Distracted (14 page)

Kennedy

I should’ve stayed away a little longer.

That’s all I kept thinking as I quietly shut the front door with the resounding sound of clothes being pulled from the rack in the closet serving as background noise.

Landon and I -
more me than Landon
- came to the conclusion that it was best that he’d move out of the apartment we shared. For whatever reason he was convinced that our actions were equal meaning they practically neutralized one another.

Hardly the case.

After talking to Brandy - though a confrontation was more than tempting -, I found out the
whole
truth and let’s just say, Landon was lucky to still have clothes to pack. But I was no longer bitter, or angry, or… any of that. In fact, I felt refreshed because I was actually starting a new chapter of my life.

I leaned against the doorframe of the closet as he stuffed his clothes in a box, similar to the way Bryson had insisted on stuffing his clothes in his suitcase long ago.

Men.

“Hey. Can I… help you?” He peeked up from his box with tired eyes to nod his head yes. I looked in the box and decided it was best to dump it and start over.

“Damn, babe. I’ve been working hard to fill that box.”

I was already busy sorting the clothes by style as I replied, “Well you can get triple the stuff in it if you take your time to fold everything. But don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for,” I replied with a smile. He returned a smile of his own, the creases of his face almost looking new as if he hadn’t smiled in days.

I continued sorting, but could feel Landon’s eyes on me as he watched me work.

“Aren’t you gonna help?”

He snapped out of his daze to respond, “Oh! Yeah…
yeah
. I was just…
damn
, what happened to us, Kennedy? I mean, we were good together, weren’t we?
You
… you really loved me, didn’t you?”

Not now...

I began to fold a few shirts, explaining things to him as honestly as I could, “Of course I did, Landon. And I still do. It just…
we just
… didn’t work. Obviously considering we both stepped out on our relationship.” Saying it out loud gave me chills. I mean, I had already acknowledged my wrong-doings, but there was no removing the guilt I still felt for letting things go so far.

Landon’s voice took a softer, pleading tone as he stated, “I felt like I was losing you, babe. You were so busy with your new job, spending all that time with Bryson and I just… my insecurities about it led me to test out my skills on other women. But it was a mistake, Kennedy. I swear it was a...
mistake
.” His voice cracked as he finished his spill.

I know this fool isn’t about to cry…

I peeked up to confirm my suspicions and immediately had to cast my eyes back down to the clothes.

“Landon, I believe you. And to be quite honest, I forgive you. It’s no longer something for me to dwell on. Everything happens for a reason.”

I could feel him staring at me as he finally confessed, “I’m not ready to let you go, Kennedy.”

And there it was.

The single tear that crushed my core.

“I’m…”
Shit, don’t look at him.
“I’m sorry, Landon. But you made that decision when you decided to mess around with those damn strippers.” He silently wiped his tears and I tried to calm my own emotions so that I could finish helping him with his clothes.

I folded a few things, gently laying them in the box just as my phone began to ring. I picked it up and saw it was a FaceTime call from Bryson. I looked over to Landon who had all eyes on me, waiting to see both who it was and if I was actually gonna take it. Without an explanation, I left him in the closet and headed first to the living room, but then outside of the front door knowing how unpredictable Bryson could be.

Once the call connected, Bryson’s smile grew and I couldn’t ignore the warmth my skin felt from that single motion.

“Kennedy Wilson, what’s good?”

“Are you gonna keep rubbing my singleness in my face?”

“Yeah, until I can make you Kennedy Harris.” The guilty little smile he wore made me laugh.

“You play too much.”

He let out a few laughs of his own. “But nah, I was calling to see if you wanted to go bowling with Miles and I tonight. He insisted on inviting you. I think Chloe and Wes are coming too.”

Going out with Bryson and company didn’t sound like the worst idea in the book, especially after the still-pending drama with Landon.

I couldn’t help but tease, “Miles insisted on inviting me or you did?”

His guilty little smile returned as he answered, “Miles… and I. We both did. So you comin’ or what?”

“Yeah, I’ll come.
”
His excitement radiated through the phone.

“Cool. I’ll pick you up around 10.”

“Umm… actually, can I just meet you at your house? Landon’s still here.” The last thing I needed was a showdown between the two.

He appeared a little withdrawn as he responded, “
Oh
… yeah. That’s cool.”

“What’s the matter?”

He was quiet for a moment, looking past the screen before he finally asked, “
He
… he didn’t try anything, did he? I know he still wants you, Kenn.” Though I could also pretty much tell that was the case, the last thing I needed was Bryson getting involved.

So I answered, “Nah, he’s been cool. I’m helping him pack.
”

Now he looked flat-out annoyed.

“Kenn, you’re helping your ex-fiancé who cheated on you pack his shit?”

It sounded a little far-fetched when spoken aloud, but I quickly reminded him, “Technically I cheated on him first… remember?”

His smile was back as he licked his lips, “Mmmhmmmm. I sure do. And I can’t wait to refresh my memory.” I bit my bottom lip, trying to stifle a grin of my own.

“Whatever, Bryson. I’m gonna go finish helping him. I’ll be over later.”

“Looking forward to it, baby.”

Shit, I’m in trouble.

I walked back into the house on cloud 9 just as Landon was carrying the box of clothes into the living room.

“Oh, you finished it by yourself?”

His smile was half-hearted as he answered, “Yeah. Figured I should start getting use to it. You know, the whole
alone
thing.”

“Landon…”

He instantly looked furious as he spewed, “What, Kennedy? I mean damn, you couldn’t even wait for me to move out before you started hookin’ up with ol’ boy? What is it about him anyway? His money can only go so far.”

I tried not to get pissed as I assured him, “We’re not hookin’ up, Landon.”

Partially true…

He took the few steps over to me, getting right in my face to say, “Not…
yet
. That’s what you meant, right?
Not yet
?”

I stepped past him, grabbing my purse from the couch before heading to the door. “Whatever, Landon. I don’t have to explain myself to you. I’m leaving. And while you’re at it, feel free to speed up this whole
moving-out
process.”

Bryson

“You’re early.”

I smiled down on Kennedy as she rolled her eyes and strolled past me into the house. I closed the door and took the few strides to catch up with her, pulling her back by the wrist.

“Hey. What’s wrong with you?”

She looked me dead in my eyes to ask, “Do you have any alcohol here?
”

I frowned, wanting to pull her into an embrace but not wanting to overstep since I could pretty much assume her attitude had something to do with Landon.

“Damn. That bad huh?”

She looked exhausted as she replied, “No. I’m just… I don’t know what I’m doing, Bryson. I’m use to being so in control and right now everything feels so…
not
.”

I decided on the hug after all, giving her a little kiss to the forehead to go with it as I assured her, “Kenn, you just gotta chill. This shit is...  it’s messy as hell. And trust me, I know the feeling. But it’ll all work itself out. Don’t worry.”

She finally smiled, nodding her head as if she actually believed me. “Now, to answer your question, the only alcohol I have are those little Lime-A-Rita things. But I bet you’re too classy for those, huh?”

She brushed me off. “Not in the slightest. It only takes two to get a nice buzz.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I told her, “Kennedy, you can’t go bowling drunk. Your ass is gonna fuck around and go sliding down the lane.”

“If I’m lucky, I’ll hit my head on the pins hard enough to get a concussion so I can forget any of this ever happened.”

I was just getting ready to scold her for talking crazy when Miles jogged down the stairs
.
Once he saw it was Kennedy who had shown up, he tossed out, “Sup, sis?”

“
Sis
?” Kennedy and I asked simultaneously.

He looked between the two of us with a goofy smile before continuing his original quest towards the kitchen without answering.

And even though I pretended to be just as confused as Kennedy was, I knew exactly what Miles was implying.

&

“Yesssss, Chloe! That’s my friend, ya’ll!”

Miles and Wes snickered at Kennedy’s clearly drunken celebration for her friend’s strike to win the game while I could only sit back and smile. I told her not to get drunk, but her hardheaded ass insisted on taking a third Lime-A-Rita to go.

Now she was most definitely feeling the buzz.

Kennedy and Chloe smacked hands before they headed back to the sitting area.

She literally fell into my lap, wrapping an arm around my neck as she yelled to the group, “It’s official. We’re going pro.”

Now I couldn’t help but laugh as I busted her bubble. “Kennedy, Chloe did all the work. You just cleaned up a few lucky shots.”

She put a hand to her ear, looking around as she said, “Ya’ll hear that? I heard a…
hater
!” Everybody laughed again as I gave her a little kiss to the cheek. She turned to me with a grin of her own as she landed a peck on my nose.

“Oh my God. How cute are ya’ll?!” Chloe gushed.

I couldn’t answer as I was too wrapped up in Kennedy’s eyes while they bore into mine. She put a hand to my face, scrubbing a hand over my beard as she said, “I always knew you were trouble.”

I wrapped my arm around her waist, securing her position to tell her, “I could say the same about you, baby.”

Chloe attempted to intervene once more. “Seriously?! I can’t even take this overload of cuteness right now!”

Kennedy smiled, leaning in for a kiss until Miles yelled, “Get a room!”

I turned my head away from Kennedy’s lips as she began to giggle. “Damn, little bro. Quit hatin’.”

“I’m not hatin’, though this fifth wheel role is
definitely
some bullshit.”

Wes reached over to smack him on the back of the head as he said, “You won’t be saying that when you’re down in Atlanta in a couple days knockin’ boots with Ava.”

He looked proud as he responded, “You damn right! And I can’t wait. Matter of fact, carry on ya’ll. I’ma go to the bathroom and FaceTime her now. You know, build up the anticipation.”

We all expressed our disgust as we watched him take off.

I looked across the table at Wes who immediately went into conversation with Chloe, then I looked at Kennedy who was all smiles as she gazed into space.

I pushed her hair behind her ear as I asked, “What’s on your mind, Kenn?”

She snapped out of it, turning to me to respond, “I don’t know. I’m just… this feels good.
”
I couldn’t have agreed more, but I decided to up the ante.

“Ya know, it can feel even better.”

She leaned in a little closer, her forehead pressed against mine.

“Oh yeah? How do you suggest we make that happen?”

A million sinful ideas came to my head. But instead of giving away all my secrets, I simply told her, “I can show you better than I can tell you, baby.”

Kennedy

“Goodnight, ya’ll.”

I waved a timid goodnight to Miles as he headed up the stairs, leaving Bryson and I alone.

And then it settled in.

The fact that I was still here -
in his home
- kind of, sort of agreeing to break our two-week agreement though neither one of us had spoken those exact words.

Nervous was an understatement.

I could feel him staring at me from the opposite couch in his living room as he asked, “So… what you wanna do now? I can find something for us to watch on Netflix.
”
My goofy, still semi-tipsy smile showed up it’s own.

“Bryson, are you tryna Netflix and chill me?”

His smile was crooked as he insisted, “Heavy on the chill. But I respect you, Kenn. And I know we made a deal so…”

“You’re right. We did. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit a whole room away from me,” I replied as I patted the empty space on the couch next to me. He stroked his beard as if he was considering taking me up on the offer.

“Actually it does. Cause if I come over there, I’m breaking the hell out of our deal.”

Now we’re talkin’...

“Who says I’m gonna let you?” I teased.

He took a deep breath, looking borderline upset as he said, “Kennedy… don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?”

“Don’t even engage in this conversation with me. Shit, it’s hard enough to have you in my house after hours lookin’ as sexy as you do. And you’ve been teasing me all night like I actually had a shot. But I know you’re kinda… emotional right now, whether you believe it or not. And I don’t want it to seem like I’m taking advantage of you by being the first to…
”
I cut him off.

“Bryson, will you just shut up and get your ass over here already?”

“
Kennedy…
”

“Just listen to me, Bryson.
Please
.”

He scrubbed a hand down his face as if he just knew it was a bad idea before he finally stood up and made his way to my couch, settling in a respectable distance away.

“Bryson, are you serious right now?”

He wouldn’t even look at me to answer, “Very.”

I turned to him, my knee bent on the couch as I asked, “What happened to all that stuff you were talking at the bowling alley?”

“You were on my lap, Kenn. That kind of closeness brings out the demons.”

In one swift move I was straddling his lap, grabbing his hands and placing them on my waist. “Well… now what?”

He breathed my name onto my lips, “
Kennedy…
”

I was way too eager and anxious as I answered, “Yes, Bryson?
”

He looked me dead in my eyes as if he was checking my pupils. “You sure about this? You’re not still drunk, are you? Scale 1-10…”

I thought it over and quickly came up with an answer, “Umm… 5. Strong 5. On the scale. Grown as hell.
Bars
….” He busted out laughing at my impromptu freestyle, almost causing us to bump heads.

Then he wore the sexiest smirk as he confessed, “Kennedy, you’re gonna fuck around and make me fall in love with your ass.”

My heart fluttered as I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting my forehead fall to his before I teased, “Oh, you mean you aren’t already? If I were you, I’m pretty sure I would be.”

He gave me a quick kiss before he replied, “Nah. Before I do that, I have to do a final test.”

I snuck a kiss of my own, then a second before I asked, “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“Gotta see what that pussy talkin’ bout.”

“Oh my God!” I screeched with a laugh as he took control of the situation, standing up and forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist. I held on tight as he latched his hands under my thighs and carried me up the stairs.

“You gotta be quiet, baby. Unless you’re tryna get caught by Miles. I’m sure he’s waiting with an ear against his door,” he whispered as I inhaled the faint smell of his cologne against his neck.

He kicked open the door to his master bedroom, then used his back to shut it as I replied, “He’s in college, Bryson. I’m sure he’s heard much worse.”

That stopped him dead in his tracks.

“Kennedy, you must not know what you’re getting yourself into right now. He’s never heard
anything
like this. You’ve never
felt
anything like this.” I shuddered from just the thought. Surely he couldn’t be all talk.

I smiled as he carried me over to the bed, laying me down gently before pulling his shirt over his head. The little hint of moonlight gave just enough of a glow for me to see his perfectly tattooed-chest, though it certainly wasn’t the first time.

But now…

Now it was different.

He was different.

And I was…
available
.

He worked to get out of his jeans as he expressed, “Baby, you have on
way
too many clothes right now. Get comfortable. I’ll be right back.” Then he disappeared into the master bathroom.

Hmmm… What’s comfortable?

Bra and panties?

Just panties?

Nothing at all?

He was already back, carrying what looked like a bottle of lotion by the time I came to a decision.

He looked confused to see me still in all of my clothes, prompting him to ask, “Kenn, are you having second thoughts?”

“No! I mean…
no
. I’m just… in my own head. I’m good. I promise.”

He smiled, setting the bottle on his nightstand before he offered, “Here. Let me help you.” Then he crawled onto the bed, hovering over my bottom half to unbutton my jeans before tugging them down my thighs.

“Comfy?”

“Umm… almost.”

He rose an eyebrow before he climbed higher and I lifted just enough for him to pull my shirt over my head.

“
Damn, Kenn
.” I instantly became concerned.

“What? What’s the matter?”

He chuckled, licking his lips as he answered, “Nothing. Nothing at all. You’re just… sexy as fuck.” I blushed instantly.

“Thank you, Bryson.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Roll over on your stomach.”

I wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but I did as he asked, stuffing my face into the pillows that were permeated with his lingering scent. I felt him unsnap my bra and soon after his hands, covered in a warm liquid, were gently kneading my back. I groaned, sinking deeper into the mattress.

He worked my back, moving up to my shoulders and neck before moving down to my legs. Then he pulled my panties just slightly as he asked, “May I?”

Instead of answering, I lifted my lower half just enough so that he could remove them. He started on my calves first, then moved to my feet for a short stint, before going back up to my thighs. I could feel the motions of his fingers getting a little more intricate as he slightly grazed between them, teasing me by not quite touching me where I was desperate to feel him.

And when he finally did brush against my swollen flesh, I almost exploded.

I could hear the amusement in his voice as he asked, “Hmmm… you like that, baby?” I nodded ferociously, my hair becoming an instant mess. I heard him shifting in the bed behind me before I felt his lips against my bare back.

“Kennedy, you drive me crazy. I mean… how is it even possible for you to be this damn perfect? Smart… and sexy. Innocent… and yet, still a damn mystery.” He capitalized each of his compliments with kisses along my spine. I was just sure my back was going to engulf in flames.

He finally made his way to my neck, stopping to whisper in my ear, “Kennedy, are you on birth control?”

I turned my head, peeking back to answer, “Like clockwork.”

“Can I… feel you? All the way?” My toes curled as he tugged my ear between his teeth.

I could hardly think straight, but managed to attempt a response, “Bryson, I…

He cut me off, moaning in my ear, “Kennedy,
please
.
I’ve
… I’ve never done it with anyone else. I want you to be the first. I want…
you
to be the only.”

All types of shit ran through my head, but none of it stopped the breathy, “
Okay
” I released just before he slid inside of me; so slowly, so deeply, so fully that I wanted to scream.

So I did.

He let out a sexy little chuckle right against my ear, not stopping to say, “Baby, you gotta be quiet, remember?” His words sounded foreign as I focused on what he was doing to my body.

My body.

Oh my God, it would never be the same.

We
would never be the same.

But as I continued to enjoy the feel of his every move, that suddenly became the least of my worries.