Chapter Eleven
Allison
Seeing Kyle at my apartment as he sits at my small table, dressed in his usual leather jacket and taller than anyone else in the room, is the weirdest thing. It’s almost as strange as seeing him squashed so comfortably on my couch this morning.
It doesn’t help that my friends, other than Jacqui, are giving him wary looks. I thought poor Jonathan Clark was going to flee the moment he saw Kyle, which, in turn, probably isn’t helped by the fact that his girlfriend Susie Wicks is giving the larger man looks of unabashed interest.
Jacqui, at least, seems highly amused by it all. She’s standing in the kitchen, watching Kyle make awkward conversation with Paige Simmons and her twin brother, Jake. I sidle up to her.
“Sorry, I should have messaged ahead to tell you I invited him,” I say to her.
“Are you kidding?” Jacqui snorts. “I knew he was going to be here. He was just going to skulk outside and keep an eye out for Jesse, and I told him to man up and talk to you.”
I laugh. “I did meet him outside, but I think he was waiting for me. And he’s the one who asked to attend. He doesn’t look very relaxed, though.”
“Maybe he isn’t used to strangers?” Jacqui suggests.
“Maybe,” I say with a shrug.
I watch as he excuses himself from the twins and makes his way toward us. He’s clutching a can of beer, and his shoulders are stiff.
“Are you alright?” I ask, feeling a little amused.
“Yeah,” Kyle says, running a hand through his hair with a sheepish smile. “Sorry, it’s just that this is a little…different.”
“Different, how?” Jacqui asks curiously.
“Well…normally we party at the bar,” Kyle says with a shrug. “Or with loud music and lots of alcohol. So, stereo music, drinks in cups, snacks in bowls and Monopoly on the table is a little…unusual for me.”
I can’t help but laugh at him. He looks a little betrayed before a reluctant smile surfaces on his lips.
“Yeah, laugh it up,” he says, rolling his eyes.
“Sorry,” I say through giggles. “It’s just that the big, tough motorbike rider is afraid of a small house party?”
He gives me a sharp look. “Fuck off. I’m not afraid. Just a little out of place.”
I grin at him. “Well, want to play poker, then?”
He considers this. “Why not. Do you have chips?”
“My parents bought me a set ages ago,” I say. I look around him. “Anyone up for poker?”
Turns out everyone is interested in playing. With seven of us, the table isn’t quite large enough, so Kyle pushes my couch and coffee table to the side. Then I grab some pillows and we all sit on the floor. The look on Kyle’s face as he gingerly sits between me and Jake is very amusing.
“Bet you’ve never played like this before,” I tease.
“No, I haven’t,” he says with a deep chuckle.
“Then you’re missing out!” Paige says cheerfully.
“You any good?” Susie asks, leaning over Jacqui to talk to him, her shirt slightly lower than it was before.
Jonathan pulls her back and glares first at her and then at Kyle. Kyle looks away uncomfortably, not sure what to do.
“Susie, control yourself,” I say, rolling my eyes. “You have a boyfriend and poor Kyle is too much of a gentleman to know what to do.”
“How do you know that?” Paige asks teasingly.