Ending a Broken Journey

by Melissa L. Delga

  I just got back from my jog with Jax, so I jumped in the shower and got ready for today. I met up with my dad yesterday at the office to give him the final prints to have for tonight. He was so excited, which in turn made me just as excited. Everything is coming together perfectly.

  Eating my bowl of cereal, my phone rings. I look to see it’s Ade. “Hey girl, what’s up?”

  “Hey chica, are we all going to get ready at your house tonight?”

  “You all can. You usually do, just have the guys meet us here.”

  “Okay, I’ll call Kip and tell him. It’s at eight tonight right?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll be there around four thirty.”

  “Don’t you think that’s a tiny bit early?”

  “Uh, no. We need to look killer, stunning, gorgeous even. Although we have natural good looks, it takes time to perfect masterpieces.”

  “Alright, alright, I’ll see you and Cass then.”

  FOUR THIRTY ROLLS around rather quickly. All day I caught up on my other client’s work. I had a spread for a magazine to finish and I barely turned it in for approval on time. They informed me I would receive an approval or denial by early next week. If denied, I’ll have to start again which I really don’t want to do. If I can’t produce something they like after that, they’ll contract someone else. I’m pretty confident in my work, so I’m hoping for the best.

  I open my door to Cass and Ade, makeup bags, dresses, and hot tools in hand. Both of them have wet hair fresh from the shower.

  “Alright let’s get to work!”

  Ade is our resident hair and makeup guru, and man can she work. I’ve tried to get the hang of mixing and blending eye shadows like she has, but to no avail. For simple looks, it’s easy. For classic and dramatic looks, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. I always tell her she missed her calling in becoming a makeup artist. She said it’s something she enjoys doing, but would never want to consider it work, so she became a therapist instead. I personally wouldn’t want to carry around other people’s problems for a living, but she loves helping people. I can both admire and respect that to the fullest.

  “Who’s first?” Ade asks once we’ve laid our dresses out on my bed and piled into my bathroom to get started.

  “Cass can go first.”

  Two and half hours later, we all have our hair and makeup done. Ade put my hair into a beautiful low bun with a few tendrils coming down around my face. Cass’ hair was put into a high sleek bun and Ade put her locks into a side fishtail braid. She put a dark smokey eye on me, a similar look on Cass, and went neutral on herself. But, Ade is also the only one wearing a deep red lip to match her dress.

  I have to say, she out did herself this time. I put on a tennis bracelet my father got me years ago, and diamond studs. I have so much going on, I want to keep the rest simple.

  All three of us stand and look in my full-length mirror, putting together the last pieces of our outfits.

  “Well ladies, we did it. Not to brag or anything, but my god we are hot.” Ade winks at us in the mirror. Cass and I giggle.

  “You ready for this?” Cass turns to me.

  “For tonight? Yes, I believe I am.”

  “No, I mean to be around Sammy again.”

  Ever since our talk, and me getting things out on the table, we’ve been much closer. There’s no wall for them to knock down or climb over—Ade’s analogy—and the disconnect between the three of us has disappeared, as if it were never there.

  “Of course; I’ve got my girls. I’ll be fine.”

  “Oh the boys must be here!” Ade squeals when my doorbell rings. She loves getting dolled up and going out. She wants to be shown to the world. And she should be. She’s stunning in all forms. We walk out into my living room before coming face to face with the guys.

  Kip has a key, which I always forget. My brother lets out a low whistle. “You ladies look absolutely beautiful.”

  Not to be outdone by us, the boys all look hot. A simple black and white tuxedo can be anything but simple if worn on the right man, and these three are definitely making it look good. All freshly shaved faces comb their eyes over their dates.

  Jax walks over to Cass and opens his arm for her to loop through. “Shall we?”

  She smiles up at him. “We shall.”

  When they walk away, I hear him tell her how stunning she looks and my insides warm up. I think he’s truly smitten. I love my goofy Jax, but this is a good look for him also.

  Kip follows suit with Ade, but not before coming to give me a kiss on the cheek hello. “Limo’s waiting downstairs for us. You all ready?”

  We all nod our heads. Drew saunters up to me with the most adorable grin on his face.

  “Kennie,” he breathes out leaning down to whisper in my ear and placing a hand on my waist. “You look…breathtaking. In fact, you look good enough to eat,” he chuckles at his own joke, giving me a little squeeze before straightening up and adjusting his bowtie.

  My heart rate picks up at his flirtatious nature and my insides quiver at how unbelievably sexy he is. “I could say the same about you.” I wink, grabbing my clutch and looping my arm through his so we can catch up to everyone else.

  “We just may have to test that theory later.” He looks down at me and arches a brow, daring me to break the sexual tension.

  “Oh, I’m counting on it,” I retort.

  “Hey Drew, what are you doing?” I came out of my room to the semi game room my parents let us have. “Where’s Jax?” They both stayed the night tonight since it was one of their last nights here after having visited for the second year in a row.

  “Oh, he’s passed out in the other room. I couldn’t sleep so I’m just playing some video games. What are you doing awake so late?”

  I yawned, “I’m just going to grab some water downstairs.” I walked over lazily to the couch. He sat with the game paused and I plopped down.

  “You look exhausted. Want me to grab it for you?” he volunteered.

  “Sure, that would be great.” I stretched, and peered over at him with sleepy eyes.

  “K, I’ll be right back.”

  A few minutes ticked by when I felt him tap my shoulder, “Hey sleepy head, here you go.”

  I took a sip. “Thank you. So, when are you guys leaving again? Tomorrow or the day after?”

  He set the remote on the floor and faced me folding his legs—mine mimicked his. “Tomorrow, actually. I guess I can’t sleep because I really don’t want to go.”

  “Yeah, the short visits suck. It’s always good seeing you though.”

  He smiled at me and looked down, which caused some of his hair to fall over his eyes.

  Without a second thought, I reached my hand out and moved the piece of hair out of his eyes. I stopped immediately realizing this may have crossed an unspoken boundary between us. He grabbed my hand gently, and set it down on his knee. He started to stroke his fingers lightly up and down my arms, which caused a chill to run up my spine. I stared into his eyes and saw hunger. He looked at me in a way I’d never seen before, and I liked it. I shivered.

  “Are you cold, Sweetheart?” He continued his lazy assault and moved his hand to tuck a loose strand behind my ear.

  “No, not at all.”

  I was burning up, quite literally. My insides were on fire and I wanted nothing more than for him to take me right now. I leaned into him. He leaned into me. A breath apart. Both of us sat there with one look and dared the other to make the first move. It would be a move that changed everything which made us just friends—and we both had been very much aware.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Jax’s amused voice broke through the haze of our fleeting moment.

  I jumped back coming to my senses. “No, no.” I glanced at Drew completely embarrassed. “I was just going back to bed.”

  Jax gave me a knowing grin, “I call bullshit.”

  Kip toasts to us in the limo with some champagne. We all were
enjoying the ride and buzzing off of the excitement for tonight, taking pictures, and cracking jokes. Before I knew it, we were stopping in front of the warehouse.

  Our limo driver escorts us out. As much as I hate to admit it, Sammy has outdone herself. The outside has a red carpet leading to the doorway, which has two bellhops opening doors for the attending guests. There are security guards maintaining safety, and random people walking by taking pictures. It’s absolutely stunning.

  We walk in to dark lighting that sets the mood. Music plays at the perfect level to be enjoyable and still allow others to hold conversation. From the high ceilings, black and white paper lanterns house the minimal lighting hanging in a perfect pattern. Circular tables covered in either black or white with alternating colored settings are placed with just the right amount of distance from each other. The stage, where the band plays and a microphone stand are, has servers walking around attending to the guests.

  It’s all simply perfect.

  My father comes walking up with my mother. “Mackenzie darling, you look beautiful. As do all of you.” He follows up pecking me on the cheek.

  “Thanks, daddy.”

  Everyone says their hellos, and the chatter begins as we find our appropriate tables. My father calls over Sammy who, of course, looks perfect in her blue strapless gown. She looks nervous walking up to the table, but I can’t blame her for that. The last encounter we had didn’t end well. However, this is my father’s night and I will do nothing to embarrass him.

  “Sammy dear, come say hi.”

  Awkwardness falls upon the table.

  “Hi everyone,” her southern accent pierces through the silence.

  “Well hello Sammy, how are you this fine evening?” Ade’s voice drips with sugary sarcasm.

  “I’m well, thank you for asking.” I give her a curt nod as everyone says their welcomes to her, too.

  The night carries on without a hitch. My father takes the stage and welcomes the Deans with open arms as their companies combine to become something better. He explains what he hopes to happen with this new exciting venture. Mr. Dean goes up on stage to say a few words, extending his offer to both Drew and Jax as he plans to retire soon. My father reveals the work I did for what he plans to put up on the website. He extends his appreciation to Sammy for putting together everything for tonight. It’s been a good night. Our table has been constantly busy with people representing different companies introducing themselves and offering congratulations.

  The whole night Drew has paid extra close attention to me, and I love it. He’s found any excuse to touch me or whisper something to me. He’s cracked jokes with Jax and Kip, and had conversations with everyone at the table. The times we weren’t engulfed in each other, I would feel his hand either grazing my knee, or interlacing our fingers. It was all…perfect.

  When the band comes back from a quick break, they start the intro to I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing. Drew looks over to me, “Oh Kennie, you know we have to dance. It’s our song.”

  “Your song?” Kip questions.

  “Yeah, you remember?” His eyes meet mine, he turns back to my brother, “The middle school dance I took her to, we danced to this.”

  Kip and Jax burst into laughter at the same time. The girls watch the exchange with interest. Both sets of parents are off mingling around the room. “What’s so funny?” Drew asks.

  “It seems you’ve misplaced your penis.” Jax tells him in between laughs, “Chicks remember that shit, not dudes.”

  “What? I think it’s romantic,” Cass chimes in.

  “See? There. It’s romantic.” Drew tells his brother, “You could probably learn a thing or two from me in that department.”

  Jax snorts.

  Drew turns to me, “Shall we?”

  “Kennie, what’s wrong?” Drew asked me after we got some punch. So far, the night had been perfect. When he came to pick me up at the door, he looked so cute in his tux—minus the jacket. I had on a simple cream colored dress and wore my hair down and straight. He told me I looked beautiful, and walked me from my front door to his parent’s car. We both were too young to drive, so they had given us a ride to the dance. Nothing was wrong with me as we stood there by the drink table, other than the fact that I was completely nervous. I’d never been to a school dance before, let alone with someone older. I saw my crush, Michael, dancing with Alexis, the most popular girl in school. It didn’t necessarily hurt to see them together, but I truly thought he was going to ask me to the dance. Drew surprised me—in the best way possible—but I still had no clue what I was doing. Was I supposed to ask him to dance? It was one of my closest friends we’re talking about. Why was I so nervous?

  “Nothing’s wrong at all. I’m just taking everything in.” I glanced around the school’s auditorium. There was a DJ table, chaperones everywhere, a strobe light that hung from the ceiling and boys and girls who danced together. Blue and white balloons floated in the air, and were tied to different tables.

  The music switched to a slow song and Drew offered me his hand, “May I have this dance?” I gazed up to him questioningly, “Come on, you can’t leave me hanging while Aerosmith’s on.”

  I laughed at him and grabbed his hand. We stepped out onto the dance floor. Michael saw us walking up and smiled.

  “Hey Mackenzie.”

  “Hi Michael. Hi Alexis.” Instead of returning my greeting, she eyed Drew up and down giving him a full toothed smile. She stuck out her hand.

  “Hi, name’s Alexis. And you would be?”

  Drew swung his arm around my shoulder, “Taken. By this lovely lady standing right here,” his gaze focused on me. When his eyes moved back to them, he simply nodded, “Ready, Sweetheart?”

  “Yes. Shall we?” I giggled.

  We turned around and stepped toward the middle of the dance floor. Swaying back and forth, he whispered in my ear, “That’s the girl he decided to take?”

  My head was leaning on his shoulder, so I shook it in a “yes” motion.

  “His loss was my gain.”

  My thoughts were clouded. Was Drew saying what I thought he was saying? Before I could asses anything further, the song ended and Will Smith’s ‘Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It’ came on. He pulled away from me and a humongous grin played across his face.

  “Hell yeah, this song is the shit!” He started dancing all crazy and my only reaction was to double over in laughter. When my laughter subsided, I gave him a disapproving look and turned to get some more punch, he grabbed me.

  “Uh-uh, you’re not going anywhere. It’s your turn to get jiggy wit it.”

  It’s almost midnight and we’ve finally left. Kip, Ade, Cass, and Jax all wanted to go out to a club or bar, but I was beat. Apparently, so was Drew. The girls complained about needing to change, so Kip drops Drew and me off before taking them to their homes to do so. Jax said he didn’t need to change because he would sport his tux anywhere. Their parents, who have been staying at their place, left with my parents. I guess they have more to catch up on.

  “Thanks for the ride, Kip.” I lean over and kiss his cheek before I give the girls, and Jax, a hug.

  “Yeah, thanks man.”

  “My pleasure, now you two crazy kids don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” My brother must be drunk in some capacity because sober, he would never be okay if he thought someone was going to make a play for his little sister.

  “Or me.” Jax winks at us both.

  I roll my eyes. “Good night you guys. Please be safe. Love you all.”

  WE’RE STANDING AT my door. I’m not sure if I should invite him in, or if he’s going to invite me over. I may have talked a big game earlier, but I’m scared out of my mind.

  He tilts his head to the side. “You wanna come over my place?”

  I look up into his eyes. “Yeah?”

  “Definitely, yeah. Did you want to change first?”

  It dawns on me that this dress is binding and I would actually like to change. “Yes,” I giggle. “W
ould you mind unzipping me first?” I turn around slowly and feel his fingers graze the nape of my neck and move down my back to my zipper. I feel his body move closer to mine as he leans down and places two soft bites on both of my shoulders. Turning around slowly, I look up at him. He grabs my chin between his thumb and forefinger. Bending his tall frame down closer to my face, he whispers across my lips, “Definitely good enough to eat. I’ll be waiting.” Straightening back up, he grins at me and goes the few doors down to his place.

  I rush back into my apartment, and my mind is whirling. What should I change into? I have no clue what would be considered sexy. Technically, we’ve already had sex, but this is different altogether. It won’t be rushed and rash. The emotions will be there but not in the same capacity. I walk around my room like a crazy woman until I notice one of his shirts he left here one of the times he came over. It was a navy blue dress shirt. I slip it on and a long button up sweater over it. The shirt is enormous on me, but maybe he’ll find it sexy?

  I ONLY HAVE a few minutes—tops— to make this happen. Jax helped me out earlier and assured me he would find something for everyone else to do so I could have the place all to myself with Kennie. He delivered.

  I loosen my tie because I have no time to think about changing. I rush around my place getting everything ready.

  About ten minutes later, I do a full circle at my handiwork. Who says romance is dead?

  Since Kennie still hasn’t knocked, I figure I have enough time to change. Before I make it into my room, there’s a soft knock on my front door. I run my hand through my hair and stalk over to it.

  My hormones kick into overdrive when I see her.

  Holy fucking shit. The sight I see before me is just…wow.

  “Hey, Sweetheart.”

  She looks up me through her lashes. “Hi.” Then she opens up her sweater to reveal her wearing—one of my shirts? “I didn’t know what to change into, so I thought…”