I push Brad’s feet out of the way and sit down on the end of the couch. “I wanted his help with some computer stuff, so, not really, although, we could use your help back at the house.”
Kaden sighs. “What’s the latest?”
I proceed to fill him in on Alex’s drinking and lackadaisical attitude, especially when it comes to her work and Kent’s school, the showdown with James the other morning, and the threatened divorce—which, apparently, he was aware of because Ky had called him straight after—and Kal’s understandable melancholy mood. “Goddammit.” He exhales in frustration. “This entire situation is a clusterfuck of epic proportions.”
“I’m not going to argue with you on that front.”
“And what about the revelation about us, about our …” He stops mid-sentence, casting a furtive glance at Brad.
“Brad knows,” I confirm. “I told him.” Kaden scowls. “He’s not going to say anything, so take a chill pill.” His scowl grows darker. “And to answer your question, none of your brothers have said anything else to me or around me about your real dad. To be fair, it’s kinda minor in the context of everything else.
“True,” Kaden agrees, letting go of his evil Eddie expression.
“You’re still their brother. Who your dad is doesn’t change that.” I twirl a lock of my hair around my finger as the door swings inward and Keven strolls into the room. He halts on the spot when he sees me and Brad, his eyes widening in surprise.
“To what do we owe this honor?” he deadpans, unzipping his jacket and flinging it over a chair in the corner of the room. Muscles bulge and flex in his arms as he lounges against the desk.
“I need your help.”
His brows inch up. “Go on.”
“Firstly, have you made any progress tracing that email Ky received?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet. Whoever they are, they knew what they were doing or hired someone who knew what they were doing. Every time I think I’ve gotten to the source, I’m rerouted again.” My brow puckers unhappily. “Don’t worry, sweetheart.” He pats my knee. “This is my forte, and I’m damned good at it. I’ll crack it eventually.”
“Modest much, Keven?” Brad teases.
“That’s enough out of you, pipsqueak.”
“Pipsqueak?” I alternate my gaze from Brad to Keven and back again.
“It’s the nickname he gave me when I was growing up because I was so small. I was a late starter,” Brad explains for my benefit.
My eyes trail up and down his strong, muscular, tall body. “Well, you sure as shit made up for it.”
Brad’s gaze lands on my mouth as he shoots me a cocky wink. “Yep. Sure did.”
Kaden coughs purposely. “Enough with the flirting. Keven and I have stuff to do, so can we wrap this up.”
My good mood evaporates on the spot. It seems Kaden can’t get me out of here fast enough. Brad pushes up off the couch, glaring at Kaden. “Hey, man, she’s your cousin, and you can’t give her ten minutes of your time?”
Kaden cricks his neck from side to side. “I didn’t mean that how it sounded, Faye. I’m cranky from lack of sleep, and I’ve got a shit ton of stuff to do today is all. Don’t take it personally. You’re welcome to visit anytime. Maybe, just call first next time?”
“Of course, yeah.” I look down at my lap, embarrassed and a little hurt.
“What do you need help with?” Keven asks, making a deliberate effort to temper his tone.
I’m feeling a little nervous about saying this out loud, fearful for how it’s going to come across, but there’s no backing out now. I lift my chin up, piercing Keven with a confident expression. “I need you to spy on Addison.”
His eyes open wide. “Okaayy. Wasn’t expecting that. What exactly are you looking for?”
“She’s twisting the screws on Ky again, and we know she’s playing some angle, but he seems unwilling to contemplate that,” Brad adds.
“Shit!” Kaden curses. “Don’t tell me he’s mixed up with her again?”
“Looks that way,” I supply.
Brad leans forward, jabbing his elbows in his knees. “But he’s not admitting to anything so we’re blind. Faye overheard some stuff last week and we know Addison’s hiding a secret. We were hoping you could do some digging into her background and see what you can come up with.”
“Consider it done. I hate that lying whore.”
“That’s not all,” I add, proceeding to tell them about Addison’s involvement in the whole Kal-Lana saga.
“Why does she have such a hard-on for our family?” Kaden asks. I shrug. “Does Dad know about this?”
“Ky said he was going to speak to him although he wasn’t overly confident that it’d help Kal’s case much,” I explain.
“I presume Ky knows nothing about this request, and that’s the way you’d prefer to keep it?” Kaden asks, stretching his arms out over his head as a loud yawn escapes from his mouth.
“Yes. If you’re okay with that.” I look from one to the other.
“She’s a poisonous little bitch,” Keven says, “and she did a right number on my brother last time. I still don’t think he’s over it, so I’m happy to help. If we can dig up some dirt and use it to get her to leave Ky alone, then I’m all in.”
I stand up. “Great. We’re all on the same page, and this stays strictly between us.”
We return to the house a few hours later, and the place looks like a bomb hit it. Unwashed dishes are heaped in the sink in the kitchen, food remnants from lunch and breakfast clutter the countertops, and various items of clothing and personal belongings are dotted all over the sitting room. Alex is fast asleep on the couch, snoring softly. Out in the utility room, piles of dirty washing are heaped in a giant mountain in the center of the floor.
“My cousins are such slobs,” I mutter, and Brad chuckles.
“Guess I know what I’m doing this afternoon.” I kneel down, starting to sort the clothes into darks and lights. Without complaint, Brad sits down beside me and we set about catching up on laundry.
After I make us a bite to eat, we wander to the games room. Keaton and Keanu are arguing over some stupid game on Xbox when we walk in. “What’s up, assholes?” Brad asks, dropping lengthways on the couch.
“I’m going crazy cooped up in here,” Keaton retorts, tossing the Xbox controller across the room.
“I thought you were bringing your girlfriend over today?”
“Eh.” His cheeks flush bright red. “Would you bring anyone new into this house? She’d run a mile.”
“Valid point,” I acknowledge.
Keanu swivels in his chair, pinning his brother with an incredulous look. “Shut the fuck up. You have a girl?”
Oops. Didn’t realize I’d let the cat out of the bag.
“Don’t sound so surprised.” Keaton is immediately on the defense.
“How much you paying her?” Keanu teases, and Keaton grabs him into a headlock.
“There is far too much testosterone around this place,” I murmur to myself, flopping back on the couch.
“Let’s grab a movie,” Brad suggests. “That new Star Wars one is showing and I’m dying to see it.”
I perk up. “I’m game. I love Star Wars.”
“You’re such a nerd,” Keaton teases.
“Get your girlfriend to meet us there. I need to put her through her paces to see if she’s worthy of you.” I wink, and he groans. His eyes spark alive. “I’ll bring Melissa if Keanu brings Selena.” Her name rolls slowly on his tongue.
Selena models for Kennedy Apparel, and if the shots I’ve seen of her and Keanu are any indication, they have serious chemistry. But my cousin is remarkably reticent on the status of his relationship with her, and he gets all prickly the minute her name is mentioned.
“Yeah, nice try.” Keanu gives him the midd
le finger.
I leave the boys arguing among themselves as I pad to Kalvin’s room. I knock tentatively on the door. “Kal? You in there?”
“Where else would I be?” he asks sourly, opening the door with a savage swing.
“We’re going to catch a movie. Why don’t you come?”
He’s shaking his head before I’ve even finished speaking. “Thanks, but no thanks.” I open my mouth to argue my point, but he beats me to it. “Besides, someone has to stay with Mom, and Ky and Kent are both still out.”
I admit defeat. “Okay. Maybe another time?”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “Maybe.”
The movie is awesome and I indulge my sci-fi geekiness to my heart’s content. Neither of my cousin’s girlfriends makes an appearance, but I’m glad it’s only the four of us. We grab takeout on the way home, so it’s late by the time we return to the house.
Alex is sniffling in front of the TV when I walk into the living room, and my shoulders instantly cord into knots. I’ve huge sympathy for Alex, but it’s like walking on eggshells around here all the time. It’s not as if I don’t have serious issues occupying my mind. My mum had an incestuous affair with my uncle, and he may or may not be my dad, but you don’t see me wallowing in it. I know I seem harsh, but I didn’t peg Alex for the type to lie down and let some conniving cow trample all over her. There are still things she can control, and she has responsibilities to her business and this family, and she needs to focus on those instead of drinking herself into oblivion. I’m disappointed that the high-powered ballsy no-nonsense woman I first met seems to have evaporated into thin air.
But I’m not totally coldhearted, and I hate to see anyone hurting, even if they are perpetuating the situation themselves. I drop into place beside her on the couch, resting my head on her shoulder. She leans her head against me. The screen is frozen on an image of Alex and James on their wedding day. She’s the classic golden beauty wearing an elegant figure-hugging white silk and lace dress. A simple veil frames her radiant face. James is peering into her eyes, and they are both laughing like they haven’t a care in the world. The love shining between them is obvious.
I place my arm around her back. “It’s true what they say, you know?” She lifts her head up as she speaks. Her sad eyes search mine. “Your wedding day is one of the best days of your life. At least, mine was. It was magical.” An errant sob breaks free. “I thought he was my knight in shining armor.” More choked sobs filter through the air. “And he was for a long time.”
“Is it genuinely over between you?” I risk asking.
“Yes,” she whispers, tears gliding down her face like an avalanche.
“I’m sorry.”
“I am too.” A pregnant pause fills the air, weighted with grief and loss, but at least her crying has stopped. Her chest heaves painfully up and down, and the look on her face is heart wrenching. She hits the stop button on the remote and stands up. “I think I’ll call it a night.”
I help her into bed, fixing her some sweet hot tea and propping the pillows up behind her back.
“Thank you, Faye.” She kisses my cheek. “I know I’ve been absent this week but I needed to take some time for me. I’ll be back on top of things next week.”
It’s as if she’s read my mind and I’m instantly swamped with guilt for my previous uncharitable thoughts. “It’s okay. I understand.” I start backing out of the room. “Sweet dreams.”
I meet Brad at the bottom of the steps. “Is she okay?” he whispers.
“She will be.” My faith has somewhat been restored.
He takes my hand and pulls me into the corridor. “Chad’s having another party. Do you want to go?”
The one and only time I attended Chad’s party was the night Ky and Brad got into a fist fight and I felt like clawing Addison’s eyes out. I’m not sure I’m up for a repeat. Before I can respond, Keaton approaches from the direction of the games room. “Kal’s up for it, too. You in, Faye?”
“I don’t think Kal going is such a good idea.”
“Mom said I shouldn’t hide,” Kal responds, stepping out from his room dressed in a black shirt and jeans. “And this is the best way of making a statement, so I figure I should go. I’d appreciate the backup.” He gives me his best puppy-dog-eye impression and my heart melts. It’s not difficult to understand how girls swoon at his feet.
I cross my hands over my chest. “I can hardly refuse now, can I?”
“Yay!” Keaton high-fives me, before a fleeting concerned look glimmers in his eyes. “Ky will probably be pissed, but he’ll just have to deal.”
I frown, asking, “What?” the same time Brad does.
“Yeah, about that.” Keaton winces and his eyes scrunch up. “Ky left me a note saying he was heading to the party and to make sure you didn’t attend.”
I shiver as an intense chill snakes its way through my veins. “Why would he say that?” A queasy sensation lodges in the pit of my stomach while I contemplate his reasons for making such a request. I don’t need to be a brain surgeon to figure it out.
Keaton shrugs, while Brad and I exchange suspicious expressions. “There’s only one surefire way of finding out,” Brad murmurs.
“Yep.” I toss my hair over my shoulder. Even though I may not like what I discover, wild horses wouldn’t keep me away now. “We’re going to that party, and I’m going to find out exactly why Ky doesn’t want me there.”
Chapter Fourteen
Brad drives off in his SUV and Kal, Keaton, and I sneak out through the garden, across the woods, and out beyond the guesthouse. When we slip out through the dilapidated old gate, Brad is already waiting.
“You little minx,” Keaton says, sliding in beside me in the back seat. “How long have you been sneaking out?”
“Just a couple times.” I shrug.
“You’re most definitely a Kennedy,” Kal says from the passenger seat, offering a rare smile.
“I’ll accept that as a compliment.”
“It was meant as one.” He stares out the side window, contributing nothing further to the conversation for the rest of the journey.
Rows of vehicles line up in front of Chad’s magnificent mansion, and it looks like a full house. The rhythmic pounding of beats pulsates in the otherwise silent night air as we tumble out of the car. Brad takes my hand and leads me around the side of the house to the back garden, like last time. I cling to him for support, tottering on my high heels, as I stumble over the stoned pathway. Before we round the corner, I remove my silk bomber jacket, tying it firmly around my waist. My fitted black leggings are practically welded to my legs, and the body-hugging black lace corset-style dress-slash-top accentuates my ample chest while slimming my waist. Stretching to my thighs, it barely covers my ass. I know I’ve probably gone slightly overboard, but I needed to at least feel confident and in control on the outside. Inside, all my organs have turned to mush, and there’s a vile taste in my mouth.
I have a strong premonition that nothing is going to be the same after tonight.
I’m praying I’m wrong, but I’m also petrified that I’m right.
Brad’s eyes are out on stalks as his gaze slowly rakes over me. Keaton whistles. “Wow, cuz. You look sexy as hell.”
I’m almost speechless under the intensity of Brad’s heated stare, and all I manage is a raspy “Thanks.”
Brad leans down, pressing his mouth to my ear. His warm breath swirls over my skin, raising tiny goose bumps everywhere it touches. “You look absolutely stunning.” His eyes drill into mine. “Don’t leave my side.”
The house is packed to capacity when we ease our way inside. I’m instantly hit by a searing wall of humidity. Sweat and perfume mix in the air to create a sweet and sour combo that’s part intoxicating and part puke-inducing. Other noxious smells cause my nose to wrinkle in distaste. Writhing bodies throng the cleared-out
living space, as boys and girls dance enthusiastically to the tunes the DJ is spinning. Buckets of beer and wine coolers cover numerous surfaces, and half-eaten bowls of chips and dips are littered throughout the room.
Brad guides us over to an empty space in the corner of the room. I drop my bag on the table behind us. My eyes instantly scan my surroundings with laser focus. I do a few laps of the room while Brad goes to grab us some beers, but I can’t see Ky anywhere. That isn’t in any way reassuring, especially considering I can’t spot Addison either. My stomach lurches to my toes.
“Ho. Lee. Fuck!” A sonorous voice swoons in my ear. “Look at you.”
I peer up into Jeremy’s hungry eyes, watching as his gaze feasts on my chest. Suddenly, dressing so provocatively doesn’t seem like such a smart move.
“Stand down, man. She’s with me,” Brad states, rejoining us with perfect timing. I take the offered beer and lean into him. He wastes no time staking his claim, clamping a firm hand to my hip and towing me into his warm body.
Jeremy raises his hands in surrender even though he looks like he’s just sucked on a lemon. “Wasn’t aware, bro. That’s cool.” He leans into my ear. “If you ever want to test drive a real man, give me a call.” With one final sleazy wink, he slinks away, and I release the breath I’d been holding.
“What’d he say?” Brad asks, scowling.
“Nothing worth repeating.” I take a swig of my beer, relishing the taste of the cool liquid.
“Steer clear of him, Faye,” Kal warns. “He’s totally sketch.” Harsh glares spear him like daggers from all corners of the room, and a familiar ache takes up residence in my chest. Surrounded by blatant hostility instead of the usual harem of fawning girls, Kal couldn’t have fallen any lower on the popularity ladder if he tried. Not that he gives two shits about that, I’m sure, but it’s an acute reminder of how altered his reality is.
“I don’t need convincing. I know Jeremy’s a jerk.” I send him a reassuring smile as my eyes continue to explore the room. I’m growing antsier with every passing second.
Losing Kyler (The Kennedy Boys Book 2) Page 13
