Page 84 of Mr. Big Mistake
He paused. “I feel like that’s a hell of a story.”
“It is.”
“Care to tell it?”
I reached for my second margarita. “I had lunch with Clint about a week ago and found myself in Lucky 8’s across the street. I just wanted to have a drink and play a few slots, but I had stumbled into a wedding reception before it had started. The bride and groom came in. I’m caught off-guard. Then, I go to leave, and LaShonda’s in my face.”
“Wait, the LaShonda?”
“Yep.”
“The one that wanted to take the rubber ducky and--.”
I nodded slowly. “Yyyy--ep. And the thing is, we weren’t even up to anything. I mean, she came onto me, but I didn’t accept her advances.”
“You just stayed at the reception with her?”
“She was drunk, Zane. I mean, completely plastered even before this thing started. And after I got her to stop hitting on me, she broke down. I mean, just sobbing. The girl was a wreck, Zane, and I didn’t want to just leave her alone like that. So, I sat with her at the bar. I kept ordering her waters to make sure she didn’t get too drunk.”
“That’s all that happened?”
I looked over at him. “I swear, that’s all that happened. I kept telling her I had to get her home, or at least make sure she was safe because I had plans that night. I told her all about Kelly, and she was so happy for me. But, I guess Kelly saw us because when I got home and saw she wasn’t there, I checked my phone and had this.”
I unlocked my phone and showed him the text message before Zane threw the rest of his drink back.
“I’m gonna need another,” he said.
The bartender nodded and promptly got to work.
“So, that’s all that happened,” Zane said.
I nodded. “You have my word. That’s all that happened. She hit on me. I batted her off. I felt bad that she was drunk at her sister’s wedding reception because I know the feud those two have had their entire lives. So, I sobered her up and finally got her home around eight. I charged back to my place with flowers and a bottle of wine in the hopes to tell Kelly how much I loved her and how sorry I was for being so late. I texted her several times, but they were never delivered.”
“Do you really love her, Brenden?”
I sighed. “More than anything on this planet.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Well, if you love her--I mean, truly love her--then you have to tell her. No matter what her reaction might be.”
“You think she’ll even listen to me?”
“I don’t know. Worst case scenario, she shuts you out for good. But, if there’s a best-case scenario that might happen? You better be ready to commit for good. Because I know for a fact that girl is crazy about you.”
I paused. “Really?”
“Are you an idiot? Ever since college, asshole. That girl has had nothing but eyes for you since we were teenagers.”
My back straightened. “I want her, Zane. More than anything. Even if I lose everything. If I’ve got Kelly in my life? Then, I’ve got the world.”
He smiled. “Love looks good on you, Brenden. But, be ready for anything at this point. Okay?”
And as I hugged my brother, I knew exactly what I had to do.
Which is why a plan started forming in my mind immediately.
23
Kelly
