Page 34 of My Best Friend's Brother
“He slapped Kori right across the mouth one day for telling him she was going to school out of state and never coming back.” Keke sniffed. “I’d never seen my older sister cry until that night. She wouldn’t stop for a solid hour.” Keke laughed derisively. “I thought how weak she looked. Broken down and sobbing in Kat’s arms.” Keke stared at him, her gaze determined. “I promised myself I would never be that way.”
“What way?”
“Weak! Vulnerable. Allowing someone to have such control over my emotions that they could tear me down with their words. No man’s opinion could be worth that much risk. I’d leave, and never come back, and I wouldn’t shed a tear no matter what he said.”
Pete sucked in his lips, considering. Keke had a horrible father, but not every guy was like him. There were probably a ton of guys who wouldn’t think to crush the goals and dreams of those closest to them.
He thought she was amazing. He’d seen her dance at school years ago. Her body effortlessly bending and spinning, gliding across the stage. Her movements had him transfixed, and he could only describe it as pure beauty.
“I’m sorry,” he said. The words felt woefully inadequate. “He… There was something wrong with him. All of you are successful. He should’ve been proud, not…” He wasn’t sure what Mr. Kaye thought of his daughters or what he was afraid of. His mistreatment directly influenced and enabled their success. How did he not see that?
Keke snorted. “Oh, there was something wrong with him, all right. He was a bitter jerk who didn’t make something of himself, so he had to take it out on his daughters.”
“I know the feeling.”
Her hand touched his. “Oh, I know you do. I don’t know why you haven’t left yet. Both you and Bertie. I thought for sure she’d go to school out of state.”
“If my meeting with Warp Entertainment goes well, Titus Headley will never see me again,” Pete said firmly, Keke’s prior declarations emboldening him.
“That’s the spirit! We don’t need fathers in our lives.”
Pete frowned. The prospect of starting a new life away from Titus Headley was appealing, but he didn’t feel like celebrating.
“I never have to see my father again, and I’m glad for it.”
Her bottom lip trembled. How much did she believe her own words? Anger and bitterness laced her tone. She had issues with her father that continued to persist after his death. She might be glad to never experience his displeasure again, but his death didn’t give her closure.
Pete spread his fingers until hers fell in between his. Her eyes met his quickly, but she didn’t move her hand. He willed their connection fixed. “Keke—”
“Hey, Petey!”
Lea waved from a distance.
Keke shot up. “Enjoy your evening,” she muttered before jogging back toward the campfire with a quick wave to Lea.
Pete stood slowly, his heart heavy. He had to think positive thoughts, or he’d blow this opportunity with Lea.
“You look nice,” Lea commented.
Pete glanced down at his jeans and t-shirt. “I do?”
She looped an arm around his. “Yeah, silly. Very handsome. Even in the camp uniform.” She giggled. “But I like this look better.”
Pete smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He appreciated the compliment but couldn’t lie to himself. He wished it had come from Keke. But she didn’t see him like that. She was his sister’s older friend who was teaching him how to talk to girls. If anything, she saw him as a charity case. A young padawan not yet able to wield the power of his masculine force.
Not man enough to be with her.
