I spent a lot more time planning my outfit for today than I did for last night. And we weren’t going to discuss why that was.
I had a thing for skirts. I loved wearing them and I had a closet filled with them, along with jeans, joggers, and a variety of shirts and hoodies. I was fancy. Tonight felt like a skirt night but dressed down. I finally decided on a pleated, mini, light pink skater skirt, black tights, a black fitted V-neck sweater and black tennis shoes with light pink laces. We were going over there to watch a game, and since there would be more people today, I wouldn’t be comfortable slipping off my heels like I’d done last night.
Before picking out my clothes, I’d washed my hair and smoothed down the front so that I could twist it to my scalp. I added decorative clamps to the twists, and it meant my hair was out of my face, but it was also a cute and easy style to do when I wanted to switch things up. Once I was dressed, I walked to my vanity to swipe on some lip gloss. I still only had on minimum makeup, but I’d added eyeliner for today. I also decided to take a small crossbody purse that matched my skirt since I didn’t have pockets.
“Are you almost ready?” Stacey called from her room down the hall.
“I’m ready if you are.”
I turned off the lamp and overhead light in my room and headed to the front of the house. I grabbed the Hawaiian sliders we made earlier today. They said we didn’t have to bring anything, but we wanted to anyway. Jocelyn told me she was bringing her pull-apart garlic bread pizza dip. It was as good as it sounds.
“Well, look at you,” Stacey said from behind me. “Did you get all dolled up for your lover?”
I rolled my eyes at her as I walked to the front door. She chuckled, grabbing her keys and following me. We piled into Stacey’s SUV with her in the driver’s seat this time. I was nervous. I knew I shouldn’t care what Zeke thought about what I was wearing. I didn’t want to rekindle a friendship or anything more with Zeke. He’s shown me on many occasions that I wasn’t the most important thing to him, and he’d end up hurting me. I didn’t want to be more important than basketball, but I also didn’t want to be pushed to the side when it came down to him choosing between it or me. It was best if I kept my distance, and I hoped I could do that.
The car pulled to a stop, drawing me from my thoughts. I saw my cousins climb out of a silver minivan as Stacey shut off the ignition. She’d parked right behind them along the curb in front of the house. There were other cars already parked along the street in front of Malik’s house. Jocelyn, Piper, and Adam climbed out of the minivan.
Stacey and I greeted them as we grabbed the food dishes and bags we’d brought along and headed for the front door. Malik had texted Stacey, letting her know we could walk inside when we arrived. I still knocked before pushing the door open. Stacey pointed out the coat closet to my cousins, while Jocelyn and I headed farther into the house to put our dishes down. My good mood soured when I noticed who Zeke was talking to by the fireplace. Daniel.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Adam growled.
“I guess he’s still friends with him,” Jocelyn added.
“Yeah, he is,” I stated. “I didn’t know Zeke was inviting him, though.”
I looked around and spotted Kennedy talking with some people I didn’t know. Daniel dated her throughout high school. As soon as he’d finished humiliating me at a party, he’d gotten back with Kennedy. I guess they were still dating or maybe even married. I didn’t know or care.
“Let’s just put this stuff down.”
“We can leave, Ror,” Stacey said.
That was why I loved her, and why she held the title of “best friend.” Well, one of the many reasons. I knew how much she wanted to be here today, but if I said I wanted to go, she’d leave with me. And for that reason, I wasn’t going to do that. I could deal with him so she got time with Malik around his friends and family.
“Nope, I’m fine. I do want to put these dishes down because they’re getting heavy.”
Stacey hugged me from behind. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Stacey,” Malik said, and I grinned.
“We’re all standing here and he zeroes in on you,” I whispered to her. “I think he may be wanting more with you, my dear friend.”
She smacked me playfully on the shoulder as she stepped from behind me. Malik hugged her as soon as she was close enough for him to do so. Jocelyn and I moved towards the island, adding our dishes to the others sitting there.
“I know why you’re so dressed up today,” she said. “Are you ready to admit how you feel about Zeke? You know, I always believed you liked him when we were kids.”
“I will disown you,” I threatened, which only made her smile. “You and Stace need to stop shipping us. It’s not going to happen.”
“And you need to stop being so stubborn.”
“Hey, Rory, Jocelyn.”
“Zeke Armstrong, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you in person,” Jocelyn said.
I looked around the room, noting the other people standing around. It was a little after five and the game would start in a few hours, so I was going to have to mingle. I disliked Zeke for the things that happened just after we became teenagers, but I absolutely couldn’t stand Daniel. And there was no coming back from what he did when we were in school. If I were forced to deal with one of them today, I’d choose Zeke any day.
There were five other people I didn’t know, although one of them looked like he could be related to Malik. Jocelyn nudged me with her elbow, bringing my attention back to her and Zeke.
“What?”
“Zeke asked if you want to meet everyone or say hi to the ones you know,” she said.
“I’m sure she has nothing to say to two of them,” Adam said, standing beside me with his arms crossed over his wide chest.
I glanced at Piper who shrugged. I was on my own with Overprotective Adam.
“Hey, Adam,” Zeke said.
He grunted at him. I bumped him with my hip. “What?” he asked.
“I know Aunt Audra taught you better than that,” I teased.
“Mom did teach you to be more than a grunting caveman,” Jocelyn added.
He glared at both of us before mumbling a half-hearted hello to Zeke. Zeke took my hand. The shock of it delayed my reaction, and in that brief hesitation from me, he laced our fingers and tugged on my hand. Jocelyn gave me a not-so-friendly shove that almost had me stumbling into Zeke’s arms. I caught myself before that happened.
“What the hell, Joc?”
“You needed the help,” she said with a shrug.
I gave her the finger behind my back as Zeke headed to where his cousin and Stacey were talking to a couple of people I didn’t know. Stacey looked pointedly at our linked hands. I gently pulled mine out of his even though I wouldn’t have minded holding his hand longer. Wait, what? What the hell was happening?
He introduced me to the two men standing with Stacey and Malik. Fredrick was Zeke’s friend and Graham worked with Malik and Stacey.
“Daniel’s walking over here,” Zeke whispered, his lips close to my ear.
13
Zeke
Her body reacted to my mouth so close to her ear, a shiver shaking her frame. It distracted me from the glare Mallory threw at me because of my statement. She turned her attention back to Daniel. Her spine stiffened, and I could feel the change in her demeanor. Without conscious thought, I reached down and grabbed her hand, lacing our fingers together. Mallory tore her eyes away from Daniel to look up at me.
“Let’s go say hi to my cousin,” I said.
I didn’t wait for her reply, tugging on her hand. Daniel was upon us before we took two steps.
“We’re going to talk to Jeremiah. Give us a minute.”
His eyes zeroed in on our linked hands, but I didn’t give him a chance to comment. I pulled Mallory with me and we walked across the room. She looked a little confused but relieved also. I led her across the room where my cousin Jeremiah and his g
irlfriend were sitting in chairs by the window. They both stood as we approached.
“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” Jeremiah said.
Mallory shook her head, and I spoke to clear up any confusion. “We’re not together.”
Jeremiah’s eyes focused on our intertwined fingers. Mallory gently slipped her hand out of mine. I felt the loss of her touch immediately, and I had to resist grabbing her hand again.
“Ohh-kay,” Tyra said. “I’m Tyra. This one’s girlfriend.”
“And I’m Jeremiah. Malik’s younger brother and his cousin,” Jeremiah added, pointing at me.
“Mallory,” she said, holding out her hand to them.
They each shook her hand and expressed how nice it was to meet her.
“When are you due?” Mallory asked Tyra.
I groaned inwardly when I saw the mischief sparkle in Tyra’s hazel eyes.
“What do you mean?” Tyra asked with mock hurt in her voice. “You told me this dress made me look skinny, Jeremiah.”
Mallory’s dark eyes widened in horror, and she looked up at me. I pursed my lips and shook my head.
“I’m so sorry. I just… I’m sorry,” Mallory said, trying to fix this.
A beat of silence passed before Tyra started laughing. “That never gets old. I’m due in May.”
Mallory relaxed. “That was mean, but I can’t say I won’t do the same when I’m pregnant.”
“Keep her, Zeke. She’ll make your life more interesting,” Tyra said to me. “I’m hungry now.”
“Sorry about her. She doesn’t get out much and finds her entertainment in making others miserable,” Jeremiah said.
Mallory laughed and told him it was okay. Jeremiah and Tyra walked away towards the kitchen.
“I like her.”
“You would,” I said. “That’s definitely something I could see you doing.”
She hit me with the back of her hand on my bicep. It didn’t hurt even a little since the hit wasn’t that hard. “You knew what was coming and didn’t even warn me or try to clear that up.”
“Who am I to get in the way of a pregnant woman’s entertainment. Tyra is…”
“Amazing,” Mallory filled in. “She will get along so well with Stacey. Good thing Stacey will be dating Malik so they can hang out.”
“I guess you’re not going to say anything to me.”
How quickly Mallory went from playful and laughing to completely rigid and angry was astonishing to watch. We turned to face Daniel who had Kennedy by his side. I hadn’t invited him over today. He dropped by this morning without calling, and I couldn’t lie about what we were getting ready for. He invited himself. I should have told him that Mallory would be here, but I hadn’t wanted to hear his mouth. I also didn’t have the time to deal with the fit he would have had.
The feel of Mallory’s hand sliding into mine had me looking down at her. She squeezed as if she needed the support. Daniel’s cheeks went red as he watched us.
“I don’t have anything to say to you,” Mallory finally replied.
“We have a history, Mal. I think we can be cordial.”
Shit. Mallory had a strong grip and was hurting my hand with how hard she was squeezing it. I guess “Mal” wasn’t a nickname she liked.
“And I think you could go fall in a hole and never surface again,” she said. “Fuck cordial and don’t talk to me for the rest of the night. Okay?”
She let my hand go and walked away. Kennedy looked a little scandalized, and Daniel looked pissed. He couldn’t have thought that would go well. None of their encounters that I’d witnessed have been anything but hostile so far.
“It seems like someone still has a thing for you,” Kennedy said.
“Don’t worry, baby. I don’t want anything to do with her. High school was just about me trying to get over you,” Daniel said.
“High school?” Kennedy questioned. “I thought she was someone you dated in the last few years. We went to high school with her?”
I wondered why I was even still standing here listening to these two. But I was, and since I didn’t want Daniel to follow Mallory, I stayed.
“That’s Mallory Barrett. She graduated with us,” Daniel explained, and Kennedy gave him a blank look. “She was kind of geeky and not that cute. Always wore shirts with quotes on them and had braces that always left me with sore lips after a make-out session.”
The cut of his eyes in my direction was a reminder of their history together.
“Sophomore year? You dated her and took her to that party where she ended up leaving, right?” Kennedy inquired.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“Ah,” Kennedy said. “She certainly grew up to be a beauty. Are you telling me the truth when you say you want nothing to do with her?”
“That’s what I’m telling you. You have nothing to worry about. Why don’t you go get something to nibble on? I need to talk to Z.”
She kissed his cheek and walked away. I didn’t get why Daniel didn’t just marry her already. He always seemed to circle back to Kennedy when he wasn’t with someone else. She was gorgeous but a little shallow. She loved Daniel, though.
“We don’t need to talk about anything,” I told him.
“You don’t think so?”
“Nope.”
“So, you’re telling me that you’re not dating her?”
“Why should it matter when you’re clearly over her? And here with Kennedy?”
His jaw clenched and he crossed his arms over his wide chest. “She’s my ex regardless of me being here with Kenny. I would feel the same way if you were dating Kenny. Our friendship should take priority over some girl.”
“You were with Rory for only a few weeks, and it was all for some stupid bet. I would never try anything with Kennedy because I know how you feel about her. You’re trying to stake a claim on Rory right now for some reason.”
“And you’re trying to justify being a shitty friend,” he shot back.
My fists balled by my side. A hand on my shoulder had me looking back. Malik was standing by my side now.
“You good?” he asked.
I looked at Daniel to see him already walking away. “Yeah.”
I found Mallory standing on the enclosed porch with a beer in her hand. I walked to where she was standing, looking out at the backyard, not that she could see much of it under the snow. I leaned against the railing facing her.
“Why is he here?” she asked, not looking at me.
“He came over earlier while we were getting ready and invited himself.”
“You could have said no.”
“That would have required me to tell him you’d be here, and I didn’t want to get into that then. I’m sure he won’t cause any problems, Rory.”
“I guess I should just believe you, right?” I heard the sarcasm and unspoken words, “Like I have so many times before, and you let me down.”
“Do you want me to tell him to leave?”
She studied me, and I couldn’t read the expression on her face. “I know I can be demanding and difficult, but I won’t ask you to kick your friend out,” she finally said. “Although I don’t know why you’re even still friends with him,” she added under her breath.
“Ror.”
“No, Zeke. I don’t want to get into any of that tonight. Or any night. I’m not looking to reconcile with you. That ship sailed years ago.”
I wanted to say something to get her to understand that I wasn’t the same guy who let her down so many times when we were younger. But I knew my words didn’t hold any weight with Mallory anymore, and I didn’t know when I’d get the chance to show her otherwise.
Instead, I asked, “Are you hungry? The game’s about to start. I can fix you a plate.”
I figured she’d tell me to shove the plate up my ass and that she could do it herself. She surprised me by asking, “What did Malik make?”
“I can cook too, Rory. I helped,” I said with a small laugh.
&n
bsp; “Good for you,” she quipped. “Then, what did you and your cousin make?”
“There are wings—mild, hot, and honey barbecue—and three kinds of fries too: steak, waffle, and crinkle. We didn’t make anything else since Stacey told Malik you two were bringing three different kinds of sliders and your cousin was bringing a dish too. But we do also have chips with cheese dip.”
“Did you hear my stomach growl?” Mallory said. “I’ll take one of each of the sliders, six wings, all three flavors, and all the fries.”
My eyebrow went up. “I guess you’re really hungry then,” I teased.
“I had a bowl of cereal when I woke up at eight and I decided against lunch. So, I’m fucking starving would be a better way to put it.”
I laughed, and we walked back inside. Mallory made her way over to where the others were sitting, taking a seat on the couch. Malik and Stacey were sitting there. Our living room had a sofa, love seat, and two recliners, but that still hadn’t been enough seating. We set up the chairs from our dining table and the stools at the island for more seats for everyone. I started making a plate for Mallory.
Daniel joined me in the kitchen, and I decided to clear the air.
“Mallory and I aren’t together. She’s only tolerating me because Stacey and Malik are starting to date.”
He relaxed and smiled. “She knows how to hold a grudge.”
I put some fries on the already full plate.
“I guess you’re disregarding your diet for tonight,” Daniel stated.
“This is for Ror. She asked for all this.”
Daniel didn’t reply, so I looked over at him. His face was closed off again, and the relaxed stance he’d gained moments ago was gone.
“D?”
“You’re making a plate for her?”
“Yeah, so?”
“That’s some wifey shit, Z. You’re telling me the two of you aren’t dating.”
Doubletalk (The Busy Bean) Page 9