Page 19 of Refusing Kendall

“And he’s shown interest?” I question.

“Not really,” she admits. “I think that maybe I’m just making shit up in my head, and my forever little girl crush on him is making me imagine things.”

I snort softly, “I seriously doubt that.”

Her eyes widen, “Why do you say that? Do you know something that I don’t know?”

“No, it’s just how you guys were around each other at the guys’ going away party. I don’t think it’s all in your head, if I’m honest. To me, he acted interested even then, but I wouldn’t let that deter you from going where you want to go to for college. If it’s meant to be, then it will happen,” I advise.

She palm smacks her forehead, and it makes me laugh.

“Ok, I don’t want to think about this right now,” she groans. “What about you? How are things with school and the guys? Please no juicy details involving my brother.”

My laugh echoes around the kitchen, and her giggle quickly follows it.

“School is good. Some classes are easy, but I had to take this fucking art class. It’s a pain in the ass. I can take decent pictures, but canvas is another story. After I’m done with it, they always look like they belong in a kindergarten classroom. I don’t even see how I’m passing that class,” I confess.

She giggles again, “It might have something to do with that whole ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ thing or something. Your professor probably thinks you’re one of those abstract painters that sees the world differently.”

“Holy hell. You’re probably right. If she only knew that my art skills just never progressed beyond elementary school,” I say, making us laugh again.

Once we’ve quieted enough that our words are understandable, she asks, “And the guys?”

I open my mouth to reply just as my phone rings. Taking it out of my pocket, I see that it’s a video chat from Lucas. They must have landed.

As I click the button to answer, Ryleigh announces, “Speak of the devils.”

Lucas’ face comes up on the screen, “We’re handsome devils, though, right?”

“You already know that you are,” I reply, watching his eyes crinkle around the edges. The camera is shaking around, and I can tell he’s walking. “Did you guys just land?” I ask.

“Yes ma’am,” he answers. “I didn’t want to wait until we got to the hotel to call you.”

Lucas cuts his eyes off screen as someone from his end says, “Pussy whipped….” But whatever the guy was going to finish with is cut off.

“Goose just punched him, didn’t he?” I ask trying not to smile.

Lucas doesn’t hold his grin back as he answers, “Nope. Mav did.”

Ryleigh giggles, “All men are brutes. I don’t even know why we bother.”

Whatever Lucas is about to say is overrun by Teagan’s head jumping into the frame beside him, “Hey! Is that my little sis?”

She rolls her eyes, but smiles as she says, “Hey, T.”

“Do me a favor, and take care of Kendall this weekend,” he says, looking like he’s trying to swipe the phone from Lucas.

Her grin turns mischievous, “Don’t worry, we’re not drinking or partying. We’ll be completely sober when the strippers get here.”

Absolute shock is the best way to describe the look on his face at her words. I can hear Goose’s laugh somewhere off screen, and followed by a quiet but deep murmur. Which tells me that Mav is walking close enough to have overheard her.

“Yeah, what Mav just said,” Teagan warns. “You better not.”

Slowly, Teagan has worked his way all the way into Lucas’ space, so it’s no surprise when Lucas pushes him to the side to get off him. They have to know that she’s kidding, but seeing T get riled up like that makes me wish he was home with me so I wouldn’t be sleeping alone tonight.

Which gives me an idea, knowing he hasn’t gone too far, I softly say, “Hey Teagan…you know, I’ll be sleeping in your bed tonight.”

Ryleigh tries to hide her giggle behind her hand as I watch Lucas’ eyebrows shoot up in surprise. He knows I’m playing with fire. Teagan may be our jester of the group, but he’s just as dangerous in the bedroom as Mav.

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