But he couldn't deny that it was nice. Not only because he'd missed hanging out with his LA-based friends, but also because of the simple realization that they cared about him and Kiki. And, more, that they understood the guilt he felt--but were willing to tell him straight up to get over it.
Easier said than done, but he appreciated the thought.
After Noah had sliced open a vein and poured his heart out, Wyatt had decided they needed Kelsey and Griffin's input. Normally, Noah would have suggested they meet up the next day, but fueled by bourbon and friendship, he'd agreed to the late-night outing.
Also because of the bourbon, they'd called an Uber for the short drive into East Austin. Where--yet again fueled by alcohol--Noah had shared the story of his past with Kiki once more.
It was odd, actually. He'd held it so close to his chest for so long, as if there was no reason to take his past out and look at it. Now, though--with Kiki as his goal--it seemed natural, almost easy, to tell the story to his friends.
"Edible flowers aren't going to cut it," Wyatt said as Kelsey returned with a bag of Ruffles. "Not permanent enough. He needs something more tangible."
"Maybe," Kelsey said reluctantly. "But don't feel like you should avoid them as a gift--say, to your wife--just because she'll end up eating the evidence of your love."
Wyatt laughed. "Noted."
"You're such a freak," Griffin said, in response to which Kelsey wrinkled her nose at him. "And you're all missing the point," he added.
"Fine." Kelsey leaned against Wyatt, and he slid an arm around her waist. "Enlighten us, oh wise one."
Griffin turned to Noah. "You have to tell her a story. Nobody falls in love with a flower. They fall in love with your heart."
"You're the one who suggested a flower," Kelsey pointed out.
"And I was wrong," Griffin said. "Stop being so annoying."
"My irritating little brother has a point," she said, the laughter in her eyes making clear that, irritating or not, she adored Griff. "Not about me being annoying, but about the story. You need to catch her up on your life. You need to get to know each other again."
"We need to start over," Noah said.
Wyatt and Kelsey shared a glance. "Pretty much," Kelsey said. "But you get to start with a shared history." She bit her lower lip, then said gently, "Does she know what happened to Darla and Diana?"
He shook his head.
"I think you should tell her. Sooner rather than later. If you want to move forward, she deserves to know."
"Deserves?" he repeated. "She didn't deserve the hurt I caused by leaving. And now to pile this on? She must have hated Darla along with me. And now to learn that this happened?"
He dragged his fingers through his hair. "I wanted to keep the two paths of my life separate."
"You can't," Griffin said, flatly. "Because if you're going to let her see who you are now, you have to let her see what shaped you."
He knew that. He also knew that it was going to hurt. Him, and Kiki.
But maybe that was a good thing. He'd been numb so long, maybe he needed to hurt. Maybe that was just proof of life. And if he wanted Kiki in his life again, then by definition, he needed to start living again.
He stood up. "It's getting late, and my mind's going in circles. But I hear you."
Kelsey slipped away from Wyatt to give him a hug. "Good luck," she said. "We're here if you need us, even when we're in LA."
"Ditto," Griffin added. "And I'm almost always right here. The downside of working out of my house."
"And there's Sunday," Kelsey added, looking over her shoulder to Wyatt. "Right?"
"Absolutely."
"What's Sunday?" Noah asked.
"We're having a housewarming party here for Griff," Kelsey said. "Just a few friends. But you should come by. And," she added, with a sly smile, "you should bring a date. Or a work colleague if you need to spin it that way." She shrugged. "Basically, just do what you need to do."