her. What I said was meant to comfort her, yet it had an opposite effect on me as my stomach churned at my own words.

***

KENDY

I had rushed Brian out of my apartment in the early morning, hoping I could get a little shut-eye before my twelve-hour shift.

Today, the hospital was unusually chaotic. We had already treated two gunshot wounds, both cases I’d been assigned to. When my butt finally hit the seat at the nurses’ station, my whole body collapsed against the chair. I felt like I’d been on my feet forever. All I wanted to do was soak them in some warm water and get a pedicure.

My hand moved the mouse, bringing the computer to life. Once in the system, I typed my write-up for my last case. When I spotted Dr. Klein from the corner of my eye, I perked up, looking studious.

But remembering him walking out of the bar with that chick had irked me.

I pulled all my hair to the side, flattening my unruly mane, probably crazy from the long day. My eyes flickered discretely in Dr. Klein’s direction. He looked hot as hell, which eased up the annoyance a little.

Karen, the charge nurse, wheeled out Mrs. Calley from room two-oh-one. She had been admitted for dehydration and was on observation. The woman, no younger than seventy-five, brightened when Dr. Klein raised his head.

The scene broke my mood, the corners of my mouth pulling up as it unfolded in front of me. I could tell she had a little crush on a certain doctor as she smiled big and spoke fast. Her loud voice could also be blamed on her hearing aid, but it was more likely Dr. Klein.

Get in line, Mrs. Calley, I thought humorously.

“Adeline, I see you’re doing much better,” he said, easing next to her. “Looking good now. In a few days, you’ll be back to a hundred percent. You’ll have to keep drinking liquids and stay out of the heat.”

Her wrinkly hand patted his as she peered at him. “I’m just glad it wasn’t anything more serious. I could’ve fallen again and bruised my hip. That would require a longer stay.”

He chuckled lightly. “How is that hip of yours doing?”

“Better.” She nodded. “Still a little sore after that surgery, but better.”

Observing her cheerful demeanor, I wondered if she’d ask Dr. Klein to massage it. I would. Even at the tender age of seventy-five, I was sure my personality would never change.

He patted her hand this time. “Don’t worry. Nothing a couple of Tylenols and rest won’t cure.”

Her laugh was carefree, making my smile widen at her display of affection toward my doctor. Normally, jealousy would surface, but not when the woman with a full head of grey hair looked giddy staring up at his face. The woman reminded me of my own nana, my grandmother I had loved so much.

“Thank you, doctor,” she cooed, her eyes lighting up.

“You take care and do call us if you have any concerns.” He placed her hands back on her lap and smiled sweetly before touching her shoulder and sauntering my way.

I ducked my head back to the computer, pretending to type, which ended up with random letters and a word I didn’t understand on my screen.

I sensed his presence looming above me. When I looked up, there he was in all his handsome glory. My pulse quickened in my throat, and the insides of my palms formed tiny sweat beads.

Boy, was he dreamy; even more so up close.

Inwardly, I sighed. But I composed myself and peered up. “Hi.”

He leaned into me, like he wanted to be closer, and my whole body went into overdrive. “Did you do something with your hair?” There was this sly grin on his face. He was definitely flirting, and now it was my turn to play coy as I glanced down at the keyboard.

“Well, Dr. Klein, I didn’t get it cut or anything, if that’s what you’re asking.” I flipped my hair over my other shoulder, making eye contact. “But I did curl it today.”

The side of his mouth twisted into a half smile as he took a strand of hair between his fingertips, making me die of utter happiness. “It looks great, Kendy. You should curl it more often. Oh, and from now on, you can call me James.”

He winked then walked away, and I watched his perfectly sculpted ass move down the hall. My stomach stirred, full of butterflies. Holy hottie.

If he loved curls, I’d seriously consider getting a perm.

I scanned the area, searching for anyone who had witnessed the love fest that had just happened. Then I touched my cheeks, just like the kid in Home Alone, trying to get my pulse to return to a normal rate.

It worked.

I couldn’t believe it frickin’ worked!

The scheme to make him all jealous at the bar with Brian had gotten me noticed.

No one could break my high.

With no one to share my giddiness with, I texted Brian.

Me: We did it. Our plan is working. Dr. Hot Pants loves me.

It took a few long seconds before he texted back.

Brian: How could he not?

Me: Truth

I replied and tucked my phone back in my pocket with a smile. “Now this weekend, I’ll help you with the women,” I muttered out loud.

Brian had held up his end of the deal, and it was time for me to fulfill mine.

***

BRIAN

I shouldn’t have been annoyed that Stiff had flirted with Kendy, but I was. He hadn’t made a move since her text, though, and I doubted the dick would make one at all.

Maybe I was in denial. I couldn’t tell.

She had worked three twelve-hour shifts in a row and wanted to recuperate, but we’d been texting daily. Her funny jokes and my one-liners were comic relief during the boring yet stressful workweek. Still, I missed hanging out with her in person and seeing that beautiful face of hers. I didn’t want to miss her, but shit, I did.

Tonight was going to be hysterical. She was determined to set me up. I would’ve rather stayed in with her, but I knew her whole game plan this evening would be entertaining.

I sat on the bar stool against the kitchen island. The black granite countertops were a stark contrast to the white Sports Illustrated magazine with the model, Kate Upton, on the cover.

I heard the jingle of keys and looked up to see Trey strolling in.

With one hand, he undid his tie, and sauntered into the kitchen. “Man oh man. Daddy dearest made me work my ass off today.”

I laughed out loud, thinking how ironic it was that his father made him work harder than any of his execs or other partners.

“I feel you.” I sighed as my shoulders released the tension from the long day of customer calls.

Trey swung his suit jacket off and threw it on top of the bar stool next to me then went to sort through the pile of mail on the counter.

“One day, you’re going to be King of Manhattan like your daddy. I’m jealous, man,” I said.

He shook his head, an air of sadness in his face. “He’s got all the money in the world, but he’s lonely. Don’t be jealous.” The air in the atmosphere shifted to cold, as though I’d hit a nerve with my comment.

“You can buy company,” I joked, trying to lighten his mood.

“And I’m sure he has.” Trey reached into a drawer for the letter opener. “Anyways, what’re we doing tonight?” he asked as he tore through his first piece of mail.

“I’m meeting Kendy.”

He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t ask the question I knew he wanted to. “You headed to the bar? Mind if I tag along?” He threw me my pile of mail.

“You can hang out, but not at the after party at her place.” I smirked. “Sorry, I don’t swing that way.”

“Dumbass.” He rolled his eyes. “I can get my own.”

“We’re leaving at ten,” I told him.

A part of me wanted Kendy to myself since I hadn’t seen her all week, but I knew that was plain stupid. We weren’t together, and yet I missed her. It was becoming harder and harder to lie to myself.

Was it possible to miss someone who wasn’t even yours?

I looked at the clock on the wall. We still had time to grab something to eat before I was going to meet her. “Hey, want to grab dinner?”

“Sure,” he called back before strolling to his room.

“I’m going to snooze off for a bit. Wake me up when you’re done with your hair.”

***

KENDY

“No, that girl was a skank, a wannabe good girl. Gold digger through and through.” I slapped Trey’s shoulder as we chilled, reclining on the lounge chair of Clayton’s Wine Bar and checking out the slew of women in front of us.

After who knew how many rounds of drinks, we’d tried to look for Brian’s type. Trey and I had been arguing playfully for hours, not even letting Brian get a word in.

One thing we agreed on was that Brian needed to pick himself a keeper. We both knew he was ready to settle down.

“Kendall, you just don’t know your women like I do,” Trey joked, a heavy, drunken smile on his face.

I gave him my own drunken smile. “Trust me, I’m the queen of manipulation, and that girl was a skank to the tenth degree.” I flipped my golden locks over one shoulder. “And you say you know women, pfft. I know how women work because I’m from the species.”