Page 79 of Trust Issues
“You’re seriously still fighting that shit? I just had a talk with Max about it the other day. You two love each other. End of story.” He hefted the big box out of the door and I pretended to ignore him but his words stuck inside of my head.
Max was afraid to admit that he loved me too. We were so much alike it was frightening. I’d make us a nice lunch and we’d sit down and hash this shit out like adults.
…
My heart was full and heavy at the same time when I pulled up to the airport to see NaimaandCadence off to LA. I couldn’t just drop them off. I had to be extra and walk them inside then stand there like a creep while Cadence made sure her ticket information was correct.
“We’ll be fine, Mom,” Naima joked but I could see the emotion in her eyes. This would be the first time we were so far away from each other and I didn’t know how to deal.
“I know but…still.” I swallowed back the thick knot in my throat and threw my arms around her like I’d never see her again.
“I love you too, Kyla. I’ll be back though.”
“I know. This is going to be weird, man. I’m used to being able to go to your place or have you pop up at mine and now you’re going to be all the way across the fucking country.”
“I’ll mail you pink Starbursts whenever I miss you,” she assured me, giving my hand a squeeze. I could see the tears swimming in her eyes. I couldn’t look. I wasn’t an emotional person at all but Naima was my sister and she worked my heartstrings like no other.
“So essentially, I’ll have an entire closet of pink Starbursts by next week,” I laughed.
“Pretty much,” she shrugged. Cadence walked over with her carry on and looked at us.
“You two are best friend goals.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Cadence? You’re a part of this BFF network now. You can’t run from me, bitch.” I tackle hugged her and we both laughed as we rocked from side to side.
“You’re going to end up staying in LA. I just want you to know that.” I whispered in her ear right before letting go of our embrace.
“You think you know everything,” she sighed.
“I do. It’s a gift.” Naima looked at her phone and then at me with her lips poked out.
“We gotta go, Kyle.”
“I know, I know.”
“You’ll be fine. You’re going to leave us and go get dicked down by Max and forget our names from all the brain trauma of him banging your head against the wall.”
“Wow. Naima. I’m shocked.” I tried to say it with a straight face but it didn’t work. I started grinning immediately. We spent another three minutes saying our goodbyes and see-you-laters then they were gone. I hated that empty feeling in my stomach.
When I was alone in the car, the silence was too much. I don’t know why I thought playingBest Friendby Brandy would be a good idea but I did it anyway. My eyes stung the entire time I fought traffic to get to Max’s job. I would have texted him and let him know I was coming but my eyes were too blurry.
It was allergies.
Let’s stick with that.
I was relieved when I finally got to Capital Financial because I had time to fix my face and pull myself together. I looked in the mirror and shook my head at my puffy eyes. I swatted in the backseat until my hand connected with the cooler bag I packed lunch in. When I grabbed it, I pulled it up front with me and took out a cold bottle of water to put on my cheeks. I knew Max didn’t care what I looked like but I still didn’t want to see my man with red, swollen eyes.
Once I was done zapping the puffiness, I closed my mirror and glanced around the parking lot. Sunshine bounced off the roofs of dozens of cars. Then I saw Max’s. I also saw Max walking toward his car…with a bitch in tow behind him. I frowned so hard and fast that my head hurt and my eyebrows burned.
Who was this bitch?
More importantly, why was she getting in the car with Max? Anger and curiosity propelled me out of the car and toward them. I walked with so much purpose that everything bounced in tune with my rhythm. I was certain I’d put cracks in the pavement with my heels.
When I reached his car, I saw the woman touch his face and slide her thumb along his bottom lip. Liquid rage flowed through my veins.
What the fuck?
You’re an attorney, Kyla. You can’t fight in the parking lot.
