Page 12 of Let It Be Me
Kamryn: Are you riding with us?
Me: Yes.
Kamryn: Then get your ass here.
Me: You’re mean.
Kamryn: You’re late.
I am running late.And as someone who writes out every event down to the minute, I despise when my time gets thrown off. Blame it on the walk of shame I did at four this morning. I didn’t sleep with the guy from the app. I tried to. He had some very sensual music playing in the background, the big lights weren’t on, and a mahogany teakwood candle was burning in the background. That should’ve been prime hookup time. But nothing. We were making out on his couch and I tried to will my libido into action. I moved his hands over the hot points on my body and nothing. I wanted to cry in sexual frustration. And after thirty minutes of over the clothes groping and grinding, my lips bruised from our kissing and beard rash on my neck, I made the excuse of no longer feeling well and high-tailed it out of his place. But when I got home, all it took was one remembrance of my time with Riley and I shot off like a rocket with the help of my trusty vibrator.
With a huff of annoyance, I throw sunscreen and an extra change of clothes into my tote bag. We’re finally meeting Emily’s new boyfriend who she’s still been tight-lipped about. I know she’s happy. I saw it that night when she was getting ready for her date. And that’s all I want for my little bird. She and I have gotten closer these past few years. It’s not the bond that I have with Kamryn. But it’s…simple. Where she’s soft-spoken, I’m as outspoken as can be.
I’ve never been great at cultivating friendships. Let alone friendships with women. The backstabbing, endless gossip, and silent competition never appealed to me. And for that I was a loner for most of my childhood. But that changed when I met Kamryn. Yes, I put on a front when we first met. But the longer we went on as roommates, the easier it was to let her in. The first year, she was my only true friend. And as the years went on she became my best friend. Same with Emily and Jax. I liked them instantly. Not because they were an extension of Kam. But because they were gentle with their approach to friendships. Now we cheer each other on and give each other shoulders to lean on when need be. They’re my people.
Heading downstairs and into my kitchen, I snatch my car keys off the counter and I lock up my house before skipping down the few steps to my BMW. As soon as I start up, my car connects to Bluetooth and I turn on Maren Morris's latest album on Spotify. I back out of my driveway and make the short drive to Kam’s little house. Pulling up, I park behind Jax’s car and make my way up to the door. I don’t bother with knocking and am surprised when heated arguing from the backyard greets me when I walk inside.
“Kam?” I ask as I walk down the hallway and pop my sunglasses on top of my head.
“In the kitchen,” Jax calls out.
Finishing the short distance from the foyer to the kitchen, I see Kam and Mason talking on her patio. Her arms are crossed which is a sign that she’s agitated and maybe hurt. Jax is at the kitchen bar tapping and scrolling on her phone with her brows furrowed and more than likely annoyed that they’re arguing.
“What’s going on with them?” I ask and lean on the counter next to her.
Jax sets her phone down and exhales heavily. “Kam has been going on and on about being in the dark with Emily.”
“Huh,” I muse and keep my focus on the squabbling two-some outside.
“Do you know something?”
I slide my gaze to Jax. “Do you know something?”
“Are you asking if I’ve seen a man in a truck with tattoos covering his body make his way to Emily’s apartment building the past few months? Then, no. I don’t know a thing.” Jax says with a smirk.
I snort at the same time Kamryn and Mason come back inside. Mason with a smile on his face and Kam with a scowl still on hers.
“Hi, lovebirds.” I greet and try to cut through the thick tension that followed them back in here.
Kam greets me with a kiss on the cheek and Mason with a high-five. Alrighty then.
“Are we ready?” Mason voices as he cuts through the tense silence.
“Yep.” I say, looping my arm through Jax’s and we head towards the door.
“Is this it?”I ask from the backseat when Mason slows down in front of a large two-story brick house that’s set about half of a football field away from the road.
“Yep. That’s Em’s car.” Jax points out.
I see Kam attempt to glance at Jax, but Mason turns the car into the driveway and luckily she doesn’t say anything. I’m hoping that whatever her spat was with Mason doesn’t bleed into the rest of the day as I’ve been anticipating meeting the man who stole Emily’s heart. When the car is in park, Jax and I swiftly grab our bags and head to the door arm-in-arm.
“Nervous about Kam?” Jax whispers.
I sneak a look behind me and see Kamryn walking towards the door with a scowl firmly back on her face. “Aren’t you?”
“Yes. Emily is happy and that’s all we want for her.”
I give Jax an agreeable look and then knock on the door. I hear a murmur behind me and am about to turn to see what’s happening when the door opens.
