Pretty Thing (Naughty Things 1)

“Oh, God,” I say out loud. “Here it comes.”

“I know what you’re thinking. I know what I’ve said over the years. But listen to me, Aiden… he’s… he’s been in love with you since the first day he met us. I saw it, Kal. I saw the look on his face that day and I knew—that was it. This city kid was gonna grow up and marry my sister one day.”

I shake my head. “No,” I say. “That’s not gonna happen.”

But of course, this is a one-way conversation so I can’t reassure him. I can’t tell him that it’s OK. Aiden and I would never do that to him.

“And I want you to know,” Kyle continues, “that… I approve.”

“What?” I say.

“I approve,” Kyle says. Like he’s here in the room with me. Right this very second. “I didn’t make Aiden my best friend because I was afraid he’d take you away, Kal. I made him my best friend so I could watch you two fall in love. So I could witness it happening and know, one hundred percent in my heart, that you got the best guy on this whole planet. And if I ever did die before you, I’d rest easy knowing Aiden was the one left behind with you. Also… you know… I might’ve taken it a little too far a few times.” He manages a sort of laugh. Then takes a deep breath. “And maybe, back when we were teenagers I kinda meant it too. Like that necklace he gave you. Remember that? Yeah, I freaked out. And it was a real freak out. But it was just teenage jealousy, Kal. I was being immature and stupid. I was afraid I’d lose you both. I knew it at the time too. And I should’ve apologized but it’s hard to be mature when you’re fourteen, right?” He laughs again. “But,” he says. His voice softening. “I’d like to apologize now, if that’s OK. And tell you one more thing about Aiden Edwards.”

“What?” I say again.

“Give him a chance, Kal. He’s a good guy. And you two need each other right now. So just give him a chance. When opportunity knocks, just… open the door. All you gotta do is just open the door.”

I’m stunned silent. He approves? He knew? He wants us to be together?

Kyle sucks in a deep breath, then says, “OK, that’s it. I’m outta here. But don’t forget, OK? Don’t forget to tell me everything. I really, really am listening.” There’s another pause and he says, “Later, sis. I love you.”

Then there’s a beep so I can leave a message, but at the same time, there’s a knock on my door.

And the only thing running through my mind is Kyle’s last request.

Just… open the door.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE – AIDEN

Kali opens the door, tears streaming down her face. “What’s wrong?” I ask, grabbing her shoulders. “What happened?”

She sniffs, then bows her head, then looks up at me and blurts, “I just listened to Kyle’s message.”

“Oh.” I deflate a little. “Oh,” I say again.

“He’s…” She wipes her eyes. “He’s the best brother ever and I miss him so much!” She wails that last part and I instinctively pull her into my arms.

“I’m sorry, Kali. I’m so, so sorry.” I hold her face tightly to my chest, never wanting to let her go again.

She struggles and pushes back and I have a moment of panic. She’s rejecting me. Kyle had his say and now she’s gonna choose him over me.

I bow my head and sigh. “It’s OK,” I say. “I understand.”

“No, Aiden,” she says. “You don’t understand at all.” Then she wipes the tears off her face with both hands and says, “Come inside. Just… listen.” And she grabs my hand and tugs me through the door.

“No,” I say. “You listen, OK? You listen to me right now. I have something to say and I’m gonna say it. And then… then whatever you want to do, whatever you decide, I’ll live with it. But just let me get this out.”

She blinks at me three times quickly. “OK.”

“OK,” I say, straightening out my t-shirt. Then I swallow and take a deep breath, and on the exhale, I speak.

“I love Kyle. He’s my brother. In life and in death. Nothing can ever change that. But I love you too, Kali. And he loves you. And me. And I know, deep in my heart, that no matter what Kyle thought about us being together, he would want us both to be happy. So I’m sorry if he doesn’t approve. When I see him in the afterlife, or next life, or wherever the fuck it is people go after this place, I’ll make my case to him. I tell him how much I love you. How I’ve always loved you since that very first day I saw you back when we were eight. And I’ll tell him I respected his wishes, all these years. And I didn’t plan on hooking up with you after the funeral, it was just… it was just fate, OK? It was.