Page 21 of No Broken Promises

“I promised to keep the secret of what really happened that night. To give him a chance before the truth ruined his life. Because we were going to have a baby. And before we could even see what life would bring or what would happen, he died. Before there was a chance for him to try to make it right.”

Kennedy’s eyes mist over, and it takes every bit of strength in my body not to start crying with her. I’d shed so many tears in the last five years that I don’t have any left. Not for this.

“But, Parker.” She sniffles. “That’s no way to live. You’re not supposed to make yourself miserable because of a life that you should have lived, for a man who’s not here anymore. For a man who wouldn’t have done the same for you.”

That’s about the moment I realize my mistake. Before I can say anything about it, Kennedy slides across the couch and pulls me into her arms.

“He stole your ‘yes’ from you, Parker. That’s what he did. You don’t have to live your life honoring his ghost. Fuck him. And fuck anyone who thinks that what he did was okay.”

As gently as I can, for fear of bringing back the throbbing headache that I’d had earlier, I extricate myself from her hold and try not to scream at her.

“Kennedy,” I chide the way only a mother could. “I’m not giving up my life because Danny is dead. Do you know how hard it is to make any time for myself even now? Let alone when Nox was an infant. I’m trying my best. People knew, Danny’s parents knew we weren’t in love. I’m pretty sure Rose is trying to find me a husband as we speak. That’s not why I’m telling you what happened. You can’t tell anyone, either. You can’t tell a fuckin soul, do you understand me?”

Kennedy wipes her eyes, staring at me with all the confusion I’d normally expect from one of the drunk women who came to Lucy’s and not her. “Then why are you telling me this?”

I clear my throat and close my eyes while pinching my lips together. “Because… Once upon a time, I made a mistake by choosing to spend my time with the wrong man, Kennedy. The wrong one. And it completely altered my life’s path. I do not regret having Nox or the life I’ve had. But that doesn’t mean that I want you to make the same choices that I made.”

When she starts to connect the dots, the righteous indignation Kennedy is known for comes roaring to life. She pulls back, staring at me like I don’t know a thing about what is going on.

“You don’t know anything.” Her words lash out like a whip. “And your story isn’t anything like mine. Don’t even try to compare them.”

She’s only trying to hurt me because I called her out on her bullshit. I know that, and I have to force her to listen. Because I can’t stand to watch her give her life to another man when I know who owns her heart.

“Linc may not be my brother by blood or by marriage anymore,” I go on, forcing her to listen to reason. “But he’s my brother all the same. I grew up with him too, Kennedy. I saw the way he loves you. The way he would move when you came into a room. And it wasn’t until he heard that you were getting serious with Royal that he came home.”

Kennedy sits completely still, staring at me like I’ve torn her heart out of her chest and made her eat it in front of me.

“Stop.” Her voice comes out shattered, broken. “Just. Stop.” She stands up carefully, each step measured and calculated as she struggles to keep her emotions in check. “I’ve spent years trying to move on from him. Years, Parker.” Kennedy turns to me with tears in her eyes, and I have to stop myself from taking it all back.

“You’re my best friend, Kennedy,” I tell her bluntly. “And I love you. I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy,” she says simply. The small tremble in her shoulders contradicts her, but I don’t call her out on it. “Or… I’m trying to be happy, Parker. I’m trying. Royal isn’t Linc. Not by a long shot. But he’s here. And he isn’t running away from me. He’s here.”

The desolation, the conviction to her choice, pushes through and I see something I never thought I’d see on Kennedy’s face. She isn’t just accepting her choice. She is desperate for it to work. No matter what it costs her.

“I want a family,” she whispers. “I want to have a baby. To have those late nights in bed together, dreaming of our future. And I won’t get that with Linc. Royal?” Kennedy leans back slightly and sighs deeply. “Royal is willing to give me those things.” The haunted expression on her face says that Kennedy is holding something back, but she doesn’t say a word.

Fuck. I’ve fucked it up. “I’m so sorry,” I say quietly. “I was just trying to make sure you didn’t make a mistake, Kennedy. I had no clue.”

She smiles, a watery and forgiving smile, as she smacks her lips together. “You wouldn’t know, Parker. I didn’t even tell my sister. After Cassie died and everything in my life changed, I stopped wasting time, you know? I don’t want to miss out on life because I’m waiting for it to happen to me. I’m going to be someone that happens to life, ya know? I’m going to sing and dance and live a life that makes the people around me sit up and pay attention and envy my happiness.”

Her words, just like before, hit me hard.

Is that what I’ve been doing?

“You can’t live like you have been, Parker.” Kennedy smiles sadly at me. “You’re here, but you’re not living. You’re going through the motions. It’s time.”

Like a veil has been lifted from my eyes, I see my life for what it is. Kennedy is right. I’ve been living as a martyr for the past five years. Even if I lie to myself and say I don’t have time for romance, let alone anything else.

“Holy shit,” I whisper in awe. “You’re right. I need to change my life, too.”

Kennedy grabs her sandwich off the couch and takes a big bite. “Yeah, you do. And to make plans, we’re gonna need a bottle of vodka to go with the food.” She stares at me for a second with her eyes narrowed. “Can you even have vodka right now?”

With a shrug, I head for the liquor cabinet in the kitchen.

“I think I need at least one drink. We’re talking about some heavy shit here tonight.”

9

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