Grip Trilogy Box Set - Kennedy Ryan Page 0,75

to watch her

“And your cousin Chaz who was shot by his brother, the cop.” Her eyes fall to my left forearm where Chaz’s name is inked into the skin. “They’re Jade’s brothers?”

“Yeah.”

“I can’t imagine what you described. When I think about that happening, you getting stopped like that over and over again . . .”

Bristol bites into her bottom lip. She turns her head to stare at me, sadness saturating her eyes. “Can you just tell me when all my privilege makes me clueless?”

Damn her. Every time I think I might be able to get past this girl, move on to someone who will actually tell me how she feels, she does this. Shows the tender under all that tough and reminds me why not one day has gone by in eight years when she hasn’t at least crossed my mind.

“I can do that,” I promise quietly.

“Good, I—”

“There you are. I was looking for you guys.” Rhyson strides down the hall toward us. “You both bailed on the meeting. What gives?”

“Sorry. You’re right,” Bristol says, eyes cool again when she looks at me. “I have too much to do to be standing around. Gotta go. Grip, I’ll email you about the Target spot. Should be later this week.”

I just nod and watch as she walks away.

“What’s wrong with her?” Rhyson asks.

“What’s wrong is your timing is shit,” I snap.

I love Rhys, but this is one time I want to strangle him.

“What’s crawled up your ass?” Rhyson frowns and starts walking. “Can you tell me while we walk? I don’t want to be late for Kai’s appointment.”

“Sure.” I match my long stride to his. “I wish you’d checked with me before you played that song.”

“Everyone loved it.” He jabs the down button for the elevator several times.

“Not everyone.” I give him a wry smile. “You do know that doesn’t make the elevator come any faster, right?”

“Maybe we should take the st—”

The ding of the elevator doors opening shoots down that suggestion.

“Who didn’t like it?” he asks as we board.

“Bristol didn’t.”

“What?” He frowns over eyes just like his twin sister’s. “Why would Bris not like it?”

Do I really want to do this? All these years I haven’t talked about this with Rhyson. After the drama with my almost-ex-girl- friend/close-call baby mama, Bristol wanted to put that week behind us, including not telling Rhyson about it. It was kind of awkward anyway, so at first, I was cool with that. Now it just seems stupid that he doesn’t know after all these years.

“Bristol doesn’t like the song because it’s about her.” I run my hand over the coolness of my scalp, half-expecting to encounter locs hanging down to my shoulder. “The song, it’s about us.”

We’ve reached the building’s underground parking garage. As soon as he steps off the elevator, he stops abruptly.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Genuine confusion clouds his expression. “When did you ever kiss Bristol at the top of a Ferris wheel? Is that like a metaphor?”

“No. Dude, I literally kissed your sister at the top of the Ferris wheel.”

Rhyson looks torn between losing his lunch and punching me in the face. This might actually make the awkwardness worth it.

“When was this?” he demands. “You and Bristol? Is this recent?”

“No, when she was here for spring break. Remember we went to that carnival?” I sigh. “Don’t worry. It hasn’t happened again. Unless you count last night.”

“Last night?” Rhyson’s mouth falls open a little, even as he starts moving in the direction of the Porsche Cayenne in his parking spot. “What the hell? Tell me.”

I may be enjoying this too much. Rhyson always has his shit together, so seeing him thrown for a loop is rare and wondrous. To be the cause of it, even better.

“I left my bag here yesterday, and she brought it by my place last night.” I pat the hood and deliberately turn to leave, not actually expecting to get very far. “Well, I know you’re in a hurry so—”

“Marlon.” Rhyson leans against the SUV with his arms folded and a frown on his face. “Cut the crap. Talk.”

“We kissed.” I lean beside him against his car and shrug. “That’s it. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” He lifts a skeptical brow.

“For now.” I grin as salaciously as I dare considering Bristol is his sister. “There’s always tomorrow.”

“Let that shit go.” Rhyson blows out an exasperated breath. “I don’t want this affecting your working relationship at such a crucial time. Your album’s about to drop, and Bristol’s hand is