“I tripped, and Drea tried to catch mebefore I hit the ground. Thanks again.”
She gave me a genuine smile, and my returning one wasn’t forced.
“It… was nothing.” I shrugged and turned back to Mackenzie who was shaking her head with a knowing smirk. We were so screwed.
I was relieved no one else bothered to ask more questions, and we returned our attention to the movie.
Not even ten minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text. I was expecting it to be Blair, but the disappointment was evident on my face when I opened the message:
Kenzie: You saved her from falling? Why do I find that hard to believe?
Me: I don’t know, Kenz. Watch the movie.
Kenzie: You still have “blood” on your face, savior Dre. ??
Oh my God, she knew! Also, I was mortified! I could only hope Cara was oblivious and Mackenzie kept her mouth shut.
Me: Shut up!
Kenzie: Did I strike a nerve? ??
Me: No. Watch the damn movie, or I’ll tell Fallon all about the time you drunk sexted me thinking it was her. I still have the messages, you know. You really are whipped!
I chuckled as I looked over at a wide-eyed Mackenzie,who quickly put her phone away and snuggled back into her fiancée.
We managed to get through the rest of the movie without incident. However, the car ride was a different story. Kaia seemed to have gained some confidence, because she chose to speak up when I had nowhere to escape.
“So, she fell, huh?”
I took a deep breath and glanced over at her. She was looking straight ahead, but a smirk danced across her face. “Is there something you would like to say, Kaia? Just say it.”
She laughed and shook her head, seemingly fed up with me. “I can’t believe you, Dre.”
I shrugged. “What? I can’t help it. Have you seen her?”
“I love my job, so I’m going to say no. But seriously, in the bathroom? You two are ridiculous.”
“It was only harmless making out. And why are you attacking me right now?”
I didn’t know what had gotten into her these days. She was usually so much more reserved. She would have never thought to call me out like she was doing.
I wasn’t sure if I should have been proud of her for starting to find her footing in this world, or upset that she had the nerve to question me. It was probably a little bit of both, but only because I was on the other end of it and I wasn’t happy about that.
“I’m not attacking you. I’m happy for you, I really am. I’m just worried. You guys are lucky Cara is so oblivious.”
My grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles turning bleach white. She was right, but I couldn’t find the words to say so. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s not necessary.”
“When are you going to tell her? She’d probably be happy for you. She’s been trying to get you guys to get along for years, you know.”
I groaned in frustration. “We will tell her when the time is right, okay? Can you just drop it, Kaia?” My tone was anything but friendly. I was still on edge from almost getting caught and I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. It wasn’t any of her business, anyway.
She sighed and turned toward the window, lowering her voice. “Fine.”
Internally, I kicked myself. I knew I shouldn’t begetting short with her, but holding this secret was causing my brain to short circuit. I wanted to tell Cara so badly.
I wanted to hold Blair in public, announce to the world that she was mine, in whichever way that was. I wanted to breathe easier and not be constantly looking over my shoulder every time I looked at her, worried Cara would show up out of nowhere.
“I’m sorry.” My voice was so low I didn’t think she heard me.
