I talked with Jimmy, updating him on the latest with Kendall, and he cautioned me to bide my time. To give her the space she needs to come to terms with everything. But that’s easier said than done.
I need her.
I need her.
I need her.
I love her.
I love her.
I love her.
Butterflies careen around my chest as I walk toward West’s house to attend his eighteenth birthday party. I’m excited to see Kendall, but I’m on edge too because I know Curtis will be here, and I’m barely holding it together as it is. My hands twitch at my sides, and I don’t know how I will stop myself from reaching for her when every part of me is dying to touch her.
Here goes nothing, I think as I rap on the front door. It opens instantly, and I try not to be disappointed when I see who is greeting me. “You made it!” Stella throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and planting a loud kiss on my cheek. “West was about to send out a search party,” she adds, pulling back and leaving space for me to step into the hallway. “You’re the last to arrive.”
“I got caught up in my studio,” I truthfully admit. All week, I have been painting up a storm and adding to my considerable Kendall collection. “Lost track of time.”
“You’re here now. The party boy will be happy.” She loops her arm through mine and drags me through the house and out to the backyard.
Kendall rented a large marquee for the night, and the party is already in full swing. Several heaters are dotted around the space, and it’s warm. A band is entertaining the crowd, and the dance floor is packed with boys and girls from school throwing questionable moves. Circular tables and chairs occupy most of the rest of the space. On the left, a hot buffet is spread out along a rectangular table, and people are helping themselves to food and drink.
“Stay here for a sec,” Stella says, disappearing for a short while. When she returns, she hands me a can of Dr. Pepper. “It’s actually beer.” She winks. “The only drinks officially on offer are water or soda because my parents aren’t as cool as yours.”
I stare at her like she’s grown an extra head.Is she for real?
“Mom did go all out on the food though,” she continues, babbling away. “Anyway, we got creative and replaced some soda cans with beer, and we have more booze stashed in the garden for when the oldies retire for the night.” She waggles her brows. “That’s when the party will really get started.” She grabs my arm and pulls me forward. “Come on. West and Hazel are over here.” I let her haul me toward a table at the top of the room, just at the edge of the dancing area, while I surreptitiously scan the marquee for Kendall.
“I found him,” Stella says, shoving me down into an empty chair beside my best buddy. Hazel is perched on West’s lap, with her arms around his neck, looking all loved up.
“It’s about time, man.” West lifts his arm for a knuckle touch. “It’s not like you to be late.”
“Gayle has only asked us about ten million times when you were getting here,” Hazel adds, and I groan, swallowing a healthy mouthful of beer. I will need it to deal with her tonight.
Eyes burn into the side of my head, and I look around, my gaze instantly finding Kendall’s. She’s seated at the table next to us with some friends. Viola is on one side of her and June on the other. Shirley and her husband Adrian are sitting beside Viola, and all of them appear to be purposely ignoring the dickhead at the other end of the table. Curtis is talking to a couple of other neighbors, throwing back his head and laughing, like he hasn’t a care in the world. I visualize slicing his head off his shoulders, and it helps to take the edge off the rage bubbling underneath the surface of my skin, but only marginally.
Kendall stares at me for a few beats before getting up and walking in my direction. She is stunning in a lacy blue dress that is fitted on top with straps that crisscross over the shoulders and a skirt that flares out from the waist, ending just at her knee. She has silver sandals on her feet, and her hair is in some kind of braided design with soft blonde waves framing her beautiful face and hanging down her back. She looks pretty and young and elegant yet sexy, in an understated way.
“Your mom is definitely a MILF,” Bowie says, uncaring Kendall is in earshot. “How old was she when she had you? Like ten or something?” From the glazed look in his eyes, I can tell he’s already smashed. Otherwise, he would know to keep his stupid mouth shut. “She doesnotlook old enough to have an eighteen-year-old son.”
“Shut the fuck up,” West snaps, pointing his finger in our friend’s face. “Show some respect.”
“West, language,” Kendall says, coming up behind me.
“You’d say worse if you heard what Bowie said,” West grumbles.
“It’s good to see you Vander.” She leans over the back of my chair, and it takes colossal willpower not to stare down the front of her dress. “West was worried you were going to be a no-show.”
I can tell from the look in her eyes she was worried about that too. Terrified what happened last week has driven me from my best friend. “I was in my studio and forgot the time. I would never miss West’s birthday.” I gesture around the room. “You did an awesome job. Everything looks great.”
“Wait until you see the cake,” Hazel says. “It’s freaking awesome.” She smiles over my head at Kendall. “I still can’t believe you baked it. You are so talented. You should open a bakery.”
Kendall’s warm smile is genuine as she beams at West’s suck-up of a girlfriend. “I love baking and cooking, but I have zero desire to open my own place. I don’t think I could handle the stress of it. I’m content with it being a hobby.”
“Speaking of cakes,” Curtis says, coming up behind her. “Should we cut it now?” He slides his arm around his wife and pulls her back against his body. Kendall is stiff in his arms, but I’m probably the only one who notices.
“People are still eating. We should wait for another half hour.” Her voice is clipped, strain underpinning her tone.
