Chapter 6
Bryse
Ipulled into the three-car garage of our four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home and parked beside Kennedi’s car.
We purchased the home two years ago. We had only been in our relationship for two years, but we knew that we were each other’s future.
Or so we thought. Kennedi left me confused, wondering what would happen between us.
I couldn’t believe that she was home this early.
It was only seven thirty, and she usually didn’t make it home until after nine.
I had worked later this evening as I prepared closing arguments for the trafficking case that I’d been knee-deep in for the last several weeks.
Tomorrow, the court would hear closing arguments, and I was ready to put this baby to bed.
I had no doubt that we would get a not guilty verdict, which meant that we would be going out tomorrow night to celebrate at either Tasty Temptations or Stroke ‘N’ Sip.
I closed the garage and went into the house.
I walked straight to the bedroom that had been converted into an office for me and put my laptop bag down.
Taking a look around, I debated whether I should chill down here for a while or go upstairs and face whatever mood she was in.
After a couple of minutes, I proceeded to go upstairs to check on Kennedi to make sure that she was okay.
“Hey, there. You all right?” I asked, walking into the room and heading for the walk-in closet.
“I’m just tired. Decided to come home, shower, and go to bed early tonight. Maybe I’ll wake up more refreshed in the morning,” she replied through a yawn.
I put my shoes on the rack and removed my clothes.
“Did you eat yet?”
“I grabbed some Mexican on the way home. I ordered you some, too, and placed it in the microwave.”
“Kenni, you know that I don’t like that.”
“Why not? It’s good. There are lots of vegetables in there. I know you love that.”
I sighed and headed into the bathroom to shower. When I returned from the shower, drying my hair and with another towel wrapped around my waist, I walked to her side of the bed and sat down.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead. Stroking her hair and pressing it back from her face, I murmured, “I’ve missed you.”
She yawned and replied, “I know. I’ve missed you too. Maybe we can spend some time together Friday night.”
“You do realize that tonight is Tuesday.”
“Baby, I know. I’m just extremely tired. I feel like I’ve been on the go all day long. I had an early morning. I got out of here at six this morning.”
“All right. I’ll leave you alone tonight,” I replied and leaned down to kiss her again.
She turned her face toward me, and we kissed briefly. When I pulled back, Kennedi stared sadly into my eyes. “Are you good?”
“Yeah. Good night,” she whispered with a soft, sad smile.
“Good night. I’m heading downstairs to my office, if you’re looking for me.”
Kennedi nodded and closed her eyes. I finished drying off, dressed in a T-shirt and basketball shorts, and headed back downstairs with my phone. I grabbed some leftover Indian food I’d had the night before and warmed it up.
I took my phone and my food and headed into the family room instead of my office. It was quiet and relaxing. I plopped down on the leather couch and ate my food before I noticed a new message from the app on my phone.
Swiping my phone’s screen, I entered the pin, opened the app, and went straight to what I had been waiting for all day. I saw that my companion, whom I’d been paired with for this weekend’s ball, had been texting me for a while.
COMPANION 103: Hey, it’s been a long day. But it was a good day. I can’t wait to hear about yours.
COMPANION 103: My colors for Saturday are black and gold. What about you?
COMPANION 103: Heading out to shop now. I’ll talk to you later.
COMPANION 103: I just got home from shopping. Just checking to see if you’re in.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: Hey, I’m here. Did you buy something that I might be interested in seeing?
COMPANION 103: Oh, I’m certain that you will be very interested. But you know the rules.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: It’s taking forever for Saturday to arrive.
COMPANION 103: I know. I feel the same way. I couldn’t wait to get home to talk to you.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: So, you’re not hanging around at work anymore? Lol!
COMPANION 103: Absolutely not. I’ve been looking forward to nothing but coming home to talk to you all day.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: Me too. You’re the bright spot in my day.
COMPANION 103: Things still tense at home?
MIDNIGHT LOVER: They are. That conversation won’t be an easy one to have.
COMPANION 103: I know. I wish that we could have met under different circumstances.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: It’s never too late to change your stars.
COMPANION 103: Are you looking to change yours?
MIDNIGHT LOVER: You’re the beginning of a whole new universe. It’s already changed because you’re in it.
COMPANION 103: You’ve got me blushing over here. I promise that’s not easy to do.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: I look forward to many more of those opportunities. What made you choose my profile?
COMPANION 103: Your mission statement about making a difference in the lives of those around you. Why did you choose my profile?
MIDNIGHT LOVER: Your love of walking in the rain, fall leaves, and your statement that you’re ready to embrace and live life on your terms and not society’s. What does that mean to you exactly?
COMPANION 103: I’ve had my priorities aligned with the wrong goals for a while.
Life is short, and we don’t get second chances at it.
There are so many mistakes that I wish I could undo, and I cannot.
I’m ready to live my life to enjoy the rest of the time I’ve been given because tomorrow isn’t promised. I want every day to count.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: Have you been diagnosed with a terminal illness?
The screen went blank for a moment, and the chat bubbles were no longer popping up. She wasn’t typing. I set my phone on my lap, crossed my leg over my knee, and rested my arms along the back of the couch.
I closed my eyes as I thought about the changes I would have to make.
I was more than willing to let Kennedi have the house.
I didn’t want to fight with her about another thing.
Life was too short not to have peace. I wanted happiness, and if I could find that with my companion, then I was ready to jump ship and do that.
I hadn’t been at first, but my heart was changing.
I didn’t want to waste another four years of my life with Kennedi, putting it on hold with her promises that we would be able to travel one day, and we could have kids someday.
I wanted to start a family now and enjoy the time I had.
At thirty-six, I knew full well that tomorrow wasn’t promised.
Hell, my own father had died in prison at the ripe age of forty of a brain aneurysm.
The fucked up part was that he was in jail for something he didn’t do, murder.
He had murdered some people. That came with the territory of being in the game.
He just didn’t do the one they accused him of.
He’d been set up. It was for that reason that I decided to become a criminal defense attorney instead of a corporate one like I’d planned.
COMPANION 103: Sorry. No. I’m not dying.
At least not to my knowledge. LOL. I had to read back what I wrote that gave you that impression.
It’s just that I’ve experienced a lot of loss and sacrifice.
I’m lonely, and I don’t want that for my future anymore.
I want the big house, the white picket fence, two or three kids, and the dog . . . after the husband.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: You mean to tell me that you don’t want the 2.5 kids that everyone asks for? Like, what the hell is 2.5 kids? How the hell do you get half a kid out of the deal? Sounds like a raw one to me.
COMPANION 103: LOL! Exactly! I want all of my kids. LOL!
MIDNIGHT LOVER: Well, as much as I hate to say goodnight, I need to get up early in the morning. I’ve got a big day.
COMPANION 103: Same. I can’t wait until we can talk on the phone and fall asleep together. LOL! Forgive me. I sound like a teen.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: Guess I’m right there with you then. Because I feel the same way. Even better when we can fall asleep in the same space together.
COMPANION 103: Sigghh. You’re melting my heart, sir.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: Goodnight, beautiful.
COMPANION 103: You haven’t seen me yet.
MIDNIGHT LOVER: I don’t have to see you. I already know that you’re beautiful. You’ve got a beautiful soul.
COMPANION 103: You’re making all my dreams come true. Good night.
I clicked out of the chat and locked my phone.
Guilt consumed me as I thought about my woman upstairs in bed.
I was having an emotional affair on her, and she had no clue.
But the way that Kennedi moved these days, I doubted that she would even care.
That girl had cubes running through her veins; she was as cold as ice.