Mistaken Identity (Identity 1)

“I think Jett has it handled.”

“He said something?”

“He mentioned co-dependency, and hanging on longer than he should’ve.”

“It’s good he’s keeping the lines of communication open.”

“I figured.” Amused, Kansas watched her friend’s expressive face.

“You’re really calm about it … considering.”

“That I never wanted this? If I start out with him jealous and paranoid it’ll never work. Millions of women around the world want him. Besides if they can’t make it work after ten years.” She shrugged. Her concerns had more to do with the demons in he

r head.

“You know I’m not afraid to take a ride, pull off the earrings, and bust out the Vaseline. I’m just saying.” Mya gestured toward her face. “Don’t let the nice façade fool you. I’ll take someone out for messing with my sister.”

“I feel the same, ride or die, chica.”

“ Always.” Mya smiled. “So…” Her expectant gaze made Kansas roll her eyes.

“He was a-fucking-mazing. I didn’t know I could feel so much, and it’s not just sexual. He stimulates my mind, makes me laugh. God! I hate it.” She scrunched up her face.

“Only you would say that, Kansas.”

“I like discovering the unknown and writing about it, not being placed smack dab in the Land of Oz.”

“Well your name is Kansas.”

“Shut it, hippie.” They giggled.

“I’m really happy for you though, K. You, more than most, deserve this.”

“Why?”

“Too make up for all the bad relationship karma you witnessed growing up.”

“Hah. If only it ended in my youth.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault my mother is a selfish bitch who flits in and out of my father’s life, using and abusing as she holds on to her fading youth. I’m not sure why she married him or had me. She’s always been distant and uninvolved, unless you count her pestering and nit-picking.” Kansas scowled. Thinking about her mother made her blood boil.

“I don’t understand why he keeps letting her do it.”

“I can’t say it’s not a topic we discuss, ever. I moved out at eighteen because I was tired of seeing her face and watching her play ‘Mommy’ whenever she got a wild hair up her ass.” Kansas curled up her lip. “Dad can do so much better. I don’t know why he doesn’t just buck tradition and divorce her. I need to stop thinking about this before it kills my day.”

“That’s easy enough. Since you’re dating Jett does that mean we can screw around with Aiden?” The glee that rose in Mya’s eyes reminded Kansas of a child on Christmas morning.

“I think I’ve done enough to him.”

“What do you mean?”

She told her the story and watched as her eyes became the size of quarters.

“You’re dating Jett Walker, and Aiden Archer saw you naked? Who are you, and what have you done with my mild-mannered, hard-working, predictable bestie?”

“Okay, you totally just described me like a comic book hero.” Kansas laughed.