“Sorry. I do know. It’s just so frustrating. Meg wouldn’t lie, and I can tell she’s scared.”
They guys all share a look, before Nate speaks us. “We don’t trust her. There’s something off about all of this. Especially with how vocal she is about hating Kali. You two are finally back on track, and she shows up asking for help?”
“She knows she can’t break us up.”
“She already has.”
“Kali’s just mad because I won’t choose her over Meg, and that’s not fair.”
“The fuck? You told her that?” Matt asks, looking at me like I’m insane.
“I’ve always said it. It’s true.”
“No wonder she doesn’t want to see you,” Jake tells me.
“It’s not a contest.”
“If someone asked me to kill Ellie or Matt, I’d kill Matt. It would suck, but I’d do it,” Aiden says.
“And I’d expect him to do it. I love you guys, but Rei would always come first.”
“This isn’t about killing someone.”
“No, it’s about killing everything you have with the woman you say you love.”
“I do love her!”
“Not if you can’t put her first, you don’t,” Nate tells me. “Have you ever put her first?”
“I was going to marry her.”
“Dude, that doesn’t count unless you didn’t invite Meg to the wedding.”
“She was going to be my best man.”
“You’ve barely mentioned Meg since you’ve been here. I didn’t even think you were seeing much of her anymore when you were in D.C.,” Aiden reminds me.
And here goes the answer that’s going to set them all off. But, they’re my friends now, and I need their help with this. “She wants to be more than friends.”
“Duh. I saw that a mile away the first time I met her.”
“But you two have always only been friends, right?” Jake asks.
“Except for one mistake on my part, yes.”
“Shit. You slept with her? When?” Matt asks, shaking his head again.
“The night I got back from the mission. Kali wasn’t there to meet me, I saw the pics, and I just wanted to try and forget everything. I got drunk—I know that’s no excuse—and I went back to Meg’s house with her.”
“I want to punch you right now. You’re more my friend than Kali is, and I still want to punch you.”
“We weren’t together.”
“Did she know that? Because if I remember correctly, you never confronted her about the pictures. Then, or now,” Aiden says, and he looks like he wants to punch me now, too.
“I never heard from her until she showed up here, so I think she made her feelings clear.”
“You’re one stubborn SOB man. I mean, seriously, does it make you feel more manly to put everything on her?”
“Fuck off. I don’t need this shit from you guys. You’re supposed to be my friends. Meg wouldn’t do this to me.”
“Because she hates Kali, wants you for herself, and has spent years manipulating you, so she knows exactly how to work you. You want that, then by all means, walk out of this room. But if you want to hear it straight, and be held accountable for acting like an ass while we try and help you, then we’re here for you,” Nate says.
I know he’s right about them telling it straight. I don’t believe Meg manipulates me, but I’m not going to argue about it right now. I do need help, and damn it, I need Kali.
“What should I do?”
“What do you want? Right now, in this moment, what would make you happy?”
“Kali.”
“Then go, and tell her that.”
“I have lunch with Meg in twenty minutes.”
“You have a choice to make about who comes first, and you know who we think you should choose,” Matt says.
Yeah, I know, but that doesn’t mean I can make that choice. How do I choose between the two most important women in my life? I don’t. I can’t. I just can’t. But maybe, just maybe, I can try a little harder with Kali so she knows she’s important.
Chapter 2
Kali
I’ve escaped to the lab, because that’s where I always go when I need to get away from the rest of my life. After things ended with Theo, I went back and got my doctorate, and I thought I’d be in a lab forever, just living out a spinster lifestyle. It’s what I thought I wanted, because I knew no one could replace Theo, and even if they could, would I ever be able to trust a man again?
Stupid me chose to trust the same man who ripped me apart the first time, so there’s no one else to blame. He let me down, but I allowed it to happen. I knew better, and I tried to fight it, but he wore me down. Yep, the lab is definitely a good place for me to stay.
“I knew I’d find you here,” Theo says, entering my sacred space.
“What do you need?”
“You.”
Stop it, heart! Stop flipping over in my chest at his sweet words. He’s always reeled me in with his words, but I’m going to stay strong this time.
“That ship has sailed.”
“Maybe I’m the pirate, wanting to jump onboard and claim the captain as mine.”
“The captain might stab you with her sword, and push you over the side.”
“Ouch.”
“If there’s nothing else, I have work to do.”
“You mean, you have concoctions, and formulas you’re using to keep your mind off how much you miss me.”
“I’ve missed you for most of my adult life, but I’ve managed just fine.”
“You don’t have to miss me now. Let me cook dinner for you, like I’ve been doing every Wednesday night.”
“Why are you doing this, Theo?”
“I love you.”
“Stop saying that.”
“I can’t.”
“I’m asking you to please stop saying those words to me.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but his phone rings before he has a chance. He looks down, and curses, before answering.
“Hey, Meg. I know we were supposed to have lunch, but I wanted to hang with Kali. I’ll check on you later.”
You could knock me over with a feather, and from the sounds coming out of the phone, she’s shocked, too. He’s never once canceled on her to spend time with me. Never.
“Dinner sounds wonderful,” I tell him once he’s hung up.
“Do you want to get coffee now? In the caf?”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
He helps me put away all my supplies, like I taught him to do, and I feel a little flicker of hope. Not a lot, because I won’t allow myself to dream big where Theo’s concerned, but there’s a little.
“Ready?” he asks, holding his hand out for me.
I take it, and walk out with him. We get pastries to go with our coffees, and take them out onto the patio. It’s chilly out, but there are heaters and warmed blankets for those of us willing to brave a little cold for the fresh air, and view of the city.
“I don’t suppose you want to cuddle on a chaise under a blanket.”
That’s what we normally do, but I can’t today. “Not this time.”
“Couch it is.”
We sit, but for the first time ever, I don’t know what to say to him, and he doesn’t seem to know what to say to me, either. From the moment we met, we’ve been comfortable with each other, but not now. Silence that was once nice, is now scary. He gave up his lunch with Meg to be here with me, so I hold up the white flag.
“How have you been?”
“It’s been horrible being without you, but if I’m being honest, it’s been nice to spend some time with Meg. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth.”
“I tried to be her friend.”
“I don’t want to get into this, Kali.”
Is he kidding me now? I just pointed out the truth, and he thinks it’s fight. It’s not my fault Meg has hated me
from the moment she met me. I really did try to be friends, but she never even pretended to like me.
“I’m going back to the lab.”
“Shit. Kali, I’m sorry, okay? I don’t know how to do this.”
“Honestly, you never did. I just put up with it because I loved you so much.”
“Was it really that bad?”
“Not always, but sometimes, yeah it was.”
“Can I still come over tonight?”
I want to say no. I want to deny both of us what I really want. But in the end, I give in. “Yes.”
Theo
Meg opens the door with a scowl. “That was fast. I guess she already had her legs spread when you got there, huh?”
“Stop it, Meg.”
“So, you didn’t fuck her?”
“If I did, it’s none of your business.”
“Thought so.”
I really don’t want to discuss this with her, but I don’t want her shooting her mouth off, so I tell her the truth. “We had coffee—in public.”
“You left me hanging for coffee?”
“With Kali, yes.”
“Do you even remember how we were the only ones there for each other in that group home? How we protected each other?”
“No. I will never forget you and Donnie, and how we all looked out for each other, but I love her, Meg.”
“Do I need to show you the pictures again? Do I need to remind you what she did?”
“That’s in the past.”
“So, you don’t care about it anymore?”
“I. Love. Her.”
“You were always whipped around her, but now you’re just weak.”
I’m stronger with Kali than I ever am alone, but I don’t want to fight with the girl who was once all I had. I don’t owe her anything, because we’re even when it comes to favors, but she’s important to me. After talking to the guys, I think she needs to be less important than Kali, but I just don’t feel it yet.
“We’re just going to have to disagree.”
“Whatever. Donnie’s coming to visit, so at least I’ll have someone on my side.”
“You know I’m always on your side.”
“Unless it has to do with her.”
“I won’t take sides.”
“Which is one of the reasons I love you.”
She smiles, and I instantly feel better. I wish Kali could understand me like Meg does, but maybe it’s because she didn’t grow up with us. She knows about my past, but she didn’t live it with me like Meg did. We have a bond that will never be broken.
“I love you too, but can you try to get along with Kali?”
“Only for you, but if she hurts you again, I’m going to fuck her up.”
“She’s not the girl you once knew, so don’t assume you could beat her in a fight.”
“What exactly is this place?”
“A foundation that helps and protects people. They learn to fight because they sometimes have to.”
I want to tell her more, but I can’t. The women in the Society are allowed to tell one person, but even though I’m an “honorary” member along with the other guys, I’m not permitted to tell their secrets.
“How did Kalila get in?”
“She’s a brilliant scientist.”
“Says you.”
“Why have you never liked her? I just don’t understand. Did she do something to you?”
“She always acted like she was better than me, and she’s not good enough for you.”
“I never saw her treat you badly,” I say, ignoring the other part.
“You were in love, so you didn’t notice the little things she would say, or the way she looked at me.”
“You must have misunderstood, because Kali doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.”
“What she did to you wasn’t mean?”
“That had nothing to do with you?”
“You’re my best friend! Anything that happens to you affects me.”
“I know. It’s just hard, because you both mean so much to me, and I feel like I’m being pulled apart.”
“You really want this second chance with her?”
“More than anything, Meg.”
“Then I’ll be nice to her.”
“Thank you,” I say, pulling her into a hug.
My best friend is showing me once again how much I mean to her, and it makes me feel much better than I did when I walked in here. Now, I just need to get Kali to see they can be friends, too.
Chapter 3
Kali
“Hi, Alex,” I say, as I walk into the Foundation lobby.
“Hey, Kali. They’re waiting for you in Reina’s office.”
I walk down the hall, and through the open doors. Reina, Audrey, Ainsley, Isa, and Jade are waiting for me inside. I know it’s about Meg, but I don’t know what they’ve found, so I just come right out and ask.
“What’s going on with Meg?”
“That’s what we’d like to know. We’ve found no evidence of anything. The notes she received were all printed on a computer, and the only fingerprints are hers,” Reina tells me.
“She faked it.”
“We know about your background with her, so is that coming from your feelings, or what you know of her?” Audrey asks.
“I don’t like her for my own reasons, but I can objectively say I have never met anyone who will lie and manipulate to get what they want more than Meg.”
“Theo is arguing hard that she wouldn’t lie,” Jade says.
“Theo will defend her to his death.”
“She’s not trustworthy. I’ve put that in my report, but I’ll say it again. She was evading every question I asked her, and it was awkward,” Isa says with a shudder.
“What I’m about to say is what I believe is going on here. You know the history, so take it as you will.”
“Go ahead, Kali,” Reina says.
“She didn’t know about us, and so she thought it would just be Theo involved. He believes anything she tells him, which means he would’ve taken her in, and kept her with him until he could be sure she was safe. He won’t question her, and he’d let her live with him forever if he thought she needed him.”
“Even if he loses you again?” Jade asks.
“I believe she will always come first, so yes. He could find her with a gun trained on me, and still believe I’m at fault.”
“That’s fucked up.”
“It is, and I’m not sure I can live with it again. With her being far away, it wasn’t so bad, but she’s here now, and I don’t know what to do.”
“You had coffee with him today,” Ainsley says.
“Yes, and I said he could make me dinner tonight, but I can’t let myself think things will be different, just because I want them to be.”
“We’re here for you no matter what,” Reina tells me.
“I know. Thank you.”
I leave the office, and go back to my studies. Right now, I’m focusing on fashion, because it’s something I just can’t wrap my head around. I think in numbers and formulas, not designers and hem lengths, but I’m learning. To be part of the Society, I need to do it all, and I will.
When I walk into my apartment later, Theo’s already there, cooking in my kitchen. “Hi.”
“Hey.”
He seems as unsure about being here, as I am about having him here. “You don’t have to be here if you don’t want to be.”
“This isn’t easy for me.”
“You have to choose a side eventually.”
“You seem to think I’ve already chosen. Isn’t that what you said earlier?”
“Yes, and I meant it. I’m trying to give you a chance, because I love you, but I’m not going to forget our past, or ignore what’s going on now just to make things easier for you.”
“You can’t even give a little?”
“I gave you everything once, and you threw it away, so no, I’m not willing to lie back, and get walked all over again.”
“Lie back? Wow,” he says, slamming the skillet full of chicken down hard.
“Maybe you should just go.”
“I love you. Does that mean nothing to you?”
At one time, it meant everything. “You say the words, but I need more than words, Theo. I need you to show me you love me.”
He braces his hands on the counters next to the stove, and just hangs his head. I don’t know where this is going to go, but I know I can’t back down from this. I did it once, and lost him anyway, so right now, there’s nothing for me to lose.
“You want me to show you how I feel? Well, hold on tight,” he says, shutting off the stove, and stalking over to where I’m standing by the island.
His mouth covers mine as he lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me to the dining room table. I should protest, and tell him we shouldn’t be doing this after fighting, but I want this right now. I need to be with him like this.
“Why the fuck are you wearing pants?” he asks, fighting with the skinny jeans I’m wearing.
“I always wear pants.”
“Not tight ones, dammit.”
Pushing his hands away, I undo the jeans, and push them down my legs. “Don’t just stand there—your pants need to go, too.”
“You’re not in charge here, Kali. Not tonight.”
I want to argue, but we both know I like it like this. Sometimes. Sometimes, I want to be in charge, and he lets me. Not today.
“What do you want?”
“Get on your knees, and take the rest of your clothes off,” he tells me, pulling the cloth napkins on the table from their decorative rings.
I do as he says, and wait while he finishes what he’s doing. I get wetter between my legs as I watch him tie two sets of cloth together, and toss them to the side. He pulls his t-shirt over his head, and I lick my lips as I watch the muscles of his chest contract and move.
Theo is gorgeous. He’s more than that, but I don’t know any other words I can use to describe him. He’s got dark hair, and eyes, and now that we’re both older, he’s got a neatly trimmed mustache and beard as well. He was a man when I met him all those years ago, but now he’s a man. He’s seen war, and destruction, and his body hasn’t been spared. There are small scars covering his otherwise perfect pecs, and abs, but they make him even sexier.
Society Girls: Kalila Page 3