Page 53 of Fumbled Beginning

“I’m sorry, I’m late,”Kinley said, sliding into the chair across from me.

I waved her off. “It’s fine.”

I called her yesterday and asked if she wanted to meet for dinner. Since she’s been with my brother, we don’t get a lot of one-on-one time anymore. I sent JP out on a guys’ night, needing a little break from the intensity of our relationship. I needed to clear my head, and Kinley needed a break after spending all day taking care of my sick nephew.

“Zander kept trying to peel his pajamas off and was giving your brother a hard time.” She took a sip of the martini I ordered for her. “He’s been running a low-grade fever for the past two days and has been absolutely miserable.”

“Did you call your pediatrician?”

She flopped back, looking worn out and exhausted. “They think it’s a viral infection, but I’m ninety-nine percent sure it has something to do with his teething.”

“Poor guy.”

She nodded her head and placed her napkin on her lap. “Enough about my chaotic life. How are things going with JP?”

A blush crept up my neck, remembering our early morning shower. “Things are going great.”

She clasped her hands under her chin. “I love you two together.”

“I think you are enjoying this way too much.” I laughed.

“He’s a great guy and you are my best friend, so of course, I’m happy.”

I smiled as our server placed a breadbasket down. I was starving after a long day of work. “Do you need a minute to look over the menu, or do you ladies know what you want?”

“You go first,” I said. “I’ll be able to pick something.”

After placing our order, Kinley leaned forward. “Can I tell you how much I love you for choosing an Italian restaurant. I’ve been on a strict diet and trying to get back to my normal weight before I had Zander and it isn’t easy. I haven’t had real food in what feels like forever and today happens to be my cheat day.”

I rolled my eyes. “You look great. You don’t need to lose weight.”

Since Kinley has been with my brother, she’s been obsessed with her appearance. The fans and media could be pretty harsh, and after being thrown in the spotlight last year, she’s been very self-conscience about her looks.

She chuckled. “Tell that to my stomach.”

“Knock it off, you look great.”

She waved me off. “Sorry, moving on.” She held up a piece of bread and dipped it in oil. “Now, circling back to JP, how are things going? I feel like I never see you anymore.”

“I know.” I sighed. “JP and I were just saying that we need to get together.”

Her lips quirked to the side. “Your brother has been moping around the house, saying you stole his friend from him.”

I laughed. “We just want to give him some time before we shove our relationship in his face.”

She nodded. “I understand, but I can say with one hundred percent certainty that it’s okay. Maverick is fine with the two of you together, as long as JP doesn’t do anything stupid.”

My heart began to pound, and it was probably nothing, but our conversation from the other night wasn’t sitting right with me. Whenever we would talk about his past, he would get tense. I didn’t want to pressure him or make him feel guilty, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something.

Kinley studied me for a few seconds. “Rylee, what’s the matter?”

“I don’t know.” I chewed on my bottom lip nervously, not sure how to explain this.

She gave me a pointed look.

“Okay.” I sat up straighter, not knowing how much I should share with her. “I feel like he’s keeping something from me.”

Her jaw dropped. “Like another woman? That kind of something?”

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