Room for You(54)

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Hey man, I’ve been meaning to call you,” I said into the phone.

Andy and I hadn’t talked in over a week since I told his wife off and walked out of their house. I definitely didn’t want to have this conversation while I walked up and down the aisles of the grocery store, but I didn’t want to put it off any longer either.

“I know, I should’ve called you too. This week is kicking my ass.” Andy sighed on the other end of the line. “Listen, Brody, I’m so sorry for Blaire. She clearly had way too much to drink and acted like a total bitch—not that the alcohol was all to blame.”

“It’s over, no big deal,” I said, wanting to put this behind us.

Listening to my best friend apologize and make up lame excuses for his wife’s ridiculous behavior made me uncomfortable, but he had to know I was serious about what I said.

“I meant that last part though about our relationship. I’m hoping to keep Kacie around for a long time, and if Blaire ever treats her like that again, our contract will take the hit.”

Froot Loops or Cap’n Crunch? Fuck it, I’ll get both.

“I know. I reamed her ass when you guys left, not about the contract though, more about being a decent human being. I hope it worked, I don’t know.”

He sounded defeated and for a moment, I pitied him, but he made the choice to marry her. She acted the same way in college, better than everyone, no filter, didn’t care how she treated people … if I were Andy, I would have transferred schools and gotten as far away from her as possible.

“I hope so too.”

“Listen, the other reason I’m calling … I have to make our reservations for that dinner in two weeks.” His tone instantly switched to all business; he was good at that. “You’re in for sure, right? You better be.”

“What dinner?” I was clueless as to what he was talking about.

“The 12th Annual Wild Kids Charity Dinner.”

That’s right.

“Uh, I forgot about it, to be honest.”

“Well, good thing I reminded you then. You have to be there, Brody, you’re the captain of the team.” Andy sounded irritated, but he usually was when I blew off things I needed to go to, or forgot to sign important papers, or got arrested for swimming naked in fountains.

“I’ll be there, I’ll be there.”

“How many should I RSVP for? One or two?” he asked cautiously.

I didn’t hesitate with my answer. “Two.”

A few more minutes of mindless chit chat and Andy and I were right back to normal, like nothing ever happened. We hung up, I tucked my phone in my back pocket and picked up really cool glow-in-the-dark sidewalk chalk I thought the girls would love. I tossed it in my cart and heard someone snicker from behind me.

“Don’t you think you’re a little old for sidewalk chalk?” A familiar voice cooed at me.

I spun around and locked eyes with Kendall.

“Hey,” I said nervously.

“Hey? All I get is hey?” She strolled up to me, planting a kiss on my cheek.

“How … how have you been?” I stammered, praying like hell no one around us had a camera. The last thing I needed this weekend while I was up at Kacie’s were pictures of Kendall and me in some damn gossip magazine.

“I’m great, I miss you.” She pouted, her hands ran softly down my forearm. “I’ve texted a few times, never heard back.”

“Yeah, I saw those.” A thin layer of sweat formed above my top lip and my heart was about to pound out of my chest. “Listen, Kendall … I should have called to tell you—this certainly wasn’t how I planned on talking to you—but I started seeing someone. The casual whatever-this-is thing we were doing … that’s done.”

She cocked her eyebrow and ran her tongue along her teeth, thinking about what I’d just blurted out in the least tactful way possible.

“Wow. Blaire told me you brought some single mom to her house, but I thought it was just a charity case or something. I didn’t think you’d actually date her.”

Anger coursed through my veins. I was so sick of people that didn’t know Kacie making assumptions about her. I had no problem defending her—I would do that every day for the rest of my life—but it was the small-minded, materialistic *s that knew nothing about her yet felt the need to judge her that pissed me off.

“Yep, I’m dating her. Crazy about her, actually.” I sounded off. “I’m supposed to be at her house in an hour, so I’m gonna get going. I’ll see you around, okay?” I patted her on the shoulder on my way to the checkout.

“Yeah, probably.” She winked at me.





So far I’d only been able to come up to the inn on the weekends, but I was starting to crave the peacefulness and calm that surrounded this place during the week too. Life was better up here with Kacie and the girls. I didn’t give a shit about the city, or my condo, or my contracts, or my endorsement offers … I barely thought about hockey, for that matter. Relaxing on that wicker couch, under the big covered porch, slyly holding Kacie’s hand while the girls rode bikes and drew pictures with their new chalk was all I needed. This and Diesel, who was sound asleep in the sun at the far end of the porch.