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Damn. Like Colby needed a reminder to think of me as a kid. “Hey, Mark.” I’d always enjoyed his strong, silent presence and hadn’t had much of a chance to talk with him at my graduation party because he’d had to leave early for some reason.
Josh embraced me next. “I’m glad you could come, Kenzie.”
“Me, too. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Did you fly in from LA together?” Josh voiced the question toward his younger brother, clearly wondering how I’d entered the picture.
“Uh, no, directly from Vegas. I took Kenzie there for her graduation weekend.”
Josh and Mark both exchanged confused looks and then Josh motioned his younger brother over to the side. “A word, please.”
Josh seemed to be giving him an earful, which made Colby stiffen in reaction.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it was clear Colby’s brother was irritated. “What’s that about?” I asked Mark.
He sighed. “I’m assuming it’s because the most notorious Vegas party boy took Brian’s baby sister to Sin City.”
“Seriously?” Mark looked uncomfortable, and I instantly felt terrible that my going to Vegas with Colby was causing such a fuss.
When they returned to the group, Josh seemed over whatever initial annoyance he’d had, but Colby was uncharacteristically quiet and didn’t make eye contact with me. As if I needed any more obstacles, I now had the big-brother-and-friends’ coalition ensuring he was reminded I was off limits.
We all caught up for a bit, but with Haylee and the baby sleeping at this hour, we decided to leave Josh with his family and go get some pizza a block away. I texted Brian letting him know in case he and Sasha wanted to join us, where we’d be.
I slid in beside Will in the booth once we went inside the pizzeria and observed his grin. Huh, his PDG wasn’t bad at all.
“So, Kenz, heard you graduated university. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
Colby, who was sitting across from us, narrowed his eyes. It didn’t dawn on me why until I replayed what Will had said. Was it because he’d called me Kenz?
The waitress delivered pitchers of beer, and Will was sweet enough to pour me one before helping himself.
Looking up when the pizza arrived, I spotted Brian walking through the door. I stood up, giving my brother a big hug. “Hey, I wasn’t sure if I’d see you tonight. Everything okay?”
The smile on his face confirmed it before his words did. “Everything is great now, but Sasha pulled an all-nighter yesterday, so she basically passed out. I wanted to come out to make sure you’re all right though.”
I immediately felt guilty he’d left his girlfriend in order to come see me. “Of course, I’m good. You didn’t have to come verify that.”
He pulled up a chair. “So, how did you end up flying out to New York?” he asked, turning towards me, then glancing toward Colby.
“I took her to Vegas after her party; that’s where we received the news about the baby,” Colby supplied matter-of-factly and then dove into his slice of pizza without missing a beat.
Brian appeared taken aback for a moment. “What did you two do there?”
I shrugged, deciding to give it levity instead of acting defensive. “You know, the usual: strippers, heavy drinking, and tattoos. I’d let you see the tattoo, but it’s not in a place a sister shows her brother.”
Colby choked on his beer, but then played along. “She hasn’t quite grasped the concept of what happens in Vegas, stays there,” he deadpanned.
Everyone laughed, clearly assured that nothing like that could’ve happened, but the look Brian gave Colby made it clear the conversation between the two of them wasn’t over. Crap. I never meant to get him in trouble, and the most ironic part was that absolutely nothing had happened. Although I could guarantee both Brian and Josh would have a coronary over me going to a strip club.
My brother glanced over and changed the subject. “Oh, Kenzie, before I forget, Sasha asked since you’re in town if she could take you out tomorrow for a spa thing. She feels bad about having to leave your party early and would like to make it up to you.”
Being a tomboy most of my life, spa days weren’t really my thing. On the other hand, maybe that was due in part because the one time I’d ever gone had been with my mother and Rebecca. “That’s very nice, but unnecessary. If I could’ve left the party early, I would have.”
He sighed. “Please do me a favor and let her. It would mean a lot.”
“Okay, no problem.” I wouldn’t mind spending the time with Sasha anyhow.
