Jayded, p.18
Jayded, page 18
“This is amazing!” Kinsey and I say at the same time.
“Go ahead and check it out. Jonathan and I will wait here in the kitchen,” Jessica tells us.
We walk through the apartment. It’s a downtown loft with 1,500 square feet, two bedrooms, marble countertops, and brand-new appliances. It’s on the top floor out of six, and the view is unbelievable. It even has a small deck off of the living room. This is definitely a place to die for. It’s a little pricey, but if I become a roommate and chip in half, it really wouldn’t be that bad at all.
“What do you think?” Kinsey says as she turns to me excitedly.
I continue to take everything in. “I think it’s magnificent. It’s way more than just an apartment. The price is steep though.”
She stands in front of me with her huge grin. “It won’t be if we become roomies!” she hints. “Will you move in with me?”
I laugh. It sounds like she just proposed to me. “Do I get a ring?”
She smacks my arm. “Do you need one?” she teases.
“Let’s do it!” I agree.
She starts jumping up and down, squealing like a little kid. Jonathan and Jessica stroll over after hearing all the noise. “So—what do you think?” Jessica asks.
Kinsey immediately responds. “We’ll take it!”
It only took two hours, but we finally found the place. I’m kind of happy about the decision. We’ll be able to work late nights together in our own place, and I get to look thoroughly for the perfect house while saving some money. This is a win-win for the both of us.
We sign all the paperwork to move in on the first. This gives us enough time to pack and relocate. We head downstairs. Jessica says her goodbyes, and Jonathan sticks around to talk some.
“Hey, do you ladies want to grab something to eat?” he asks us.
We both look at each other and then back to him. “Well, we actually made plans already. We need to catch up on a lot. It’s hard handling everything over the phone,” I tell him, also saving Kinsey from having to make her own awkward excuse.
“Oh, well I understand,” he says, a little let down.
“Definitely another time, Jonathan. We really appreciate your help. We couldn’t have found this place without you,” Kinsey points out.
I join in. “Yes, you’ve been a great help! We’ll have to do lunch sometime next week, all three of us.”
We begin walking toward our cars. “Okay, that sounds good. Just let me know when, and I’ll be there! Enjoy the rest of your night, ladies.” He waves goodbye and hops in his car. Phew! That letdown wasn’t so bad. I feel a little guilty, only because he took so much time out of his day to help, but he offered.
We both get into the car and let out a sigh of relief. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” I ask her.
“No, he actually is a really nice guy. Of course he’s going to hit on you—look at you! Ever since I came into your life, you’ve never had a problem with the opposite sex,” she jokes.
“Ha-ha. Very funny,” I express sarcastically.
“So where to now, captain?”
I make the drive to my hotel so she can get changed and unpack. “Well, I kind of have plans with Greg and Connie’s son, Kyle. We’re going out with his friend Jeff and Elise, who is the receptionist at the agency. You can come be the fifth wheel. We’re just all going to get something to eat and then going to see a band.”
She shakes her head. “Wait, hold on! Is this a double date you’re going on? And did I just hear it’s with Greg and Connie’s son? Is he even old enough to hang out with us?”
I totally knew she was going to make a big deal out of this. “No, it’s not a double date or a date of any kind for that matter. And yes, Kyle is old enough to drink, so he’s old enough to hang. I don’t know Jeff that well, but Elise is great. She reminds me a lot of me before I met you,” I explain.
“Oh no, does this require another makeover?” she squeals in excitement.
I laugh. “Yup, that’s exactly what this requires. She is beautiful already. She just needs a little push in the right direction, some good guidance, and some good girlfriends,” I say, breaking it down for her.
“Well, she met the right set of girls for that! I can totally be the fifth wheel if there are no dates involved.”
I park in the garage. “Nope, no dates,” I reiterate.
We get up to the room. I relax while Kinsey freshens up. We have a little time before we have to meet up with them. Kyle’s going to be a little bummed to hear I have to meet him there and also a little bummed that I won’t be able to go back to his place with him later. I’m not ready to explain to Kinsey the real deal. I’m not ready to explain it out loud to anyone for that matter. I don’t want any outside opinions. I’m okay with what we’re doing for the moment, so there’s no need to get anyone else involved.
I shoot him a quick text to inform him of the changes. He’s disappointed but understands, and he is happy to meet Kinsey finally. I talk about her enough that he feels as though he already knows her. I just know Kinsey’s going to take one look at us interacting together and know what’s going on. She’s always been so in tune with me that even though I want to keep it from her, she will see right through me.
“So, what’s the dress code for tonight?” Kinsey asks, picking through her clothes.
I’m still lying on the bed. “Um, casual for sure.”
She holds up a navy blue sweater and some cute ripped jeans. I nod in approval. I guess it’s my turn to freshen up. I drag myself up and move toward the bathroom. I jump in the shower quickly, not wetting my hair, and jump back out. I touch up my makeup and pull out some comfy clothes as well. I’m sick of heels, and it’s not an Ugg-wearing event, so I grab my flat boots.
It’s now seven. We have to meet everyone at Tony D’s before the show for some appetizers. I’m starving. I could eat an elephant. It’s packed, and luckily we get there just as someone else is pulling out. Jeff, Elise, and Kyle are already there with a table. I introduce everyone to Kinsey, and then we order drinks. I am in need of a drink!
“So how did house shopping go?” Elise asks.
“Good! I didn’t find a house yet, but Kinsey and I found a great apartment. We’re gonna be roommates for a while,” I announce.
Kyle’s face drops slightly but quickly recovers. “Oh, that’s great,” he says. “That sucks you didn’t find a house though—”
“You know, it just wasn’t meant to be for right now. My perfect house is out there, though. I know it,” I respond with a wink.
I look over at Kinsey, and she’s watching us intently. Shit! She furrows her brows and squints as though she’s trying to figure us out. By the end of the night, I guarantee she will be asking what the deal is.
“So, Kinsey, did you have a good flight?” Jeff asks.
I roll my eyes. He just opened up a can of worms. “Ugh! I swear, next time I will just drive. I understand why we have to go through all the madness just to get through security, but for such a short flight it is so not worth it! They need to create an express lane!” she says, exasperated.
We all laugh at her madness. “Well, so sorry I asked!” Jeff jokes.
“So, someone please tell me about this band,” I say.
The waitress comes around with our drinks. “They’re called Crank. They’re kind of a hip punk rock band. You’ll like them, they’re different,” Jeff responds.
“Um, is there going to be a bunch of teenie boppers there?” I ask.
Kinsey joins in. “Yeah, some underage drinkers who wipe off the ‘X’ on their hands?”
“Wait, what’s wrong with teenie boppers?” Jeff asks.
I laugh. “Oh, that’s right, you still are one.”
“Um, that would make me one as well,” Kyle adds. “And I am way past teeny,” Kyle says with a smile.
Jeff throws up his hands. “Dude! No one wants to know that!”
Poor Elise doesn’t know what to say. Jeff whispers something to her every now and then, and she giggles. She’s got it bad. I’m not so sure it’s a good thing. I don’t know much about Jeff, but from what I gather, he is most definitely a bad boy. I would hate to see her get her heart broken.
“So Kyle, who are you banging at the office?” Kinsey questions, very direct and to the point. She’s not a bullshiter. I learned to be so direct from her, but she’s way worse than I am. Kyle just might want to walk away.
He almost spits out his drink. Kinsey looks proud. “No one at the moment. Why? Are you in line?” he teases. I personally don’t find it funny.
“If I was in line, you would know it. Let’s cut the crap here. I see how you look at my friend—” she begins to say. Jeff and Elise quietly watch this shit go down.
I know all too well where this is going. “Kins—” I try to interrupt. She holds her finger up to me to hold my thought.
“If you hurt her, I will wring your little neck and then stomp on your face until it’s unrecognizable. Got it?” she says, pointing her finger at him.
I cover my face, completely embarrassed. She is just so over-the-top sometimes, but she means well. She’s seen me hurt, and she won’t have it happen again. She didn’t really care for Cody, but she tolerated him for my sake. I’m sure she won’t do that again.
Kyle looks her straight in the eyes. “I don’t plan on breaking anything of hers. She means way too much to me,” he confesses. She continues to stare him down, but then she stops. It’s almost as though she can see his honesty.
I let his words sink in.
“Okay, as long as we’re on the same page,” she says, backing down.
Jeff holds up his beer. “On that note, salute!” he yells.
We all put our drinks up.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Kyle
Wow! That is all I’m going to say about Kinsey. She is one crazy chick, but I think I’m going to like her. Anyone who is willing to put their neck out for a friend is definitely someone I want on my side. I periodically peer at Jeff and Elise, and he seems very attentive to her. I haven’t really witnessed this side of him before, so it’s actually inspiring. If he can change, maybe I can too.
Geez, thinking this way seems a little foreign to me, a little domestic. Is this okay at twenty-four? Shouldn’t I be on the prowl for the next easy thing? I look over at Max. No, definitely not.
We get our appetizers and inhale them down with another round of drinks. We all have to drive, so we cut ourselves off until we get to the Smoke House to see the band.
The Smoke House is a little dive bar near the beach. It’s jam-packed, but the energy is upbeat and the vibe is good. Everyone seems to be having a chill time.
I grab us all a round of drinks as we squeeze into the only open bar table. The only advantage of this is I can be close to Max without even trying or seeming suspicious.
“Wow, this is some crowd. Do you go to these things a lot?” Max asks me.
I have to speak right up to her ear. “No, not really—every now and then. Before my college years, Jeff and I would sneak into these places through the back,” I say, pointing to the back door. “But they obviously caught on to that.” I smile as we watch the bouncer guarding the back door with his life.
The opening band begins. Some stop to listen, but most continue on with their conversations and wait for the headliner.
“This is actually great!” Kinsey screams. She’s right next to us. I laugh. I’m glad everyone is having a good time.
Max just bobs her head to the music, and Elise seems to be enjoying herself. Tonight couldn’t have been more perfect.
After the band ends, the bar starts to empty. We head to the parking lot. I stop Max to speak with her while Kinsey gets into the passenger’s seat.
“Hey, I had a good time tonight,” I tell her. God, I want to kiss her so bad.
“Me too. Kinsey really enjoyed herself.”
“Can’t you drop her off and sneak away?” I beg. I’m just dying to have my lips all over her body. “I’ll make it worth your while,” I say coyly. I will try anything to influence her decision.
She sighs. “I can’t. God, I want to, but I can’t,” she says with a pout.
“Please don’t make me beg,” I plead.
She shakes her head, denying me. I drop my head in defeat. “It’s only one night. We can be without each other for one night.” She puts her palm against my cheek, then walks away.
I don’t want to go a night without her next to me. How the hell did I become so addicted? I straighten myself up and say goodnight to Jeff and Elise before I head to my car. I can do this. I don’t need anyone sleeping next to me. I was fine two weeks ago, and I’ll be fine now.
As soon as I get into my apartment, I strip off my clothes and dive into my bed. No matter how much I want to deny it, I can’t stop thinking about Max. I do what I never do this late at night unless it’s a booty call: I text her.
“My bed’s cold. I wish you were here.”
I wake up early to meet Jeff at the gym. He’s already there, warmed up and starting his cardio. I begin my stretches.
“Dude, you’re late,” he scolds. “I went to bed the same time you went to be—” He doesn’t even finish before the light bulb in his head lights up. “Unless Maxine stopped by?”
He’s digging. He’s trying to get the lowdown. I should be doing the same with him and Elise. “No man, she didn’t come by. I spent the night alone if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Well, that sucks. Are you losing your touch already?” he teases.
Before I can put in my rebuttal, Jeff’s younger brother Julian comes by. “Oh my God! You should have seen the chick I snagged last night!” he brags while slapping me up.
“Oh yeah?” Jeff taunts. “Did she have a dick?”
I snicker. He’s freaking crazy. Julian’s face is priceless. “Nah, you dumb fuck. She has a nice pair of tits and a huge ass. Don’t hate.”
At this point, I am dying. I can’t even contain myself. “Julian, you freaking kill me!” I tell him between laughs.
After an hour of catching up and laughing, I head out. I think I worked my ab muscles more than anything with those two guys. I drive home to shower and take a nap before heading to my parents for dinner. My mom called yesterday to say she was making sauce and wanted Junior and I there. I just couldn’t say no and disappoint her. It’s not her fault we’re assholes. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a while. My mom’s just been too busy to find the time. Now that my brother and I are grown, there’s no need for the family dinners every night. Not like my father was always a part of those, anyway.
I finally get a text back from Max. She must have just woken up.
“Hey, I slept like shit if it makes you feel any better…”
“Me too. Wanna have an afternoon nap with me?” I reply.
“Hmm, what time?”
I do a quick, excited dance.
“Now. I’m getting in the shower,” I write.
“Be there in 15.”
Yup. She just made my day. I rip my soaking, sweaty clothes off and jump into the shower. By the time I get out and throw some sweats on, she’s already here. I buzz her in. She’s also in her sweats. They’re kind of sexy on her. The word “Pink” is written on the ass of her sweats. I can’t stop trying to read it. She turns, trying to hide herself.
I grab her in a big hug, placing my hands right over the word on her backside. Her ass is perfect—firm but still squeezable. I sniff her hair. “Mmm, you smell so good,” I tell her, still breathing her in.
She sniffs me back. “Ditto.”
I bend my head down and reach my lips down to hers for a smooch. She tastes like strawberry ChapStick. “Yum,” I say, licking my lips. She giggles. I graze her cheek with the back of my fingers and touch my lips to hers again. She’s highly addictive. I just can’t get enough.
I lead her to my unmade bed, bring her down with me, and snuggle up behind her, tangling my legs with hers. Everything just feels so right. Nothing could be any better than this moment. I feel—happy.
Is this what people die to have? Is this what a real relationship is about? If so, why would I ever want to put a name on it? Names, titles, and papers always have a way of tainting things. I don’t know why, but I’ve seen it a million times. Of course, my parents are the exception to this.
“You’re so warm and comfy,” she tells me, inching her butt closer to me. I’m not so sure if that’s a good idea. “Uh-oh,” she says, looking back at me with a smile.
I chuckle. “I can’t help it. Just seeing you and touching you drives me insane,” I admit as I kiss the nape of her neck. She smells like her normal flower-and-cucumber-melon scent. It’s a sweet, intoxicating mix. I can’t get enough.
God, I think I’m going insane. Maybe I just need a couple of days without her to regain my sanity. Where the hell am I? What did I do with my pimp-daddy bachelor side? What’s crazy is that I have fallen into this casual comfort with Max, and I don’t even miss being alone or being free. What I miss now is her when she’s not around.
