Trav loses it and cackles like a freaking witch beside me while I bump Carter’s outstretched fist.
“Didn’t realize the U of J was part of your kingdom.” My hands wrap around the strap of the duffle bisecting my chest as I brace myself with my feet spread apart.
“You joke”—the corner of Carter’s mouth kicks up—“but Jackie O loves to discuss the reach of my monarchy.”
“Can you please”—Grayson clasps his hands in front of his chest—“call Em that in my presence later?”
“I would, but do you think it’s smart to mess with her without Kay around?”
“Eh.” Grayson waves off the concern. “Tiny Taylor will be there. She’ll play royal guard while Smalls is gone.”
“Why would you call Em Jackie O?” Trav asks.
I snap my fingers to bring the Three Stooges back around and focus. “What do you mean by ‘without Kay around’?”
“Tessa called me for a ride home from The Barracks last night, and she and my sister spent the whole ride trying to come up with new plans because Dennings couldn’t play chauffeur for them this weekend anymore.
“Why not?” Kay always makes sure to be around for Tessa if needed. What the hell would keep her from that?
“Don’t know.” He slips his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket and shrugs. “All I do know is I haven’t seen her Jeep around town, and now I’m responsible for picking up the Troublesome Twosome from school.”
My mind reels, trying to figure out what all this could mean. Sure, I said I’d spend the next three days essentially stalking anywhere Kay could possibly be, but from what I’m hearing? It sounds like that’s going to be a bigger task than I once thought.
“What’s your deal with my girl, anyway?” I don’t give a shit about the technicality that Kay isn’t mine; like hell am I going to refer to her as anything less, especially when it comes to some dude I basically know nothing about.
“True that.” Trav rocks back on his heels beside me, adopting a laidback facade. “We’ve heard things about your sister from Short Stack, but not you.”
“Yet”—I continue, picking up Trav’s train of thought—“you sure seem to be around a lot and know a surprising amount about her.”
“You trying to move in on my boy’s girl? Slide in there as a rebound?” Trav has his charming smile fixed on his face, but I hear the threat simmering underneath the question.
Grayson spins to face the giant SUV behind him, but the bounce of his shoulders gives away his laughter. Carter shoots him a chilly glare when he mumbles something that sounds suspiciously like “wrong cheerleader”, but with his back to us, it’s too hard to make out.
“For all intents and purposes, Dennings and I are friends.” He lifts a hand at the twin questioning expressions Trav and I give him. “She doesn’t really do the whole friend thing, but that’s the best way to describe us.”
What is he talking about? Kay has tons of friends—Em, Quinn, Grayson, CK, Tessa, JT, me, and the guys. I start to list everyone, but again, Carter holds up a hand.
“With Dennings, you fall into one of three categories: family, NJA family, or an acquaintance. I’m in this weird middle ground between family and acquaintance because I’m really more JT’s friend than anything else. But”—a strange softness overtakes his features—“even if I wasn’t, I would have her back for her always being there for Savvy.”
“Why?” I ask, still not convinced of his motives.
“I may not have legal custody of my sister the way E does with Kay, but I’m the one who has raised her most of our lives. Kay has always been one of the people to help smooth things over with Pops when Sav would spend multiple school nights sleeping at the Taylors’.”
It makes sense. Whether Kay realizes it or not, she breeds loyalty from those around her. Look at how invested my teammates have become in me fixing my fuckup.
“Alright.” I nudge Trav with an elbow so he knows to stand down, and then I reach out to give Carter a bro-shake that says We’re cool. I don’t have time to waste on macho-posturing anyway. Kay is all that matters. Now the real question is: where the hell is she?
#Chapter28
I didn’t realize how much I missed the anonymity of being just another student at the U of J until we walked back to JT’s dorm after working on his partner stunt routine with Rei.
Yes, there are a number of students from Blackwell Public that attend U of J, but they, as well as everyone else, didn’t seem to care until Mason started showing interest in me.
The whole thing is stupid, if you ask me, but I guess a bunch of people in their late teens/early twenties aren’t as mature as one would hope.
“You guys are still coming to the basketball house tonight, right?” D asks after we all finish gorging ourselves on Chinese food. He and Rei came back to JT’s earlier and have been hanging with us and JT’s roommates since.
“If you’re all going to a party, does that mean I get dibs on the TV?” I lean back against the couch, trying to find a comfortable position with the food baby stretching the limits of my leggings.
“Nuh-uh, KayKay. You’re coming too.”
I shake my head. “You should know better than most, D—how many times have I told G I’m not into the whole frat scene? I’m good drinking right here.”
Last night—with the exception of the detour into hey-Mason-is-doing-dreamy-things territory—was perfect: hanging out, taking shots, playing nonsense drinking games. I would like to repeat those events for the next two nights until I have to return home and face reality.
“I think it’s a great idea,” JT chimes in.
My eyes go wide and I give him a What the fuck? glare.
“Don’t give me that look.” I narrow my eyes to slits. “It’ll be good for you to get out and be social.”
“I’m social.” I
