It doesn’t look heated or anything of that nature, more like they’re trying to figure out the answer to a puzzle. Swiping my duffle off the floor, I make my way over to them, ready to finally find out what’s going on with them.
“So, you both ready to tell me why you're being weirder than normal?” I ask.
“Would you be okay if we did it somewhere else? That way we have more time to talk and say what we need to say?” That’s the first thing Brayden’s saidto me all day.
“Sure, as long as whatever this is stops, because you’re never like this with me.”
Brayden hangs his head, a look of shame crossing his face before I can’t see it anymore. “I’m sorry, Jake. I’m being an idiot, stuck in my own head. B warned me I was being stupid, and I didn’t listen.”
“When do you ever listen to me?” Brandon asks. He has a serious tone to his voice, but I still laugh under my breath at the indirect joke.
Sighing, Bray reaches his arms out, placing them over both mine and Brandon's shoulders, leading us out of the locker room.
“Yeah, yeah. I get it, dad. Now come on, we’ve got things to discuss. And you’re not allowed to run away.” He stares at me pointedly as we continue down the hall towards the parking lot.
Welp, this should be an interesting conversation.
Chapter 17
Jake
Music plays softly from the speakers in the lobby, highlighting the calmness of the atmosphere. When Brayden asked if we could go somewhere else to talk, I wasn’t expecting to follow them out to Entourage, but honestly, it makes perfect sense.
It's a Friday afternoon, the day after Thanksgiving, which means there’s not a lot of people here.
Even before we walked inside, I noticed how empty the parking lot was. We step foot inside, making our way past the front bar and up towards the VIP section. The bouncer, who I recognize from the countless times we’ve been here, waves us in, and we find our spot at our usual booth in the middle. I sit on one side while the twins choose to sit opposite of me.
There’s a tense silence that floats across the three of us, but even with the way Brayden’s been acting, I’m not nervous for this conversation. As long as it goes how I’m thinking it will, I’m ready to come clean and tell them everything I can.
I know that Kailyn should be the one to tell her familyeverything, but if they ask me about the kiss last night, I’m going to be honest and tell them I have feelings for their sister. My biggest regret back then was not fighting harder for her, to show her we could tell people and still be together. While I can’t change the past, can’t go back and redo things, I can do better this time.
It’s time to stop living in the past, stop living by the what if’s that have plagued me the last ten years, and start living the life I truly want, one that my dad would be proud of.
More certainly, one I can be proud of.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you boys here when the whole team isn’t celebrating after a game.” Violet walks over to us, a small serving tray in hand with a smile on her face that doesn’t really reach her eyes.
“We just got out of practice, and we figured we’d come chill here while we talked about some stuff,” I tell her sweetly.
She nods her head, before shifting the tray in her hands.
“Well, I won’t take up much of your time. The usual for you, boys?”
“Can I just have a soda water with lime?" I ask.
“I’ll actually just have water, please,” Brandon says sweetly.
“Make it three, please,” Brayden adds.
“You got it, boys. I’ll be right back.” She takes one final glance at all of us, her gaze lingering on Brayden, who meets her stare, before she shakes her head and walks back over to the bar.
We each sink back into the booth, getting comfortable as I wait for them to start the conversation.
“So,” Brayden starts, nerves lining his tone. “B and Iwanted to talk with you about some stuff that happened after you left last night.”
After I left? So, this has nothing to do with me kissing Kailyn.
Immediately, I’m sitting up, my body going rigid as my nerves skyrocket. “What happened? Is everyone okay?” I haven’t talked to Kailyn since our text exchange on my drive home, and I haven’t seen her today since it was her day off.
