Cake (20 page)

Narrowing my eyes at him, I contemplate exactly what he is trying to say. I know he’s not talking about food. Me? Is it that easy for him to let me go? Did I not mean anything? Even my friendship that he stated he valued so much?

Gently tugging my hand, Trent pulls me with him, leaving my thoughts in the wind where I guess they should stay. Trying to find our way out, I hear Dray’s loud footfalls behind us as Trent details his travels. Coming to a complete stop and pulling Trent with me, I remember Nick and Mads. Oh! No!

Giggling, I turn to Trent, “You will never believe what I did.” This time, I lead him with Dray following us. I give him the complete play-by-play of Nick trying to court Mads. When I finish, he can’t contain his laughter.

“Only you, Kylie,” he says while shaking his head. “I’m just glad I get to see the little spitfire tear you a new one.”

“Hey!” I stop to slap him on the arm, which he playfully grabs in pain.

It’s been over an hour, since I locked them in. The door is still closed when we reach it, so it looks as if they haven’t been rescued yet. I knock before opening just in case I interrupt anything. The scene that greets me is not what I expect or even hoped. They evidently found the light switch. Nick is sitting on the floor on one side of the room, and Madison is in a chair on the other, both looking pissed. Considering that Nick has a black-eye, I assume he lost.

Mads jumps up to walk straight for me, placing herself directly in my face. Pointing her index finger into my chest, she grits her teeth saying, “I will never forgive you for this.” Looking behind me at Trent and Dray, she mumbles, “Figures.” Shoving me into the wall so that I’m not in her way, she storms out of the room.

Nick doesn’t move until she leaves. Then, he slowly rises from the floor. Grabbing his jacket that he was evidently sitting on, he slings it over his shoulder and walks up to me. He leans down to kiss me on the cheek. Pulling back with a sad smile, he says, “I appreciate everything that you did for her and me. You have a friend for life. Anything, and I do mean
anything
, you ever need, call me.”

I know he can see the questions in my eyes, but he just shakes his head, and with a sigh, walks out. I see him nod to Dray as he passes by him, and my eyes meet Dray’s. I hope he feels ashamed. Maybe next time, I get to give out the punishment. A trickle of unease runs up my back when I realize that there will be no next time.

“Well that is heady stuff. I see that Madison hasn’t changed. Good to know that some things never do,” Trent states.

Punching his arm playfully, I say, “This is all on me. Let me make sure she gets a ride home.” Trent offers me his arm, and I accept it. On the outside, I’m trying to stay cool, calm, and collected; however, on the inside, I’m raw and exposed. I’m only hanging on by a thin thread, kicking myself for ever getting involved with Nick and for complicating my life with Dray.

Walking arm and arm with Trent, I can sense Dray behind us. I already hate this new awareness that I feel towards him. He’s always been the third wheel when all three of us are together, but before, I didn’t care where he stood, physically and emotionally. Now, it’s wreaking havoc inside me.

We reach the entrance, and I see Madison hailing a cab. As she opens the door, she turns back and notices me. I can see the tears trailing down her cheeks as she raises her hand to wipe them away. She frowns at me, shaking her head. I start towards her, but she slips into the car and drives away. Tears well in my own eyes, but I don’t let them fall. I compel them back into the emptiness where my heart should be. I’m so sad.

Minutes later, I hear my name being called.

“Kylie. Here is your coat and bag. Do you need me to get anything else for you?” Dray stands before me, finally acknowledging my existence.

Shaking my head, I accept my items and reach for my phone to text my car service to pick us up.

Placing his arm around my shoulders to comfort me, Trent asks, “Are you okay? I can take you home if you’d rather not grab something to eat. I can scrounge up something at your place for food and you can catch me up on you.”

Looking at him, I shake my head. This is why I love this man. He’s probably been on a plane for God knows how long, and he would forgo what he wants, including his favorite greasy food, because he knows I’m upset. As the car arrives, I grab his hand to pull him with me.

“I need massive amounts of carbohydrates to cheer me up and make me happy.”

Laughing at me, he replies, “Well, Little Lady. I know just the place.”

Dray follows us as we pile in the car, and of course, I get stuck in the middle between them both. I slide as far towards Trent as I can, without looking suspect. Trent asks Dray about his health, and Dray relays the accident, but we skirt around me taking care of him, and Trent, thankfully, doesn’t mention he had to force me to help. It might have started that way, but it sure didn’t end with that same sentiment. He goes on to fill the silence by talking about the football season so far.

While we eat, Trent asks me about Aunt Leigh and wants to know how she is feeling. I tell him that I’m going to visit tomorrow and stay with her if she’ll let me, to which he offers to tag along. Again, my eyes fly to Dray’s, but he isn’t even paying us any attention. I guess Trent is used to Dray and I ignoring one another. It’s been our modem for operation since the beginning, so nothing has changed.

After we all stuff ourselves, it’s late, and the car takes me home first. Trent offers to walk me up, but I decline when Dray finally speaks up again.

“Go ahead, Man. Take your time and catch up. I’m just going to stay here and read over some of my emails,” he nonchalantly says while pulling his phone out and ignoring us.

I want to kick him in the balls. I want him to hurt and feel discarded as much as I do, but I don’t dare show it. In fact, I don’t say anything as I step over him to get out of the car, purposely planting my knee in his crotch and bearing my entire weight down.

He grunts in pain and mutters, “What the fuck, Kylie?”

Ignoring him, I fling myself out of the car about as un-lady like as possible. I reach behind me to pull my dress out of the way before slamming the door in his face. Through the window, I feel his eyes on me, and mentally, I threaten myself not to look back at him. Let him have the last look he will ever have of me.

Letting myself into my building, we walk up the stairs to my apartment and hear the sound of Jonsie’s barking. Trent immediately goes to his cage to let him out.

“Hey, Buddy. Long time no see. You want me to take you out?” He scratches him under the chin and holds him close. “Hey, Ky. I’m going to take him for a walk.”

“Thanks. I’m going to get out of this dress right quick.” Walking into my bedroom, I kick my shoes off and slip out of the dress. I’ll have to send it off to be professionally cleaned and pray that it works. Sliding some shorts and old soft tee on, I walk into my bathroom to freshen up. Taking my time, I scrub my face clean and brush my hair out. Glaring at my reflection in the mirror, my heart is demolished between Dray and Madison. She believes I’ve betrayed her and he believes I’m going to run back to being how I was before with Trent. One entire day, has completely ruined the happiness I have felt these last couple of months. Half an hour later, with my thoughts still heavy, I stroll into the living room to fall back on my couch.

“I gave him some fresh water.” Trent says as he sits right beside me. Turning his head towards me, he says, “Don’t sweat the whole Madison situation. She loves you, and you know she can’t stay mad at you.”

Leaning my head back against the cushions, I look at the ceiling and reply, “I know. It’s just that I really hurt her. I hate myself for that.”

Side by side, we sit in silence. Usually it’s a comfortable camaraderie, but there is something different now. Glancing at him, he pulls his unruly hair out of the rubber band then ties it back again, a distinct action that he repeats when he is nervous about something. It usually takes him a couple of seconds before he confides whatever it is to me. Usually, it’s about somebody new he’s met and he wants to talk about her. “Great,” I sarcastically think to myself. Thoughts of mine and Aunt Leigh’s conversation filter through my mind. I know that I need to confess my feelings for him, but not tonight. Not when Dray is waiting outside. It diminishes what I feel for Trent and makes me feel - whorish.

“Kylie, we need to talk.”

“Yeah, we do,” I agree.

“I didn’t want to do this tonight. It’s not the time or place, but I want you to go to bed tonight and think about something.” His eyes rove over my face. “You know, even without makeup and the dressy clothes, you are the most beautiful woman to me.”

I’ve always known that he prefers the natural look, which I automatically do for him. “I know, Nature Boy.” I joke back.

Staring intently at me, he asks, “What do you want to do with the rest of your life? Do you want to run your aunt’s boutique?” Reaching for my hands, he continues, “Was that her dream or is it yours?”

“What’s with twenty questions?”

“Please answer me.” His eyes plead with mine.

“I don’t know. I do know Aunt Leigh wouldn’t care what I did with it as long as it made me happy.” Thinking over the past several years, I answer honestly, “I’ve recently came to a crossroads in my life where I realize that I do love my shop, but I may have other plans and dreams for myself.”

He hangs his head down and looks up with a big smile, “Man, Kylie. I’m so glad to hear you say that.”

Where is he going with this?

Standing, he starts to pace in front of me, waving his arms about. “I’ve had all these crazy ideas running through my head for the last year.” Stopping, he looks intently at me and drops to his knees directly in front of me, putting us at eye level. “I need you.”

He needs me. He needs me? My hearts goes up my throat and lodges tightly. His eyes sparkle with excitement, and I can see that his body almost vibrates with anticipation. For me? For what he is trying to say?

“I need you on my team,” he says on an exhale. “I need to take Clean Water Project to the next level. With your brain and business connections, and my expertise and knowledge, we can do it! Together.” He finishes then smiles at me. A team?

“What?” I look deep into his eyes and ask. I’m confused.

“Think of all the people we can help together.”

What he is saying penetrates my little bubble.
POP!
Oh. I try to reclaim my bearings. Looking away, he shakes his head then turns back to me.

“I’m rushing this. I planned on wooing you and going slow, but I’m just so excited over the prospect of what we can do.” Standing, he pulls me up so that our bodies are awkwardly aligned. “Just sleep on it, okay?” For the first time, my body doesn’t recognize his. Not like it used to.

“Okay,” I automatically reply.

My answer seems to placate him, as he nods his head. He stares into my eyes, and once more, I see something. Something that he hides and has always held back from me. Internal hope springs inside me, rushing through my body. He raises his hand to brush the hair back from my face, placing it around my ear and leaving his large hand to cradle my cheek. Our eyes lock onto each other. His warm touch stirs something deep within me, different from Dray, but just as strong.

Moving his mouth so close to mine that we are only a breath away, he asks, “What am I going to do with you?”

Having an out of body experience, my mind goes over everything that has happened today and every word he just said to me. Feeling confused and exhausted from his and Dray’s emotional whiplash, I step back. I’m so tired, and at this moment in time, I don’t want him. Not like this. I watch that look in his eyes disappear again, and then confusion sets in. I can’t help but think, “What’s new?”

“Night, Trent.” I look into his eyes, waiting for him to leave.

Fast as lightening, he brings his mouth to mine, consuming me. His lips grind against mine as his tongue invades my mouth. My body awakens, but slowly. It’s not the quick fire that Dray ignites. Dray. Pushing him away from me, I have to know something.

“Did you tell Dray about your plan for us to be some grand team?” We both pant heavily, staring at each other.

Narrowing his eyes at me, he answers, “Actually, I did. Is that a problem?”

“No, I just thought he was acting weird tonight and I...”my voice trails off.

“And what? Why would Dray care about what we do?” He looks out the window, “Speaking of Dray, I need to get downstairs. Think about everything. There’s more that we’ll discuss later.” He starts to walk away when he turns back and places his hands on his hips. Searching my eyes with his, he quietly says, “I don’t regret that kiss. Do you?”

I start to say no, but I pause. Part of me is scared to death that there will never be another, and then, the other wants to scream at him for causing me to compare it to someone else’s kiss. Someone, whose lips, I have no business knowing. “Ask me tomorrow,” I reply, swallowing the bitterness in my voice.

Nodding his head, he says, “Goodnight.”

As soon as I hear the downstairs door close, I run to the window. Dray is standing against the car as Trent saunters over. Trent says something to him and clasps Dray’s shoulder. After more brief words, Trent climbs into the car. I watch as Dray stands there by himself, hanging his head and rubbing his eyes. My heart stops, and every molecule inside of me cries out for him. He looks directly up at the window, and I step closer, wanting him to see me. I press my hand flat against the windowpane wanting to touch him, but whatever I’m offering, he rejects as he looks away and follows Trent into the car to drive away.