“I’m pretty sure I loved you before I knew what love was too. It just took me a little longer to catch up to the realization,” I admit.
He smiles. “I know, Ken.”
Chapter 50
Kai
2011
Kendalliswearinganaqua dress that barely covers her ass and high heels. She has her hair pinned up out of her face in a high ponytail. She looks like a model. She also looks like we are getting in trouble tonight, sending me a mischievous grin as soon as she hops in the car. Kendall reaches from the passenger side and cranks the volume all the way up.
“Are you kidding me, Ken? Let’s at least try not to get caught,” I snap and turn the volume down to a whisper.
“Can you lighten up? It’s the last two weeks of summer break. We just want to have some fun.”
“I know I know, I’m just not pumped to be hanging out with the whole football team again,” I reply.
Jenna raises her eyebrows “Why? You’re on the team. Don’t you hang out with them like all the time?”
Kendall thankfully changes the subject by announcing she has alcohol to pregame with. Ten minutes and four nips later, I pull my dad’s old Toyota highlander into what is arguably one of the biggest driveways I’ve ever seen. By the time we walk up to the huge oak front door, both Ken and Jenna are a littletipsy.Great. Now I have to worry about getting caught drinking, sneaking out,andbeing responsible for not one buttwodrunk girls. I extend my arm to knock on the front door, but Kendall quickly grabs my hand and pulls it down.
“What are you doing? This is a party. Just walk in,” she scoffs.
Shortly after we arrive, I find Kendall in the den playing a drinking game with Jenna and a few other people. She stumbles a little after she takes her beer pong shot. I’m still nursing my first drink, mostly for appearances. I walk over to her and whisper, “Maybe you wanna take it easy there, Ken.”
“Maybe you want to try and have some fun, Kai. I’m fine, besides, I’m perfecting my aim.” I ignore the fact that she’s slurring and the fact that she smells amazing. Sin, salvation, and something undeniably sweet.
“Fine, let me help you then.” I position myself behind her, put her arm under mine, pull back her hand, and let the ball go with the flick of our wrists. My face is so close to hers I can smell her shampoo. Coconut and vanilla.
“Yes!” she yells as we sink it. “Careful Kai, you might make me wonder if you’re flirting with me,” she muses.
“Your aim is terrible. I’m helping you if anything. Unless you intend to lose this beer pong game, big mouth?” I challenge. Kendall has been known to be a sour loser, but right now, she’s probably too drunk to care.
“Uh hello!?” Jenna shouts, annoyed as she steps in between us. “She has a perfectly good beer pong partner right here. If you want to play so bad Kai, get next.” I back away from the table with my hands up.
“Just trying to help you guys win,” I mumble.
I decide to hide out in the kitchen, hoping the only people who talk to me are drunk and in search of food rather than a conversation. Unfortunately, the kitchen is massive and canaccommodate just as many people as the den. Logan seemingly appears out of nowhere and claps me on the back.
“Hey man, I thought you weren’t coming?”
“I wasn’t. Somehow Ken talked me into it,” I respond and take a sip of my beer.
“She talked you into it or she asked and you couldn’t say no to her? What’s the deal with you guys anyways?” he interrogates.
“There is no deal. We’re friends.”
“Uh huh,” he grins. “Friends don’t look at each other the way you look at her, man.”
“What do you mean? How do I look at her?” I ask.
“Like she’s the fucking sun and we’re all just in her orbit,” he replies. Logan doesn’t seem that drunk yet so I know he’s serious. He’s also pretty observant.
“Fuck off, Loge, you’re just mad I don’t look at you like that,” I reply jokingly.
“Whatever, it ain’t rocket science, my guy. Just ask her out. Or don’t. I don’t really care. But if you don’t ask her out, someone else will,” he shrugs, takes a swig of his red solo cup, and meanders into the living room.
It doesn’t take long before I see Kendall stumbling on the stairs behind Jenna. I push past drunk people and manage to make it to the landing just as she slurs, “I feel like I’m going to be sick.”
