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“I’m not sure. I need to call her and see. I assume so.”
“Oh, I hope she does,” Mom says.
“Me too.” Kennedy smiles, and I know she’s remembering our conversation from a few weeks ago.
Surprisingly my family has left me alone about pursuing my best friend romantically. Not that it matters. They planted the seed, and it’s all that I can think about. Not just when I’m with her, but all day long I weigh the risks and the rewards in my mind. I’ve stepped up my flirting. I touch her every fucking chance I get. And her reactions, her body’s reaction to me, tells me that she wants me. At least, I think that’s what they're telling me. Hell, maybe I’m making it all up in my head. At this point, I don’t really know.
What I do know is that I’m in love with her. I know that she’s all I think about, and there are so many pros and only one con. Losing her. Lifting my hand, I rub my chest at the ache that presents itself, just thinking of losing Alyssa.
“You better call her,” Mom says.
“On it.” I stand and walk out of the room. I hear everyone whispering about how I had to leave to make the call. I know the assumptions they’re making, and they’re not wrong. I’m not above laying on the charm to convince her to come with us. Not that I think she’s going to say no, but I want her there with me. With my family. So, yeah, I’ll charm her if I have to. Bribe her? Whatever it takes.
I step out onto the back porch and dial her number, placing the phone to my ear. It rings twice before her sweet voice greets me. “Hey.”
She sounds out of breath. “You okay?” That’s something else. I’ve always worried about her, but now that I’ve admitted to myself that she owns me, that worry is ramped up to a level I’ve never experienced. I used to think my brothers had lost it, but I get it. We all want to take care of and cherish our hearts, and Alyssa is mine.
“Yeah. I was in the bedroom folding laundry. I had to run to the living room to grab my phone. My ass is out of shape.”
“There is not one fucking thing wrong with your ass, Tink.” I speak before I think. She laughs it off, thankfully.
“What’s up?” she asks.
“We’re all going to the movie in the park tonight. The first movie is at seven. I’ll be there around six thirty to get you. Mom and Dad are going early to get a space big enough for all of us.”
“I love movie-in-the-park nights.”
I know she does. “I’ll bring you a chair. I bought us new ones. I forgot to tell you. They’re zero gravity and so damn comfortable.” Orrin was telling me he bought one for the two of them. I stopped by his place a couple of weeks ago, and he was out back sitting in them. I tried it out and got online right then and ordered one for Alyssa and me. They’ll be great for our annual camping trip.
“Do I need to bring anything?”
“Nope. Just you. There will be food trucks and vendors, so we can grab something from them. Brooks is working late, but he’ll meet us there later.”
“I’m sure he’s freaking out about Palmer going,” she says with fondness in her voice.
“Pretty much. Dad talked him down. Palmer made a good point. She’s better off with all of us than sitting at home on her own.”
“That’s true. If Brooks wasn’t so nervous for the baby to get here, he’d realize she’ll be with nine guys who think the same way that he does.”
“Hey.” I pretend to be offended, but we both know that I’m not. I love my family fiercely and would do anything for them.
“You know I’m right, Tank.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
“Well, I need to get off here so I can finish this laundry and shower. I’ve been cleaning house all day.”
“All right, I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon,” she says softly, ending the call.
* * *
“How does it work?” Alyssa asks.
“It’s locked, so it’s safe for you to sit. When you do, there’s a lever under both armrests pull both out, and you’ll recline.”
“You go first,” she says, laughing. “I don’t want to fall.”
