Poor Leo, if that was the case.
Jeremy and Brandy had never been particularly close, but today there seemed to be extra tension between them. I wonder if it has anything to do with what happened yesterday. Or if there was something else, something I didn't know yet.
"It was great before you came along and ruined everyone's happiness." Brandy took my brother's hand. "Luckily, my boyfriend was able to control you."
"That's not what really happened," my brother said, staring at the grass, as if he were afraid of how we were going to react to his defense.
"Jeremy went looking for a friend and found two. I don't think there were any problems at the party after everything was resolved," Kyle added.
"And how would you know? You and Lily disappeared upstairs for hours after those two left," Brandy said, pointing at Leo and Jeremy. "But who am I to judge? At least I hope you had a good time."
Kyle squeezed my hand so I couldn't say anything, so I took two deep breaths before continuing the conversation.
"Well, changing the subject, how are the cookies?" I said, taking one, "I rarely get the chance to eat them right after baking them."
"They’re amazing, Lily," Jeremy said, reaching for his third one. "Way better than anything I've tasted before."
And this interaction almost felt like our present, where I used to make him try different desserts on weekends. God, I missed him so much as a friend; we hadn't had the chance to connect like we used to.
"Oh, really?" Brandy asked him with a mischievous smile on her face. "Are you sure that's the best thing you have eaten lately?"
"Brandy," Leo said quietly, a warning in his voice.
"What? I'm just saying it's weird that he's never tasted 'anything better'; I'm sure I have. And we've probably eaten the same thing recently."
Jeremy stood up, brushing crumbs from his jeans with jerky movements. "You know what? I think I should head home. Thanks for having me."
"Jeremy, wait—" Leo started to get up too.
"No, it's fine," Jeremy said, his voice tight with hurt. "Apparently, I'm not very good company here anyway."
He gathered his things quickly and headed for the side gate without another word.
Brandy watched him go with a satisfied expression that stressed me out.
"What?" she said when she noticed all of us staring at her.
"You were a little ruder than usual," Leo replied, his voice was controlled, but I knew something was bothering him.
"Maybe you should go after him then," Brandy shot back, crossing her arms defensively. "That’s all you do lately."
"I think we should all calm down," Kyle interjected, clearly trying to defuse the situation.
"Okay, okay," Brandy said, "the cookies are good, Lily, sorry."
"Don't worry," I replied, getting a little nervous about this situation I didn't understand.
We tried to continue our meeting as if nothing was happening, but we were all in a different mood after Jeremy left. After an hour, Kyle and Brandy decided it was time to go. And my brother and I nodded as if we were all thinking exactly the same thing. We stood and gathered up the entire picnic to take it to the house, and when everything was in place, I walked Kyle to the door.
"Are you sure there's nothing I should know about?" I asked quietly. If anyone knew what was going on between Jeremy, Brandy, and Leo, it would be Kyle. After all, he and Jeremy had become very close lately.
He paused, his hand on the door handle, and for a moment I thought he might tell me whatever was weighing on his mind. But then he just shook his head. "I don't think it's anything serious. Let's just forget about it for now."
He kissed my forehead and left, leaving me standing there wondering if my mind was playing tricks on me or if there could be something missing from everything.
CHAPTER 37
Kyle
