5. Kris
5
KRIS
I smile to myself as I stare at the phone.
I’m not sure why I hung up so quickly. Part of me was probably afraid she’d change her mind, and my entire plan would be blown.
It’s not that I necessarily need a date to my brother’s wedding, but the opportunity revealed itself, and I do not pass on a good opportunity. You know?
Besides, the way I see it, we’re helping each other out. It’s a pretty fair trade.
Actually, she probably has the upper hand here, considering she gets to get dressed up for her end of the bargain, whereas I’ll be undressing for mine.
Tomato Tomatoe.
Either way, I’m just glad I’ll have someone to be a buffer between me and my family. At least this way, I know they won’t bring up shit about the past or try to pressure me into their future plans. They won’t want to look desperate in front of Kameron.
Hell, I’m not even sure if they know who Kameron is. Kaleb does, we’d all hung out a few times in the short stint of the relationship we had.
If that’s even what you want to call it.
I grunt, then shake my head. She really did deserve someone far better than me.
I’m well aware of my commitment issues, and I know I did so much wrong in our relationship just to keep it from going any further than it did.
But, Kameron. She just has it all. She’s the total package, the one you bring home to meet your family, plan your life with…
And I’m not that guy.
Not even remotely.
Damn. The second she answered the phone, she nearly took my breath away. I’ve seen her since I graduated, but from afar and in passing. She never really looked my direction much, and she steered clear of any and all things baseball after our split. But I always saw her, I couldn’t help it.
What I wasn’t expecting was her to be even more gorgeous than I remember. Long auburn hair, pulled back into a ponytail that hung down around her shoulder. She had minimal makeup, that was always one thing I loved about her. She didn’t feel the need to coat her entire face in that shit to hide her imperfections, like the tiny scar just in front of her ear.
Kameron is one of the real ones, and I’m not shocked in the least that she’d get a job working and organizing things for the community.
I just didn’t expect her to need me.
But damn if I’m not thankful she does.
Smiling to myself, I pull up my brother’s contact to send him a text.
Me
Good news. Got a date for the wedding.
I hit send and lean back on my couch. My Doberman slowly rises from his spot in the corner, on a dog bed that I have no doubt is more comfortable than the mattress I sleep on every night, and stretches out before he jumps up next to me on the couch. He does a few short circles before he collapses, his head landing on my lap.
I chuckle, running a hand over his soft fur and watch as he slowly drifts back to sleep.
My phone vibrates against my leg, letting me know my brother has responded.
Kaleb
That’s great, who?
I smile as I type out my message, knowing it’s going to shock the shit out of him just as much as it does me.
Me
Kameron.
Kaleb
Wait. The Kameron? The Kameron that said she never wanted to see you again after you got wasted at the baseball house and was stripping in a room full of girls that weren’t your girlfriend? That Kameron?
Me
Oh, fuck off. It wasn’t like that. And yes, that’s the Kameron I’m referring to.
Kaleb
How much did you have to pay her to agree?
Me
You got jokes.
Kaleb
I’m just saying, there’s just no way she’d agree to come with you without some form of payment in return.
Me
Are you suggesting that she’s prostituting herself out?
Kaleb
Shit. No. And don’t tell her that. I don’t want my ass kicked on my wedding day. Lol.
Me
But you aren’t wrong. I have to do something for her in return.
Kaleb
And that would be?
Me
Strip.
I purposely don’t open the incoming texts or answer the calls that start coming from my brother after that. I like to leave them guessing; keeps things interesting.
Besides, it’s not like I told a lie. I do, indeed, have to strip for my end of the bargain.
Which reminds me…
Me
Your seat at the wedding next to me has been secured.
It takes a few seconds, but the text bubble appears. The longer it takes for a message to come through, the more I begin to worry that she’s going to change her mind.
Kameron
Where is the wedding even happening at?
Me
Oh, did I leave that part out? We’re going to Gatlinburg. They have tiny cabin rentals at the location where they’re getting married.
Kameron
I am not sharing a cabin with you. Get me the booking link and I’ll reserve my own.
Me
No can do. There were only a limited number available, you’re stuck with me for the weekend, sweetheart.
Kameron
Call me sweetheart one more time.
Me
And you’ll do what?
God, I miss how easily she gets riled up. The tips of her ears used to turn red the angrier she got, and when her cheeks would flush, whew. She was sexy as fuck.
Kameron
I swear this isn’t worth it.
My eyes widen. Oh shit.
Me
Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I should have told you where and what the sleeping arrangements are. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior, I really do need you for the weekend and I’ll be a boy scout and sleep on the couch.
Kameron
Why do guys say things like that? Scouts honor. I’ll be a boy scout. Knowing damn well your ass never did a thing with the boy scout organization.
Me
You don’t know.
Kameron
But I do.
Me
Fine. Anyways, I promise. I just need you to be a buffer between me and my parents, and I figured if we’re going to be working together, it wouldn’t hurt to get reacquainted.
Kameron
We aren’t going to be working together.
Me
I think we’ll need constant contact.
Kameron
I think I need blood pressure medicine.
I smirk.
Me
Do I get you all hot and bothered?
Kameron
Not in a good way.
Ouch.
Me
You’ll see. It’ll be fun.
Kameron
Can’t wait.
I don’t respond. I let my head fall against the back of the couch, and toss my phone to the side with a smile on my face.
While the wedding event itself will be hell dealing with my parents, at least I’ll have Kameron there to keep me entertained. Riling her up is one of my favorite things to do it seems.
Did I mention I like the tint of red on her?