by Abbi Hemp
“Jealousy is the sign of a weak mind.”
I frowned then quickly wiped it from my face. He had noticed.
“I just meant…”
“It’s fine,” I interrupted. “We’re good friends, Kenneth. I hope you know that.”
He nodded.
“I do, it’s just…”
Before he could spew his emotions and feelings all over me, Scott walked up.
“Is it done yet? We’re going to run it online before print tomorrow.”
“Almost,” I said. “Give me another half-hour?”
“You have ten minutes.” He turned to Kenneth. “Get out of here and leave her alone, geek.”
Kenneth scurried away. I sat down before Scott turned his anger toward me. Even he understood the immensity of the article I had written.
As he walked away, my eyes scanned the words one more time. I didn’t change anything. Along with the art from the photography department, it would be damn near perfect. If this didn’t get Tony his job back, nothing would. I still didn’t believe he had bet a million dollars on a game.
He had promised me no more betting, and I believed him, but I would keep my eye on him. That’s what people in love did for each other. At least that’s what I believed. The story was the best piece of journalism I’d ever put together. We were going to have a fine Christmas together.
I saved the file one last time then sent it to the server for Scott to read and approve. Within an hour, it would be online for the entire world to read. After sending it, I walked over to his desk.
“It should be in your folder,” I said. “Do you mind if I take off for the night?”
“That’s fine,” he said. “I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“Thanks, Scott.”
Over the last week, our relationship had changed for the better. I liked to think it was because he finally respected me as a female sports reporter, but it probably had something to do with the rumor going around about him almost losing his job for the websites they found in his browser history.
Before I left the building, I went to the IT department. Stepping off the elevator on their floor of the building, I wondered if my last minute idea to invite Kenneth over to celebrate was a good idea or not. He had probably been the one to expose Scott and make my life in the newsroom easier.
And he had discovered the video footage on social media that showed Keith threw the first punch. Without that tip, I would have never dug into the whole incident and discovered evidence of Keith trying to sabotage his career so he could take over as quarterback. He deserved my friendship.
I walked down a path between two rows of cubicles, running my hand over the top of the waist-high dividers in between the desks. At the other end of the room, I stopped in front of the room where he worked with the others in our online department. He looked up from his desk and smiled.
“Hey, Kenneth.”
“Hey, Andrea. I didn’t expect to see you down here.”
“Yeah, I’m on my way out, actually. I wanted to thank you again.”
“No problem,” he said, still smiling. “Anytime.”
I glanced at the other two men in the room who were staring at their computer screens but obviously listening to our conversation.
“We may be having a celebration this weekend. Are you interested in coming over? I’d really like for you and Tony to get along.”
“Sure,” he said, almost sounding convincing. “Can you give me a ride?”
I tilted my head to the side inquisitively.
“My ride is broken. I’ll send you an email with my address. Just let me know when you’re going to pick me up.”
“Yeah,” I said, nodding my head as I leaned against the doorway. “I’ll let you know. See you later.”
I waved then turned and walked to the elevator. If Tony didn’t want him to come over, I would still be able to back out of it, but I did want them both to at least not hate each other. Kenneth had saved me in numerous ways, and I wanted to thank him.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
As soon as I walked into the living room and saw Tony’s face, I knew he had received the call.
“I’m back on the team,” he said, rushing over and picking me up in his strong arms.
“Yay,” I said as he twirled me around twice before setting me back down.
“I wasn’t sure, but Coach read the story you sent him yesterday before you published, and he said I’m back on the team if I want it. I’ll be going to talk to him in a few days to work out the details.”
“That’s great,” I said. “I’m so happy.”
“Christmas has come early this year.”
I nodded.
“We should celebrate,” he said. “My treat.”
“Are you sure? You still need to pay your bookie, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but he will wait. Once he knows I’m back on the team, he’ll know I’m good for it.”
“There’s just one thing,” I said, putting my hand on his arm. “Don’t get mad.”
He grinned.
“I couldn’t possibly get mad right now.”
“Can we invite Kenneth along?”
“Your nerd friend from work? Why?”
“Don’t be mean, Tony. He’s a good guy.”
“I’m telling you, he just wants in your panties. He’s not a good guy. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you.”
“You’re just being jealous again,” I said.
He frowned and turned his head away.
“Don’t get mad, baby.”
“I’m not mad,” he said. “I’m disappointed.”
“In me?”
I stepped back, hoping he didn’t lose his temper.
“No. I’m disappointed in myself. If bringing him along will make you happy, I’m fine with it. Just know I’m going to be the one taking you home and making sweet love to you all night long.”
He moved forward and put a hand on my waist while looking into my eyes.
“What if I want you to fuck me hard?”
“I’ll do that too.”
We kissed, enjoying the moment. Both of our lives were moving in positive directions. On top of his good news, I had almost finished my novel. It still needed a lot of work, but I was proud of what I’d been able to accomplish in such a short period of time.
“Where should we go?”
“House of Italy? I’d love to see your parents again.”
He sighed.
“They don’t like me, do they?”
“No, they love you and have asked about you.”
“Really? You didn’t say anything.”
“I was stressed about the gambling debt and everything else.”
“You’re done with gambling now, though, right?”
He nodded then kissed me.
“Good,” I said between sweet and succulent kisses. “We’ll meet you there. He wants me to pick him up.”
“He can’t drive himself?” Tony snapped.
“His car is broken down or something,” I said. “He’s really helped both of us. IF it wasn’t for him…”
“I know,” he said, cutting me off. “That doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.”
“Just think about desert later,” I teased.
“We’re ditching him right after dinner.”
I nodded and smiled before kissing his sweet lips one more time.
THIRTY
Andrea
I glanced over at Kenneth in the passenger seat. He smiled, shifting in his seat like an excited toddler.
“Thanks for inviting me over to celebrate,” he said. “I don’t get out to socialize much.”
“It’s fine. You helped with this, and you deserve at least some of the credit.”
“I don’t know. All I wanted to do was help you.”
“Well, you helped me and Tony.”
“I didn’t think they would give him his job back with all the other bad stuff he had done.”
“He wasn�
��t that bad,” I said then quickly corrected myself. “He isn’t that bad. Christmas is in two days, maybe it’s time you two got along.”
“Maybe,” he said then turned his head to peer out the window.
Neither of us talked as I drove us the rest of the way to House of Italy. Without Kenneth’s help, Tony would have probably not gotten his job back and everything would still be a mess.
When I pulled into the restaurant parking lot, I saw Tony leaning against the side of his escalade with an unconcerned expression on his face. He better treat Kenneth right, I thought as I parked a few spots away from him.
“You sure he’s cool with this?” Kenneth asked.
“Yeah. It will be fine. He’s as thankful as me even if he won’t admit it.”
“I don’t know. Why couldn’t we go somewhere on our own?”
Is he serious right now?
“I told you, Kenneth. I’m in love with Tony.”
He sat up in his seat as I unbuckled.
“You’re in love with him? You never told me that.”
“I am, but that doesn’t affect our friendship.”
“But…”
I watched as he struggled for words.
“Let’s go have a good meal,” I said. “You two will get along.”
If I said it enough, I figured it might come true.
He unbuckled his seatbelt then opened the door. I joined him, smiling as Tony walked up.
“Hey, Kenneth,” he said, eyeing the smaller man.
“Hello, Tony.”
They stared at each other.
Have I made a terrible mistake?
“Let’s go inside,” I said, grabbing Tony’s hand.
We must have made the most awkward group of people as we crossed the parking lot and approached the entrance of the restaurant.
“Are they working tonight?” I asked Tony then turned to Kenneth to explain. “His parents own the place.”
“Interesting,” Kenneth said, nodding his head.
“They’re always here,” Tony said.
He stopped and opened the door. I slid inside with Kenneth close behind me. His parents had hung up a long banner that read, “Congratulations Anthony!”
“They look busier,” I said, nodding my head at the dining room.
Almost all of the tables were occupied. A young woman I didn’t recognize walked over to welcome us to the restaurant. As she led us to a table on the far side of the room in a corner, I felt the tension between Tony and Kenneth raising.
I have to end it with Kenneth tonight, I thought to myself.
His friendship would be missed, but it obviously made Tony uncomfortable. I loved him completely. Kenneth was nice, but he didn’t mean that much to me.
Tony pulled out my chair. I sat down as the waitress dropped three menus on the table. Kenneth took a seat to one side of me.
“Let me know when you’re ready, Anthony,” the young woman said to Tony.
He smiled at her. “Thanks, Theresa. Give us a minute.”
As she walked away to take care of one of the other tables, Tony sat down on the other side of me.
“You ever been here before?” he asked, looking toward Kenneth.
“No,” he said quietly. “Looks nice. Your parents own the place.”
“Yeah. Since it opened.”
I picked up my menu.
“What should we get?”
“Let’s get a pizza,” Tony said then peered over at Kenneth. “You okay with that? You’re not a vegetarian or something are you?”
I frowned at Tony and nudged him with my elbow.
“I’m just saying. He doesn’t look like a meat-eater.”
“I eat meat,” Kenneth said nervously.
Tony laughed.
“You don’t have to get so personal, buddy. At least I know you’re not interested in Andrea.”
Kenneth narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips together as he stared at Tony, who stared right back, almost daring him to say something.
“Come on, you two. This is a celebration dinner. Kenneth was kind enough to help expose the truth which got you back on the team.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Tony muttered as he raised his hand in the air.
Theresa the waitress returned almost instantly.
“We’ll have a large meat special,” Tony said, handing her his menu.
“What if I’m a vegetarian?” I asked.
“You would have told me already,” Tony said, not bothering to look at me.
I took Kenneth’s menu and handed his and mine to the waitress, who couldn’t take her eyes off Tony.
“Is she even old enough to work here?” I asked after she walked away.
“She’s my cousin,” Tony said. “You have a woman, Kenny?”
“It’s Kenneth,” the frail man said. “But no, I don’t right now. I’m waiting for the right woman.”
Kenneth turned to look directly at me, not even trying to hide it.
Is he really in love with me?
“Well, Kenny,” Tony said. “You should find you a woman or a man, doesn’t matter to me as long as it isn’t Andrea. She’s mine.”
“I don’t belong to anyone,” I protested.
Both men stared each other down with me in the middle.
Why the hell did I do this?
“You heard the lady,” Kenneth said, surprising me. “She doesn’t belong to anyone yet.”
“No,” I said, scooting my chair back. “I meant I don’t belong to anyone. Period.”
“She would never be with someone like you,” Tony snarled.
“Excuse me. I’m still here. Can you two stop acting like I’m not around?”
Neither of them stopped looking at the other. The tension between them was reaching intolerable levels. I have to stop this before it gets worse.
“Kenny, why don’t you stop trying to hit on my woman.”
“What?” Kenneth asked, scooting his chair back.
“You know what I’m talking about,” Tony said, standing up.
Kenneth got to his feet.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I glanced around. Several people at other tables were watching us.
“Don’t do this here,” I pleaded to Tony. “Your parents are watching.”
He didn’t say a word, keeping his eyes trained on Kenneth.
“I’m going to take him home,” I said. “Let’s go, Kenneth. This isn’t working out.”
Kenneth flashed a smile, acting like a two-year-old who thought he had won a fight, not realizing everyone involved was a loser.
“You’re leaving with him?” Tony asked.
“I drove him here, and you two can’t seem to act like adults,” I hissed as quietly as possible. “Come on, Kenneth. Let’s go.”
“Where you going, Andrea?” Tony’s mother asked as she walked up.
“I’m sorry, but I need to take my friend home,” I said, knowing I couldn’t explain everything to her but hoping she understood.
“Okay,” she said, studying my face.
“I’ll be back soon,” I said while looking at Tony.
“Unless I get lucky,” Kenneth said out of nowhere.
What the hell? He talks up now? Now?
Before I had a chance to react, Tony closed the gap between him and Kenneth. I saw his hand swing back then push forward, knocking poor Kenneth to the ground with just the one punch. I put my hands over my mouth, unable to believe what was happening.
“You don’t talk to her that way,” Tony yelled.
His mother took his arm and dragged him away while I bent to check on Kenneth.
“Are you okay?” I asked him.
“Call the fucking cops,” he said, this weird smile on his face.
“Please don’t,” I begged. “He doesn’t need this right now.”
“And I need this?” he asked.
I offered a hand to help him off the ground. He pushed it away, standing on his own. Blood flowed f
rom his nostrils.
“He broke my fucking nose,” Kenneth said.
“I’ll break more than that if you don’t stay away from her,” Tony shouted from across the dining room.
While it may have been partially my fault for bringing the two together and thinking they would act like adults, Tony had no excuse for getting physical. His anger terrified me. Would he hit me one day if he got too angry to think about it first? The thought scared the hell out of me.
“Let’s go, Kenneth,” I said.
“I’ll take a fucking cab.”
He stormed toward the front door. I looked at Tony then Kenneth.
Ugh! I sighed then rushed after Kenneth.
“Hold on,” I said. “Let’s talk outside a minute.”
I caught up to him outside the front door of the restaurant. He had his phone in his hands and was frantically swiping and tapping at the screen.
“Can we talk?” I asked.
He didn’t look up from the screen of his phone.
“It’s a free country.”
“Are you calling the police?”
“I should,” he said, turning his head to look me in the eyes.
“You probably should, but I love Tony. If you care for me, you won’t do this.”
“I’ll do it for you,” he said.
“You’re going to call them?” I asked, confused.
“No,” he snapped. “I’ll let him sucker-punch me without any hassles.”
“Oh, I’m going to hassle him about it,” I said. “But if he goes to jail now, they’re going to throw him off the team again. I really appreciate you helping to get him back in the game.”
“Yeah, well, I did that for you too.”
“I’m sorry, Kenneth,” I said, not knowing what else to say. “Sometimes people just like different things. You’re not a bad person.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard all that before.”
“Don’t be mad, okay?”
“Look, I have a cab coming. Go back inside. Enjoy your dinner. I shouldn’t have come.”
“Thanks, Kenneth.”
I stepped forward to hug him then thought better of it and stuck out my hand awkwardly. He peered down his nose at it then snorted and shook his head.
“You’re something else.”
While he waited for his ride, I went back inside to smooth things over with Tony’s parents. He didn’t ask about Kenneth the rest of the night, and I didn’t bring it up.
