Chapter 4 Coward

• OAKLYNN
• Michael was out of town, and Hailey wanted to go out, so she surprisingly convinced me to accept Noah’s invitation. I thought she was Team Kylo, but I guess I was wrong.
• We got ready while we listened to a medley of Jonas Blue, and I couldn’t help but think of Kylo. Jonas Blue was our thing. Well, it used to be at least.
• “Don’t get me wrong,” Hailey justified while curling my chestnut hair. “I’m not saying hook up with the quarterback. Although I wouldn’t blame you, he’s hot,” she licked her lips. “But, you need to go out and have fun. Live a little, you know? You’ve been moping around long enough.”
• “I’m sorry. It’s just this whole thing with Kylo really hit me hard. I never felt this way when I broke up with Tris.”
• “I know, sweetie,” she sympathized. “Michael says Kylo’s worse than you are-if that’s possible. Then there’s that whole thing with his mother…”
• “They still talk?”
• “Yeah, they still hang out…” she frowned. “Is that going to be a problem?”
• “No. Not at all,” I gave an artificial smile. “I can fight my own battles. I don’t need the rest of you getting caught in the middle.”
• “I’m done with your hair,” she announced happily. “You can get dressed now. And I think I’m going to borrow something from your wardrobe.” Thanks to Kylo, I had a closet that could rival a supermodel’s. She chose a sexy silver sheath dress with three-quarter sleeves. It was short but classy and had a plunging neckline that exposed her ample cleavage.
• I went with a leopard off-the-shoulder tassel short playsuit that showed off my tanned, long legs. I had been going to the gym religiously, and the hard work was finally paying off. I complemented the outfit with a pair of red high-heeled sandals and a gold bracelet Kylo had gifted me.
• “We look hot!” She gushed as we snapped selfies in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom.
• “You did a great job with our hair and makeup,” I pouted when the flash went off again.
• “Ooh, I love this one! I’m posting it on my IG,” she grinned.
• “Of course, you are,” I rolled my eyes. “Let’s go. Noah says he can’t make it, but he’s sent a limo and it’s here.” I told her before I went to grab my gold clutch and my jacket from my bedroom.
• As we were walking out, Hailey gasped and grabbed my arm. Her eyes widened, and then she said something under her breath. Thrusting her phone in my face, she squeaked. “OMG! Kylo liked and commented on our post!”
• @HaileyRoberts: Drop that kitty down low.
• “It doesn’t mean anything. It’s probably just for show,” I tried to downplay it.
• “Whatever the reason, I don’t care.” We stepped into the elevator, and she shrugged, typing a response to his comment. “He put that out there for the whole world to see. No one can take that away from you.”
• “I don’t want to get my hopes up, Hails. Not when I’m beginning to accept that. I can’t do this again.”
• “Let’s not focus on the negative tonight?” Her face perked up, and she gave me a quick hug. “Tonight, is about fun, kay?”
• “Okay.”
• Noah’s house was a hive of activity. Cars were scattered all over the roadside, and we were grateful that he had sent a driver to get us. We drove through a back entrance and found him waiting for us in the underground parking space.
• “Wow!” he exclaimed as soon as we stepped out of the car. “You both look hot!” he exclaimed. “I’m going to be the envy of every guy tonight.”
• “Hailey-Noah. Noah-Hailey,” I made quick intros.
• “Pleasure is definitely mine, Hailey.” He threw his arms around my waist as well as Hailey’s, steering us into the house.
• “She has a boyfriend,” I said when I noticed that he was openly ogling my best friend, who stifled a giggle.
• “Oh, don’t worry, sweetness, I’m all yours,” he winked and whispered in my ear. “No need to mark your territory, this body is all yours, baby, but later. We’ve got guests to entertain.”
• I was stunned; I had no comeback line prepared, so I just flicked back my curls, looked straight ahead, and kept walking.
• He led us to a corner table on the balcony, where most of his friends were already seated. I even spotted a familiar face. He was part of Noah’s crew.
• “Mason.”
• “Oaklynn? What are you doing here?” he probed gently.
• “She’s my date tonight,” Noah answered before I could. “Oaklynn, this is everyone. Everyone, meet Oaklynn. You’d better get acquainted with her because you’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of her after tonight.”
• Hailey gave me an eye and I shrugged. I don’t know what was up with Noah, but I had no intention of seeing him on a social level again after tonight. I was going to make sure he got that memo before I left. I didn’t want any misunderstandings. He was the perfect gentleman throughout the night and didn’t give me a reason to think otherwise.
• I was just about to go to the bathroom when Mason grabbed my arm. “Can we side-bar, Lynn?”
• “Sure.” I followed him down the hallway and into what looked like a private lounge. He closed the door behind me and gestured to a seat.
• “What are you doing with, Noah?”
• “I-uh..don’t know how to answer that..?” I pursed my lips.
• “He’s not-you shouldn’t be here, Oaklynn.”
• “Why not?”
• “Noah and Kylo are-they don’t see eye-to-eye.”
• “What’s that got to do with me?”
• “Everything,” he sighed. “He’s just using you to get to Lo. Can’t you see that?”
• “How am I supposed to see something I am not aware of?” I frowned. “Besides, Kylo and I aren’t together anymore. Why should I care what he thinks?”
• “I can see that. You’ve made that very clear.”
• “Don’t you dare judge me?!”
• “Do you have any idea what the breakup did to him? Then there’s his mother…I don’t think he can take any more, Lynn. Don’t do this? Please?”
• “Why don’t they get along?”
• “I can’t say. Kylo will have to tell you himself.”
• “You know that’s not going to happen,” I said with an exasperated sigh.
• “It can if only you’d reach out to him...”
• “I can’t-he told me to leave him alone.”
• “Why? Because you’re back with Tristan?”
• “What? No!”
• “No, you won’t reach out or no you’re not back with your ex?” he quizzed.
• “What’s it to you?!”
• “Lynn, you should-”
• “There you are,” Noah barged in. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
• “I was just talking to Mason.”
• “Find your own girl, Mase. This one is taken,” he tugged my hand, pulling me up.
• “You’re right about that cousin,” Mason smiled. “She’s Lo’s girl, and I’m sure you’ve heard that they recently made it official.”
• “And yet here we are,” Noah taunted.
• This was my chance to clear the air. “Noah, I don’t want you to get the wrong-“
• “We didn’t come here to argue sweetness, we came to party. But, it seems like my cousin is a party pooper,” Noah said, obviously trying to lighten the mood.
• Mason rose to his feet and stared at Noah. “I’m taking Oaklynn home. She shouldn’t be here. You shouldn’t have got her involved her-”
• “She’s not going anywhere. She stays right here,” he clenched his jaw. “I invited her and she came. So, what’s your problem??!”
• “I need to find Hailey.” I ducked around them and dashed to the door. “I’ll leave you guys to it.”
• I looked back and was relieved when none of them were following behind. My phone vibrated, and it was a text from Mason telling me to wait outside once I found my friend. He was going to drive us home.
• I didn’t know what was going on, but I needed to get Hailey and get out of there, fast. I was relieved when I spotted her stepping out of the front door with some girls we knew from college. Quickly updating her on the drama, we hurried over to the driveway, bumping into Noah as we made our great escape.
• “Hey, I’ve been looking in every corner for you,” he smiled.
• “You have,” I squeaked.
• “Look, I’m sorry about that whole thing with, Mason. He’s just blowing things out of proportion. Kylo and I are competitive, but it’s not that bad.
• “Really?” I bit out with sarcasm, pinning him with a look of exaggerated disbelief. “Now I feel special,” I quipped with mock offense.
• He regarded me with an unreadable expression and stepped closer. “You are.”
• “Look, Noah, I’m not in the market for a new boyfriend.”
• “I know. You’re Lo’s girl and all that. But I was hoping to change your mind…” He murmured, a wolfish smile curling his lips. They were very nice ones at that
• “Not going to happen, quarterback.”
• “I will respect that. For now..” He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and I froze.
• “I’m not some prize that you and Kylo get to fight over to boost your egos.”
• “On the contrary, I think you are.”
• “I think I’m going to go now, it was fun,” I relayed with a stiff smile, beckoning to Hailey. “Thanks for inviting me.”
• “Do you need a ride? I can get the driver to drop you off?”
• “That won’t be necessary. Thanks, though.”
• Noah leaned forward and brushed his lips across my cheek, barely missing the corner of my mouth. “See you soon, sweetness,” he drawled before sauntering off.
• Then my best friend was gone. Again. I went in search of Hailey again. I found her at the poolside this time.
• “Hails, we need to go.”
• “What? Why? We just got here!” she wailed. “And I’ve just met some friends from school. We’re about to play-”
• “I’m sorry. I know you wanted a night out, but we can’t stay here,” I told her, dragging her along with me. “We can go somewhere else if you like?” I suggested that, just as Mason’s car pulled up to the circular driveway. “Let’s go.”
• We convinced Mason to take us to an exclusive club that was owned by his friend, Jordan Carter. Kylo and I used to frequent the place, and I hoped not to bump into him -or not.
• There was a big fashion party taking place. A-list celebrities, socialites, and journalists were here to appreciate an up‐and‐coming designer. I was glad Hailey and I decided to dress up otherwise we would have felt out of place. Mason found us a table and got a waiter to come and take our order, then got lost in the crowd. We were hungry and decided to get a platter with our drinks. As I was explaining to Hailey why we had to leave suddenly, we spotted Jordan Carter and his wife coming to our table. I’d met him a couple of more times, but I still got star-struck every time I saw him. He was just so… Gosh.. too beautiful!
• “OMG! Jordan Carter is coming this way!” Hailey shrieked. “I’m going to-I can’t-this is too much-”
• “Ladies.” That was all he said, and, poof! My best friend had dashed to the bathroom to pull herself together before she further humiliated us.
• “Little one,” he smiled. “You keep very interesting company.”
• “Hi,” I smiled. “Yeah. I do..that’s me..” I rambled.
• I will not pass out. I will not freak out. I got this. I’d met him a handful of times, but he still had that swoon-effect.
• “This is Lana-my wife. I don’t know if you’ve met her before?” his gaze softened as he gazed at his wife. What I would give for a guy to look at me like that. Better still, if I were married to a guy like that.
• “No, I’ve never had the pleasure,” I smiled back at her. She had the most beautiful hazel-brown eyes. They drew you in and made you want to confess things you never did.
• “Sweets, this is Kylo’s fixation,” he told her. “Or should I say the one who has him by the nuts?”
• “You must be, Oaklynn,” she smiled warmly and held out her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
• “If it’s only good things, then I know you’re lying,” I laughed.
• “Would you like to join us in our reserved section?” Jordan asked. “Kylo, Corbyn, Cash, and Maya are there-”
• My eyes widened. “Kylo is here?!”
• “I’ll leave you to handle this, baby.” Jordan suppressed a groan, kissed Lana on the cheek, and walked away.
• “Are you coming?” Her lips tilted with a warm smile. “I know he’ll be happy to see you.”
• “I don’t think I can-my heart won’t be able to take it.”
• “You’ll be fine,” she cracked up and squeezed my arm. “Trust me. I’ve been there.”
• “Can I go and check on my friend first?” I asked.
• “Sure,” she nodded, “I’ll get a hostess to come and get you once you come back.”
• I rushed to the restrooms to get Hailey and found her rinsing out her mouth at the sink. I took a deep breath and went over to her.
• “Hails, I don’t feel so good. I think we need to head out.”
• She readily agreed with no argument.
• What? I’m a coward. Sue me.