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‘You should talk to your brother.’
Should, not need. It was a sign that the progress Josie and her mother had made during the great online dating debacle was sticking. Another sign was Ruth waiting a little over a month before sending the text suggesting Josie talk to Kyle. It was a thought Josie had had plenty of times over the last thirty days. Every time she picked up the phone to call or text something stopped her. At first it was hurt feelings, followed by the misguided idea that since he was the one who caused the rift he should be the one to fix it. Hank was quick to remind her that she’d asked Kyle to give her space, and she couldn’t be angry with him for doing just that. The biggest distraction was Hank himself. Everything was still new, yet it felt like they’d been together a lifetime, and she was loving every second of it. The only blight was not being able to share her new found happiness with Kyle.
Half jogging, half walking, Josie made her way to the small pizzaria she had agreed to meet Kyle at. It was a favorite of theirs, serving the best brick oven pizza Josie had ever tasted. They used to spend hours there, sharing a pineapple bacon pizzawhile they discussed ways Kyle could increase business at the studio.
“You made it.” Kyle waved at her from what used to be their usual table. There were dark circles under his eyes and, Josie frowned, it looked like he’d lost weight. “I haven’t ordered yet. I wasn’t sure if...” his voice trailed off, his shoulders slumping slightly. It was like her vivacious brother had disappeared and been replaced by a clone that looked like him, sounded like him, but was lacking all the colorful things that made Kyle who he was.
“We can order,” she said tentatively. Their mother wanted them to fix things, or at least find a way to be civil.‘Aunt Beckett isn’t getting any younger and your father and I miss seeing both of you at family night.’Josie refused to acknowledge that Aunt Beckett was anything but immortal, but she could admit that Kyle avoiding family night so she could have space left her feeling icky. She didn’t like that they had gotten to this place, or that she was mostly to blame. “I’m sorry I haven’t called or text before now.” He lifted his shoulders in another half-hearted shrug. “I meant to... I just... ” She didn’t know how to explain why she hadn’t. “I said some things I shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry.”
“I’m the one who should apologize,” Kyle protested. “I didn’t know you were still upset about New York.” She hadn’t known either, not until it all came spewing out. “Or that you thought I was actually saying you didn’t have a life. I know you have a life, Jo. One you love. I guess I’ve always just worried you would keep putting everyone else first and miss out on finding what I had with Jonas.”
Had. Josie felt her stomach clench. She couldn’t have heard that correctly. If there had been a break up their mother would have told her. No. Ruth would have respected that it wasKyle’s business to share. “What happened?”‘Please don’t let it be because of me.’
“I’m trying to figure that out.” He buried his face in his hands, his body slumping forward. “He says we both need to figure things out before we can be together.” His fingers splayed, and he stared at her from bloodshot eyes. “I don’t even know what that means Jo. Like what the fuck does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
Kyle let out a groan. “Let’s not talk about it okay?” She nodded. “Can we talk about Hank?”
Talking about the happiness she’d found with Hank after learning that her brother and Jonas were in some sort of weird limbo felt wrong. “If you want,” she answered tentatively. “Or we can talk about the studio.”
“I want to hear about Hank.” Kyle dropped his hands into his lap and offered her the first real smile she’d seen since arriving. “I knew he would be perfect for you.”
“Yeah. He told me about his niece’s birthday party and how you told him that your sister was the perfect girl for him.” Crap. Maybe she shouldn’t have brought that up. Hank’s niece was also Jonas’ niece, and Kyle had only attended the party because of that connection.
“And you are,” Kyle smirked. There he was, a twinkling of the brother she had always known and loved. “Does this mean I can start liking your posts again?”
“Omigod, Kyle!” Laughing, Josie shook her head. “Like away, just don’t blame me if you end up in Insta Jail.”
“It would definitely be your fault. I don’t know what’s worse. All the cat pics or all the ‘look at my hot boyfriend’ pics.” Another flash of the old Kyle. Relief shot through her.
“I’ll have you know most people enjoy my cat pics.” It was true. People loved liking and commenting on photos of hercats, especially the ones where Muffin was mean mugging or Parker, aka the parking lot cat, was looking super judgy.
“I’m sorry for making fun of you for all the cats.” He shifted on his seat, his nose wrinkling up the way it used to when they were kids and he was on the verge of admitting something he didn’t want to admit. “In fact, why don’t I make it up to you with a kitten.”
Rolling her lips inward, Josie bit back a laugh. Aunt Beckett had done what Aunt Beckett did best, she’d gifted a cat as a distraction. “Sorry. I’m at full capacity.”
“Come on Jo, what’s one more?” Kyle pleaded. “It’s clawing up my leather sofa and I swear to God... I’ve woken up twice now with it sitting on my chest and just staring at me.”
She shook her head. Nope. Nothing he said was going to convince her to take his kitten. Aunt Beckett had blessed him with it for a reason.
The conversation shifted toward the studio. He wanted her to take a more visible role, maybe teach a class or two. “I don’t know Kyle, I’ve never been good at teaching the way you are.”
“Bull shit,” he coughed. “I wouldn’t be half the dancer I am if it wasn’t for you.” That was debatable, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. “Don’t say no. Not yet. Just think about it, okay?”
“I’ll think about it,” she promised. Her smile slipped slightly as they both stood to leave. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his chest. “I’m sorry about Jonas.”
“Me too, Jo, me too,” Kyle said softly. She squeezed him tighter, wishing she could take away the hurt she knew he must be feeling. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out.” There was enough fight left in his voice that Josie believed him.
The End
Next In The Bad Luck Romance Series
The Bad Luck Romance Series continues withSecond Time Around.
When Jonas starts noticing his fiance’s, Kyle’s, deep-rooted flaws, he realizes marriage may not be the best option for them. At least not right now. Knowing they both need to work on their individual issues and strengthen their relationship, Jonas asks for the wedding to be postponed.
Kyle, however, doesn’t feel like anything is wrong and has no desire to postpone anything.
