Page 226 of We Shouldn't Be Together
I gulp hard, and my vision blurs with wateriness. “He wanted Jamie to stay in his bedroom.”
Drew’s jaw drops. “That son-of-a… Why did you say there was nothing going on between them?”
“Drew, they’ve been friends since they were little kids.” I wipe away the silly tears. “I don’t think he meant it the way it sounded.”
“Did his brain get scrambled? Geez, I can’t be on the same side as Dad about something.”
“Would you stop?” I sniff, digging my tennis shoes against the shiny yet scuffed linoleum floor. “When I questioned him, he said it was nothing compared to asking if his girlfriend could stay over. He promised I was the only girl for him.”
“So, why is he playing mind games with you?”
“He doesn’t realize I have a problem with their friendship. I’m too scared to mention it. I don’t want him to be mad at me.”
“Sounds like another version of Camila.”
It hits me hard, and I sniff at the threat of tears. “He said he wouldn’t treat me like she does.”
Drew nudges me. “Then call him. Straighten this out. If he doesn’t tell you what you want to hear, then you end it. Got me?”
I nod, but I’m not fully committed. The thought of breaking up with Kai has my heart frazzled. He’s made me feel so safe, heard, and valued.
But I can’t hide the fact I don’t currently feel like that. And it’s only compounded by the fact not only my dad—but also my brother—are not currently on Team Kai.
I get up from my seat, cradling my phone, and move into a less crowded area of the bowling alley, finding a vacant corner.
“Hey, this is a surprise.” Kai answers after three rings.
I suck in an uneasy breath. “It is?”
“Well, yeah. You’ve never called me before.”
“Oh. Yeah, I guess that’s true.”
“What’s up, babe?”
Babe. He called me babe. That’s a good start. Would he call me that in front of Jamie? Is she with him right now?
“Tab? You there?”
I shake out of my thoughts. “Oh, yeah, umm, sorry.”
He chuckles into the phone. “Don’t be. Where are you, anyway? There’s a lot of noise in the background.”
“Would you believe Drew took us out for family night?”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. His call. We’re at the bowling alley.”
“Cool. Are you winning?”
“Only against Corbin, but just barely,” I joke.
“So, is this why you called?” Kai asks. “Do you need me to rescue you from family night or something?”
“No,” I rush. “I just mean, I’m having a nice time with my brothers. I just…”
The words freeze in my throat and I stare blankly at the wall in front of me.
