Chapter 20Excuses – Kerry
Chapter 20
Excuses – Kerry
“ I t’s a damn shame I had to unfollow that Krista Ray bitch,” Serena grumbles, scrolling through her phone with a sigh.
“That hoe sure does post the best ten-minute recipe videos. Is she still giving you hell? Do we need to jump her, or nah?”
I snort, shaking my head.
“Oh, Serena! If we weren’t in our thirties, and I wasn’t trying to get my career back on track, the answer would be hell yeah . But no,” I sigh, propping my feet up on the ottoman.
“Besides, I can’t get mad over a man who isn’t really mine.”
My best friends and I are sprawled across my living room, wine glasses half-full as they help me finalize last-minute details for the annual Fall Festival.
It’s been the perfect distraction from Vic—from the way he looks at me, from the way he treats me, from the way my heart wants him in ways it shouldn’t.
“He’s as much your man as Hudson is Serena’s,” Kiera points out, shooting Serena a knowing look.
Izzy sits up straighter, eyes wide in shock.
“Hold the hell up. Have I been so busy that I missed the tea? Rena, you’re out here hitting home runs while Kerry hasn’t even made it to second base?”
Serena cackles, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
“Girl, I’ve been to the World Series… dozens of times. Hudson Grimes can’t get enough of me!”
They erupt into laughter, but I groan and sink deeper into the couch.
“You gotta teach me your ways because this is embarrassing. I shouldn’t be this inexperienced at thirty-five.” I pause, exhaling sharply.
“I shouldn’t be so damn scared to hit a home run. ”
Their laughter fades, humor replaced with quiet understanding.
I swallow hard and continue.
“I have so much pent-up sexual frustration combined with actual, real, scary feelings for him. It’s driving me insane, and I don’t know what to do. I just can’t fake what feels real anymore.”
“You fuck it out, that’s what you do.” Serena shrugs.
We all explode into laughter, but my chest tightens.
“Y’all know how I feel about sex,” I murmur, fiddling with the hem of my shirt.
“I had nearly fifteen years of bad sex—painful, sadistic, one-sided sex. I can’t go down that road again.”
Kiera reaches over and gently squeezes my hand.
“What we know is that you think you can live without it because when you had it, it was that torturous. But when you have someone who actually cares about how you feel? Who worships you? Who puts you first?” She exhales dramatically, fanning herself.
“Whew, girl. Not only will you not be able to live without it, you’ll want it all the time.”
“Preach!” Serena cheers, raising her wine glass.
“Testify,” Izzy adds with a nod.
“Vic adores you, Kerry, and everyone knows it. Let that man dick you down, girl.”
“Serena! Oh my God!” I grab a pen and chuck it at her.
“I said what I said.”
I wish I could take her advice.
I wish I could kiss Vic every day, tell him how I really feel, and make love—actual love—because that’s what’s in my heart.
But then what?
What happens next?
We’re already past our expiration date.
This was only supposed to be a fake summer fling, but now we’re deep into October with no end in sight.
And the longer I play this game, the more confused I become, and every time I try to discuss a break-up timeline, Vic deflects.
“Oh, I’ve added another event to the schedule.”
“But I need you with me at the restaurant opening.”
“But my show hasn’t even started yet.”
Show starts…
“Let’s wait ‘til the end of the season. We’re a hit.”
And I admit, we are a hit.
The town is back on my side.
My follower count skyrocketed from 800 to 45,000.
And Cory?
He’s been M.
I.
A.
for months.
No texts.
No threats.
No surprise visits .
Even Krista suddenly backed down after feeding into the love triangle madness for a few days.
I don’t know what prompted it—maybe her new secret boyfriend or maybe Vic’s warning to the network.
Either way, she made a full public apology, claiming she was confused by reality .
But none of that matters because nothing can make me want to keep up this charade.
Because the more we fake it, the more my heart believes it.
The touches, the appearances, the time we spend together, the compliments, and how deep I’m falling for him just feels all too real.
After the girls leave, I settle into the silence, allowing myself to fantasize over Vic and how good I can only imagine he’d make me feel.
Until my phone buzzes with a message from an unsaved number.
Unknown : Hi Kerry!
I’m sure you weren’t expecting to hear from me, but I’d like to extend an olive branch.
I know there’s been tension between us, but I want us to be friends.
Me, you, and Vic.
No love triangle this time ?
?
Unknown : I’d love for us to go out to dinner one night and let bygones be bygones…
I stare at the screen, shaking my head.
No, absolutely the hell not.
I can’t wait to tell Vic about this terrible idea.
~~~
“I think it’s a great idea,” Vic says.
I blink, then pull the phone away from my ear, making sure I’m not hallucinating.
“Huh? Who are you, and what did you do to my fake boyfriend?”
He laughs, low and teasing.
“Relax, Kerry. I knew she’d text you. Our PR teams and the network have been all over this. Apparently, they think the best way to shut down the drama is for all of us to go out, take some pictures, and pretend everything is sunshine and rainbows.”
“So, you’ve been planning this with Krista?” My stomach twists at the thought, jealousy creeping in before I can shove it down.
“Hell no,” he says immediately.
“You think I’d spend more time with her than necessary? I can barely stand to work with her.”
“Well, you could’ve given me a heads-up, Vic! You know I don’t like being bombarded like this. ”
He sighs, apologetically.
“You’re right, baby.”
Baby?
“I mean, Kerry. Uh… sorry about that.” He clears his throat.
“Anyway, I should’ve told you first. I just figured you’d say no, so I needed to catch you off guard.”
I scoff.
“Damn right I would’ve said no. Why the hell would I willingly sit across from Krista, pretending we’re best friends?”
“Because,” he says smoothly, “she’s been on her best behavior, and the network wants a photo op. Plus, her reputation took a big hit after she went after the town’s sweetheart.”
I roll my eyes, unimpressed.
“Serves her right, but I need more convincin’, Mr. Grimes.”
I can hear the smile in his voice, and I know he’s about to lay it on thick.
“Kerry Ann Kind…” He draws my name out, slow and sweet, like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
“My sweet, sexy, intelligent… employee. Please, don’t make me beg.”
I let out a reluctant laugh, shaking my head.
“Fine! But you owe me for this.”
“Thank you.” His voice is victoriously smug.
“Now, what are you wearing?”
My mouth falls open.
“Excuse me?”
“To dinner,” he says casually.
“I need to know what kind of trouble I’m walking into.”
I roll my eyes.
“Bye, Vic. Kiss the girls for me.” I hang up before he can say anything else.
~~~
Monday rolls in like a tsunami, a full-on disaster.
I like my life drama-free, which means keeping my peace intact.
But people like Krista?
They thrive on chaos.
Her energy is just so…
dark.
And while she hasn’t been a pest lately, I already do enough faking in my life.
I don’t want to fake nice with her, too.
“Alright, Kerry, hold still, or I swear to God, I’ll poke your eye out.” Izzy warns, mascara wand in hand.
Serena lounges on my bed, sipping wine like she’s at a five-star spa instead of my boss’ home.
“If Krista tries you tonight, you better channel your inner Rihanna and drag that hoe with grace. ”
Kiera snorts, tossing me a pair of earrings.
“No, screw grace. I say we take her ass out in the parking lot. We gotta channel freshman year at Clark.”
I sigh dramatically.
“Y’all are acting like I’m preparing for war, not dinner.”
Serena levels me with a deadpan stare.
“Sis, you’re in the thick of battle. That conniving, lying heffer challenged you to a duel, and now you have to defend your honor. And Vic’s.”
Kiera nods.
“Speaking of Vic, he owes you for this.”
“Yup, owes you some dick.” Serena smirks, swirling her wine.
The room erupts in laughter.
I swat at her with a hairbrush.
“Y’all are a mess,” I mutter, but I’m laughing, too.
Once they finish hyping me up, we all head into the front room, where the men—Vic, Hudson, Gabe, and Hawkins are waiting.
And it’s chaos.
A full-on madhouse.
Ari, Syd, Izzy, and Kiera’s little ones are running wild, chasing each other around the room like they’ve lost all their home training.
A shoe even flies across the air, barely missing Hudson’s head.
“You see why I sip whiskey every night?” Vic mutters, scanning the room like he’s calculating just how much damage control is needed.
I sigh, already sensing where his mind is going.
“Leaving six kids with them is a bad idea.” He worries.
“Izzy and Gabe are head down working while Hawkins and Kiera can barely keep their eyes open. And look at Hudson and Serena! They’re barely responsible and can’t stop touching each other.”
“Hey! We’re kind of responsible, and it’s your brother who can’t keep his hands to himself,” Serena cuts in.
I fold my arms, exchanging a worried glance with Vic.
“You’re right. Maybe we should stay home? I’d feel so much better if Vicky or my parents were here.”
Our friends groan in unison.
“Y’all act like an old married couple already,” Izzy scoffs.
“It’s one dinner. The kids will survive. Maybe.” She grins.
Our friends are great parents…
but they’re also the no-structure, dirty-walls, toys-everywhere kind of parents.
Thankfully, as if summoned by divine intervention, the front door swings open, and Vicky and my parents walk in.
My jaw drops, and my worries vanish.
“I was literally just praying for y’all to show up! ”
“Well, you know we hate last-minute plans, but when we heard Serena, Kiera, and Iz were gonna watch all the kids, we got worried. So, the reinforcements are here.” My mom smirks.
Ari and Syd shriek in delight, abandoning their chaotic games to run straight into their arms.
“Nana Grace, we missed you so much!” They cry, squeezing her tight.
My heart clenches at the sight.
“Oh, girls! We missed you too. Five days away from you feels like forever!”
I watch as my mother cradles Syd like she’s always been hers, and my father embraces Ari like she’s been his granddaughter since birth.
They’ve grown so close over the last five months.
My heart swells at how effortlessly they’ve welcomed the girls into their lives and how much love they pour into them without hesitation or limits.
But it’s all still a lie.
A beautifully crafted, well-intentioned lie.
And if my parents ever found out the truth, they’d be devastated.
Still, I push the guilt aside and exhale a sigh of relief now that our parents are here.
Vic steps closer, presses a warm hand to my back, and leans down to kiss my cheek.
Then together, we head out to Maxine’s Bar-N-Grill to fake nice with Krista.