The Scheme

“She’s hanging out with her girlfriends or going out or something,” he said, his eyes absent of any emotion.

“You guys serious?”

His tone hardened, getting touchy for a reason I couldn’t place. “I don’t know, bro. I’m trying . . . but something’s off. She’s a sweet girl, but . . . I just don’t know.”

My phone vibrated on the table, and I saw my little sister’s face pop up. Trey stiffened as his eyes moved from my phone and then back to the TV.

I debated answering.

“Hey, man, it’s cool,” he said, but I could read the hurt behind his eyes.

I picked up on the third ring. “Hey, Kately

“Hey, Bry. Ah! I miss you. I haven’t talked to you in weeks.” Her sweet voice automatically had me thinking of home, instantly relaxing me, and it got me wondering about my other siblings.

“Sorry. This new deal is kicking my ass.” I rubbed the back of my neck, a habit I noticed I’d formed whenever I thought of work.

“It’s fine.” I could hear the enthusiasm in her voice. “Guess what?”

“What?” A smile crept up my face to match hers I sensed over the phone.

“I got the job!”

I could picture her blonde hair in a high ponytail as she bounced on her toes. At twenty-three, she still acted like a little girl. Then again, being the youngest of four kids, that’s all I saw her as.

“I’m so excited,” she continued. “I just went on my last interview a couple days ago. I had my phone glued to my hip. Mom kept asking me daily, and I didn’t want to let her down, so I’m so glad I got the position. Program associate at the NOD, the National Organization of the Deaf.”

I chuckled, picturing the goofy smile on her face. Kately

NAD was the top non-profit organization assisting and educating others about the deaf. The company was headquartered in NYC, but they also had offices in many other prominent cities across the nation.

My sister was sweet as pie, and the most patient person to boot. She had the biggest heart and believed she was put on Earth to change the world. I knew she’d be perfect for them and kick that job’s ass. I loved her drive. At times, I believed we were two peas in the same pod.

“And guess what?”

“What?”

She let out another light squeal. “I’m going to be in NYC for a month for training.” She paused, and then added, “They’re putting me up in a hotel in Manhattan.” Her voice lowered, which was a large contrast to her mood just a second ago. “I told them you live in New York, but I insisted I stay in a hotel. I just don’t want it to be weird, you know . . . with him there.”

I was begi

“Kately

Trey seemed to be focused on the TV, but a part of me believed he was eavesdropping. I was certain he could hear Kately

“Just let me know, okay? Whatever you’re comfortable with.” My stare flickered in Trey’s direction. “Anyways, sounds great, sis. I’m so proud of you. Was there any doubt?”

“I don’t know. You can never be so sure, but once I know the details, I’ll tell you,” she said excitedly.

Trey’s eyes were trained on a gym shoe commercial, the remote too tightly gripped in his hands.

“Sure thing,” I replied.

“Love you, Bry. I’m so, so, so happy.”

“I’m happy for you, too. You deserve it. Tell Mom and Dad I said hi.” I hung up the phone and resisted the urge to probe Trey with questions.

His eyes flickered to mine and back to the TV. “So . . . how’s Kately

“She’s good,” I answered. All of me wondered what had happened years ago. One minute, they had been happy and in love, and the next minute, they were broken up. “She got a job at NOD, that huge organization for the deaf.”

“That’s good. I’m happy for her.” He let out a jagged breath. “I’m happy that she’s happy. Is she . . . How is she doing with Kyle?”

Awkwardness leaked into the air. I didn’t want to talk about the douche, who wasn’t anywhere near good enough for my baby sis, to the guy who I thought was. It wasn’t my decision to make. I’d already told her how I felt.

“I don’t ask about him when we talk.”

Pain filtered through his eyes as he guzzled back his beer. “That’s good,” he said, somewhat sadly.

“She’s going to be in New York in a month,” I said, gauging his reaction.

He straightened, his eyes flying to mine. “She is?” His voice hitched up a notch, but in the next second, he reclined against the couch as though faking it was no big deal and shrugged. “I mean, that’s good,” he said. “That’s good.”

He’d said it twice, like he needed to convince himself.

This was getting awkward.

“Don’t worry; she’s staying at a hotel. She didn’t want it to be weird between you guys.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, his cool and calm facade fading. “Does she hate me that much?” He stood and stomped sulkily over to the garbage. “I’m fine with her here. It’s ridiculous that she’s staying at a hotel, when you hardly see each other as it is.” The skin around his eyes bunched in a pained stare. “I’m fine. She’s the one—” He cleared his throat. “—the one who left me.”

Even though I knew he wouldn’t divulge any information, I felt the need to ask again. “What happened between you guys? I thought you were it for each other.”

He looked at me with a wounded gaze. “I thought so too, but . . . shit happens.” He chugged his beer back, tossed it in the trash, and walked out of the room. “Have fun, whatever you do tonight.”

I watched his retreat, knowing full well my sister would not give me any more info, either. She couldn’t even mention his name.

For the thousandth time, I decided to let it go. I had to keep my head in the game. Literally.

I grabbed my keys from the counter and headed out to meet Kendy. I needed a good laugh tonight. I was going to be a fake boyfriend, and I needed to make sure I was a damn good one.

***

KENDY

I tugged my black silk fitted halter dress just a little lower. It’d been a while since I’d worn it, and it was shorter than I remembered. Maybe because I was in my four-inch eff-me heels. I usually wore my three-inch gold ones.

I wanted to get noticed this time around. I wasn’t going home without a second glance. No way, Jose. That was not happening tonight. I was dressed to impress, and tonight, less meant more. Especially in this dress.

I checked my makeup one last time and touched the draping, shimmery, gold triangular necklace that hung directly in my cleavage. It was as if the necklace was directing traffic to one of my best assets.

I wasn’t expecting Sarah tonight. Brian and I had a plan, part one being I wouldn’t be sharing a cab home with him, because I’d be leaving with Dr. Hot Pants. When my phone rang, I dug into my purse for it and saw Brian’s name. My heart rate increased as I picked up on the first ring.

“Hey, I’m coming right down.” I checked myself one more time in my floor-length mirror, pursing then smacking my lips together before I jetted out the door. I was hoping, wishing, and praying that tonight would not be another waste of time.