by B. Celeste
All three of them stare at us.
Dad’s lips thin, Mom inhales slowly, and Gavin’s eye twitches. And then, at the worst time possible, Corbin’s phone goes off again. The loud ringtone breaks the silence but doesn’t stop the growing tension in the room.
He curses and grabs it from his pocket.
“Wife calling?” Gavin bites.
“Stop,” I warn, giving him a look that says I’ve just about had it with his opinion and so-called ‘help’.
Corbin sighs. “It’s my mother. Sorry.” He presses the ignore button and sets it on the table between us. “Listen, I know none of you are my biggest fans. Truth be told, I’m not my biggest fan either sometimes. But Kinley has always been there for me and I have no intention of not being there for her. Now more than ever.”
“So what?” Gavin questions. “Because you knocked up my little sister, you decide to keep her?”
My fists clench so tight my fingernails cut into the heel of my palm. “If you say one more word I’m leaving. You’ve never liked Corbin and I never understood why. He didn’t do anything to me, Gavin. You were always so bitter over your own failed relationships that you tried protecting me from mine before they even happened. You need to admit that your actions toward us were unfair from the start. You labeled us doomed because of Aimee and ruined what we had. It was vindictive, and honestly, say what you want but I think a part of you did it on purpose.”
Corbin squeezes my hand. “Kinley…”
Gavin’s face turns red and the muscles in his neck pop like Dad’s do when he’s angry. “I did you a favor whether you accept it or not.”
“A favor?” I spit, feeling my hands shake. Maybe it’s the hormones, or maybe it’s the years of pent up anger, but I’m about to lose it on him. I’ve always held my tongue when it comes to Gavin, but I’m tired of it. He’s constantly intervening where he shouldn’t, and whether he wants to admit it or not, he did lead to the ruination of my relationship with Corbin. Maybe at that time, even if I had seen Corbin the day my brother chased him away, we would’ve still inevitably ended up right where we are, but I’m not so sure.
“Kids,” Dad tries intervening.
“You know what,” Gavin states, leaning forward and ignoring Dad. “I take full responsibility for what I did if that makes you feel better. I did what I had to do to protect my little sister. And I don’t regret that because I never want to see you hurt, and that’s exactly what you were when he—” He points to Corbin. “—left. I’m sorry for upsetting you, but if you’re both sitting here then can you honestly say I ruined you?”
My jaw is strung so tight I worry I’ll break it when I grind my teeth.
Mom sighs heavily. “This is blowing out of proportion. You two love each other. The last thing I want to see if your relationship torn apart because of something that happened almost a decade ago. You’re both adults. Act like it.”
I throw my hands up, ready to explode. “Why do you always take his side? This is why I hate talking to you guys about anything. The minute I want to open up, it becomes a joke.”
Her eyes narrow at me in offense. “Who said this was a joke? Quit being melodramatic, Kinley. We’re all talking like you wanted.”
“You think Gavin meddling in business that’s not his own and then calling him out on it is being melodramatic?”
She scoffs. “What do you want from me, Kinley? Nothing I do or say seems to be enough for you anymore.”
Corbin’s hold tightens on me again, grounding me enough to take a moment before I say something I’ll regret. I didn’t come here to yell. To be yelled at, sure. But not to wedge distance between us more than it already is.
“I just want you guys to know that this is happening and I’m sorry for disappointing you,” I say instead, voice drained of all emotion. There’s nothing left in me at this point and I don’t know how to take that. “Sometimes we choose to do things no matter the consequences because we know we’ll withstand the storm. And I believe that to be true with us. We’re having a baby, and I’d like all of you to be part of his or her life when the time comes.” I make a point to look at Gavin, whose eyes are dark. “But you’re going to have to accept that this is final regardless of your own personal opinions because I love Corbin and I love our baby we created despite the destruction.”
The room falls to silence, leaving me giving a limp shrug before leaning against Corbin as he presses a kiss to my temple.
His phone goes off again, leaving me wincing. This time, he curses and picks it up to answer. “Mom, now isn’t—”
I recognize his mother’s voice on the other end but can’t make out the frantic words. Corbin’s face twists over whatever she’s telling him as we all watch him.
“What kind of situation?”
Worry fills me.
Something dark washes over Corbin’s face as he stands up abruptly. “I’ll be right over. Just … don’t say anything to her. Give me five minutes.”
He hangs up and stuffs the phone into his pocket, looking at me with distant eyes.
“Corbin, what—”
“I need you to stay here.”
I blink. “What? Why?”
“Leaving so soon?” Gavin quips.
“Not now,” I hiss at him, standing up. “I want to know what’s going on. What’s wrong? Are your parents okay? Did something happen?”
Corbin’s hand webs through his hair, and I know something isn’t right. He leans into my ear and whispers two words that freeze my insides. “Lena’s here.”
Lena’s here.
Lena’s here.
“In Lincoln?” I whisper.
“Kinley?” Dad prompts.
I brush hair behind my ear and look at Corbin. “I’m coming with you.”
“That isn’t—”
“Good or bad, remember?”
His lips purse.
“Kinley?” Mom asks.
“We have a situation,” is all I say before grabbing Corbin’s hand and steering him away from the table.
“So that’s it?” Gavin calls out.
“Not now, Gavin.”
Mom and Dad stay at the table, but Gavin follows us into the kitchen. “Then when? I’ve wanted to talk to you but gave you space. Now you’re just leaving without any explanation?”
I turn around, nearly smacking into his broad chest because he’s so close. “I’m coming back, idiot. Unless you want to piss me off by saying something that’ll make me change my mind, I suggest you close your mouth and let us leave.”
He obeys, though his jaw ticks.
“Kinley, you should stay here,” Corbin tells me quietly. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with Lena, and—”
“Jesus Christ,” Gavin blurts, glaring at him. “Your fucking wife is here in Lincoln?”
Mom and Dad come into the kitchen, no longer giving us their space.
“Come again?” Mom says, eyeing me skeptically. Dad just stands beside her looking off, and I know his wariness is justified.
“Soon to be ex-wife,” I repeat, though there’s a lack of confidence in my tone that does the moment no justice.
“Kinley, come on,” Gavin tries to reason.
Corbin brushes my hand. “I’ll be back as soon as things are handled. I promise. Your family and you should talk about this. I can speak to mine—”
I give my family my back, putting my hands on my hips. “How many times have you asked me to fly with you? If we’re a team, we do this together. Birds travel in flocks. We’re a family now.”
The room is quiet as Corbin nods.
Mom and Dad don’t try to stop me. I think they’ve figured out that I’m not going to let them. But Gavin still follows behind us as we walk out the door, keys in hand, and head to Corbin’s car.
“Think about this,” my brother tells me, holding the passenger door open.
“I am.”
“You’re not.”
“We need to go,” I say through gritted teeth, tuggi
ng on the door for him to let go.
“Fine.” He lets go of it and promptly opens the back one, sliding in and leaving me speechless.
Corbin doesn’t say a word as he starts the car and backs out. I can tell by his terse face that he’s got too much on his mind to even think about the fact that my brother is third-wheeling this unwelcome adventure. Even my mind is racing too fast to even think about what this means.
The drive is fast because Corbin runs the red light and goes well above the speed limit down Main Street. I want to say something but have no words. I just let him grip the wheel and grind his teeth as we slow down in front of his parents’ yellow house.
He gets out immediately, storming to the house as Gavin and I both climb out at the same time.
“Kinley Thomas!” an unfamiliar voice calls from somewhere off to the side. I turn just as a huge camera points in my direction, blinding me with bright flashes.
Instinct has me covering my stomach that is no longer hidden by the jacket I left at my parents’ house. The photographer instantly notices the reaction, aiming his camera at the way my palm covers the round belly under my sweater.
His eyes light up like he just won the lottery. And in his world … he did. “Jesus Christ,” he muses, snapping more pictures as I stand frozen in shock.
Gavin quickly pushes me behind him, covering me from the camera’s view as he guides us inside. When the photographer gets closer, Gavin doesn’t hesitate to curse him out and shove him back so I can get into the house without the lens being shoved in my face again.
But the damage is done regardless of my big brother protecting me like he knows best. And in that moment I chip at the anger held toward him because I know he was just doing what he thought was best back then, just like he is now.
When I walk into the Callum’s home, Corbin and Lena are standing face to face at the end of the hall and the tension in the air is so thick I may suffocate.
Corbin is seething.
Lena is smiling.
“You must be Kinley,” she says in a thick accent, turning to me with inquisitive eyes raking down my body. “Oh, my. Looks like my friend outside is going to be paid well.”
Gavin puts an arm in front of me, blocking me with his body in a protective stance. And I let him, burrowing behind his bulky frame and letting the tears that well in my eyes escape from the ducts I can no longer control.
Because we’re screwed.
Absolutely screwed.
Chapter Twenty
Corbin / Present
As much as I want to strangle Lena for showing up unannounced at my parents’ house, Kinley’s damp cheeks are all I see from where she cowers behind her brother. Walking away from my wife, I make my way to Kinley and ignore her brother’s tense posture as I pull her toward me. Threading my fingers through her hair as I cradle her head, I hold her tight against me.
I whisper, “Are you okay?” into the crown of her head and feel her nod slowly. But I know she’s not. Like always, she saves face the best she can like she’s not allowed to feel anything.
Drawing back, I stand beside Gavin and help him block Kinley from Lena’s view. Her brother is a few inches taller than me, and certainly built bulkier. But in this instant it comforts me more than anything because I know he’ll protect his sister no matter what.
“Why would you bring somebody here?” I ask Lena as she studies the three of us with narrow eyes. “You had no right coming here at all, Lena.”
One of her brows arches up. “No? I am your wife, last I checked. I haven’t seen your family since our wedding. Maybe I missed them.”
The way dad scoffs from where he and Mom stand behind Lena makes it evident that they didn’t miss her. How could they when I separated my life from here? I thought the less I shared with anybody about Lincoln meant the small town kept their privacy.
“Lena,” I warn through clenched teeth.
She struts toward me slowly, her painted fingers like talons scraping across the wall as she nears us. Her head cocks at a few discolored patches where Mom and I fixed the holes Dad left behind in his many mood swings. The slightest tug of her red lips as she traces the circular outline has my brow twitching.
Her gaze shifts from the wall to my parents, where Mom stands frowning and Dad keeps a close hold on her. “Did you know your son has anger issues? We have these same patches in our condo from where he punched the walls.”
I step forward. “Say what you came here to say because nobody has time for this.”
“Oh, I know.” Her eyes go to Kinley, traveling down her front. “It seems your time is up anyway.”
From the corner of my eye, I notice Gavin grab Kinley’s hand and squeeze it. She doesn’t pull away, just absorbs her brother’s comfort as this all unfolds.
“Is that what you want?” I prod, gesturing around us. “Did you think coming here and making a spectacle would get me to listen to you and the fucked-up blackmail you have on me?”
Mom winces when I curse but doesn’t scold me like she normally does. Nobody says a word as I stare at my wife, who gives it right back to me as she crosses her arms over her chest. We stand like that, and I have no idea what she expects me to say.
“Well?” I step forward again. “That guy out there can get arrested, you know. He’s on private property which means he’s trespassing.”
“Do you think I really care?” she retorts, tilting her head. “He’s going to make enough bank to bail himself out ten times over because of your little secret. If you must know, I came here to see if talking to your parents would get you to see reason.”
Mom steps away from Dad, but he keeps one hand on her arm still. “I called you as soon as she showed up.”
Voice grim, I nod once. “I know, Mom. I’m sorry I didn’t pick up sooner. Kinley and I were at her parents talking about…” My nostrils flare. “…things.”
Mom’s gaze falls on Kinley, and a sympathetic smile stretches across her face. She doesn’t have to say a word for Kinley to know that she’s here for her. I can see the way my mother’s gaze glosses with tears as she notes the baby bump staring back at her.
Swallowing, I shake my head. “It’s over, Lena. It’s been over. It’ll always be over. Your games are over the top and make you look pathetic. We. Don’t. Love. Each. Other.”
Her face darkens, lips falling into a flat line as her lips narrow into slits. “And I told you if you don’t agree to—”
“You know what?” I back up. “I don’t give a shit what you told me. Want to know why? Because as long as Kinley and I have each other, there’s nothing for me to lose.”
I turn toward the door and open it, shouting at the guy who’s standing on the sidewalk. His camera is already facing me, snapping pictures of my irate expression.
“You want a story?” I yell.
The guy’s eyes widen.
“Get out your fucking phone and record everything I’m about to tell you,” I demand, walking over to him with multiple pairs of eyes burning into my back.
I can hear my wife’s seething warning yelled behind me, which I blatantly ignore as the guy frantically pulls out his cell phone and aims it at me. He swallows nervously and just nods after hitting something.
“My wife, Lena Dasani, and I have been separated since the beginning of the year because we fell out of love. And the truth is, I am, and always have been, in love with my best friend ever since I met her when I was seventeen years old right here in Lincoln, New York. The world may think that I met Kinley Thomas on the set of the movie we just shot, but I’ve known her for over ten years and made the biggest mistake of my life letting her go. And that’s all the world needs to know right now.”
I push the camera away and walk back toward my house, where Lena’s red face greets me as I approach her. “Get off this property and out of this town before I call the fucking cops. Don’t think I won’t.”
“What did you just do?”
“Ended it,” I say simply, brushing past
her and to Kinley. My little bird’s face is morphed in disbelief. It’s not what we planned but it had to be done.
I repeat that to her and kiss her forehead before keeping her tucked into my side. All she can do is nod in stunned silence, blinking at me and then her brother.
When Lena doesn’t make a move to leave, my father steps forward and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Young lady, I will not hesitate another second before dialing the local sheriff. He’s just down the road and won’t waste time coming here no matter who you are.”
Lena’s eye bolt to me. “Callum!”
My father’s jaw ticks. “His name is Corbin.” He produces a cell phone and clicks a few buttons before putting it to his ear. “Frank? John Callum. I’m going to need you to come to my house, there’s a situation.”
It doesn’t take long before he hangs up, leaving my eyes wide as he squeezes my shoulder once.
Lena starts blasting off words nobody understands as she backs down the pathway away from the front door, pulling her cell out. She points to Kinley with pure hatred etched into her features. “You are finished. Do you understand me? Finished!”
Gavin grips Kinley’s hand and steps in front of her again, obscuring Lena’s view once more as the sheriff’s car pulls up while she spews insults out and walks down the driveway.
Frank gets out, putting on his hat, and glances between us and Lena. He nods once, walking over and raising his hands to calm her down. All while her little camera guy snaps pictures from afar.
Shaking my head, I look at Kinley. “I know this isn’t what we planned, but…”
She swallows. “I know.” Her voice is nothing more than a whisper as we watch the mayhem unfold outside. Lena and Frank talk, Frank yells at the guy taking pictures, and said guy ditches Lena in favor of not being arrested.
But not before getting a few pictures of Lena being escorted to the police car. At least there aren’t any handcuffs on her. Maybe she can spin it once the seedy asshole she hired turns on her for triple the money.
