I am relieved. She is only seventeen, and West is just turning eighteen. I don’t want history repeating itself even if that sounds hypocritical. I know Hazel wants to be a vet and West has his football dream. I want them to be able to pursue their dreams, not be forced to abandon them. “But she thought she was.”
He nods. “We were scared, and I was fucking ecstatic when the test was negative. But she freaked out when I admitted it, and now she won’t talk to me.”
That doesn’t sound like Hazel. “What exactly did you say?”
He scratches the back of his head with his free hand. “I might have cursed a bit and then said I was glad it hadn’t ruined my football career before it had begun.”
Yeah, that’ll do it. “What did Hazel say?”
“That football was all I cared about and I was selfish not to consider how it would’ve impacted her plans. She also said she wouldn’t have been unhappy if the test had been positive but, clearly, I would have. According to her, that shows how temporary I consider us to be.” His brow puckers as he stares at me. “I tried to backtrack, but she didn’t want to hear it, and now she’s ignoring my texts, and she won’t speak to me in class. I went over to her house after school, and she refused to see me. I know I put my foot in it, but she’s completely overreacting.”
Definitely, but emotions are heightened when you’re a teen, and I remember plenty of times where I overanalyzed things that didn’t warrant such scrutiny. “Hazel loves you. She adores you.” I see the way they look at one another, and it warms my heart. “She will come around. She just needs time. I suggest you back off for a few days. Maybe send her a text and let her know you love her and you’re going to give her some space. Ask her to call you when she feels up to talking.” I kiss his cheek and slide off the bed.
“Should I send her flowers?” West asks, peering up at me. “Van suggested it, but I don’t know if Hazel would even appreciate the gesture. I can’t seem to say or do anything right.”
I crouch down so I’m looking at his face. “I’ll let you in on a secret. Every woman loves flowers. Any girl who says she doesn’t is lying. You can never go wrong with flowers. I think Van knows what he’s doing.”
“Huh.” West grabs his cell off his bedside table. “Weird for a guy who doesn’t do relationships.”
Weird indeed.
* * *
“Kendall, wait up!”
I slam to a halt as Vander’s deep voice washes over me like a security blanket. Shoving my hands into the pockets of my windbreaker, I turn around, stepping off the path to the side so I’m not in anyone’s way. The park is quieter than usual this afternoon with only a handful of joggers and people out walking. I expect most families are at home getting ready for tomorrow. I bounce on my feet to keep warm as I watch Van approach with his long-legged stride and fierce determination etched on his face.
Sweatpants manufacturers should approach him to model their product because he’s rocking the hell out of the black sweatpants and matching hoodie he is wearing. He has the hood pulled up over his messy dark hair, and his hands are hidden in the pockets of his pants. Black-and-white Nike high tops complete his effortless look.
He is so hot, and I honestly don’t know how I’m the one who has caught his eye.
“Hey.” His eyes quickly sweep over my body when he stops in front of me. “Cute yoga pants.” His lips twitch as he takes in the multicolored stretchy leggings I’m wearing.
“They were a birthday gift from Stella,” I admit, lifting one shoulder. “Walk with me?” He falls into step beside me. “I’m glad you caught me. I wanted to talk to you before tomorrow.” I look up at him. “We need to clear the air.”
“I know you were pissed, and you had every right to be, but I was only trying to help.”
I don’t know what he hoped to achieve with the stunt, but I can’t be mad at him any longer. “I know you were, and I was too harsh. I shouldn’t have said some of the things I said. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.” I glance up at him. “I was angry and embarrassed, but that’s not on you.”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. He’s the embarrassment. He doesn’t realize how lucky he is.”
I don’t think Curtis ever felt like that, but that’s neither here nor there, and I’m done discussing my husband. “Things are going to be difficult over the next few months, and I need you to promise me you won’t interfere. I also need you to promise you won’t ever tell West what you saw.” It’s going to be hard enough for the kids as it is. They don’t need to know all the seedy details.
“I don’t want to tell him, but I don’t want him finding out the hard way or discovering I knew and said nothing. If the tables were turned, I’d want him to tell me.”
“I agree with all of that, but I need you to trust I’m handling it the best way I can.”
His eyes penetrate mine. “What don’t I know?”
I swing my arms at my sides as I pick up my pace. “Things are in motion.” I’m being vague on purpose because I can’t tell him I’m divorcing Curtis before I tell my kids. Vander is already hiding enough from West. “I can’t tell you yet, and I hate that I have to ask you to lie to your best friend. You are already keeping one big secret from him, and now this.”
“No offense, Kendall, but that’s my call to make, not yours. I’m not planning on saying anything to West about his dad, but I can’t promise that will always be the case. Haven’t we already been over this? What’s the point in repeating ourselves?”
I jerk to a halt. “The point is, I can’t spend time with you if you won’t butt out!”
His eyes widen, and a big-ass smile materializes on his face. “You still want to spend time with me?”
I chew on the inside of my mouth as I start walking again. “We shouldn’t. What happened Saturday night proves us hanging out is risky.”
