Distracted (16 page)

Bryson

“You look…
different
.”

I fell into my normal chair in front of Leslie’s desk as she eyed me skeptically. I had a good feeling of what she was talking about, but I wasn’t in the mood to give her any indication of what was really going on, especially with the subject matter of our little impromptu unplanned parenthood meeting in the back of my head.

“What are you talkin’ about?”

She stood up, rubbing a hand on her chin as she walked to my side of the desk. I watched her approach until she eventually stood right in front of me and tilted my chin with her hand to get a better look at my face.

She appeared amused as she said, “Oh my God. Ohhhhhh my God.”

Naturally I thought something else was wrong, replying with a concerned, “What, Leslie? What is it?
”

She took a step back, looking at me with amazement.

“You! You’re…
in love
. Bryson Harris has fallen in love! Well I’ll be damned.”

I brushed her off. “Leslie, quit playin’. I’m not in love.”

Apparently I wasn’t convincing enough as she asked, “Who is she? You make amends with your baby mama or somethin’?” The title alone grinded my gears. I mean, what was somebody like me supposed to do with a damn baby mama?

It can’t be true.

“I don’t have one of those.”

She brushed me off the same way I had done her, waving a hand as she said, “Right. Still holding onto the innocence. I get it. But really, somebody’s got your nose wide open. So who is it?” I thought it over quickly, knowing there was no use in trying to hide it from Leslie. She found out everything eventually.

“Ah...
shit
. It’s Kennedy.
”

Her face went from amused to confused.

“
Kennedy
? Like… ex-stylist Kennedy?
Engaged
Kennedy? Gotdamnit, Bryson. I told you to leave that girl alone.”

I quickly explained, “She’s not engaged anymore. And she’s been… staying with me for the last couple of days. And I... I don’t know what I’m doing, Leslie. But everything feels so damn good.” It was scary how quickly I had become consumed by everything Kennedy Wilson, but I honestly shouldn’t have been surprised considering how much she had been on my mind even when we weren’t involved.

“So you really are in love?” I put my head in my hands before I nodded yes.

“Wow. Never thought I’d see the day.” I peeked up at her, visibly exhausted by the conversation because I knew there was way more than I was leading on. And of course Leslie picked up on it.

“Wait a minute… what’s the problem? You should be happier than this.
”
I tossed my hood on to cover my eyes before I leaned further back in the chair.

“She umm… I haven’t told her yet. About the baby.”

“Well why not?”

There were a couple of reasons I hadn’t brought it up yet, including how much of our time was spent doing more talking with our bodies than anything.

But I was sure Leslie didn’t care much about that part of it, so I told her, “Well for one, I’m still in disbelief. For two, I don’t know how she’s gonna take it. I’m scared of what her reaction may be.”

Leslie went back to her chair, putting her elbows on the desk as she reasoned through it.

“You don’t wanna lose her already. I get it. But you have to tell her, Bryson. I mean, it’s either you tell her or she finds out in the streets and that’ll make shit a lot worse for you.”

I hate it when she’s right...

“Yeah I know. I just don’t have it in me to do something so risky quite yet.” The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Kennedy in her still pretty vulnerable state.

Leslie let out a laugh as if she thought what I said was ridiculous.

“
Risky
? Do we really wanna talk about
risky
? You had sex with a woman on the first night, got her pregnant, and you’re second-guessing being
risky
? You truly amaze me, Bryson.”

“We still have to wait for that later round of DNA tests, Leslie. But sex is… simple, easy. Losing Kennedy would break me.”

She looked almost as exhausted as me when she replied, “Well Bryson, if you really feel that strongly about her then she deserves to know the truth. From you. So handle it.”

It was easier said than done, but Leslie was right.

Kennedy deserved the truth.

So I would just have to suck it up and give it to her.

&

“Bryson, what’s the matter?”

Damn, quit lookin’ so suspicious.

I took a slow sip of my wine, trying to figure out why people liked this shit so much, before I looked across the dinner table at Kennedy and told her, “Nothing’s the matter, baby.” I almost choked just saying the word
baby
out loud, thinking Kennedy may pick up on where the conversation was heading.

She eyed me suspiciously, similar to the way that Leslie had done in her office earlier in the day.

“Something is definitely wrong. It’s the finals and you’re drinking. Wine at that. So just tell me. Is it something with the team?”

I shook my head no.

“Is it something I said? Something I did? You tired of playing house with me already?” She teased.

I quickly assured her, “Hell no, Kenn. I’m actually gettin’ ready to lock you in here and throw away the key.”

She giggled, taking a sip of her wine before she continued pressing,“But seriously. You’ve been acting strange ever since that meeting with Leslie. She finally kicking you to the curb as a client?
”

That one I could definitely brush off. “She wouldn’t dare. She knows I’m her cash cow.”

She rolled her eyes as she rattled, “Forever the cocky one.”

I couldn’t help but toss out, “Word on the street is that you like the cocky one quite a bit.”

“
Eh
… He’s alright.”

That little statement, though I knew she was only teasing, got me fired up.

“Oh, just alright? Do I have to remind you how much you like me?”

She shrugged, taking a short sip of her wine and eye-fucking me over the rim of the glass as she answered, “Maybe.”

Damn, this girl drives me crazy.

“Kennedy, if you’re hungry you better eat now cause I’m not gonna be able to hold off on touching you for much longer.” I wasn’t really sure how I had lasted this long, but I suppose the bit of news I needed to share helped me to keep my distance.

She took another sexy sip of wine before she groaned, “The only thing I’m
hungry
for is you.”

That shit was like music to my ears.

I pushed out of my seat and walked over to hers as she stood up to meet me.

“Kennedy, I love you.”

Instead of telling me back like I expected, she challenged me, “Hmph... prove it.”

I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close enough to whisper in her ear, “My pleasure.”

One more day, Bryson.

Just one more day.

Kennedy

Everything felt so perfect.

Sexy and beautiful.

Sinful but blissful.

Secure, and yet still…
free
.

Bryson’s arm was draped across my waist as he spooned me though according to his morning wood, he’d be forking me at any given moment.

And I’d devour it, because every single time with Bryson felt just as exciting as the first.

I was gone.

So far gone, in so deep, that it honestly scared the crap out of me. But I suppose a little bit of that carefree, go with the flow energy Bryson loved to apply to life was starting to rub off on me. He had even confessed his love for me on more than one occasion and though I wasn’t quite ready to say it back, I was grateful to know I wasn’t in my feelings alone.

My phone vibrated against the nightstand. But when I reached to get it, Bryson’s hold on my waist got tighter.

“Nu uh, baby. I’m not lettin’ you run away from me yet.”

I giggled as I tugged a little harder and told him, “I’m just grabbing my phone, Bryson.”

He gave me just enough slack to grab it before he pulled me back in even closer than I had been before.

He was already peppering kisses against my bare shoulder as I opened the text from Chloe.

Chloe Cartrashian: Girl… did you know Bryson has a baby on the way?!?

I pulled away from him just enough to reply without him being able to see the screen.

Kenn’dall: Yeah, he told me it’s not his though.

I didn’t feel it was necessary to mention my still-suspect conversation with the culprit herself.

Chloe Cartrashian: So you already saw this?… *link*

I clicked the link and the header alone made my heart skip a beat.

Baller Bae turned Baby Daddy

So we should’ve known it was only a matter of time before our favorite baller bae, Bryson Harris, got trapped by a member of the groupie gang. But it’s been confirmed that he has a child on the way with none other than a Nicole Cooper (@nikkicoop on Instagram for the creepers that just have to see what she looks like). She’s cute, so I’m sure the baby will be too. But we’re still not happy to see one of our favorites go. Check out a gallery of our favorite pics of Bryson from over the years below!

I read the little blurb twice to make sure I hadn’t missed anything, but there it was in fine print.

Confirmed.

No longer slim chance, but
confirmed
.

And he knew.

He
had
to know.

I removed his arm from around my waist and went straight for my clothes that were scattered all over the room.

“Kenn baby, what’s the matter?” The tears were already forming as I snatched my pants from the floor.

“You… you
knew
.”

He sat up concerned, tossing his long legs to the edge of the bed so that he could stand up and ask, “I knew what, baby?”

“The baby. It’s yours. It’s really yours. And you knew! When the fuck were you gonna tell me, Bryson?
Huh
? Were you gonna fuck me a few more times and toss it in as a
by-the-way
over pillow talk? Send me a cute little text with it tagged on the end? Leave a note on the fuckin’ fridge?!” The tears gushed out of hiding in no time at all.

I was pulling my shirt down over my head as he pleaded, “Baby, please calm down. I was gonna tell you last night but then…”

“But then nothin’! I don’t wanna hear it, Bryson! Have a fuckin’ fantastic life with your fuckin’ fantastic family!” Just the thought of Bryson with someone else made me wanna throw up.

He remained calm, following me down the stairs as he explained, “Kennedy, Nicole and I will never be a family. We made a common mistake as grownups and now we have to deal with it. But that was well before you and I became a thing.”

I stuffed my feet into my shoes that were thankfully waiting for me at the door as I replied, “I knew that coming into this, Bryson. But you
knew
… and you held it from me. I’ve been with you every damn day and you
held
it from me. How am I supposed to feel about that?” I felt pathetic as I wiped away the tears that were steadily streaming down my face. He attempted to pull me into a hug, but I pushed him away.

“Kennedy, I’m sorry. I swear I was gonna tell you.”

“Kinda like how you were gonna tell me about the damn baby in the first place?
Right
. I’m out of here. Just… do me a favor and leave me the hell alone.” I yanked open the door but he stopped it from opening completely with a stiff arm.

“I can’t do that, Kenn. I love you too much for that shit. Don’t let this pull us apart, baby.” I almost believed him until I remembered who I was dealing with. Sure he had been sweet as of late, but he was still Bryson.

Same ol’ player ass Bryson.

So I faced him straight up, feeling bolder than ever before as I told him, “You’re really good at this. Your whole
‘I fucked up but keep me around anyway’
spill is like… A1. Rehearsed. Practiced to be made perfect. Which tells me everything I need to know about you. So like I said, leave. me. the hell.
alone
!”

&

I took the long way home, which really did nothing but allow me to cry in the comfort of my car for way longer than I should’ve been. I mean, where were the tears coming from anyway? Why was I so emotional about this fool?

Because you love him, Kennedy.

That’s why.

“Well love sucks!” I answered myself out loud as I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment complex. It took me a few minutes to pull myself together before I walked inside, surprised to see all of the lights on.

What the hell?

I could hear singing coming from the shower and since I knew it wasn’t me, I could only attribute the lyrics to one person.

Landon.

Why is he still around?

Better question… how long has he been around?

I quietly walked to the bathroom, opening the door to only be hit with a burst of steam. I made my way further inside, flushing the toilet so
he
would get hit with freezing cold water.

“Shit! What the!” He pulled back the shower curtain and I just stood there with my arms crossed and a scowl on my face.

“Why are you here?
”

He shrugged before reaching back to turn the water off. “Hotels got too expensive. So I came back since you haven’t been here in who knows how long.”

I rolled my eyes, thinking about where I had been spending all of my time before I told him, “Well I’m back now. So you need to get out of here.”

He stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist as he challenged me, “I don’t technically have to leave, Kennedy. I had already paid my share of the rent for the month before all this shit went down. So unless you plan on coughing up a prorated refund, I’ll be here for a little while.” Since I was technically unemployed, I knew that wasn’t even possible.

“Fine, Landon! Just stay out of my way, alright?”

He laughed, rubbing his lotion in as he said, “Shit was too good to be true, huh? You should’ve known that before you invested so much in him, Kennedy. You knew who you were dealin’ with.” I was far more annoyed than I could handle.

“Fuck you, Landon. How about
you
deal with that?”

He laughed again and I stormed out of the bathroom, heading straight to the bedroom and slamming the door behind me. Then I closed every last blind, stripped out of my clothes and crawled into bed for good.