Mike lost his biological parents at a young age, but my mom and dad spent five seconds with him and knew that he belonged with them. So after months of making things happen Mike came home with them, and the rest is history.
I couldn’t ask for a better big brother, he may piss me off and drive me nuts, but I know without a doubt in my mind I always have him on my side.
“You worried about Phil?”
I laugh, because come on, Phil is an idiot. The guy barely knows how to tie his own shoes. His dads been taking care of him his entire life and that still hasn’t changed. I wouldn’t be surprised if his momma still did his laundry and cooked his meals. “Nah,” I shake my head, “but I will say knowing he’s had his hands on her does change things a bit. Call me an ass, but the guy has been around the block several times and the places he’s landed haven’t always been the cleanest if you get what I’m saying.” I shiver at the thought.
“He did get picked up in Savannah during that back-alley hooker sting.” Mike chuckled.
“Exactly,” I say with a nod. “I guess I thought Kyra was different.” I won’t lie and say that it doesn’t sadden me to place her in a no-go zone. Mike’s right I have had her on a pedestal. She is the sweet innocent girl with the purest eyes and to have this tarnish her image saddens me.
“Do you think it's more because you’ve seen her as wholesome for years and now you’re disappointed she’s not so innocent.”
“Every time I look at her now, all I manage to envision is him doing the shit he’s telling everyone he’s doing to her.” I shiver and try to recover but Mike notices.
“You think I was the only guy Maddison had ever been with?”
“No,” I almost laugh when I notice his nostrils flare at his own mention of his wife’s past partners. “But none of them went around town telling tales either.”
“No, because I’m pretty sure Colt would have hung them in town square by their balls.”
That’s no joke, Colt, Maddison’s dad is about as bad as Mike. Punch now, ask questions later. When it comes to Maddison and Alexis, Maddison’s mom, Colt doesn’t think things through.
“I’m just saying, don’t let shit you don’t know ruin something you could have. I’ve been there, been so lost in my own issues that I almost let the best part of me go. I’m not saying that Kyra is that woman, but what I am saying is until you let go of your own shit you may never be able to find out for yourself.”
He slaps my shoulder and gives me a shove before he walks off toward the door, grabbing his keys on the way.
I don’t know how long after he’s gone that I remain exactly where I am, my mind rolling over his words. The vision of Kyra’s smile settling in my head, though lately I’ve done all I can to avoid her. Somehow telling her she’s scraping the bottom of the barrel seems harsh, but I can’t get over her, with him.
He’s got that kind of face you want to punch. Smug, arrogant, when in reality he is nothing more than a dirty asshole that can’t even take care of the two kids he has with two different women. He’s a get ‘em and leave 'em kind of guy.
Kyra deserves more, I just wish she saw that too.
I sit on the makeshift chair, which is nothing more than a stump from an old tree. Sipping my beer I try not to react when Kyra walks up and sits down with all my friends and family. My cousin Colt’s girl, Gretchen, accepts Kyra like she’s been a part of the crowd her entire life.
But Gretchen knows something about feeling like an outsider. Damn the woman has been battling that her entire life. Rich parents who have never supported her, left her feeling inadequate until she met Colt.
Now she is a part of our family and like a sister to me.
I quickly glance away from Kyra and am met with the prodding stare of my brother, and then I’m reminded of what he said earlier which only sends my thoughts tail spinning. Standing I walk over to the cooler and grab another beer, twisting off the cap, I down half the bottle.
“You okay?” Landon asks from over my shoulder.
“Yep,” I lie. “All good here.” Ignoring his curious stare I walk back to my spot and sit down, staring at the ground at my feet.
I should have stayed home.
“Girl you are so pretty,” Julian, another adopted member of our crew, coos gaining my attention. “I’ve never seen a shade of blue that vibrant. They’ve got to be contacts.”
Nope, they are not.
“I don’t wear contacts.” The sweet sound of Kyra’s voice followed by her laughter makes my chest grow tight.
I fight the desire to stand up and grab her, dragging her off somewhere so I can do the things to her I’ve been dreaming of doing for years. Yet, here I sit, doing nothing. I never do anything, which is exactly why she is with Phil and I’m sitting here fantasizing over a girl I’ll never have.
CHAPTER
TWO
Kyra
“So again, they aren’t dating, and she isn’t sleeping with him. He’s lying!” We all turn our attention to Gretchen who is glaring at Colt. I may not be around this group a lot, but I’ve seen those two around town. They are passionate, straight up, in your face in love. It’s adorable and intense.
They notice they’ve got an audience and lower their voices.
Looking around the group I see Garrett watching me and I smile. He’s always been a secret temptation of mine. He’s a sweet guy that simply nods in greeting and walks away leaving me wondering... what if. But I’ve never had the guts to act on those feelings, and the fact that he is so unreadable makes it harder.
Truth is I know very little about him. But that has never stopped me from watching him whenever the opportunity arises. He’s handsome, I’ve always thought so, he has this rugged country man vibe that I never really liked before, until him. Plus his dimples are a little hard to ignore.
“Girl,” Julian squeals at my side, pulling me back to the moment. I just met him, and I instantly love him. His energy is contagious. “You must join us for spa day.”
“Spa day?” Him wiggling in his chair with excitement has me a little nervous. “In Savannah, two weeks from today, we’re all going up for the day, and when I say all I mean the whole crazy crew. We take multiple cars and book the place for a day of fun, gossip and pampering.”
“I don’t know,” Glancing around I see several of those sitting near us nodding their heads in agreement.
“Seriously the facial’s.” Grace sighs and I can’t help but smile. I may never have spent much time with them until now, but I’ve lived in the same town as them since I was eleven. Grace is and has always been so sweet. If I’m being honest I’ve envied her life for years, wishing I had half the amount of blessings she’s had.
“Hey Kyra,” I turn around and look over my shoulder only to be met with Phil who is staring at me in the same creepy way he always does. Honestly the guy makes me uncomfortable, and doesn’t understand how to take no for an answer. When he leans forward trying to look down my shirt I place my hand at the collar on instinct.