“We didn’t come to an agreement on handing everything over, babe,” Dena says in a reserved voice.
“We did just now,” Kyle responds, holding her hand across the table. “We need this, babe.”
“But that’s a huge responsibility,” Kaya objects. “I mean, it’s your wedding day, and it’s in another country. I’ve never even been out of the country.”
“Again, you’re not planning it,” Kyle reiterates. “You’re executing a plan that has already been made and you won’t be doing it by yourself. Brick is going to help you.”
“Me?” I almost choke on a sip of water.
“You don’t get the title of best man and then just sit on the bench, my dude. You have to put some work in. You will help my sister make sure that Dena and I have the wedding of our dreams without any drama or issues. I don’t want to hear shit about Uncle Zee not liking the view in his room, because you know he’s going to find something to complain about. That’s a Brick and Kaya kind of problem, not a Kyle and Dena one.”
Kaya and I look at each other with a good amount of trepidation, then we both blankly stare at the table of food. I can only imagine what she’s thinking. She adores her brother and would do anything for him, but she’s probably worried about working with a man she doesn’t particularly like or evidently respect. And I have my own concerns as well. There are so many reasons why working side by side with Kaya is a bad idea, and the tempting way her perfectly shaped lips grasp the edge of her water glass is high on that list.
I shake the random dirty thought from head and place my focus on the task at hand. “I can do that,” I promise, the best friend I’ve ever had. “It’s the least I can do. I was there at the beginning when Kyle hid your division book from you in his locker, Dena. We were kids, and he was a prankster, but I knew back then he had a major crush on you.”
“Kaya?” Kyle looks at her for a response.
She gives me a quick eye roll, then answers, “No problem. I look forward to supporting you two in whatever way I can. I love you both.”
“Perfect. You both are on your own starting Monday.”
Kaya
Three Weeks Before The Wedding
I can hearmy mother’s heavy slippered footsteps walking above me as she approaches the door to my basement apartment.
“Kaya, should I let Brandon downstairs or are you on your way up?”
Shit.
I totally forgot that Brick and I were reviewing the wedding schedule over lunch today. But after a year of being totally clueless about what a lying piece of shit my boyfriend Elijah actually is, I ended our relationship last night, and now I look like a total wreck after a night of crying.
Snot running down my nose.
My face wet with tears.
Hair all over my head.
I am a hot mess.
“I’m coming up, Ma,” I tell her, not really sure how I’m going to pull this off. “Just give me a few minutes.”
I can hear her huff under her breath. She’s probably annoyed that I’m inconveniencing her self-anointed second son, but guess what? Brick can wait a few minutes. I’ve had one hell of a blow. Fifteen minutes later, I head upstairs, having pulled myself together as best I can.
I try not to ogle Brick, but he’s looking as confident as ever in a charcoal gray thermal shirt that expertly skims his athletic physique, black well-fitted jeans and black leather boots. Damn, I don’t remember him looking this good, or maybe it’s because I just got dumped and now turkey looks like a prime rib.
“Good grief, Kaya,” my mom comments. “What took you so long?”
“I had to finish something up for Mr. Solomon,” I lie, knowing that will shut her up completely.
“Oh, well, you should have said that. I would have made Brandon here a snack or something while he waited.”
“That’s okay, Ms. Hudson, I’m taking Kaya somewhere cool for lunch so we can discuss the wedding. I wouldn’t want to spoil my appetite.”
“Oh, that’s nice. You kids have fun.”
I haven’t said a word since I climbed into Brick’s rental truck, a fully loaded black Cadillac Escalade. The car smells of new leather and the slightest hint of some expensive cologne.
