He smiles. “I love you that much, Mackenzie.”
I have to laugh at that. “You’re so good at lightening up a heavy mood. Did you know that?”
“Of course. It’s one of my many talents.” He winks at me.
“I don’t even want to know.”
He stands and pulls me into a bear hug. “In all seriousness though, I would kill for you. You mean the world to me, and if I can help it, you’ll never have to experience pain like that again,” he finishes with a whisper.
“I love you, you big barbarian,” I sniffle out.
“Love you too.” He clears his throat. “Alright, I hate to cut it short, but I’ve got to go.”
“You do? I thought we were going to watch another epically horrible horror flick?”
“Yeah, it would be great no doubt, but it’s the middle of the day on a Friday.” He laughs at me.
“Duh, my days get mixed up sometimes.”
“Yeah you live the life, you know? Not having a set schedule is fucking awesome.”
“It’s not so bad,” I joke.
“Oh, dad said you got the prints back?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Let me see.” He ruffles my hair playfully. I bat his hand away and walk to the back room where my office is.
I come back into the room with an envelope of pictures. “Here you go.”
“Shouldn’t they be bigger?”
“I have the poster size dad wants to put up too, silly. I have to make more though, dad wants to give everyone a framed copy.”
“Just like dad, huh?” he says opening the envelope. “Oh wow.” Flipping through the pictures, he lets out a low whistle. “These came out great.”
I gush at his compliment, “Thanks.”
“No really, they’re great. See how damn good I look?” He flips the picture around to face me. I burst into laughter.
“Oh my god, you’re such an ass.” Although it’s true, my brother is very handsome. It would do him well to be knocked down a couple pegs.
“I don’t see you denying it.” He grins down at me handing me the pictures back. He kisses the top of my forehead. “Seriously though, I have to go—afternoon meeting. Some of these suppliers are so fucking stupid.”
“Get to it then. We’ll chat later.” Walking behind my brother to the door, he opens it and apparently sees something on the floor. He bends down to pick it up and hands me an envelope and a little box. I flip it over and see the word “Kennie” written on it. My heart starts to beat faster almost immediately, while a huge smile breaks across my face.
“I can guess who that’s from based on your reaction. I’ll see you later.”
“Sure, bye.” I lock the door behind him and race back to my couch like a giddy school girl opening up the letter. My mouth drops open as I raise my hand to cover it. Inside the letter says:
Will you go to the merger dinner with me?
Check yes or no
-Drew
Tears form in my eyes and I remember there’s still a box sitting waiting for me to open. With semi shaky hands, I flip over the cover and the tears continue. It’s a cherry flavored ring pop. He remembers.
Am I not pretty enough?
Am I not special enough?
Is there something I should be doing?
For someone, anyone to like me?
Why hasn’t anyone asked me?
Why hasn’t anyone noticed?
Is it just if you’re popular
Is it because she has a special look?
Maybe it’s because she wears make up.
Maybe it’s because she talks more
Or maybe it’s because she flirts more?
Does it mean I’m not pretty enough?
Does it not make me special enough?
For you to ask me
If I wanted to go?
We hang out in class every day.
I thought you were interested.
I thought you cared.
I know it seems silly,
But I care. I was excited.
I thought it was me you were going to choose...
Am I not pretty enough?
Am I not special enough?
For someone, anyone…like you
To like me?
Should I do my hair different?
Should I smile more?
Should I start to wear make up?
Would it make a difference to you?
Would you even see me, for me?
Or for what I tried to be for you to see me?
“There you are, Kennie.”
I looked up from my journal and saw Drew who stood in front of me.
“Here I am,” I replied sulkily.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Well I thought you’d be out shopping with your mom or something.”
I looked at him confused, “Why?”
“Don’t you have some middle school dance or something coming up this weekend?” He remembered. I can’t believe he remembered. I told him about it weeks prior, along with who I really wanted to ask me.
“The boy I wanted to ask me ended up asking someone else.”
Drew took a seat beside me on the swing, and rocked back and forth slowly.
“Really? Now, why would he go and do that?”
My shoulders shrugged in response.
“I don’t know why. Maybe he asked someone prettier than me, or someone more popular.”
“Huh, that doesn’t make sense. He totally should’ve asked you,” he responded back to me. Then, Drew reached out his hand and took his index finger to lift my chin up so my eyes lifted to his.
“I have something for you.” Confused, my eyes darted towards his other hand. In it, he held a letter and a small box.
“What’s this?”
He smiled. “Just open it.” His hand dropped from my chin and took my journal and pen so I could open what he handed me.
I tore the envelope open and in it, said:
Will you go to the dance with me?
Check yes or no
-Drew
Tears started to fall down my cheeks as I moved onto the box. In it held a cherry flavored ring pop. My gaze immediately traced up to his face.
He cocked his head to the side and grinned. “Hey now, don’t cry, Sweetheart.” He wiped a tear from my eye.
“But, how did you know I didn’t have anyone to go with?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “I took a shot.” He smiled, “What do you think the odds are of it being yes?” he joked.
A laugh escaped from me as I jumped up, he stood with me as I fell into his arms with excitement. “It’s yes!” I squealed.
I start cracking up remembering what Kip’s reaction was when he found out Drew was taking me to the dance. Now that I think about it, my brother has made it a perpetual habit of having ‘stern’ talks with his best friend, concerning me. I don’t think he would ever follow through on his threats though. He loves me, but he loves Drew too. Hurting him would ultimately hurt my brother as well.
Focusing my attention back on the letter, I grab the pen sitting on my coffee table and check yes. I fold it back up walking into my room and search through my closet for an envelope. I find one, scribble Drew’s name on it, and walk over to his door setting it down in the same spot he placed mine.
A FEW HOURS later, there’s a knock on my door. Stretching from a nap I didn’t realize I needed, I make my way lazily over to the noise which awoke me. In my door way, is a tall, tattooed, smiling Jax.
“What’s going on, woman?”
Yawning, I respond, “Not much. And you?”
“You skipped out on our jog this morning. You’re slacking.” He crosses his arms over his chest and looks down at me.
“I’m not slacking. I just decided to sleep in. You know we go every single day right?”
“Fuck yeah I know. You got me on the ‘every single d
ay’ routine, so now you’re stuck. I go balls to the wall.” He reaches his hands to my shoulders and turns me around. “March, you need to change.”
I groan in response.
“The day’s almost over so we need to beat the sunlight, chop chop.”
“Ugh, fine.”
Five minutes later I’m dressed, and walk into my living room to Jax flipping through my Vanity Fair.
“See anything you like?” I ask him sarcastically. Chuckling and sitting to tie my sneakers, he looks at me. Flipping the magazine around he points to a picture of Nina Dobrev. “You’re damn right I do, have you seen her? This chick’s fuckin’ hot.”
“I thought blondes were your thing?”
“Listen Mackenzie, I’m a hottie equal opportunist across the board. Blondes may be my thing, but when you’re hot, you’re hot.”
Rolling my eyes, I stand. “Let’s go.”
WE GET A steady pace, going with the breeze from the river. “How’s work been going?”
“Eh, fine, just a lot of meetings, you know? There are a lot of contracts that have different specifications for each job, so the paperwork can get a little outrageous.”
“Do you enjoy what you do?”
Jax glances at me and continues to pace his breathing. “Yeah, I do actually. This wasn’t my plan originally, but you know, plans change.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Do you enjoy what you do?” he retorts, sarcastically.
“Of course I do.”
“What do you enjoy so much about it?”
“What do you like so much about your job?”
We turn the corner to loop around. “Okay fine, I’ll go first. I like to build things and to be involved in the process. I like seeing something awesome being made from nothing; from a simple idea. When you are involved in a thought someone had to build something great, it’s pretty amazing. Only drawback so far? The paperwork fucking blows.”
I laugh, “Yeah I’m sure it’s no cake walk. Hmm, what I enjoy most about it…Capturing moments, really. It’s like freezing something and keeping it in time. You don’t have to recall what a great memory it was. You can see it written all of over the faces of what you did capture. Heartache, sadness, laughter, joy—no matter the feeling or expression it’s art, and it’s beautiful.”
Jax slows his pace down right by the river to a walk. “That’s pretty amazing, I’ve never thought of it like that.”
“Thanks…why are we walking?”
“Actually, we’re stopping.” He grins down at me. “Let’s just enjoy the scenery for once. It’s nice out and we’re pretty close to being back, anyway.”
“Odd request, but okay.”
“Well, it’s about Cass.”
“What about her?”
“She agreed to go to the dinner with me.”
“I know.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised, good news travels fast.” He winks and then rubs the back of his head. His brows knit together, face serious again. “I’m actually kinda nervous. I never thought she’d agree and I’m not sure what to do.”
“Gasp. You? Nervous? Be still my beating heart, I don’t believe it.”
“Ha-ha.” He rolls his eyes at me and then leans over so his elbows rest on the wall. He gazes out over the river and is quiet for a moment. “All bullshit aside, I do want to impress her. By the way, if you breathe a word of this to Drew, you’re dead to me.”
“What about Kip?” I laugh, “I’m totally kidding. Just be yourself. That’s the only person you can be, right? If she doesn’t like you for who you are, then it’s not meant to be.” I inhale a deep breath. “Trying to change for someone else will ultimately leave you lost.”
He tilts his head to the side. “That was…profound. Speaking of profound, what’s up with these past couple of weeks? You seem happier.”
“Well…I am. I haven’t been much different when it comes to you though, have I?”
“No, you haven’t, but I’ve seen a difference in you overall,” he points out.
“I had an epiphany.” He arches is his brow in question. “It hit me, Jax.”
“What hit you, exactly?”
“That there’s nothing wrong with me. Physically, or otherwise.”
“Well, duh, Mackenzie; you’re hot.” He turns his head to look at me.
“Whatever, you know what I mean.”
The smile dissipates. “Yeah, I know what you mean, and I’m sorry that prick ever allowed you to believe something so overtly untrue.”
“Overtly untrue? That doesn’t sound like something that would ever come out of your mouth,” I tell him laughing.
“I have so many layers you don’t know about, my dear.”
“So it seems…But back to you. Don’t be nervous with Cass. She’s one of the best people I know, honestly.”
He stands up straight and stretches. “Yeah I was afraid of that.” He grins. “Are you going with Drew?”
A huge smile plays across my face. “Yes I am, but I haven’t figured out what to wear.”
“Well decide soon woman, it’s in a few days.”
Shit. He’s right.
TOMORROW IS THE big dinner. So many people will be in attendance to celebrate, it’s unreal. I haven’t seen much of Kennie the past few days because my parents have been in town. It’s good to see them again. Jax and I have been showing them all around. We brought them to the office to see our working environment. They’ve met plenty of people along with Elijah and dad catching up. Both sets of parents went on a double date of sorts to catch up on the years passed and what the future holds with the companies combining—or so my father says. My mom, Jamie, Kennie and her friends went on a shopping excursion to find the perfect dress for the dinner. I’m sure whatever they’ve found all of them will be stunning. To my surprise, Kip ended up asking Adriana. I could’ve guessed since we’re all always together, but they barely get along when they’re around each other.
I take a sip of my coffee and continue flipping through the newspaper as I sit at our kitchen bar. “Good morning, honey.” My mom comes walking out into the kitchen.
“Good mornin’ mom, coffee’s ready in the pot.” I peer at her, adjusting my glasses.
“Oh thank you,” she yawns, but is already ready for the day to start. Hair and makeup done before going anywhere, that’s my mom for you. “You started wearing your glasses again?”
My square black frames are the death of me. I don’t need to wear them all of the time, but for things like reading the newspaper—which I feel makes me old with all things technology these days anyway—I kind of have to. “Not again, always. I just don’t wear them all the time,” I chuckle, taking another sip of coffee. “What are you up to today?”
“Your father and I were just going to enjoy a walk somewhere, not sure where yet.”
My father walks out a few moments later. “Good morning everyone.”
“Hey dad, sleep okay?”
“I did. That guest bed is extremely comfortable, if you know what I mean.” My dad. I see exactly where Jax gets his crude humor from.
“I get it, no need to go into detail, but thanks.”
“Where’s Jax? Is he sleeping in?”
“No, he and Kennie go jogging every morning like clockwork.”
“Oh okay, well I wanted to see if you boys wanted to go grab breakfast before going into the office.”
“Sure mom, sounds great.”
“Good morning, Vi-et-nam!” Jax strolls into our condo sweating his ass off. I roll my eyes and continue reading.
“Jax honey, I was just saying your father and I wanted to grab breakfast with you boys before you go into work.”
“Of course, let me shower and change real quick. Fifteen minutes tops.”
My mind wanders to the dinner tomorrow night. I need to pick up my tux today. The location for the dinner is in an old warehouse in the Ybor city dis
trict. Supposedly, Sammy did a great job with it all. I’m anxious to see how it all turned out.
“Andrew, now that your father and brother are getting ready, I wanted to talk to you about Vicki.” I knew it would only be a matter of time before she was brought up. My mother’s been telling me she wants to talk about that whole situation. However, I do not.
“What about her?”
“Lately, she’s been calling more often wanting to find out where things are with the two of you.”
“Seriously? We’re over, she knows that.”
“I want to say she does, but Andrew—”
“I know what you’re going to say. Don’t worry I’ll call her and straighten everything out.”
She walks around the bar and kisses my forehead. “I just want this entire thing behind you, honey.”
“I know, mom, I know.”
“Who’s ready for some grub?” Jax walks out in his shirt and slacks, hair wet. “Hey mom, would you do the honors?” He grins at her holding his tie up.
“Mama’s boy,” I tease.
“Daddy’s girl,” he shoots back.
Sighing, my mother states, “I miss my boys.”
TONIGHT IS THE big dinner. There’s been so much chaos going on the past few days; Drew’s parents are in town for the merger, my mother and his mother, along with Cass, Ade, and myself, had a shopping trip a couple of days ago to find the perfect dress. It was actually a whole lot of fun. We even made a pit stop to replenish ourselves before continuing our spree. We all were able to find the perfect dresses for tonight. Cass ended up getting a silver spaghetti strapped evening dress, Ade found a deep red strapless gown, my mother opted for a navy blue modest evening dress, and Mrs. Dean found a perfect black strap dress. Everyone looked so elegant. It made me that much more excited when I finally found mine; a gorgeous emerald green, ruched bodice, sweep train, sweetheart neckline, and corset back, dress. I wasn’t sure when I saw it hanging, but after trying it on and seeing the girls’ reactions, I knew I had to have it. I silently hoped Drew’s reaction was similar.
Ending a Broken Journey Page 20