When we first met, I used to call him JB, because his hair looked as if Justin Beiber’s hair stylist had styled it—he hated it, to say the least, which resulted in me loving it.
“Oh well, I hope you wash it twice a day. Just sayin’!”
He spits his drink out and looks at me. “Kalie-Rose! That’s not something I expect to hear come out of your mouth.”
I laugh while I head over to join him in our large open plan kitchen. Our apartment is nice and relaxed. It’s actually a loft, complete with brick walls, and big glass windows overlooking the street below. The area is all open plan downstairs, where the living room and kitchen are located. There are also two big wooden pillars centered in the middle of the large area, between the living room and the kitchen. The stairs leading you to both Carter and my bedrooms and the one bathroom. The bathroom is where all my framed Lakers singlets are hanging nicely in their glass frames. Bryant, Clarkson, Young, and Randle—they all have a spot.
“You got some mail today, in the top draw.” He points as he pops open a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.
I slide the drawer open and see a silver envelope with my name written in delicate cursive writing. Looking up at Carter, he’s staring at me, waiting for me to open it. I bite down on my lip and rip the envelope open. A whole lot of confetti spills out everywhere and I pull out a simple card that reads:
Will you be my bridesmaid?
Vicky xo
“Fuck,” I curse a little loudly as I slam the note onto the bench.
Why couldn’t she just ring, or text me. Ever the theatrical princess is my Vicky.
Carter walks over, picking up the card. He begins laughing under his breath.
“Oh, baby girl.”
Pulling me under his arm, I push off him and huff out, walking back into my room and swearing profanities under my breath. Stripping my clothes off, I slide into my sheets and close my eyes as I relive a crazy night two years ago…
Two Years Ago
I was blasting Beyoncé ‘7/11’ as I zoomed onto the highway. I have a massive love for music, all kinds. But in my line of work, I guess I heard more hip-hop than anything else. I was ready to get out of Hollywood for a lifetime after my boyfriend of two years had dumped me for being a virgin. I guess he was sick of trying, can’t say as I blamed him to be honest. So right now, I was driving to my family’s house in Coronado to meet my best friend, Vicky. I hadn’t seen her in a few months, but whenever I did, it was as though nothing had changed. That shows true friendship. I was singing along with my long, light, caramel brown hair flowing freely behind me, and I felt like getting a little wild. I’d always been the good girl, the innocent one. I felt as though I needed to be exposed. I felt like something deep inside me needed to be unleashed. I felt like I need to be tainted.
I pulled up to my family home and made my way inside. It was overly large, especially for the amount of time my parents actually spent here. But they refused to sell the place for—as my mother put it—sentimental reasons. I used to spend some weekends there, mostly when I felt the need to get away from Trevor. As soon as I walked in the front door, I got a text from Vicky.
Vicky: Are you almost ready? I can come over in ten.
Me: Ready when you are ;)
Boy was I ready. I needed to let loose, and there was no one better to help me with that, than Vicky Abrahams. When I saw her car pull up, I walked out my door.
“Hey, Vick!” I squealed, pulling her in for a hug.
“Hey beautiful lady, you ready for a wild time?” She wiggled her ass and threw her hands up.
I laughed. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”
Shutting the front door and locking it, we walked down the steps.
“We could walk, it’s not far?”
She nodded her head. “Good idea.”
“So, how have you been?” I asked.
“Good. Man drama with Jesse, but meh, what’s new.”
I shook my head with a smile. “You’re such a man eater. You could even give Carter a run for his money…” I paused and thought about that for a second. “Actually, no. He’s still worse than you.”
She laughed. “I guess. How are my brothers?” I brought my glasses down from my head, blocking out the LA sun. And maybe hiding my thoughts.
“Um, Dominic is great, he’s awesome actually. Jacob is still a little off the rails, but he’s good, running his empire and all that. I did see him driving a new Ferrari, complete with the latest blonde of the week in the passenger seat.”
She laughed. “So not much has changed there then.”
I shake my head. “Nope, not at all.”
“I’m still rooting for you and Dominic you know,” she said, hooking her arm around my elbow. I shook my head and laughed. “I know. I know you are.”