Kevin’s brows draw together. “Why wouldn’t you tell anyone, Kai?”
“Because I wanted B to be the first to know.” I place my water down, shaking my head slightly at his demeanor.
“Then why didn’t you tell her two years ago?” he asks.
I let out a sigh. “Because, Kevin, things didn’t work out the way I planned,” I say. My God, he drives me crazy sometimes.
“But–”
Paige cuts Kevin off as she shoves his shoulder. “Oh, my God, Kevin. Shut up and stop worrying about why he didn’t tell you first. I’m sure that’s why you’re tripping.”
Kevin narrows his angry face at Paige and then looks back toward me with a slight chuckle. “You’ve gone soft, brother.”
“And this is why you will be single until the day you die,” Paige says, shaking her head.
Does their bickering ever get old to them? We’ve all been around it for years, and we’re so used to it. Deep down, do they have feelings for each other? I know for a fact they haven’t slept together, because if they did, Kevin would never let me hear the end of it.
“Do you like your new house?” Bryn tilts her head toward Amari.
Amari nods. “My room is so big.” Her eyes go wide. “Bigger than any room I’ve ever had before.”
“It’s a beautiful room,” Brooke says with a wide grin.
After we packed up their clothes, I took Brooke, Bryn, and Amari to see the new house. The look on Amari's face whenshe saw her room was priceless. It was everything I wanted and more. Everything I do is for Amari and B. It gives me a profound sense of pride that I’m able to provide for my family.
When I was younger, I wanted to start my own business. I was only wanting a business to have the title of business owner. That title was so important to me. As I got older, that title didn’t feel fulfilling. Not as fulfilling as having the titledad—and hopefullyhusbandsoon.
“What!” Kevin says, crossing him arms. “Has everyone seen it but me?” He’s now wide-eyed.
“Kevin, not everything is about you!” Paige exclaims, shaking her head once again at him.
Brooke shakes her head, too, and says, “It’s a beautiful house, Kai. You did a great job. I’m so proud of how far you’ve come,” she says, looking between all three of us—Amari, B, and me. “I’m proud of how far all three of you've come.”
B gazes at me with sparkles in her eyes. “Thanks, Mom. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“And me,” Kevin says under his breath.
“Shut up!” Paige whispers.
I glare at him, wondering how much he’s drank today. He’s been more obnoxious than usual. Is he really that upset I didn’t include him in the house? I didn’t include anyone. Not even the love of my life.
Paige raises her wine glass. “I would like to make a toast.” Everyone grabs their drinks and raises them in the air. “To family.”
Blakely
Christmas Eve
Life has been so busy lately. Between buying furniture, decorating, and moving into the new house so we could be in before Christmas, I haven’t stopped to think about getting Kai anything for Christmas. I went shopping for Amari to buy him a gift, but I never thought to get him something from me. Kai and Amari were wrapping last-minute gifts when I told them I would be back.
As I walk into the mall, the bustling of last-minute shoppers fills my ears. Great, I should have come earlier. I hate shopping at the last minute. The shelves are practically bare, and you have to settle for what you can get. I’m not even sure what to get Kai. This present feels lousy, because I didn’t put more thought into it. Kai never cares for presents, so I’m sure with anything I get him, he’ll be appreciative.
As I make my way over to the cologne section, I realize most of these last-minute shoppers are men. I giggle at myself, knowing I’m included with them.
You could never go wrong with a cologne. Right? I go around the counter, sniffing the ones that catch my eye. There are so many that smell so good, making it hard to choose.
“Blakely.”
I’m surprised by the sound of my name. Turning around, I find Liam standing right before me in blue scrubs and a black jacket over the top. He has a little scruff growing around his jawline. He’s always kept his face shaved. I’ve never seen him with so much hair, and it’s not even a lot of hair. They say when girls chop their hair and change their style after a breakup, it means they’re over it. Is this his way of showing he’s over it? Guilt rushes through me, seeing the man I hurt standing in front of me. My stomach twists, knowing that I’m in the men’s cologne section. It practically screams that I’m here for one person only—and that person is Kai. “Hi,” I mumble, my voice tripping over a two-letter word.
