Page 31 of That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend
Daisy crawls off my lap and starts picking M&Ms off the nearest gingerbread house.
“We lost track of time today,” I add, “but it won’t happen again.”
“We?” My mother adjusts her antlers. “Who’swe?”
I gulp. “Just me, myself, and I.”
“Humph.” She lets her hands fall at her sides. “You know, this is just like that time you disappeared after graduation, Kasey. No reasons. No explanation. Just gone. Poof.”
Ugh. My stabs of guilt shift to a sick pit in my stomach. “I really am sorry, Mom.”
“Sorry or not, we can’t get back our time today now, can we?”
“No, ma’am. We can’t.”
Mac stands, lifting Daisy up onto his shoulders. “I think we’re gonna head back over to Big Mama’s. You hang in there, Kase.” I gaze up at my cousin and find myself blinking back tears.
“Thanks, Mac. You too.”
My mother walks him and Daisy to the door, then she turns back toward me. “Aunt Remy and the girls were about to leave too. You should say hi before they go. And Kasey? Try to stick around tomorrow.” When she heads back into the kitchen, I hear her muttering.
We lost track of time.
As much as the memory hurts, I’m grateful my mom brought up graduation. It’s a reminder of why I absolutely can’t have feelings for Beau. No matter how much I may want to.
No matter what kinds of tricks my heart keeps playing.
ChapterTwelve
BEAU
“You’ve got this, Beau. You do. Come on now. Get a grip.” Yep, that’s me. Pacing in circles and pep-talking myself. Mom’s out back arranging lanterns on the deck. Natalie’s in her room doing whatever she does to get ready. Dad’s setting up folding chairs and filling up coolers. That just leaves me taking another lap around the room.
Kasey texted to say her family will be here by 8:00 for the fireworks. I check my watch, then check my reflection in the mirror. I barely recognize myself. Is this the Beau who’s been on safaris and in submarines? Oil rigs and front lines? For a guy who tries to live authentically, I’m pretty shocked Kasey got me on board with her scheme.
ShethinksI agreed to pretend I’m in love with her. But the truth is Iamin love with her. This is the opposite of what I did in high school—crushing on her hard, but acting like her enemy. I’m not even sure how this new plan goes. I’ve never faked something I actually felt before. All I know is the minute I started putting myself out there yesterday, Kasey pumped the brakes.
I’d been this close to admitting how Iauthenticallyfeel. Heart in my hand, tongue tied in my mouth. I wanted to kiss her, but first I asked whatshewanted. Then she looked up at me with those big blue eyes of hers…
…and saidrevenge.
Yeah. That ripped the rug right out from under me. I was offering her Beau, and she picked payback. But I get it. We were terrible to her back then. That’s why I’m willing to help her now, even though deception flies in the face of everything I am as a grown man. Still, as far as deception goes, this plan is pretty harmless. Plus it’s how I actually feel. I really do care about Kasey. So I’m not really deceiving anyone. Except myself.
I should get a gold star for rationalization.
On the bright side, I don’t think Kasey hates me anymore. For a moment yesterday, I even let myself think something might be happening between us. I could’ve sworn her heart was stirring too. And maybe if she knew how I truly felt, she might be swayed. But before I could tell her, she brought up the whole job thing. Told me work is more important. My work. Her work. We’d never work as a couple, because of our work.
I mean, of course Kasey’s job is a big deal. She’s waited five years for this break. As for me, not everyone gets the chance to work with a Pulitzer-Prize winner. The truth is, doors are opening for us and we’d probably be stupid to shut them. Still, I’m going to take a chance tonight and shoot my shot. When the moment is right, I’m going to tell Kasey what I want. Her. And if she turns me down, I’ll step back. Let her go.
At least that way, I’m the only one who’s losing.
There’s a fumbling at the door, and Kasey’s mother pokes her head in. “Knock, knock, knock,” she says, coming inside. She’s carrying a plate of snickerdoodles and wearing a green and red cardigan covered in Santa Clauses. She’s a walking Hallmark movie. Very yuletide. Very Elaine Graham.
Kasey is behind her, looking more gorgeous than ever. She’s dressed in white, like some kind of holiday angel. Her hair is loose around her face. I want to reach out and touch those waves, gather them together, breathe her in. And tonight I can, right? Since we’repretendingto be a thing.
Mrs. Graham sets the cookies on the dining room table, and Kasey sets her phone down next to it. Is that supposed to be some kind of warning to me? A reminder that she’s still got the videos if I don’t follow through?
Well. Don’t worry, Kasey Graham. I intend to follow through.
