Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail(23)

"Kid?"

"Hey! What are you doing?" As he bent forward and got a better look, he sobered. "What's wrong?"

I took a moment, just a moment, and drank in the sight of him. I hadn't seen Kidrick for two years. He'd been the best of friends with Brady and now…something shifted inside of me. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed him until he was here and in front of me. I wasn't supposed to talk to him—so said everyone.

"You look…," I started. "You look good."

Dark chocolate eyes. Muscular shoulders. A chin with a little cleft in it. Two lips that showcased two dimples. Not to mention the luscious black locks on his head. Clarissa had said he was a legend and it was true. He'd been the counterpart for Brady in almost every way and now he was back…and causing trouble.

"Hop in. I'll give you a ride." He jerked a thumb in the backseat. As I moved to the door, I was surprised as Josh scooted backwards.

Kid smiled when I got in. "Are you cold? It's a little chilly out there."

I…I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what I could say so I babbled, "Nice car. Did your dad buy it for you?"

Kid chuckled. "No. I bought it myself, Rayna."

Oh. That must've sounded contrite. I shut my mouth with an audible snap.

Josh groaned in the backseat, but Kid chuckled, "I'm not the spoiled brat that everyone thinks I am. Everything I have, I earned myself. Promise."

I looked anywhere except Kid, but I felt his eyes on me. Then I heard him ask, gently, "You were upset about something?"

"Probably about that douche," Josh grumbled.

Kid snapped, "Shut up."

"What? I'm just saying—"

"You need to shut up. You don't know what you're talking about. You know what—get out. You can walk to the party. It ain't far."

Shocked, I turned wide eyes to Kidrick. I couldn't believe he'd kick his cousin out.

"You serious?" Josh ground out.

Kidrick glared at him. A second later, Josh threw open the door and barged out. He slammed it, but Kid rolled his eyes and kicked the car into gear to shoot forward. He rested an arm on the seat behind me and remarked, "No worries. He'll be fine. I'm just going the rest of the way to the party. That's where you were, right?"

I nodded, feeling ridiculous. I'd been crying. Kidrick had suddenly shown up. I had no idea where Brady was, but it was for the best if Brady and I weren't friends anymore. Maybe…I glanced at Kid, measuring him, and wondered if I could tell him what I felt. Maybe he'd understand, but would he? Brady had punched him. My grandmother had prohibited me from seeing him. What was wrong with Kid? I didn't understand it. He seemed so genuine.

"Okay. That's where I'll take you. I'm sure Brady will be wondering," Kid remarked lightly.

I wondered if he meant how he said it. And then I felt a little bravery kick in from the alcohol. "Do you really care if Brady's looking for me?"

Kid swung his chocolate eyes my way. "I'm not here to mess with you and Brady. He's your best friend, Rayna. I remember that."

"He punched you."

Kid shrugged. His black tee shirt displayed sculpted arms. "He had reason. It's why my father dropped the charges. It's between Brady and me."

Somehow I wasn't so sure. "Why'd you call me then?"

Kid froze for a second and then pulled the car over. After putting it into park, he turned and I gulped underneath the weight of those dark eyes. Nothing stirred in me, not like with Brady, but there was something there, something that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"I called you because…" He seemed to choose his words with caution. "…You know what? You're graduating next week. That's celebration enough. Everything else can wait."

It wasn't okay. I knew something was going on. So I asked, another testament to how powerful liquor can be, "Why doesn't my grandmother want me talking to you? What is it about you that no one wants me around you?"

Kid opened his mouth, but nothing came out of it. Seeing the stricken look in his eyes infuriated me. He was just another person keeping things from me.

I threw open the door. "I don't need this. I can walk back to the party."

"No, Rayna. Get back in the car. I'll take you."

I hesitated. "Are you going to tell me why my grandmother doesn't want me talking to you?"

He jerked a shoulder.

"Kid." I tried to sound stern.

"I can't tell you the exact reason, but I can guess. That's going to have to be enough."

He was exasperated. I didn't care. It was just like how I was with Brady. I saw a battle and I pounced. We used to be friends too.

"I…" Kid seemed flustered, like he wasn't sure about what he was about to say. "I…my father has some kind of history with your grandmother. I think that's what it's all about, but I don't know for sure. Viola hasn't ever met me so I don't think it's personal. But…I don't know. I just know that my dad doesn't like your grandmother and he's never told me the reason."

I slumped back. I wanted answers and I didn't get anything. "Nothing makes sense anymore."