Page 21 of That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend
Iwasn’tthinking. That’s the quick answer. The longer one is I’ve been wanting to kiss Kasey like that ever since we were teenagers. But Brady made it clear from the start he didn’t want me anywhere near his sister.
By the time graduation rolled around, I’d almost gotten used to burying my feelings for her. I’d done it for years. I figured I could make it through one more summer. After that, Kasey and I would be living on opposite sides of the country. Nothing left to hide, and no need to pretend anymore, right?
We couldn’t be together then even if we wanted to.
So that’s when I decided to apologize. To explain my pranks were just a disguise. That I’d only cooked up all the competition between us to keep her at a distance. I figured I had one last chance to be honest about my feelings. And more than anything, I hated thinking Kasey would leave for California hating me.
Which is why I bought her a charm bracelet.
Was it a corny gesture? Maybe. But I had zero game with girls, and only one girl I ever wanted. So I hid the bracelet in the pocket of my graduation robe, hoping to steal a moment with Kasey afterward. But the bracelet fell out while Brady and I were climbing into his car before the ceremony. The chain clattered into the gutter. Brady grabbed it before I could.
“What’s this, man?” he asked. “You wearing jewelry now?”
“No way. I—” Heat flooded my face, and I had to think fast. “I only brought that stupid thing to mess with your sister. For getting valedictorian over me.”
Brady narrowed his eyes even more. Did he doubt my story? I had to up the ante, so I glanced around like this was some big secret between us. “Do you want to help me set her up?”
A grin took over his face. Yeah. Brady was always on board for pranking Kasey.
I could’ve told him the truth. I could’ve punched him in his stupid, grinning face. Kasey didn’t deserve this. She deserved better than me. Better than Brady.
Why did he have to make it so hard?
But I didn’t have the guts to ask him that. Instead I let the guy run back into the house for a bucket and balloons. He came up with the rest ofour big plan. The surprise attack. Him in the tree. Her down below. All those jerk moves that left Kasey soaking wet and hating me. Man, we were the worst to her.
No wonder she still can’t stand me.
Looking back on that time now, I’ll bet Brady knew the bracelet meant something more to me. That I had a different purpose in mind. But we were both just dumb kids then. Two boys figuring out how to be men and failing miserably. Acting tough. Fighting the world. A couple of wrecking balls who needed to grow up. The world took care of that over the years. But Kasey was smart to get away from me before then. Thousands of miles away.
She’s got a whole new life I can’t disrupt now.
I wrecked her back then. I won’t do it again.
ChapterEight
A TEXT THREAD WITH THE MCCOY COUSINS THE NEXT MORNING
Olivia: Hey, Kasey. I know we’re trying to spend as much time together as possible this week, but I’m skipping the boat judging down at the lake and going back to bed. This is way too early to be awake on vacation, and the time difference is killing me. But I promise to show up a little later and get my tan on with you.
Darby: I won’t make it to the lake either. I have to compose a strongly-worded email to my landlord. STAT. This could take a while. But I’ll be at Aunt Elaine’s place to make gingerbread houses this afternoon.
Tess:Uh oh. Why is your landlord on the receiving end of your wrath?
Darby: He’s trying to increase our rent for the fall. By a lot. And it’s too late to find another place now. He’s got us over a barrel.
Mac:I can help you out with money, Darbs. No problem.
Darby: The fact that money isn’t a problem IS the problem. Mr. Skinner found out we’re the McCoys from McCoy Construction. Now he’s jacking up his regular price. It’s totally unfair. Places near the school are already ridiculously expensive.
Mac: Yeah. That’s frustrating.
Darby: It’s more than frustrating. It’s infuriating. And the worst part is I can pay, but Hadley can’t.
Mac: I’ll cover your roommate’s extra rent. I like Hadley.
Darby: Thanks. I already offered, but she won’t go for it. She’s got this thing about making her own way. It’s admirable. But I know she won’t budge.
Mac:She might not have a choice.
