Evan has bright red hair.
“We’ve heard so much about you. Thank you for befriending our Kayla,” Evan says, shaking my hand.
“You’ve really helped to boost her self-confidence,” Kayla’s mom whispers for my ears only.
“Oh, she’s a sweetheart, the little sister I never had. It’s a pleasure to have met Kayla.”
She’s one of the reasons why living here is worthwhile.
Kayla takes my hand. “I want you to meet my stepbrother.”
“Nice to meet you, Maureen and Evan,” I say as Kayla pulls me out the door, down the hall.
Kayla never mentioned that she had a stepbrother previously.
Kayla stops at a door before knocking.
“Come in,” calls a muffled voice from behind the door.
I follow Kayla, when I see who’s in the bedroom my breath leaves my lungs in a rush.
Dee, Nix, and Maverick lounge back against a futon playing a video game.
“Nix, this is my best friend, Cocoa. She’s so pretty, isn’t she? She’s going to style our hair and do our makeup, and manicures,” Kayla says breathlessly, unable to control her exuberance.
Maverick stands when he sees me. The expression on his face is unreadable. Kayla is too young to feel the sudden tension in the room.
“That’s Dee and Mav, Nix’s friends.”
Kayla is still holding my hand.
“Kayla, I don’t know if I can, if I can…”
The smile leaves her face. I can’t do this to her. I need to stay for her, despite them being here.
“Come on, Kayla. Let’s get started on your hair and makeup.”
Kayla pulls me from the bedroom and I gladly follow behind her. I learn that Kayla’s mom married Nix’s dad when she was four, which is why they don’t have the same last name. Her real dad abandoned them.
When hair, makeup, and manicures are done, we make our way downstairs to the room where the small party will be held. A few family members have arrived. Everyone is socializing, eating good food, and playing games. I stay clear of the boys. Kayla sticks to me like glue, and introduces me to family members, always telling them how pretty I am. I laugh and joke with the girls. When it’s time to sing happy birthday, I walk back to Kayla’s room to retrieve her birthday gift. On the way back down, I run into Dee on the stairs. He blocks my way, so I move to the left, but he follows me.
“Move out of my way, Dee.”
“What’s going on between Mav and you?”
“Nothing.”
“That was not nothing in the back of Mav’s jeep.”
“I don’t want to hear this shit.”
I step to the right, but he moves with me again, blocking my path.
“You’re good for him.”
My eyes widen. That was the last sentence I ever expected to leave Dee’s mouth.
“I know he can be a real bastard, but there’s a reason for that. His childhood was fucked up, but I can’t tell you anything beyond that. I’ve never seen him react this way over a girl. He really likes you. He just doesn’t know how to express his feelings.”
