When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(57)

“Knock it off. No one cares about your BDSM phase.” I frown at my best friend. “What I’m worried about is Amanda corrupting my brother.”

“Yeah, he really looks like he’s being coerced into something he doesn’t want to do.” Violet waves her hand behind her. Amanda sits in the front seat of her SUV with Will pushed up against her.

I groan and pull on Graham’s sleeve, dragging him to his car. “We’ll see you in the morning,” I yell over my shoulder.

“Which reminds me. Mark and Bea are going to come out of hiding. Breakfast at that tiny diner you love so much. Be there at nine.” Violet smiles.

“Text Mark and tell him ten. I plan on keeping Kennedy up all night,” Graham states.

“I heard that,” Will yells.

“And I’m sure Will plans to keep Amanda up all night, too, so ten it is.” Violet’s voice is loud enough, I’m sure my brother heard her. “I’ll just cozy up in bed alone and give myself a good time. No one worry about me,” she mumbles, heading to her car.

*****

Tucked in the back corner booth of the diner, Graham and I find our friends. After receiving threatening texts from Mark this morning, we arrive promptly at ten. When I stride up, Will is beside Amanda, his arm draped on the booth behind her. I glance at Violet, discreetly motion to them, and she shrugs.

“She wouldn’t allow me to handcuff her. I’m sorry. I tried my hardest,” Violet whispers when I slide in beside her. Her loud snicker forces me to send a warning glare, telling her to shut up.

I tuck the news of what I assume happened last night into the deepest, darkest section of my mind. The new information will stay there for eternity, never to experience the light of day, if I have a say in the situation.

“Nice of you to join us, Mark. Bea.” I address the blissfully happy couple.

“I’m surprised the two of you came out of the hotel.” Mark smirks at us.

Hidden under the table, Graham’s hand slides up my thigh. A small shudder courses up my spine from the contact, something I’ll never get used to.

Will holds up his hand. “Before you say anything, please don’t. I’m right here, and I don’t want to hear about you two doing … doing whatever the hell it is you do.”

“Tell Amanda to get her hand off your dick then,” I whisper yell. My body leans forward to chastise my big brother. My eyes dart to where Amanda’s hand slowly retreats from his lap. “I’m right here. It’s one thing to do it behind a closed door, but I’m literally sitting across from you.”

Violet, Mark, and Bea break out into hysterics. Graham grips at his stomach, and then quickly straightens his back. He mouths ‘sorry’ and flashes me a mind-numbing grin. I melt into his side. I glance up to Amanda’s sympathetic smile.

“Ken.” Her strong voice echoes in my ears.

“I don’t need an explanation. You both are grown-ass adults. Do what you will.” I wave her off, but I have a hard time looking directly in her eyes, afraid of what I’ll find.

On one hand, she could actually like my brother. And, on the other, she could just want to get in his pants. I’m not exactly sure which is worse.

A bouncy blonde waltzes over and proceeds to take our drink and food orders. Our chatter turns to the usual catching up on everyone’s whereabouts. Turns out Bea and Mark have spent the entire weekend watching movies and lounging in pajamas. The smile on her face makes it impossible to look away from her. She glows with a radiance you can’t ignore. Mark’s eyes never leave hers when she recalls, through a fit of laughter, a movie they’d seen.

I’m the last to finish eating, and Graham grins at me.

“You know you didn’t have to eat so slow?” he whispers in my ear. With his hand out, he helps me from the booth.

Outside, Violet and Amanda give Graham a quick hug and jump into the black SUV. Will offers Graham a bro-hug and follows after the girls. My goodbye isn’t as simple. I kick at the small pebbles along the curb, focusing on the largest of them. My eyes are distracted watching Bea and Mark in their own desperate goodbye.

Graham’s hand cups my chin, forcing my eyes to his. “It will only be a few weeks, and we’ll be together again.”

“You’re right.” I nod, wrapping my arms around his waist. My cheek lays against his chest. His hands wrap tight through my hair. “I love you,” I whisper.

His hold on me tightens, and I hear him sigh in relief. Neither of us has spoken those three small words yet. Even when we hang up the phone, we always leave a long pause where they go. I’m not sure why this is the moment they pop out of my mouth, but it’s right.

“I love you, too, Kennedy.” A sliver of a smile appears when he skims his lips over mine.

My fingers trace through his hair, keeping him close for far too long on this public street. A loud honk startles me, and I jump.

“I better go.” Graham nods at his car.

After another quick goodbye, I send Graham on the path back to Connecticut. Tucked away in the car, Will wraps his arm around me and I rest my head on his shoulder. Through the front window, Graham’s taillights disappear within the traffic.

“Come on, Sis. Quit sulking.” He rubs the lines on my forehead, pretending to wipe away my frown lines. He lets out an over-exasperated yelp when my hand connects with his.