Page 4 of The Sweetest Devotion

Cain thumbed at his full bottom lip as his eyes ran from my neckline to my feet. “I have to step out for a phone call. Will you excuse me?”

Of course I would. “Y-Yes.”

He blinked at my stutter, but said nothing as he walked around me and disappeared.

I heaved a huge sigh and wiggled my fingers, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.

My mother was far across the room at the fireplace, entertaining old friends of hers. ACongratulations Kennedy & Cainbanner hung from one wall to the other as gold and silver balloons floated in the air. The room was bursting with chatter and soft classical music.

I was glad my mother had forgone an official dinner, and instead opted for alcoholic beverages and appetizers. Men and women in red vests and white dress shirts were buzzing around the room and house, hoisting platters of cucumber sandwiches, gourmet stuffed mushrooms, smoked salmon and rye, and little strawberry shortcake desserts.

There was so much going on, so much noise, so many people, so little time to think before I jumped into action.

“Kennedy!” Influencers and other notables called my name as I made a beeline for the exit.

Trying not to draw too much attention to my panic attack, I stopped when approached, smiled and showed off my ring when needed, and lied about my secret fairy tale romance with Cain.

With my mother distracted, I slipped out of the room and headed back up to the second floor to my room and locked myself in.

In the semi safety that was my old room, I began to pace, weighing my options, questioning the sanity of this whole charade.

I couldn’t do this. My father was the one sick, but it was me who felt as if I were dying inside.

My mother would kill me once she got her hands on me, but I had to get out of here, away from this party, away from this engagement—away from Cain.

Because my mother didn’t trust me, I knew there was GPS tracking on my phone. I hated to have to leave without it, but I couldn’t make a getaway and leave a trail of breadcrumbs.

I had nowhere to go. But anywhere felt better than here.

My mind was made up. I grabbed my clutch, tossed my cell phone on my canopy bed, and stepped out of my room. People were lingering around, having snuck up to the second floor for quieter conversation. No one paid me any notice as I walked with haste down toward the foyer. In a second, I was out the front door and into the night.

My patent leather nude Christian Louboutin heels didn’t fail me as I raced out to the valet without looking back.

2

I wipedoff a smudge of grease from the hood of the deep green Bronco before standing back and cleaning my hands with the old rag.

“You straight,” I spoke up as I tore my eyes from the truck and peered over at my boy Savon.

He adjusted his gold wired frames and took in his ride. “Yeah? I’m not gon’ be drivin’ and my brakes won’t work, right?”

His joke failed to humor me. I took my work seriously when I was customizing or fixing a car. “Like I said, you straight.”

“Arewe, though?” Savon questioned next, studying me with a look of seriousness.

I folded my arms, unsure what he was getting at. He’d been my boy since we were kids. Truth be told, we were like brothers, same mother different father type shit. “Whatchu mean?”

Savon lifted his chin at me. “Ain’t seen you in a minute. Dude gotta get his brakes fixed just to see if you still around.”

Here we go.

Brushing a hand over my head, I took a breath. I peered around my uncle Rod’s garage, at anything but Savon just then. We were the only two inside. Business was slow on this Sunday evening, which wasn’t surprising since it usually was.

If it was anybody else, I wouldn’t say a thing. But like I said, Von was like a brother. “Things just been kinda different for me after…Leila.”

Understanding had Savon making anOshape with his mouth as he nodded. Everybody knew my ex; she was glued to my side like a conjoined twin at most functions. Or up under me at my place if I wasn’t at hers. “Got you.”

Just like everyone knew of our relationship, I was sure those closest to me knew of our split, too. It had been a year and some change and I still was collecting what was left of myself.

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