Page 48 of Sweet Girl
“Hey, by the way, man. It’s the twins’ birthday today. We’re having a few drinks over at our place. You’re welcome to come over and hang out. I’m sure Ky would love to see you again.”
I nearly choke on my response. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t.
How did I get myself into this mess? Shit, if I do by some miracle get Kylah to forgive me and give me another chance, it’ll be like passing through Hell’s gates when I bring it up with Cade. He’s going to be one sorry mother fucker when he realizes the advice he gave me was about his sister and not some random chick.
Throwing the soiled towel into the bin as I pass through the locker room door, glancing over my shoulder at Cade. “Yeah, maybe I’ll stop by. Should I bring her a present?”
Cade snorts. “Nah, man...’cause if you bring one present, you have to bring one for the other. And Kady’s a picky woman. There’s never any pleasing that girl!”
I make a sad attempt at laughter, but my mind fast forwards to the next time I see Kylah. I pray she is as mild-mannered and forgiving as I think she is. Otherwise, I’ll be in the doghouse for a long time to come.
****
Idon’t arrive empty-handed. I brought a twelve pack of beer for the guys and two bouquets of flowers for Kady and Kylah.
In one of our many conversations over the last few months, Kylah had mentioned that she’d never received any floral delivery or arrangement from anyone outside her family. So I decided to go big or go home.
I bought a huge bouquet of rainbow colored roses and a big Happy Birthday balloon for Kylah. For her sister, I got a much smaller and friendlier bouquet of bright pink and purple gerbera daisies. I don’t want to look weird coming in with a gigantic arrangement for a girl I didn’t even know. This will already earn me a bunch of side-eye glances from the boys. But fuck it. I have to grovel, so this is a start.
I inhale deeply and blow it out as I open the front door of the apartment. I’ve been to their place more times than I can count, but this is the first time I’ve ever been anxious walking through the door. The nerves over seeing Kylah, and the possibility of getting my head taken off for not contacting her back, have me literally shaking in my shoes.
Stepping across the threshold, I hear shouts and laughter coming from every part of the room. Lance and Scott Wagner are over on the couch, munching on some popcorn and arguing over who gets to play the next game against Carver. And he’s sitting on a chair, locking lips with some blondie who’s practically down his throat.
Ainsley’s on Cade’s lap over in a corner chair, and they’re looking at something on her phone and laughing. There’s a few others milling around that I’m familiar with, but don’t know personally, as I turn to the direction of the kitchen. There sitting at the table with her back to me is Kylah. Or at least, I think it’s Kylah, because the look-alike currently staring at me has blue hair and is giving me the stink eye.
Yup. Pretty sure that’s her evil twin sister and she is none too happy with me.
She says something directed at Ky, whose head suddenly whips around toward me. She’s wearing her glasses and an expression I can’t read. I watch her eyes as they glance down at what’s in my hands and then they make their way back to my eyes, where I give her an apologetic smile. I know I’ll have to do way more than that, but I see a start of a shy smile form in the corner of her mouth, before turning away from me.
I slowly make my way into the kitchen and round the table, stepping to the side so I’m facing Kylah. Her cheeks are red – from embarrassment or anger, I’m not sure which. But she doesn’t look at me. Instead, she stabs the piece of cake in front of her with her fork and takes a bite, focusing her eyes down at the table.
“Happy birthday, Kylah.” I need to start somewhere and that’s the best I can come up with. “These are for you.”
I hold them out to her but she doesn’t take them. Doesn’t even glance up.
I shoot a glance over to her sister, who is at the very least acknowledging my existence.
“And these are for you. Happy birthday, Kady. I’m Donavan. Most people call me...” She cuts me off.
“I know who the fuck you are.”
I take a step back, for fear of losing a limb from the icy blade of her voice. Christ, she’s vicious. Kylah mentioned they were opposites. And now I see the difference.
I place the arrangements down in front of each of them, but keep my distance as best as I can. It’s probably comical, with me being six-foot-seven and two-hundred and fifteen pound, afraid of two little nineteen-year-old women. One of them bites, I can guarantee you that much.
“What are you doing here, Van?” This from Kady. Her tone razor sharp. “You’re not welcome at our birthday party.”
Hmm. Okay. How to proceed when the hound of hell is fiercely protecting her sister?
Be humble. That’s what my dad always taught me. So here goes.
“I’m pretty sure you’re right, Kady. If I were Kylah, I wouldn’t want an asshat at my birthday party, either. Because I’m kind of a shit show right now and have obviously been a horrible friend to her lately. I don’t have a great excuse, except that I was dealing with a lot of crap, stuff I’d like to explain to her in private, if she’ll let me. But if not, I came here - invited by Cade, by the way – to apologize to Kylah for my behavior and for letting her down. I didn’t mean to. And I just want her to know that I value our friendship, above everything else, and I would really like a second chance to make things right. If she’ll accept my apology and forgive me.”
My heart pounds a hundred miles an hour and I can just tell my face is getting blotchy and tinted red. This is way tougher than I expected it to be – especially with Kady giving me the death glare.
Laughter and music come blaring in from the other room, but I pay it no attention to it. All my focus – everything I see – is right here in front of me. My eyes don’t veer from Kylah as I reach to grab her hand, bringing it to my mouth.
She jerks her stiff hand back but I hold tight as I place a light kiss on top, allowing my lips to linger there for a split second before placing it back on the table. She lifts her eyes to me which hold pools of tears welling in them.
