“Kai!” Someone yells through the phone; it sounds like it’s far away, and it’s muffled. I can barely hear it.
“What?” Kai’s voice finally comes through.
A sense of relief washes over me.
It was fucking Kevin. Ugh. Their voices sound so similar over the phone.
“What is my phone doing in here? I’ve been looking all over for it,” Kai says.
“I don’t know. Here, take it. Someone is on the phone for you. And she might be pissed.”
Kai sighs. “What did you do?” There’s a pause. “Hello?”
“Kai.” I hear a door shut, followed by another door and then more shuffling.
“Holy shit. I thought I’d never hear your voice again. It’s been days.”
“I know. I’m surprised my mom let me call you.”
“Oh. I thought you were sneaking the phone or something.”
“No. I asked if I could call you.” I clear my throat. “Your brother is an asshole.” I’ve had little interaction with Kevin, despite how much I’ve partied at his house. He keeps to his friends and away from Kai and his friends. Maybe because of the age difference. Who knows? I never thought he would act like that.
“What did he do?”
“He acted like you, and then my heart dropped right out of me when I heard the girl in the background. I thought you were with someone else. I saw red.” I sniffle. Why am I getting so emotional?
“Hey, don’t cry. I’m sorry. He can be an asshole sometimes.”
“Yeah, I never realized he was like that. He doesn’t seem like he would be like that since you two are so close.”
“Fucking with each other like that is just a brother thing. I don’t want to talk about him. Are you feeling better? Paige told me you went home sick. I was looking all over for you during lunch and couldn’t find you, and I finally saw Paige and asked.”
“Yeah. I feel a lot better today.”
“I’m glad. So you’ll be at school tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, good. I can’t wait to wrap you in my arms and never let go.”
That’s exactly what I need right now. His touch alone makes me feel comfort I’ve never felt before. I can’t shake this lingering feeling that keeps running through my mind. Do I love Kai? How does someone know for sure if they love someone? Can someone this young fall in love? I should have waited to lose my virginity once I knew for sure I loved him. But I felt strongly about him then, too. Did I love him back then and not know it?
“I can’t wait to be in your arms.” I sigh. “I hate this so much.”
“Has your mom said when she’s going to unground you?”
“No. I had a feeling she hated me until a couple of hours ago when she let me call you.”
“Your mom doesn’thateyou.”
“It feels like it.”
“How?”
“Every time I walk into the same room as her, I get this sense of dread from her when I’m near.”
“Hmm,” Kai says.
