Bittersweet Symphony (Bittersweet #4)(14)

“Since when do you evade questions?” We stare at one another, her fist clenching in anger. It’s almost turning me on. Almost.

“Since when did you start caring about anything other than *?” Her voice is growing louder with every question that escapes her lips, and right now, the word “*” coming out of them is hot as f*ck. Then it hits me that she insulted me, and that pisses me off.

“Since you, Kennedy. Call me crazy to care for more than just “*”, and please prove me wrong if I am wrong, but I think we both need a friend.” I try to hide my cocky ass attitude, but can’t help it. It’s part of the * side of me.

“I don’t need a friend,” she says shyly. I won’t call her bluff; she’s going through enough, and it would be unfriend-like of me to do such a thing.

“We can agree to disagree, sweetheart, but you’re not leaving until you open that pretty mouth and tell me what the f*ck happened.”

“Do you always swear?” she asks.

“Yes. Do you always not answer questions?” I’m kind of getting irritated that she gets under my skin the way she does.

“Do you always ask so many questions?” Her face is filled with less anger and more happiness.

“Basically. Now talk or you’re not getting any ice cream.” Her eyes light up at the mention of ice cream. Just when I think she’s finally going to open up, a knock sounds on the door. She looks at the door and then back at me. Oh, this is going to be good.

I make my way over to the door, opening it just in time since Rex is about ready to barrel through it.

“Dude, what the f*ck took so long to answer the door? Beating your meat are ya?” he jokes. I open the door wide, making room for him to walk in. A light giggle is heard behind me. Rex gazes over my shoulder to find a giggling Kennedy.

“Uhh…who is she?” he asks, clearly confused by the fact that there is a chick in my living room and her legs aren’t spread wide. I only bring girls home for one reason, and Kennedy being dressed is a sign that there is a problem.

“Kennedy, meet Rex. Rex, Kennedy.” They look at each other, Rex more so astonished. I know somewhere along the line, Kennedy has heard about Rex and Jenna. Kennedy doesn’t know the extent of my feelings for Jenna back then, but I am over it now. Those feelings and memories were swallowed up by countless women and copious amounts of liquor. So what? Don’t judge. Everyone goes through a mid-life crisis at some point; mine was just really early.

“Nice to meet you, Rex,” Kennedy says, trying to hide the fact that she was crying. I don’t know why she tried; he can tell. Hell, anyone can tell. Guess she is just too strong to show weakness.

“Well, this is a shock,” Rex says, his eyes looking at mine. I shrug my shoulders. So what? It’s not that big of a deal that a girl is here to actually just be here. I can turn over a new leaf.

“He doesn’t typically bring girls here for more than one purpose, I’m assuming,” Kennedy butts in. I look at her, shooting daggers. Just because it’s known that I f*ck everything with tits and ass, doesn’t mean I want Kennedy to know. It doesn’t mean I want to boast about it in front of her, either.

Rex doesn’t respond to her comment, thank God; instead, he sends her a smile and averts his attention back to me.

“Are we still hanging out? Or… I can go, bro. I can come back a little later.”

I contemplate my decision wisely. I want to hang out with Rex, but I desperately need to protect and watch out for Kennedy.

“Oh! No worries, Rex, I was just getting ready to leave…” Kennedy exclaims, readying herself to run for the door. She’s a smart girl, but I’m smarter.

“Actually, Kennedy has a few things going on with her, and I plan on helping her out. Maybe you can swing by a little later,” I say, trying to form some type of non-creeper smile. I wrap my arm around Kennedy before she can make it to the door. She keeps quiet, and I know I’ve won this.

“Oh, okay. I’ll go hangout with Mimi and Jenna,” he responds, giving me a concerned look as he leaves. I can’t help but wonder why he is concerned; I’m not going to hurt Kennedy. Maybe it’s the fact that a girl is here to begin with or maybe because I want to spend time with Kennedy, and for the first time ever, Rex knows what it’s like to be blown off by his brother.

“That is totally un-f*cking-needed,” she snarls, pulling out of my arms.

“What? When I said you weren’t leaving until I got answers, I meant it. Now start speaking.” I hold my arrogant * tone in place. I refuse to be weak around her. When I told her that allowing someone in is just asking for headache, I wasn’t lying. Give someone your heart and nine times out of ten, it will get broken. Promises are made in the moment and never truthfully lived up to. You can’t promise to love someone your whole life - people change, life changes, and people die. It’s easier and better this way.

“I don’t want to talk about it, Ryder.” Her eyes glaze with fresh tears as she peers at the floor from her seated position. My steps eat up the short distance between us.

“How about if you tell me something, I will tell you something? A secret for a secret.” I want to warm up to her, so she knows she can talk to me about anything and everything. I am willing to spill a couple secrets to find out some of hers.