Holy balls. He was going all out for her. And I wanted it to be me he did these things for. Somehow, I managed to keep the smile on my face.
“I’ll let you know what I find out.”
As he stood from his place next to me, his arm brushed mine. Then he bent down to help me up. Trey’s fingers closed around mine. Heat spiraled down my fingertips, up my arm, to my chest. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. He was so close. I could lean forward and kiss him. But I didn’t.
“I’m sorry to hear about Rex. Why didn’t you say anything?”
I shrugged. “Just trying to keep it on the down low. Besides, you have other things to worry about.” My gaze shifted to his.
“Del, just because I have things going on, doesn’t mean we can’t talk,” he said.
Maybe it was time to come clean. To explain how much he meant to me. How I felt something the other night. “I-I really li … Um, never mind.” Geez, what the hell did I almost do?
I rushed toward the door, nearly plowing Trey over. Gah, what the heck had gotten into me? Right. That was easy, Trey.
As soon as I walked in the door, I raced upstairs and dialed Kenadi. “It’s hopeless,” I said when she answered.
“Um—okay, want to fill me in?”
“Trey stopped by. Again.” A loud sigh whistled from my lips.
“Now what’s he want you to do?”
“Apparently he’s trying to plan a nice lunch for Portia and needs me to help figure out what he should bring in for her.”
“Dang. What’s he think you’re a psychic chef or something?”
I laughed. “Maybe.”
“Well, we know she’s a vegan. So, I’d say tell him to bring her a big, juicy steak. Maybe one that still moos.”
“Problem is that’s the one thing he knows about her.” I sprawled out on my bed and twirled a strand of blond hair around my finger.
“Fine, then we do the next best thing. Think of the grossest food or vegetable you can,” Kenadi said.
“Maybe I should have my mom cook something for him to give to her.”
She snorted. “You’re trying to split them up, not kill her.”
“Yeah, good point.”
“The only thing I can come up with is spinach. That crap is nasty.”
“Or, better yet. Brussels sprouts.”
“Ew, those things are sick. I can’t even look at them without wanting to throw up,” Kenadi said.
I cringed. “Agreed. They’re like the testicles of the plant world.”
Kenadi laughed on the other end. “That’s just wrong in so many ways.”
“So plant scrotum is now on the menu. Let me call Trey and give him the good news.”
“Tomorrow will be epic. We’ll have to get front row seats.”
“Definitely. So, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Kenadi hung up.
With our devious scheming out of the way, I phoned Trey with Portia’s “favorite food” then spent the rest of the night envisioning their break up.
Kenadi clutched her sack lunch in one hand, while she kept hold of my arm with the other. We made our way to the Veteran’s Park around the corner and found seats under one of the large trees. Beams of sun warmed my skin as I glanced around at the picnic tables, searching for Trey and Portia.
Okay, I know, it was petty and horrible of me to want to watch Trey fail with Portia. But, I seriously couldn’t help myself.
“There they are.” Kenadi nodded at a table situated furthest from us. “Looks like he’s getting ready to bring out the balls.”
My mouth twitched. “You know, if someone other than me heard you say that, they’d think you’re a real perv.” I sat up on my knees to get a better view, while Kenadi unwrapped her string cheese.
“Hey, you’re the one who started the whole plant testicle thing. I’m just adding my own spin.”
Trey set a lunch box on the table, and then took out a bowl. Even from here, I saw the mini-me cabbages. Portia glanced at them, and then back to Trey with a smile. Without missing a beat, she picked up her fork, stabbed it into the ball, and popped it in her mouth.
“Something is seriously wrong with that girl. Who actually likes Brussels sprouts?” I rubbed my temples.
“She must be an alien implant. Or maybe one of those robot chicks from the sci-fi flicks you watch. Either way, we need to up our game,” Kenadi said. “We’re obviously dealing with a professional.”
“I’m almost scared to ask what you mean by upping our game.”
She dangled a piece of mozzarella in front of me. “Don’t be. We’ll figure this out. Besides, you’re way better than her. She’s ditzy. She needs tutors to pass her classes. She’s dated like every jock in our school. And she’s got an inflated chest.”
I glanced at my own flat chest. “Guys like inflated.”
“Not all guys are like that.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, twenty bucks says her parents got her a boob job.”
“Boob job or not, she’s still got a bigger chest than me.”
“Yeah, but Trey likes to have intelligent conversations. Eventually he’s going to get tired of talking about spandex, dancing, and vegetables. And just so you know, fake boobs can’t talk.”
