Page 65 of Tease
“I like your style. I’ll bring it out as soon as it’s done.”
Ajani’s elbows rest on the table. “Okay, out with it, KC.”
I lift a shoulder slightly. “It’s quite simple: his brother murdered my sister. I couldn’t stand the sight of Jared anymore without blaming myself for introducing Joey and Beth.”
Ajani spits her drink out, wiping at her mouth. “Wait,what the fuck?”
Brittney kicks my foot under the table. “Real subtle, babe.”
“It’s the short, and truest, version there is to our love story.” I can feel my heart crack inside my chest.Our love story is past tense.
After Ajani doesn’t let up, wanting more than my short answers, I tell her the whole story, while Britt sits beside me, her supportive hand on my knee.
Ajani wipes away a lone tear that broke free. “I’m so sorry, KC. I never would’ve guessed you had gone through something like that.”
“It is what it is.” I grab Britt’s shoulder and bring her against me. “I’m thankful for this beautiful woman; she was there through it all and pulled me out of my darkest depth, and has stood by me ever since. I’ll always be in her debt.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” Her head leans against my shoulder. “I love you, best friend.”
“I love you more!”
“Okay, okay. So what’s going through your mind now that he’s randomly popped back into the picture?” Ajani coos.
“I don’t even know if there’s a picture of us anymore.” I choke out the last part.
Brittney pulls away from my side, sitting up straighter. Her whiskey sour has just been placed down in front of her. Sheholds up a finger at me before downing half of the drink. “Actually, Jared talked to me earlier at the gym.”
“What?” I blurt out.
“Yeah, he uh, noticed me waiting on Skyler. Wanted to talk about you.” Her hand is twirling her drink around slowly.
“What about me?” I lean against the table.
Ajani has scooted her butt over in the booth, and now she’s right next to me, ready for all the details to spill from Brittney’s lips. The closer I lean in, I notice her bottom lip looks swollen, but before I can ask about it, she continues.
“He told me that he’s always loved you. And had never forgotten about you through all of these years.” Her knee bumps into mine. “Now doesn’t that sound familiar, Kailey?”
On instinct, I reach for my necklace, the one that’s not there but tucked away at home.
My phone vibrates at my side. I open it to find a notification label on top.
UNKNOWN
Hi, Dimples.
CHAPTER 50
Jared
Beau was not as loyal as Greg and Steffan had been to Kailey; he freely sent me her number right after I asked for it.
Me
Hi, Dimples.
I see the dots pop up, showing me that she’s typing, then the dots disappear. I’m starting to think she’s decided not to respond when my phone vibrates in my hand.
Kailey
