Page 72 of No More Bad Boys
“Blake’s sister Whitney came by the station. We talked, and I realized I’ve hurt him at least as much as he hurt me. And there’s no need for it. If he can be brave enough to overcome his momma-issues and move forward, I can overcome mine, too. And there’s something else I’ve realized I need to get over… so I’ll go ahead and admit it. I’m jealous of you. Or Iwas.”
Her jaw drops. “Jealous? For God’s sakewhy? Because of Momma’s attention? Believe me, you were better off not being her ‘favorite.’ I was always envious that you were able to fly under the radar so much better than me.”
“No. It’s not that. I was jealous because you’re always so beautiful and poised and perfect, because every guy we knew wanted you instead of me.”
“That’s not true. I’ve never been perfect, andyou—youarebeautiful. You don’t even need all this gunk I plaster myself with.”
She uses a hand to gesture toward her made-up face.
“As far as guys go… I never told you this, but Mark used to check you out all the time when he thought I wasn’t looking. And he was a littletoodisappointed whenever we’d have a family thing and you weren’t there. I was super-jealous of you.”
“Wow. I didn’t think I could hate that guy any more than I already do. I was wrong.”
Kenley laughs. “And let me tell you something aboutBlake,” she says shaking her head for emphasis. “He was interested in me when we met in school, but the way he feels about you is a whole different thing. Heneverhad that much intensity about me. Even if I hadn’t met Mark, I doubt Blake and I would have kept going out. And just in case you’re wondering—we never… you know.”
I giggle, my gaze going up to the ceiling and back down to her. “Okay. Thatisgood to know, actually. I mean, I have my limits where hand-me-downs are concerned.”
Her face lights up. Her tone is filled with hope.
“So does this mean you’re going to get back together?”
I take a deep breath and lift my palms in front of me. “I hope so. Whitney said he’ll be at Darby’s tonight. I’m going there in a few minutes to apologize and to see if he still wants me.”
Kenley claps her hands and does a little tippy-toe happy dance. “Ofcoursehe does. He’s not a double-engineering major, but he’s no dummy either. Come on. I’ll drive.”
EIGHTEEN
Elvis
The sound of a beached and desperate whale is audible before we even open the door to Darby’s.
Oh, not a whale. Once inside I can see that it’s actually a girl singing—if you can call it that—up on the small stage in the front of the bar.
She’s super-tan, super-skinny, and wearing a get-up that would make Miley blush. Right. Friday night Karaoke.
Fine, I’ll just have to make my heartfelt let’s-stay-together speech to the accompaniment of Katy Perry’s most recent hit song, minus the actual melody.
First I have to find Blake.
Thankfully, it’s not hard. Kenley and I take a few steps into the place, and his auburn curls catch my attention. He sits a head taller than the people surrounding him in a long booth against the wall.
Blake’s back is to me, but I can see the faces of a few of our co-workers from the station.
Luce is one of them, thank goodness. Maybe there will beoneperson in the group who doesn’t hate me. Gabe’s there—Alissa, too. Of course. The top of her little dark head is nearly lying on Blake’s shoulder.
Well, I don’t really care—friend or foe, co-worker or stranger—they’re all welcome to witness my groveling if it’ll make things right between Blake and me.
Kenley grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze before dropping it again. “I’ll wait at the bar. Go.” She encourages me with an excited smile.
I’ve practiced my speech. I know what I want to say to him. I just hope Whitney and Kenley are right and he’ll let me say it.
Nerves tangle in my belly, making it feel like a steaming bowl of ramen noodles as I approach the booth.
When I reach it, I put my hand on Blake’s shoulder and lean down to be heard over the “music.”
“Can I talk to you?”
He turns his head, looking down at my hand until I remove it from his shoulder. And then he goes back to his cross-table conversation with Gabe.
