Chapter 49
KC
Ajani and I are sitting at our usual booth inside Darla’s Pub.
It's officially ladies’ night and we’re the first to arrive.
I’ve been counting down the minutes for some strong drinks, ever since my day went to shit earlier.
First, my vehicle wouldn’t start this morning.
I called my automobile service for someone to come and check it out.
The guy took one look and explained to me how my battery had been fried.
Like how does that even happen? That was a brand new battery.
He replaced it, and then I went on about my day.
Then, after my shift, I walked out to the employee parking lot, feeling like I was being watched, only to find a big bag of sour skittles, spilled right outside the exit door.
I accidentally crushed them with my first step.
Skittles again? Somebody really loves Skittles, and apparently is super clumsy with them.
That’s so weird. It’s really been an off day.
“So, hotshot ballerina, any new studs for you?” I wiggle my eyebrows at Ajani.
“Pssh, yeah right. The men that surround me are too full of themselves, or they work for my father.” She takes a big drink of her Malibu and pineapple.
“Yeah, what about Beau? Have you guys been getting to hang out much?”
Her eyes widen at my abrupt, not-so-subtle question. “Yeah, sometimes. If I tell my dad he’ll be around, Dad is usually more comfortable.”
I smile at her, knowing she’s hiding a crush. “He’s a good guy. Have you ever watched him fight?”
“Actually, I haven’t. He’s asked me to come watch a time or two. Maybe we could all go together,” she cups her mouth with her hand and whispers obnoxiously, “since the word on the street is you’ve caught the eye of a certain new cage fighter.”
“Mmm, ‘caught’ is a strong word.” I twist my glass beer bottle around, watching the condensation go down the sides. “We used to date, like forever ago…”
“Oh shit, really!? And how is it that it’s taken you this long to spill those beans, huh? Are we even friends?” Ajani jabs her finger at me.
I smack her finger out of the way. “Hey now, you’ve been busy doing shows, and I’ve been busy… doing what I do.”
She relaxes her upper back against the seat. “Yeah, you’re right. Life’s been… hectic.” She sucks on her straw while tapping the table with her freshly manicured nails. “Where the hell’s Brittney?”
“Ugh.” I grab my cell out of my purse, pressing the side button to check and see if there are any new notifications—nada.
“I don’t know. The last time I heard from her, she texted and told me she’d be heading this way shortly.
” It’s not too unusual for her to be late; sometimes it’s because of work, but sometimes she just can’t seem to pull herself away from her man.
“So, that means Brittney also knows this new cage fighter?” Ajani continues.
Ugh, I don’t know how much I want to go into detail about Jared—or even if I should.
Mathew hasn’t texted since he told me he’d be out of town for a few weeks, but it’s not like I owe him anything.
We never made it official, even though I did think about it for a brief moment.
Then Jared came back into my life, almost as if he was meant to be a sign.
That heart pendant has still been put away since that night, and it’s been an adjustment not having it around my neck.
My hand still reaches for it from time to time, missing the sway of it beneath my fingers.
Finishing off my beer, I raise it over my head, waving it at the bartender. She smiles back and nods. “Yeah, she knew him too. Remember how I told you I was running away from something when I came here?”
“Yeah.” Her words are maintained.
“I love you for never pestering or bugging the truth out of me.” I grab her hand that’s resting on the table top, squeezing it. “You’ve become like a sister to me; I'm so thankful for you.”
“Stahhhp it; you’re gonna make me cry, KC.” Ajani scoots closer and brings me in for a hug. “You’re family to me and my dad.” She ends her statement with a peck on my cheek. She dabs at her eyes. “Now, let’s hear it.”
“Heyyy, pretty ladies!!!” Brittney’s chipper voice is heard before we see her walking to the booth.
She plops herself down, causing the booth’s cushion to give us a bump.
“I’m so sorry; it was… work.” Her hand grabs the thin material of her sweatshirt and pulls down her sleeves even farther over her hand that’s carrying a flyer.
“Hey, did you see this when y’all walked in?
! Male dancers will be here—at Darla’s!”
“I’ve actually never been to one of those shows,” Ajani says while bringing her hand up and over Brittney’s face to grab the flyer out of her hand.
Brittney’s body physically flinches.
“Are you good?”
“Yeah, Ajani just caught me off guard,” Brittney whispers, attempting to laugh it off.
But my gut’s telling me something’s off with Britt. I give her a knowing look, silently asking her about it. She fans me away with her hand.
“Now that I think about it, Britt and I haven't either… What the hell is wrong with us? Let’s make it happen!” I cheers, raising my beer.
Ajani grabs her phone and takes a picture of the flyer. “Alright, now I got it saved. I’ll make sure we don't forget.”
Brittney folds the flyer up and puts it in her small purse. “It was meant for me to be late and grab this, I guess.”
“Uh, why are you wearing sweats? It’s like ninety degrees outside.” Ajani pokes fun at her. “You’re not trying to sweat off any weight are you? You’re already too skinny!”
Brittney’s face is flushed. “I’m just, uh… having period cramps. I wanted to be comfy is all.”
Ajani brushes off her answer, quickly pointing her drink at me. “Ah, okay. KC was just about to tell me all about the new cage fighter,” she sing-songs.
Brittney’s lips part, falling open before quickly regaining her composure. “Oh, was she?” Her eyes go to me.
My palms go up toward both of their faces. “I feel like I’m about to be tag-teamed by the two of you hussies.”
Ajani and Brittney shake their heads and speak at the same time. “We’d never.”
“Brittney, did you order a drink before coming over?” I look at her empty spot on the table.
She palms her forehead. “Actually, I forgot. Saw you ladies over here waiting on me and came straight over.”
Jennifer, one of the main bartenders here, brings me a bottled beer, opening it before placing it down on the table.
I holler at her backside, “Hey, Jen, don’t take off yet! Britt forgot to order.”
“Sure thing. What poison are you craving tonight, honey.?”
“Uhm, I’m feeling like this girls’ night is about to get deep… How about a whiskey sour?”
“I like your style. I’ll bring it out as soon as it’s done.”
Ajani’s elbows rest on the table. “Okay, out with it, KC.”
I lift a shoulder slightly. “It’s quite simple: his brother murdered my sister. I couldn’t stand the sight of Jared anymore without blaming myself for introducing Joey and Beth.”
Ajani spits her drink out, wiping at her mouth. “Wait, what the fuck?”
Brittney kicks my foot under the table. “Real subtle, babe.”
“It’s the short, and truest, version there is to our love story.” I can feel my heart crack inside my chest. Our love story is past tense.
After Ajani doesn’t let up, wanting more than my short answers, I tell her the whole story, while Britt sits beside me, her supportive hand on my knee.
Ajani wipes away a lone tear that broke free. “I’m so sorry, KC. I never would’ve guessed you had gone through something like that.”
“It is what it is.” I grab Britt’s shoulder and bring her against me. “I’m thankful for this beautiful woman; she was there through it all and pulled me out of my darkest depth, and has stood by me ever since. I’ll always be in her debt.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” Her head leans against my shoulder. “I love you, best friend.”
“I love you more!”
“Okay, okay. So what’s going through your mind now that he’s randomly popped back into the picture?” Ajani coos.
“I don’t even know if there’s a picture of us anymore.” I choke out the last part.
Brittney pulls away from my side, sitting up straighter. Her whiskey sour has just been placed down in front of her. She holds up a finger at me before downing half of the drink. “Actually, Jared talked to me earlier at the gym.”
“What?” I blurt out.
“Yeah, he uh, noticed me waiting on Skyler. Wanted to talk about you.” Her hand is twirling her drink around slowly.
“What about me?” I lean against the table.
Ajani has scooted her butt over in the booth, and now she’s right next to me, ready for all the details to spill from Brittney’s lips. The closer I lean in, I notice her bottom lip looks swollen, but before I can ask about it, she continues.
“He told me that he’s always loved you. And had never forgotten about you through all of these years.” Her knee bumps into mine. “Now doesn’t that sound familiar, Kailey?”
On instinct, I reach for my necklace, the one that’s not there but tucked away at home.
My phone vibrates at my side. I open it to find a notification label on top.
UNKNOWN
Hi, Dimples.