Kent exits the living room with Adam, James, Alex, and Kyler, leaving an awkward tension behind. I sit back down beside Eva, wishing the ground would open and swallow me.
“Just another typical family dinner Chez Kennedy,” Keven drawls, leaning back in his chair, his expression devoid of humor.
“We definitely give the Kardashians a run for their money,” Keaton adds. While he sounds casual, he’s wearing a worried frown, and I can tell he’s concerned for his brother.
They all are.
“Here.” Cheryl hands me a fresh glass of wine. “You could probably use that. I know I would.”
“Thanks.” I take a healthy glug of the crisp white wine, but I barely taste it as it glides down my aching throat.
“I’m with Kent,” Kalvin says. “Whitney’s a conniving little bitch. I think she’s lying.”
“We don’t know that for sure,” Kaden says.
“It fits her MO,” Keanu says. “She’ll do anything to cling to him. I wouldn’t put anything past Whitney.”
“She’s as big a whore as Kent is,” Kalvin says. “There’s a strong possibility she was fucking others at the same time she fucked him.”
“Jesus Christ, Stinky.” Lana elbows her husband in the ribs. “Show some tact.” She jerks her head in my direction.
“It’s okay,” I say even though it’s not. Implying my boyfriend is a whore suggests he’s fucking other women besides me, which I know he isn’t, and his brother shouldn’t be spouting shit like that. “Kent has told me about his past, and I know about him and Whitney.”
“I apologize, Presley,” Kalvin says, looking contrite. “That was disrespectful. I only meant to suggest that Kent is probably one of any number.”
Lana shakes her head before snatching her glass, guzzling wine like Whitney was earlier.
Remembering how she was knocking back glass after glass makes me sick.How can she be so irresponsible?So negligent of the life growing inside her. I swallow another large mouthful of wine, willing the knots in my stomach to unravel because I don’t know how much longer I can sit here and pretend like I’m dealing with this.
“I’m going to check on the kids,” Eva says, tapping my arm. “Would you like to come with me?”
I latch on to the lifeline she’s throwing me. “Sure.” Eva turns to her husband. “Can you check on Matthew? He’s asleep in your old room. Just make sure he’s not burning up again.”
“Of course.” Kaden kisses her before shooting me a pitying look I hate.
Selena stands as I walk by, reaching for me. “He’s going to need you no matter how this plays out,” she whispers. “And we’ll be here for both of you.” Her eyes search mine, and her features soften. “It will be okay. I know it might not seem like that now, but we’ll all help you through it.”
Keanu stands, hugging me. “Hang in there, Presley.”
Their kindness almost undoes me, but I soldier on, walking with Eva outside to the impressive rear garden. They have a large fenced-in pool, various sporting areas and courts, a massive forested area at the very back of the property, and a vast children’s playground with swings, slides, climbing frames, and various other little people activities. The five kids are being supervised by an older woman who smiles at us as we approach.
“Mommy.” Milly comes bounding toward Eva, flinging herself into her arms, her brown curls bouncing up and down. “Where’s Matty?”
“Still sleeping.” Eva lifts her up, and her small legs wrap around her mom.
“Presley.” Milly’s blue eyes are big and clear as she smiles shyly at me. “Are you going to marry Uncle Kent?”
For once, I’m speechless.
“Hey, you little busybody.” Eva tweaks her nose, and she giggles. “That’s private.”
She pouts, and the cutest little frown appears between her brows. “Whitney used to say she was gonna marry Uncle Kent, but now Uncle Kent likes Presley, so does that mean he’s gonna marry Whitney or Presley? I’m cu-fused.”
Eva grimaces, mouthing “sorry” at me.
“That’s grown-up stuff,” Eva says, placing her daughter back down on the ground. “And not something you should be talking about. Go back and play with your cousins.”
“’Kay.” She runs off before changing her mind, doing a fast U-turn, and barreling in my direction. She throws herself at my legs, wrapping her skinny arms around my limbs. “I like you the mostest, Presley. And you’re so pretty. I’m gonna ask the fairy queen to make Uncle Kent marry you.”
