Distracted Read Free

personal Ken doll?
    Instead of basking in my guilt, I changed the subject. “How about we go out for a drink to celebrate?”
    Landon’s face changed from excited to gloomy as he replied, “I wish I could, babe. But I picked up a shift tonight at the club.” The club was short for the upscale gentlemen’s club his uncle Lionel owned. Even though Landon had a regular 7-3 as a high school math teacher, he still picked up shifts from time to time to bring in some extra money. It wasn’t the worst place in the world, especially since the dancers weren’t completely nude and he only had to sweep up money all night. But I still wasn’t thrilled about the idea of spending one of the most exciting nights of my life alone.
    So I brushed it off, wrapping my arms around his neck as I told him, “He’s family, Landon. I’m sure he’ll understand if you cancel.”
    He looked down at me with a smile, wrapping his arms around my waist before giving me a quick kiss. I thought he was convinced until he replied, “Well I would, but I really need the money since we decided to, you know… get married.” My damn stomach. “Wedding isn’t gonna pay for itself, right?”
    He had a point though I hated to admit it. My parents were hardworking people, but they certainly couldn’t afford the wedding I had in mind.
    “Well hopefully with the extra money I’ll be bringing in, you’ll be able to quit the club for good.”
    He wore a half-hearted smile as he said, “Yeah, I hope so too, babe. But don’t let me stop your shine. Why don’t you call some of your friends and go out on the town?” My face turned stank on its own.
    “ Friends ? What are those?” I could hardly call any of the ladies I hung out with friends. They were more like associates; always down to go out and have a good time, but not really about anything substantial. Like… none of them were qualified to be the godmother of my future children.
    But my personal opinion wasn’t enough to stop Landon from groaning, “Kennedy…”
    “Fine. I’ll go out. You be safe at the club. And tell Uncle Lionel I said hello.”
     
    &
                 
    Never again.
    I should’ve known it wasn’t a good idea to bring my girl Chloe out fresh off of her break-up, but she was my last resort after my first two options flew out of the window thanks to the lack of a babysitter and being in between hair appointments.
    “He’s such a piece of shit, Kenn! I mean, he knew I saw the girl climb out of the window and he still had the nerve to claim I was seeing shit. But I saw her ass, Kenn. I know I did.”
    I took the longest sip of my cocktail as I tried to come up with some surely terrible reply. Part of the reason I couldn’t stand hanging out with the girls was because all they wanted to talk about was man drama. You’d hardly believe these girls were ever happy in their relationships with the way they acted, though with Chloe’s situation her unhappiness actually made sense.
    “Maybe it was a burglar,” I tossed out before closing my lips over my straw.
    “What?!”
    This time I gave her the complete version. “Maybe it was a burglar you saw climbing out of the window.”
    Chloe looked ready to slap me as she said, “Kennedy, you can not be serious right now. A burglar ? You almost sound as bad as him!”
    See what I mean?
    Terrible.
    I didn’t understand drama well enough to be able to contribute to the solution, especially when no one really wanted to hear a solution. They just wanted someone to cheer on their speculation.
    So instead of providing a rebuttal, I started something fresh. “Well what are you gonna do about it?”
    She took a sip of her Rum and Coke before she answered, “I’m gonna go over there, get my shit, and move into a hotel until he fesses up the truth.” It sounded all fine and dandy, but I knew how easily those type of plans usually flew out of the window. Especially with good, consistent dick on the line.
    “And then