The Scheme

I whispered softly into her neck. “Kendy, I . . .” But I couldn’t say it. It would freak her out.

I thought I’d been here before—in love. But I knew I hadn’t, because an undeniable co

***

KENDY

Still in my post-orgasmic state, I lay back on the couch as my body relaxed and turned into Jell-O. Everything was absolutely perfect. Brian was absolutely perfect. And not only did we have hot, skin-slapping sex, I still had his hot cocoa to look forward to.

I was in absolute heaven, resting against him, when he almost dropped the bomb of all bombs. I knew what he was about to say. The emotion was written all over his face, and it was something I was not ready for. Something that we had decided could not happen.

“I . . . I,” he whispered, causing me to still in his arms.

I stopped breathing. Stopped moving. Just stopped.

As crazy as it seemed, even though we’d talked on and on about what we were to each other—of what we weren’t, rather—and although I continually gushed about James, a part of me would want to say it back if he did.

Over these last few weeks, I’d realized I’d never felt such emotion toward another guy since . . . since Cole.

Cole . . . Cole . . . Cole.

The moment his name resurfaced, I froze.

I knew more than anyone that love could lie, make you think you felt something when you didn’t. I clenched my jaw as nausea settled in my stomach.

Standing up, I avoided Brian’s gaze. This was exactly why I couldn’t fall for him. Love was scary; love could be wrong. Love was blind. One minute, it elevated you to an unbelievable high, and the next, it could crush you to the ground, leaving you broken. Most of all, love was uncontrollable, and that was one thing I promised I wouldn’t relinquish—control.

I kissed his cheek and headed to the bathroom. “That was amazing, lover boy,” I teased, thanking the heavens that those words hadn’t slipped out.

***

BRIAN

I stared at her retreating, naked form then went to the garbage and disposed of the condom.

Ah, fuck.

I can’t believe I almost did that. But I couldn’t help how I felt, and a huge part of me wanted to throw open that bathroom door and tell her, make her believe me. Because then she’d know. She’d know that I was utterly in love with her.

But I knew my calmer side needed to chill out and give her some time.

I decided I would continue to break every damn rule in her book from this day forward until she was my girl. I had almost broken the most important rule. It was only a matter of time before she heard it.

One thing was certain—I was not going down without a fight.

FIFTEEN

KENDY

I stared at the red numbers on my digital clock and gripped the pillow tighter to my chest. Brian had texted and called, but I hadn’t returned either. He most likely wanted to tell me goodnight or that he’d gotten home okay. Nothing too personal, but I couldn’t get past the ‘almost’ that’d happened tonight. I didn’t know what I was going to do with him or with our relationship.

As juvenile as it sounded, I needed my mama, but if I called her, she’d be on the first flight from O’Hare International Airport.

Instead, I picked up my phone, my fingers hovering over a different name on the screen. I knew she’d be sleeping, but I needed to talk to someone right now.

“Kendy?” Beth asked, her voice groggy. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, even though I knew she knew everything was not okay. I wouldn’t be calling her in the wee hours of the morning if everything was okay.

“Kendy!” she said louder, making me jump. “What’s the matter?”

Kent’s voice boomed in the background, trying to calm her down.

The last time I had called her in a panic was to tell her that our Nana had died, so I made sure to have a relaxed voice this time.

“Relax, Beth. No one’s dead. I’m pregnant,” I said, trying to break my own mood.

She didn’t say anything, but I pictured her jaw on the floor. “Is it Brian’s?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

My attempt to turn a dreary conversation into comical one had turned plain awkward. “I’m kidding,” I said softly, grimacing at the reality of that possibility. I was not ready for kids. Let alone having them with . . . well, with someone I was not going to spend the rest of my life with.

Her soft voice was muffled against the phone. A door shut in the background, and then there was silence. “Does he know?” she asked, her voice more level.

I shook my head, realizing maybe if I was, it would make it easier. There would be one clear-cut choice. My mama wouldn’t have me knocked up and single. That was not what we did where we were brought up. I’d be shu

“I’m not pregnant. But it’s worse,” I finally fessed up. I collapsed on my bed, my soft down pillows surrounding me.

“Kendy,” I heard the sympathy in her tone from just one word, just how she said my name.

I wished I hadn’t called. “I’m sorry. Seriously, what was I thinking calling you this early in the morning? Especially since you have to work in a few hours.”

“It’s me, Kendy. Your best friend. Spill it. Your story can’t be any crazier than mine.”

I nodded as I recalled Beth’s path in life. She had been through her own set of trials and had a fu

“I’m staying on this phone until you tell me what’s going on.” Determination was set in her tone.

She would, too. We’d been best buddies since childhood and nothing had changed. There was no one else I trusted more.

“I think . . .” I shook my head at the reality of it all. As soon as I let those words slip out of my mouth, I knew I couldn’t take them back. They’d be true. Vocalization of thoughts only solidified the truth.

“I think I’m in love with Brian.” I rushed out the words in one quick breath and closed my eyes as my heartbeat throbbed in my ears.

It was silent at first, and then I heard it.

Laughter.

Beth was laughing at my freaking misfortune. Before I chewed her out for being a lousy friend, she laughed again.

“Thanks for nothing,” I grouched, ready to end our phone call. I had called to gain some sort of sympathy from my cousin and closest confidant, but instead, I was getting ridiculed.

“Stop! I’m not laughing at you. I’m smiling, because you’ve finally found your someone. I knew you’d fall for him. And,” she laughed again, “Kent and I had a sort of bet going. I, obviously, predicted the outcome.”

My face was aghast. “How did you know?”

“Kendy.” Her voice turned serious. “Brian is the real deal. He’s once in a lifetime material. I know this, because, at one time, I thought he was my ‘once in a lifetime.’ I’m a true example of how you can’t choose who you fall for.”

I thought about that, while I wrestled with all these strange feelings inside me. “But what about the psychic and all she predicted? They’ve almost all come true. This doctor is it for me. He has to be.”

He had to be it for me to heal and move on from my past. I didn’t repeat the last part, but Beth knew. It didn’t have to be spoken out loud.

She sighed heavily. “Kendy, people’s futures change all the time. Yes, everything that psychic had said has come true. True to an eerie science, but that doesn’t mean your course in life hasn’t changed.”

“She was specific, Beth. You were there. You heard what she said.” I shook my head. “I can’t, Beth. He reminds me . . .” I closed my eyes, instantly seeing Brian’s face, his charming smile. “He reminds me of Cole. The way I felt for him.” And look where that had gotten me. I had trusted Cole with my heart, never realizing what a monster he truly was inside.