A pang of guilt hits me in the chest.
“Thank you, Brix.”
My only response is a head nod. She already thanked me, but if it makes her feel better to say it again, I’m not going to harp on it.
Stalking through the kitchen, her purse swings behind her with every step she takes, swiping her drink off the counter. With her hand on the doorknob, she pauses, releasing a heavy breath before she turns her head to face me.
“I think there’s a good person hidden underneath this asshole exterior you show to the world. I wish you’d show more of him because I kind of like him.”
Without another word, she opens the door and walks out, leaving me alone with nothing but my thoughts and my own guilt.
Nine
Ivy
“I’m meeting someone here under the name Kyla?”
The hostess flashes me a warm smile and nods, scanning over the list of names on the screen in front of her.
“Right this way.” Motioning over her shoulder, she guides me through the restaurant. It’s the middle of the day on a weekday and less crowded, with people scattered throughout. We pass through the bar area, across another doorway leading to another section of tables.
I spot Kyla right away, her purple hair standing out like a neon sign amongst the small group of people.
“The server will be right with you,” the hostess says, as I slide into the seat across from Kyla.
Her fingers had been fast at work, skating across her screen. She smiles to herself, apparently at a message she had sent, before setting her phone down.
“Long time no talk, woman! I’ve missed you. You’re always working. We need to hang out more, and soon.”
“I know,” I sigh, sagging back against the seat.
So much has happened since I got home that I’ve been meaning to catch her up on. She must sense there’s a lot on my mind when she says, “Spill it, woman. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Well, I told you about how my car broke down and how Brix had stopped to give me a ride?”
She nods.
“I woke up the next morning to a phone call from Miller’s Auto. I guess Brix, at some point, made a call to have my car towed in. I have no idea when or why. I was hardly up before they told me it was fixed, and I could come to pick it up.”
“He did what?” Her eyes bug out of her head, smacking her hand on the table.
My thoughts exactly. When has Brix ever done a nice thing for anyone?
“Right? I couldn’t believe it. Despite some rude shit he said to me at the bar earlier that night, which he kind of apologized for, I guess I thought we were moving past it, ya know? Until he decided to bring some girl home last night.”
Kyla’s eyes narrow, staring at me for a moment with confusion etching her brow. I want to tell her it’s doesn’t bother me like she thinks it does. By the look in her eyes, any line I try to spin to convince her won’t matter.
“He kept me up all night with the sound of her yelping and his headboard banging against the wall. At least he had the courtesy oftryingto cover it up with his music blaring.”
Kyla chuckles.
“I didn’t find it funny at all,” I huff, rolling my eyes.“It went on forthree frickin’ hours.”
She takes a drink of her water, studying me as she sets the glass down between us.
“What is it about him bringing someone home that bothers you?”
“Well, for one, I was trying to sleep.”