Page 25 of Grumpy Spring Sunshine
Like a dumb ass, I ran back to my station, plopping down in my chair.
Forty minutes after I left her house the other day, Brittani had messaged me. It was calm, sweet, asking what was wrong, what did she do, and how could she fix it?
But I was not about to answer, so I left her on read.
A few hours after that, she called me a dick and an idiot, both of which were the honest truth, and I would not dispute it.
I also cannot say that was the only time I’ve ignored her.
I saw her the following day delivering mail and hightailed into the nearest business, which was a lingerie shop. The ladies behind the counter had a good laugh on my account, and I was surprised we even had one. I also saw a piece I would love to see Brittani in, not that she would wear it for me now.
So, yeah, avoiding her was my thing.
She called yesterday, but I was working. Then hours later, she called the shop, where Kory told her I was busy; I wasn’t.
Can’t say I was surprised she was showing up, demanding answers, but I couldn’t give her any.
“Hi Brittani, what brings you in?”
“Hi Kylie.” I frowned at the tone of her voice, not liking the sadness that was there. “Is Keith in?”
“You just missed him. He went home for a quick power nap because he has a lengthy piece tonight. Did you need me to give him a message?”
“Actually, no, I was hoping he wasn’t in, I didn’t want to see him or talk to him.”
That was good because…wait…what? She didn’t want to talk to me? Then why was she in?
“Well, that’s quite alright. Because he doesn’t deserve to talk to you either, if you ask me. He’s being a dick when we all told him not to.”
“I couldn’t agree more with you. He’s been avoiding me, so I’m done. He can do what he likes.”
I didn’t like that. Not that I didn’t expect it, I just didn’t like it. And damn it, Kylie knew where I was, why was she talking like that?
“You should be happy, Brittani. A personality like yours deserves someone just as upbeat. Not a grouch like him.”
Okay, I was firing that lady as soon as I came out of hiding. She had no right to push Brittani into someone else’s arms when I was right here, eavesdropping.
“Actually, thank you. That’s what I really came in for. I have a friend coming in who always gets a tattoo wherever he goes someplace new. Nothing big. But do you think I can get him in with anyone other than Keith?”
“Of course. Let me pull out my schedule. Kory is also a tattoo artist. Kind of a jack of all trades. But he’s still learning.”
“With you is fine, Kylie. We have a dinner date this Saturday, would you be free, say around seven or so?”
“Yeah, that works. And if it helps, Keith has nothing on his books, so you shouldn’t have to see him.”
“Appreciate it. I’ll mark it on my calendar. See you then.”
The door opened and closed and I walked out, my gaze locked on my cousin, my hands clenched at my sides. I was pissed. How dare she take that?
However, before I could say anything, a pair of arms wrapped around me and a lady squealed.
I looked down, seeing my same eyes staring back at me.
“Hi, big bro! Nice to see that the dick is still around and the town grump is being that, a grump. Wanna explain why that pretty lady is the one Kylie told me about on the phone?”
I tossed another glare at my cousin, ready to buy her share out of the parlor.
She was dead to me, even more so because she brought my sister into this, and I would not hear the end of it.
