Secret Words(39)

"You know more single girls than I do," he replied dryly. Dylan had plenty of female friends, some of whom he'd had one-night-stands with. He didn't know how Dylan did it. It was something he couldn't manage.

"Well, Brenda's here tonight. She enjoyed your date so much she's keen to go to the next function with you. I've already warned you she's not the shy type, right? I'm sure you've already noticed that. But I don't think you should ask her to go with you again if you're still not over Jasmine."

Kane repressed a sigh. Dylan's tone was casual but his gaze was anything but. Not that he could blame him for worrying about his intentions. After Jasmine dumped him, he had a few days of utter foolishness when all he could do was ask anyone who cared to listen how he could get Jasmine back. Well, her last text woke him up. He may have been too idiotic to believe she loved him, but he wouldn't be stupid enough to hang on when it was blatantly obvious she didn't want him anymore.

"Speaking of Jasmine," Dylan said warily, "she's coming tonight."

He gaped at his brother in shock.

"I hope that's okay with you. She only told me yesterday. I didn't tell you because I wanted you to come. It wouldn't be the same if you weren't here."

"Hey, even if you told me she'd be here I would still have come. It's your birthday. Besides, I'm old enough to bump into an ex without losing my head," he assured Dylan.

Dylan patted him on the back. "Well, mingle around, bro. Have fun tonight, okay?"

He laughed. "I should be the one saying that to you. This is your party, not mine."





~~~~~~~





Kane did his best to have a great time. Okay, maybe it was all superficial but he was intent on not spoiling his brother's party.

His heartbeat accelerated when the front door opened. Jasmine. She had arrived.

His eyes squinted as she gave Dylan a kiss on the cheek and a warm hug. He looked away, cursing himself for feeling jealous of the friendly gesture. His eyes involuntarily went back to her just as she was introducing a female friend she had arrived with to Dylan.

He shook his head. The ache that he thought was lessening by the day had come back in full force. Fuck. Maybe he wasn't prepared to be in same room as her yet.

He turned and walked out to the balcony. He would just have to keep his distance from her as much as he could. He leaned against the railing and gazed at the stars, ignoring the chatter going on around him.

"Kane!"

He recognised the voice of the woman who had volunteered to be his date during his all-important function a few nights ago. He put on a big smile for her as he turned around. "Hi, Brenda."

Brenda snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. "So would you take me again to another one of your high glamour events? I'm afraid this party doesn't rate compared to the ones you get invited to."

He chuckled, placing his hands casually on Brenda's waist. He learnt a few nights ago that Brenda was a massive flirt—shameless but harmless in a fun sort of way.

"You better not let Dylan hear you say that."

"Oh, he's big enough to take it. So, when's the next one, Mr. Summers? I have to get a new outfit for it," Brenda purred as she locked her fingers behind his neck.

"I don't know yet," he answered, knowing there was one coming up but not wanting to commit to taking Brenda with him.

"You'll let me know when you know, yes?"

"Sure," he lied.

"Do you want a drink? What can I get you?" Brenda asked, stepping away but running her hands on his chest as she did so.

"I'm fine, thanks. I'll grab something a bit later."

"Okay, then. Well, I better leave you and see who else I can flirt with tonight."

He laughed out loud at her outrageousness.





~~~~~~~





Kane pretended to smile at the jokes being told by one of Dylan's friends. He was grateful he had an excuse to stay out in the balcony. Even though his heart was saying otherwise, he was respecting Jasmine's wishes that he stay away from her.

A part of him had hoped she would approach him for a chat but it had been a while now since she arrived and she hadn't even said hello. Obviously, she didn't want to have anything to do with him tonight—or ever again. She really meant it when she said it was over. Lord, it was hellish, but he had to accept it.

His attention was caught by Dylan motioning for him to come inside. He pressed his lips tightly but wove through the throng of people in the balcony to go to his brother. So much for hoping to remain where he was until he could leave.

He forced himself not to look around for Jasmine as he stepped back into the living room. "What's up, Dyl?"

"Faye wants you. She's in my bedroom."

He frowned. "Your bedroom? Why?"