“Whatcha drinking?” He asked.
“I'm good.”
“She doesn't drink.” Toni said.
“At all?” Ethan asked.
“Not really.” I said.
“She has a very low tolerance for alcohol.” Toni said and laughed.
“Whatever I said.” And then cut my eyes at Toni who was referring to my last failed attempt at drinking. Let's just say me and Tequila didn’t agree.
“Alright then light weight. You stick to hot chocolate.” Ethan said and the leaned into me with his shoulder before we all settled in to the cold night air and conversation.
I checked the time on my phone it was 11:38 and aside from a few trips to the bathroom we had been outside since I had gotten there. My body felt numb from being outside in the cold for so long but I managed to hang in there. It actually wasn't that bad when I didn't focus on it and the warmth from the fire we were sitting in front of was helping.
Xavier and I had managed to avoid each other all night which felt weird because we would literally be standing two feet away from one another and not acknowledging each other with the exception of a an awkward hello when he first realized that I was there. He initially hung around lingering like he wanted to say something but he never did and every time I happened to look at him he was starring right back at me. I hadn’t expected him to say anything since he had never been the type to own up to anything. His usual MO was to just use avoidance until he felt like enough time had passed and then pretend like it had never happened but unfortunately that wasn't going to work this time. In a few months a baby would be here and there's no amount of time or avoidance that would make that go away.
“I'll be right back.” I said to Toni who was lucky enough to have the body heat of Ethan to keep her comfy and she was enjoying every single minute of it. I was happy for her but it kind of made me miss Xavier even more.
“Where you going boo?” She asked cheerfully.
“I need to thaw out for a minute.” I said and stood up.
“Don’t be too long fireworks start at midnight.” Ethan said.
“I won’t.” I said and shoved my hands in my pockets before I stepped around the fire pit and started moving toward the large glass sliding doors but I stopped when I felt someone grab my arm. I looked up and realized it was Tori's minion who had come with her to our dorms the day she decided to inform me about her pregnancy.
“Excuse you.” I said most definitely not in the mood for anything she could possibly have to say to me.
“Sorry, I just wanted to talk to you for a minute.” She said like she was afraid that I was about to hit her which I assumed came from the fact that I was standing defensively with my fist clenched and glaring at her. Truth be told I wasn’t much of a fighter. That was Toni’s thing but I was feeling like there could be a first time for everything. Say something stupid, PLEASE!
“What could you possibly have to say to me that I want to hear?” I said with enough attitude to express my irritation for her.
“Look, I don't have a problem with you, I never have and if I was in your position I would want somebody to tell me the truth if they knew it so that's all I'm doing.”
“The truth about what?” I asked now curious about what she could possibly have to say.
“Tori's not pregnant by Xavier?” She said.
Did she say what I think she just said? “She's not pregnant?” I asked.
“Oh she's pregnant alright but just not by Xavier.” The girl said.
“Isn't that supposed to be your girl? Why should I believe you?” I asked. As much as I wanted it to be true I had little faith in anyone connected to Tori telling me that she had lied.
“Let’s just say Tori and I are no longer friends but I can promise you she's not pregnant by Xavier because she's pregnant by my ex.”
I just stared at her and I guess the confused look on my face caused her to provide backup for what she had just told me. She pulled off one of her gloves, unlocked her phone, scrolled through it until she found what she was looking for and then handed the phone to me.
I looked down at it and scanned what appeared to be a conversation between her and who I assumed was her ex. He was apparently apologizing for what he called a huge mistake, begging for another chance and admitting that Tori had agreed to get an abortion if he didn't tell anyone that she was pregnant by him and he promised to pay for it. When I was done I handed her phone back over to her and offered a simple, “Thank you and I'm sorry.”
“No need for you to be sorry she played all of us you, me and Xavier.”
“Yeah I guess so.” I said.
“That's all I wanted.” She said and then turned to rejoin the group of people that she was with before she stopped to talk to me.
I turned and marched over to Toni, grabbed her by the arm and yanked her off of Ethan's lap which almost made her hit the floor.
“What's wrong?” She said as she almost fell but managed to stay on her feet.
“We need to talk.” I said dragging her through the crowed and then into the house.
“What's up Ky?” She asked looking worried “Did something happen with Zay?”
“She's not pregnant.” I said bluntly and then waited for Toni to say something.
“What do you mean she's not pregnant, how do you know?”
“Well I mean she is but not by Xavier, she lied.”
“How do you know?” Toni asked again.
“I pointed towards the glass door at Tori's friend. “She just told me that Tori’s pregnant by her boyfriend well he's her ex now but not Zay.”
“Ky, you don't believe that do you. Why on earth would she want you to know the truth?” Toni asked looking through the glass at her and then back at me.
“Did you hear what I just said? Tori is pregnant by her boyfriend.” I said pointing towards the door. “Or rather her now ex-boyfriend. She even showed me the text from him explaining how Tori had promised to get rid of it if he paid and didn't tell anybody that he was the one who got her pregnant. She did that so she could lie to Zay and pretend it was his.”
“See I told you that it would all work out.” Toni said cheesing from ear to ear. “Go find him.”
“Should I?” I asked.
“Heck yeah. Why wouldn't you?” She asked with a puzzled look.
“He might be here with someone.”
“He's not. Trust me and it wouldn't matter anyway.”
I felt relieved and a little hesitant. I suddenly felt bad about not believing him when he tried to tell me but what else was I supposed to think. He couldn’t blame me for that, he didn’t have the right All I knew is that right now I needed to find him and fix things.
Xavier Lee
“So do I get a kiss at midnight?” Chelle asked as she moved close to me and looped her arm through mine. I looked around as if expecting to see Kya watching me. I had my hands in my pocket and decided it wasn’t a good idea for me to be standing there that close to Chelle so I pulled my hand out my pocket and then looked down at my watch so that she was no longer connected to me. It was 11:55, almost time for the countdown and I needed to get away from Chelle because I knew where her mind was and wanted nothing to do with whatever she had brewing in her head.
“Nah I’m just chilling.” I said attempting to make it clear this time that I was not crossing that line with her.
“Looks like I’m going to have to take things in my own hands then.” She said but before I could say anything someone yelled, “excuse me,” grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I turned around and looked dead at Toni and Kya. Toni had me by the arm and Kya by the hand. She looked at me and then back and Kya and said, “you two need to talk, I’m over this and so are you,” before she took off towards Ethan.
I looked at Kya but neither of us said a word and a few seconds later everyone on the deck started yelling in unison, “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5” I slide my hand into hers, interlocking our fingers and joined in “4, 3, 2, 1.” I turned to
wards her and said, “Happy New Year,” as everyone else around us yelled it so loud that I couldn’t hear the words as I said them. My fingers found her belt loops, I pulled her towards me by the waist. After I kissed her on the forehead and then the lips I half expected her to push me away but surprisingly enough she kissed me back. She locked her arms behind my back and placed her forehead on my chest briefly and then looked up at me. I mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.” She replied, “Me too.”
The sky began to light up with fireworks and everyone around us was yelling, pointing and hugging the people near them. “I have to find Toni.” She said and then slide her hand into mine as she searched the deck for Toni and Ethan. When she found them we took off in their direction or rather she did dragging me behind her.
Toni and Kya ran to each other and nearly knocked each other over when they hugged and yelled Happy New Year to each other. I extended a fist toward Ethan which he met in the air with his own. “You all good bruh?” He said and then pointed at Kya.
“For now I guess.” I said still not sure why she all of a sudden had a change of heart.
“You know she found out the truth, she didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what.” I asked.
“Tori lied. Old girl the chunky one that use to rock with her all the time told Ky that Tori lied.”
“When?” I asked.
“Tonight. Toni told me a few minutes ago.”
Toni stepped in between me and Ethan. “So now that we are all back together and one big happy family again can we turn up like we’re supposed to?” She asked grinning from ear to ear.
“I’ll leave that to you guys, the only thing I’ve been approved to turn up is hot chocolate.” Kya said.
“I tried, it’s not my fault you can’t hang with the big kids.” Ethan said.
“Wait, what did I miss?” I asked. Kya had never been a drinker so I was confused about what they were talking about.
“Nothing, I just had a bad experience with Tequila and Toni felt the need to tell Ethan about it so I’ve been banned from all alcohol tonight.” Kya said and then cut her eyes at Toni who gave her a sly smile and then shrugged.
“We’ll talk about that later.” I said.
“Or not.” Kya said and laughed.
The fireworks were over and someone turned the music back up so the crowed began dancing again causing the deck to vibrate. Toni grabbed Kya’s hand and the two of them began moving to the rhythm of the song that was playing totally ignoring me and Ethan as they danced around each other playfully beginning with what I assumed was ballet and then going through every dance that they had ever learned past and present. I guess they figured it was pointless to even ask us to join since neither Ethan or I was big on dancing so after they had finished their time line of moves they joined us again.
“What’s this?” Toni asked and pulled the cup from Ethan’s hand that he was holding and took a sip.
“Lemonade.”
She frowned and handed the cup back to him. “That’s a little more than lemonade.”
“That’s what you get for taking a grown man’s cup.” Ethan laughed.
Toni looked around and then said “Oh wait I don’t see your dad out here anywhere. That’s the only grown man that I’ve seen tonight.” She smiled at Ethan.
“Oh so you got jokes.” He said. “How quickly we forget. I guess I’ll just have to refresh your memory later.”
“You’re so nasty.” Toni said and punched him in the arm.
“Aye, I speak that truth.”
“Whatever man.” Toni said.
“Man. Exactly.” Ethan said and then laughed.
I was sitting on the wooden bench built into the railing that lined the deck so Kya sat across my lap sideways so that her legs crossed my thighs and hung off one side. She leaned back onto my chest and I secured my arm around her waist and tucked my hands under her coat to try and keep them warm.
“It’s freezing out here.” She said and folded her body into mine.
“Where are all these people sleeping?” I asked Ethan who was standing next to me leaning against the rail with Toni leaning against him. I looked around and half the crowd had left either with friends who hadn’t been drinking or with the car service that Ethan’s parents had provided but there were still a lot of people there half of them being our basketball team and cheerleaders who were beyond drunk.
“Anywhere they can I guess. We have six bedrooms and my mom set up the game room with air mattresses and futons.”
“You’re staying right?’ I asked Kya.
“Yes.” Toni said answering for her.
“The four of us have the two bedrooms downstairs.” Ethan said.
“That’s not near your parents is it?” Toni asked.
“Why, you have plans for me later.” Ethan asked and then kissed Toni on her cheek.
“There you go again. Keep it up and I’m sleeping with Ky tonight.”
“Or not.” I said “She’s with me tonight.”
Kya sat up and looked at Toni and then me “Do I get a vote?”
“Hell yeah as long as your ballot only has my name on it. You can vote all day long.” I said and then pulled her back towards me again.
“I guess you heard that.” Ethan said to Toni “You’re stuck with me so you better play nice.”
“I guess I’ll survive.” Toni said sarcastically.
A few minutes later Ethan’s dad joined us on the deck. “Well the old folks are going to bed. Your mother said for you to make sure everyone is settled in and the let them know she has breakfast catered in the morning.”
“Alright old man.” Ethan said and then slapped hands with his father. “Happy New Year and thank you for all of this.”
“Did you guys have fun?” He asked.
“Yes sir. We appreciate you doing this for us.” I said.
“It was worth it I’m just glad you guys had fun and at least we know you are safe tonight. It gets crazy out there. Nothing like is used to be.”
“True.”
“Well I’m heading to bed, make sure you lock up and get everyone situated or you’ll never hear the end of it from your mother. She made me promise to make sure everyone was comfortable.”
“Dad these are college kids. They only thing they need to be comfortable is an empty space on the floor and it’s all good.”
“I tried explaining that to your mother but you know how she is so just do me a favor and do the best you can to get everyone somewhere.”
“I’ll do what I can but no promises.” Ethan said.
“Good night guys and Happy New Year.” He said and then walked back inside.
“My bag’s still in my car.” Kya said.
“Mine is too. Give me your key and I’ll get it.” I said.
“Ethan’s mom has it but it shouldn't be locked.”
“Where did you park?”
“Across the street in that open field.”
“Alright, I’ll be right back.”
I returned a few minutes later with both of our bags and of course Kya’s was way too heavy for a one night stay. Ethan had disappeared and was directing everyone towards their sleeping quarters while Ky and Toni were now where to be found. Almost everyone had decided to chill in the game room because there were two oversized flat screen TVs one for the game system and the other connected to satellite TV which meant they would all be entertained for the rest of the night. Most of them had calmed down a little and some had even fallen asleep which I attributed to the endless supply of beer and alcohol that Ethan’s parents had provided.
I searched the room but couldn’t find Kya so when Ethan was finished with the rundown of the overnight rules I asked him where she was and he directed me to the bedroom that he had assigned to us. When I pushed the door open she was standing in front of the dresser doing something to her hair so I dropped both of our bags on the floor next to the bed, pulled my phone out of my pocket and then sat down. I had two messages from my si
ster so I sent her a text to tell her Happy New Year and that I loved her. She immediately replied “I love you too. Happy New Year.” I looked up at Kya who was still in the process of doing something to her hair.
“So are we going to talk about it?” I asked.
“Nope.” She said bluntly without even looking back at me.
“You sure we’re okay?” I asked not really wanting to have a discussion about it but I owed her at least that if it’s what she needed.
“We’re perfect.” She said and smiled in a way that let me know that we were good so I left it alone.
I unhooked my book bag, pulled my charger out and then surveyed the room for somewhere to plug it in before I found an empty outlet beside the night stand that was by the bed. I stood up and plugged my charger in, connected my phone to the charger and then laid it face down on the night stand. It was already on silent but I didn’t need any random messages flashing across the screen. Kya and I had some making up to do and I didn’t want anything to jeopardize that.
Chapter 11
Kya Renee
I woke up freezing and my arm was numb from having it folded under my pillow all night. Xavier was laying close behind me with his arm laying loosely across my waist but it felt heavy because he was asleep. When I lifted my body and turned to face him he opened his eyes and then closed them again. I moved in closer to him before I pulled the covers up over our shoulders. He lifted his arm pressing it into my back to move me closer to him before he slide his hand under my tank top and rested it on the small of my back.
“What time is it?” He mumbled.
“I don’t know, but it’s still dark out.”
“It’s cold in here.” He said and then tried to move me even closer but we were already nearly on top of each other so I didn’t go far.
“It must be cold if you think so.” I said thinking about all the nights that we had been together where I had been freezing dressed in long sleeves and knitted socks while Xavier on the other hand was shirtless in shorts acting like he was about to die from heat exhaustion. I had spent too many nights in my dorm room suffering under the breeze of my fan while he slept comfortable and happy. A few minutes later I could tell from the slow steady pattern of his breathing that he had drifted back to sleep so I closed my eyes to do the same and woke up what seemed like hours later to Toni wrapping her arms around me while pressing the side of her face to mine.
Kya & Xavier: It's Always Been You (Life As We Know It Book 1) Page 14
