I roll my eyes. “So thrilled to have amused you.” I look toward Vance and Sulley. It seems like they’re fighting. Nodding their way, I ask, “What happened with them? Obviously they have history, and not the good kind.”
He shrugs. “Not my business to discuss, especially with you.”
“Thanks for being so helpful, Mr. Perfect,” I announce with a sarcastic tone.
He flashes me a huge grin. “Ah, you like perfection. Shocking. I don’t mind perfect women. Did you know that the most perfect woman in history is Ms. Pac-Man?”
“Because she has no brain?” I ask. “Just like you probably prefer women.”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s because for twenty-five cents, she’ll just open wide and keep swallowing until she dies. You should try it.”
I stare at him in disbelief. If there were a poster of a man who encompasses all that I despise in men, it’s this one. I don’t think I’ve ever disliked anyone more, and that’s saying a lot because I dislike most people.
I shake my head. “I need to go find a real man.” I look around until my eyes find Champ dancing in a group of people. I point his way. “Like him. He’s gorgeous, sexy, and,” I look him up and down, “he doesn’t dress like his mother wasn’t home to dress him for elementary school.”
Daylen’s jaw tics for a few moments before he relaxes. “You should hit on Champ. I’m sure he couldneverresist a woman like you.”
“Thank you for the permission. I think I will. Maybe I’ll take him home and fuck him tonight.”
Daylen fails miserably at biting back a smile. “Good luck with that, Maleficent.”
What the hell? Does he honestly think I can’t get Champ if I want to? Screw Daylen. I’mdefinitelyfucking Champ tonight, and I’ll send this ogre the photos to prove it.
Suddenly I hear Sulley shouting at Vance and then see her run away in tears. “What did your asshole friend do to her?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing. Vance is the best man I know.”
I shove him in the chest and mumble, “You’re clueless,” before I leave and run after Sulley.
FOUR
KENNEDY
Last night was intense. Sulley was inconsolable. I felt terrible for her. Palmer and I took her home and let her cry herself to sleep. We decided it wouldn’t be right to leave her alone, so we borrowed some clothing and invited ourselves to stay over. We didn't ask any questions, though we were curious as hell. We just slept in her bed with her, holding her until she eventually fell asleep.
When she woke in the morning, she told us the truth about her long, crazy history with Vance. They grew up together in Montana. He used to be her brother Finn’s best friend, but Vance betrayed him just before Finn died in the line of duty. Vance has been shunned by their hometown because of everything that went down. He can’t even show his face there. It’s one of the most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever heard.
Palmer and I sat in stunned silence before vowing to support her as best we can. I meant it. This poor woman has been through so much. More than I ever realized. I remember Reagan referencing some trauma in Sulley’s life, but I had no idea just how bad it was. I can’t believe I was so wrong about her. All mypreconceived notions have officially been thrown out the window.
Sulley is still very damaged by the loss of her brother, even though he’s been gone for over five years. It gives me a huge pang of guilt over how much I’ve abandoned my own brother. On my way home from Sulley’s, I decided to text him and invite him to lunch. Much to my surprise, he responded immediately and seemed very welcome to it.
I’m on my way to meet him now. I’m nervous as hell. I can’t remember the last time we were alone together. I visit very infrequently. In fact, I don’t think I’ve had a meal alone with my brother since I was in high school, which would have made him ten years old. He’s seventeen now. I can’t believe he’ll be headed off to college in a year. I have no clue where he wants to go or what he wants to study. Why have I abandoned him? Nothing that happened was his fault. I doubt he even knows about it.
I arrive at the trendy, downtown restaurant on Rittenhouse Square right on time. I offered to drive out to the suburbs, but he wanted to come into town. I suppose he has his license now. It’s hard for me to believe he drives. I still think of him as a little boy with a huge smile who never wanted anything from me but a little attention. Something I rarely gave him. Hearing Sulley’s heartbreaking story has me up in my feels and full of regret over how unfairly I’ve treated Pierce.
When I walk in, I see him standing at a table and realize he’s no longer a little boy. He’s a man. Though not nearly as tall as our father, about my height at a little over six feet, he’s a handsome man. Whereas I resemble our father, he resembles our mother with blond hair and brown eyes. He gives me that always-present, familiar smile and holds open his arms for a hug. “Kennedy, I’m so stoked you called. Mom and Dad are gonna be so jelly that I get to hang with you.”
Holy shit, his voice got deep. It’s weird to hear him like this.
I tentatively hug him in return while he squeezes me like he’s genuinely happy to see me. I admit, “I don’t care much aboutthem, but I’m happy to see you. I’m sorry I haven’t reached out until now.”
He pulls away and shrugs in a totally unaffected manner. “It’s chill. I’m happy to see you too. I’m super stoked that you’re back in town. Dad got us Beavers’ season tickets on the floor so we can come to every home game. I can’t wait to watch you play in person all the time instead of on TV. I love how tough you play, especially that triple-double against Dallas last year when you had thirty-two rebounds, eleven points, and twelve assists.”
“You watch my games?” I ask in surprise.
He jerks back a bit with a stunned look on his face. “Of course. My sister is a fucking star. Dad and Inevermiss a game. It’s kind of our thing. He had a huge theater installed in his house just so we can watch them on the big screen with surround sound.”
I lift a skeptical eyebrow. “I doubt that’s why he did it. I’m sure it’s to watch game tape.”
