Finding Kyler (The Kennedy Boys #1)

by Siobhan Davis

  A while later, she pulls herself upright in the bed, tucking her knees into her chest. “Thank you, Faye,” she whispers. Her distressed eyes latch on mine. I didn’t do much, but I nod, giving her a gentle smile. “I should speak to the boys.”

  “Why don’t I run you a bath first?” I suggest. She nods and the forlorn look on her face devastates me.

  I fill the bath to the brim, adding some drops of scented oil I found in the press to the water. Notes of lavender and thyme swathe the room, mixing with plumes of steam, as I usher Alex into the room. “I’ll gather the boys in the living room and tell them to wait for you there. I’m going to cook dinner, so I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”

  Alex takes my wrist. “Faye, just because James”—she chokes on his name—“is no longer here, doesn’t mean you are any less a part of this family. You should join the boys and wait for me.”

  It’s almost as if she has a hotline to my mind. I give her a quick hug, more grateful than she’ll ever know. “I appreciate that, but this is something you need to do with your boys alone. They are worried about you.”

  It takes me a couple of hours to serve up a traditional roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. It was my dad’s favorite dinner, and it’s the first time I’ve made it since he died. Nostalgia is a bitter pill I have to swallow.

  During this time, the boys all stay with their mom in the living room. I set the formal dining table, and when they emerge to take their seats, the stress seems to have been somewhat alleviated. Watching how they all fuss over their mother, attending to her every need, brings tears to my eyes. While she may be feeling completely shattered right now, I hope Alex understands how lucky she is to still have so much love in her life.

  The next morning, Ky informs me that he’s driving me to school every day from now on. I don’t object. En route, I broach the thorny subject. “I’ve been thinking.”

  “Oh, oh. Should I be worried?”

  I slap his arm. “Not funny.” I send him a semi-glare. “About Addison.” All humor leaves his face. “I don’t buy that excuse she gave us for snooping in your dad’s office. We need to find out what she’s looking for.”

  Ky maneuvers the SUV into a parking spot in front of my school and snuffs out the engine. “I agree, but I’m not sure where to start looking. Keven took my laptop and he’s going to see if he can retrieve that email. Maybe that will give us a clue.”

  “I hope so.” I twist in the seat, the leather making a squelching noise as I do. “You also need to speak to Brad, Ky. Maybe then, we can fit all the pieces together. I’m not excusing his actions, but there’s a reason why he was vulnerable the night Addison pounced. And make no bones about it, she targeted him in the same way she targeted Kal.”

  His face gives nothing away but I press on. “Brad is going through some horrible stuff, and he needs a friend. You do, too.” He opens his mouth to object, but I clamp my hand over his lips. “Don’t argue. Just trust me. Please.”

  Slowly, he nods.

  “Good. I’ll get a lift with him after school, and you can meet us at his house. Just promise me you’ll hear him out. Can you do that?”

  He presses his lips to my palm. “I’ll do it for you.”

  The meeting at Brad’s place turns out even better than I’d hoped. It took a little bit of coaxing, but they both speak freely, finally airing everything.

  I sit on the couch beside Brad, and Ky is resting on the edge of the armchair across from us. “I can’t believe we wasted the last seven months,” Ky says, casting a poignant look in Brad’s direction. “I should’ve at least spoken to you about it, rather than jumping to the obvious conclusion.”

  “And I should’ve had the balls to fess up straightaway the next morning,” Brad replies. “We both handled it stupidly, but there’s no point looking back. What’s done is done. I’m more concerned with where we go from here and whether you can trust me again.” Brad braces his hands on his knees.

  “Now that I know the background,” Ky says, sympathy flaring on his face, “I can understand how it happened more easily but it still doesn’t excuse it. You don’t break the bro code. Not ever.”

  Brad grows very still. “I know, man. I know.” Air knocks out of his lungs. “There’s no excuse that will ever make it all right, but I promise I’ll never do anything like that again. Your friendship is too important to me.” His gaze turns glassy as he stands up and walks over to Ky. “You’ve always been more like a brother and I’ve really missed you. I fucked up but it won’t happen again. Guaranteed.”

  Brad extends his hand and it hovers in the air for a second before Ky bumps his fist and they engage in some elaborate form of knuckle touch. Ky springs up and they slap each other on the back. His gaze meets mine over Brad’s shoulder, and I smile, though my throat has constricted and tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

  “I missed you too, man,” Ky admits quietly before taking a step back. “And I feel really shitty that you’ve been going through all this crap alone.” He gestures around the half-empty living room. “I’ll talk to my parents. I’m sure they’ll cough up the fees so you can return to O.C.”

  “Don’t. They’ve already done more than enough.” Brad rocks back on his heels.

  Ky’s forehead creases. “What do you mean?”

  Brad pinches the bridge of his nose. “Figured they didn’t tell you. They found out about the situation with Dad, and they came to offer their help. Off the record.”

  Ky scratches the line of stubble on his chin. “Of course. They wouldn’t want to risk any hint of scandal tarnishing the brand.”

  “They offered to pay my school fees and … uh, they wanted me to come and live with you guys—”

  “But you said no because of me,” Ky cuts in, astutely calling it.

  “Yeah. I knew you wouldn’t want me anywhere near you.” His nose crinkles.

  “You can move in now,” Ky rushes to reassure him. “I’m sure Mom will have no problem with it.”

  “Thanks, man, but no. It wasn’t just ‘cause of that. I don’t want to feel like a charity case. Our money is gone now, and I have to learn to get by without it. Plenty of others manage just fine.” He gives a lopsided shrug, and my heart swells with pride at his words. I can tell they aren’t just for show—he means it.

  “I only found out after I joined Memorial that your parents made a massive donation to the school on condition that I was allowed play for the football team. It’s breaking all kinds of rules, but somehow they swung it.” His eyes glitter with gratitude. “They really shouldn’t have done it, but I can’t thank them enough. They’re good people, and I hope everything works out for them.”

  The rumor mill is already rife around town, so it’s no surprise that Brad has heard something. It’s only a matter of time before the press picks up on James’ extramarital affair, and then the shit will really hit the fan. At least the heat is off Brad for now—he is all anyone has been talking about these last few days. And that’s only down to his change of school and football teams. I can only imagine the type of gossip that’ll be bandied about when word filters out about his dad.

  Not wanting to intrude any more than I have, I mess about on my cell while Ky fills Brad in on what exactly happened with his parents. They take the opportunity to catch up on some other stuff, too. Watching them covertly from the corner of my eye, I can’t help feeling proud of them for opening up to one another and agreeing to move past it—for caring enough to give their friendship another try. I have a sense they won’t let anything come between them again.

  Genuine friendships are hard to come by and even harder to hold on to.

  Real friendship is the sort that lasts a lifetime. The type that can overcome disagreements and differences as if they never happened.

  And the real test of friendship? True friendship arises from the ashes of separation stronger and mo
re powerful than before.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  The rest of the week follows a similar pattern. Kaden and Keven have to return to Harvard, but the remaining boys barely leave their mother’s side. Alex hasn’t stepped foot outside the door, choosing to do some work from home instead. James hasn’t made an appearance, but he’s been in contact with everyone, myself included. His dejected tone speaks volumes, and I can tell he’s hurting too.

  The extended spell of unseasonably warm weather continues, and Alex decides to head to Nantucket on the weekend. She implores me to come, and this time I can’t refuse her. David, surprisingly, agrees to release me from work, and Rose reorganizes the roster so I’m free all weekend.

  Thursday is another glorious day, and I’m in super-good humor as I head in to school. While Ky and I haven’t put any labels on our relationship, he creeps into my bedroom every night, being careful to return to his room before day breaks. We don’t do much more than kiss and sleep clinging possessively to one another, but I’ve never felt closer to any boy or felt happier despite the lingering sadness that crowds all the empty spaces in the house. Concerns over my future are never far from my mind, but I try not to dwell on it too much. There doesn’t seem to be much point until the situation with Alex and James comes to a head.

  Peyton has been giving me the stink-eye all week at school, and I get a sense that her cousin updated her on events at the Kennedys’ over the weekend. Addison must be running scared though, if she hasn’t tried to retaliate yet. Either that or she’s planning her attack meticulously, ready to strike at the most opportune time.

  “You gonna eat that or just tear it to shreds?” Brad asks, as we sit side by side in the cafeteria, pointing at my plate where I’ve been absently picking my wrap to bits.

  “Have at it.” I slide the plate toward him. “I’m not hungry today.”

  “Is something up?”

  “Not really.” I take a sip of my water. “Just trying to figure out what Addison’s next move will be.”

  “Don’t waste your brain power. Her mind doesn’t work like the rest of us. You’ll never be able to second-guess her.”

  “Second-guess who?” Zoe inquires, plunking into the seat across from us. Lana drops quietly into the chair beside her.

  “Addison,” I confirm.

  “She’s evil incarnate.” Zoe starts digging into her salad. “The Anti-Christ. Satan’s lovechild. Hell’s most—”

  “We got it!” Brad intervenes, raising one hand to stop her. Zoe flips him off, and he sniggers.

  “Maybe she’s not all bad,” Lana pipes up, and three sets of wide eyes spin in her direction. “Perhaps it’s the company she keeps.” She takes a large bite out of her apple as she eyeballs me.

  Zoe scowls in disgust. “Oh, no, you don’t. No, no, no.” She pins her with a ferocious look. “She may have done you a favor vis-à-vis Douchey-McDouche, but that does not mean she’s the good guy. Don’t fall for that bull.”

  Brad and I exchange puzzled looks. A cold, prickly feeling washes over me. “What don’t we know?” I ask, looking from Lana to Zoe and back again.

  “Nothing,” Lana hisses with a scowl, stabbing Zoe with the serrated edges of her agitation.

  Some unspoken discussion filters between them.

  Zoe flaps her hands in the air. “Fine, fine.” She slants her head in our direction. “Private convo. Forget I said anything.”

  I lean forward in my seat, the blunt edge of the desk digging into my waist. “Addison has declared war on the Kennedys, and if you know something, you should tell me.”

  Steel and sorrow blur on Lana’s face. Her chair screeches as she rises. “Why? What do I owe them? Or you for that matter? I’m done with them and their messed-up morals, their warped loyalties, their fucked-up family. From what I hear, all those boys will end up like James. Bitter, twisted, and disloyal. You should leave, before they ruin you too.”

  My jaw is still hanging open after she disappears from view. Lana is always so placid. I’ve never seen her give into anger before. She is obviously hurting over Kalvin, and I’m wondering what exactly she’s hiding from me.

  Zoe scrambles to her feet, cramming the last few bites of her lunch in her mouth. I tap her arm. “What was all that about? Is she okay?”

  “No, I don’t think she is. But I got this. Stay out of it.” She hightails it after her friend.

  “Glad to see O.C. isn’t the only educational institution prone to regular diva-esque outbursts,” Brad deadpans.

  “I thought all American high schools were hotbeds of amateur dramatics,” I supply.

  He snorts. “You’re probably right.”

  Lana’s blow-up plays on my mind for the rest of the day. I was planning to hunt her down after school, but when Brad meets me at my locker at the end of the day, he informs me that we’re meeting Ky at the track.

  My feet have barely hit solid ground when May rounds on me, yanking me into a constricting hug. “I cannot thank you enough, Faye.” She grabs my cheeks firmly. “You’re my hero.” Her effusive greeting brings a blush to my cheeks, much to Ky’s amusement.

  “Stop.” I gently remove her hands from my sore cheeks. “It isn’t me you should be thanking. It wasn’t my money.”

  “You were the lynchpin that made it happen, and you are deserving of our gratitude. So hush up, girlie, and accept it.” My cheeks darken, and Ky smirks.

  She loops her arm in mine, pulling me forward, as I discreetly flip Ky the bird. He laughs, trailing behind us as we step into the building. Rick is, mercifully, more restrained in his gratitude, clasping my hand in his large one as he mutters a sincere thank you. May explains that they have closed the track down for a couple of weeks to complete the repairs and starts running through the plans with me. Kyler and Brad chat to Rick in the corner of the room before disappearing out the back.

  May’s incessant chatter trickles out. “I’m glad I got you alone.” She knots her hands in her lap. “I owe you an apology, for what I said the last time you were here.”

  I pat her arm. “It’s grand. Forget it.”

  “I shouldn’t have interfered. It’s none of my business.”

  “You care about him, and you don’t want to see him hurting again. I respect that.”

  She gives me a fragile smile. “I don’t want to see either of you hurt.”

  I open my mouth to reply when Brad and Ky reenter the room, clad in tight-fitting overalls that cling to their mutually impressive chests. May’s jaw joins mine on the floor.

  Ky swaggers toward me. Brushing the side of my mouth with his thumb, he shoots me a wicked smile. “Just cleaning up some drool.” Brad sends us a funny look.

  I gasp, shoving at him as he wraps his arm around my waist and lifts me into the air. Throwing me over his shoulder, he swats my butt and runs down the corridor. I shout a string of obscenities at him, only shutting up when he places me on the floor in the locker room.

  “You’re an ass,” I say, but he can tell there’s little heat behind my words.

  “And you’re hot when you’re pretending to be mad.” He nudges me with his body until I’m pressed up against a row of lockers. Leaning down, he nips the corner of my mouth, igniting the liquid lust in my veins.

  “We shouldn’t do this here. What if someone sees?”

  “They won’t tell.”

  I’m not so sure about that, but the instant he plants his hot mouth on my lips, I forget all my concerns.

  I grab him to me, lifting one leg up and wrapping it around his waist. He presses into me, growling his approval. His arousal pushes against my lower belly, and an intense surge of self-satisfaction pitches through me. The evidence of his attraction, his desire, thrills me no end.

  “Ky.” I’m completely breathless. “You’ve no idea the things you do to me.”

  “You do the same to me. I
’m crazy about you, Faye.” He angles my head and kisses each corner of my mouth sweetly. It cranks my hormones into overdrive, and I tug on the back of his head, crashing his lips onto mine, plundering his mouth like an aggressor. I attack him with my body, too, gyrating against him as he drills his hips into mine. We could be anywhere, and all I’d see, all I’d feel, is him. He overpowers everything to the point where I couldn’t care less.

  I’m panting and clawing at him in frantic need when a loud cough interrupts the moment. We spring apart instantly. “May’s wondering if you’re planning on painting today or next week?” Rick asks, shuffling uncomfortably. He can’t even look us in the eye, and instantly I feel tarnished and dirty, as if we’ve done something wrong.

  “We’ll be right out.” Ky’s tone carries an undercurrent of warning and disappointment as he straightens up my shirt. I hadn’t even realized it had ridden halfway up my body, exposing a wide stretch of skin. Rick’s rescinding footsteps echo in the silence of the room.

  “Well, that was awkward.” I shuck out of Ky’s embrace.

  “Fuck him and his narrow-mindedness.” He gives me a sweet kiss. “I’ll let you get changed in private.” With one last fleeting kiss, he leaves.

  Shimmying the tattered overalls on, I can’t help grinning to myself despite Rick’s obvious disapproval.

  Kyler is worth it.

  The swirling kernel in my chest expands exponentially every time Kyler is near. Hella, every time I think of him, which, at the moment, is basically every second of every day. I’ve definitely got Kyler on the brain.

  Brad and Ky are splattering more paint on one another than the walls when I return. I secretly watch them from the door. Observing them joke around offers a tiny glimpse into the friendship they once shared. A golf-ball-sized lump lodges in my throat. As they playfully shove and push one another, it’s hard to imagine any gulf ever existing between them. But that’s guys for you. They can pick up where they left off without unnecessary drama.