The Rebound

A Penny for your thoughts

Tiana

Bryce and I sit in silence on the shuttle on the way back to the reception.

What just happened there? Did he just admit to me that he actually liked me? Was this really more than just s*x for us? I mean… I really don’t know how I should feel about it. He’s amazing… yes. I mean, aside from the fact that he’s hot and gorgeous… after all, he is The Bryce Andrews. But other than that, for some reason… I feel comfortable with him. Like he’s someone I’ve known for such a long time. And I feel comfortable being me with him… honestly, much more comfortable than I’ve been with Bryan… to think I practically spent 8 years of my life with that guy.

With Bryce, even though I barely know him… it’s like I don’t need to pretend to be anyone else. Maybe it’s because of how things started between us. We never really had the chance to put our best foot forward. Although for Bryce, I don't think he ever has to put his best foot forward.

And the s*x… it is mind blowing to say the least. Just a simple kiss from him ignites something in me. Who am I kidding? Just a look from him… with those intense blue eyes of him… and I already start to get wet. The s****l tension between us is just different. I may be imagining everything else…but the s****l tension between us is real. I literally feel it to my core.

But then… there’s Bryan. I’m pretty sure that I can’t get back together with him… because I cannot un-see him on top of Valerie. I just can’t. But I know that I still feel something for him. I mean, of course, you can’t just erase 8 years of being together overnight. Right? Plus, he’s actually been a great boyfriend… except for that one night he fooled around with Valerie.

So, was it really possible for me to start something with Bryce right now? Heck, I’m still married to the guy. But I mean, was it really possible for us to be more than just two people who have great s*x? Aaahhhh… I need Kylie right now. But of course, I can’t actually drag her into this on her wedding day. Plus, there’s Bryan and his family that I have to deal with right now.

So for tonight, I decided that I’m just going to pretend that little conversation with Bryce didn’t happen. Right, it’s for the best… until I sort out whatever it is I have to sort out… or at least until after I get to talk to Kylie. Yes! That’s what I should do.

I turn to my left and try to take a peek at Bryce… and I find him staring at me.

“A penny for your thoughts?” He says as he smiles and takes my hand.

Argh. It’s not helping that this guy is extremely sweet and so sensitive to my moods.  

“Nothing. I’m just thinking about how to talk to Kay.” I lied. But yes, I do need think about my game plan. That’s what I was supposed to do that during the past hour… but well, I’ve just proven that Bryce and I can never be alone in a room and not f**k. Nope, not happening.

“Tiana, just always remember that you didn’t do anything wrong… and we’re not doing anything wrong. Okay? He’s the asshole, not you. You shouldn’t be torturing yourself like this. Okay?” He says, as he puts his arm over my shoulders and rubs my arms.

I nod and smile as I look into his eyes. He really does know how to make me feel better. How I wish I met Bryce when things when I wasn’t a mess. Well, it’s a nice thought… but it is how it is. And I have to deal with it right now… because we’ve just arrived at the resort’s beautiful glass tent where Kylie and Stan’s reception was being held.

The cocktails were being served outside the glass tent. Given that we were already late, almost everyone was already inside. I immediately spot Kay drinking by herself in one of the cocktail tables.

“I’ll find our seat inside. Go ahead, Tiana.” Bryce tells me. He squeezes my hand before he leaves to enter the tent. As usual, he knows what I’m thinking even before I say it.

I take a deep breath and find my way towards Kay. It’s not your fault, it’s not your fault… I keep repeating it to myself in the hopes that it’ll give me courage to talk to Kay.

“Hey.” I tell her as I reach her table. She briefly looks at me and turns away to down the glass of wine in her hand. I could tell from the look in her eyes that she was hurt and angry.

“What did Bryan tell you?” I asked her.

She glares at me and says, “That you’ve broken up less than a month ago.”

“Kay. Did he say why?”

“Does it matter why? The point is, you’ve already moved on while my brother is miserable. Eight years, Tiana. Eight years… and you move on in less than a month?” Her voice was starting to get loud. She was really pissed at me. I knew Bryan didn’t tell her the truth.

“It does matter, Kay…” I catch her arm as she tries to leave. “He cheated on me.”

“He what?” She quickly turns around with a shocked look on her face.

“I caught your brother having s*x with another girl when we were in Vegas.” I tell her frankly. I didn’t want it to come from me. But f**k Bryan for not telling her the truth.

“Are you joking with me, Tiana? Bryan would never do that to you.” She says. Her voice was wavering. I know she looked highly upon her brother. And well, nobody would really expect someone like Bryan would cheat. He’s pretty much the good boy, the one you take home to meet your parents kind of guy. But Kay also knew that I would never lie to her.

“I wish I was, Kay. But you know I would never lie to you. And I’ve never spoken ill about your brother. But I caught them in our hotel room. I could bring the girl to you if you don’t want to believe me…” I tell her as I look straight in to her eyes.

She looks right back at me. Her eyes move left to right… she was trying to read me.

“s**t, Tiana. I’m so sorry.” She pulls me into a hug.

“It’s okay Kay. But I hope we’re okay… because you will always be important to me.” I say as I hug her back.

She pulls away from me with an angry look on her face and says, “I’m going to f*****g kill Bryan.”    

I couldn’t help but giggle.

“I’m serious, Tiana. And I’m not the only one…I’m sure Mom will kill him too if she finds out.” She says sternly.

“Well, it’s been done. And I can’t forget and forgive him for it.” I say as I grab a glass of wine from the server who was walking past our table. I’m not really much of a wine drinker... I prefer my vodka… but I just really needed some liquid courage right now.  

“Is it because of the new guy?” Kay asks. Her eyebrows furrowing.

“He’s great but I don’t even know how I feel about him yet. But with or without him, I still can’t forget what I saw, Kay. It’s like forever etched in my head.” I tell her honestly. I can never bring myself to lie to Kay.

She hugs me again. “I’m really sorry my stupid brother did that to you. It sucks because I’ve always wanted you to become my sister officially… but I guess that’s never going to happen now. Right?”

“Officially, not. But you will always be my little sister, Kay. I also don’t want to lose you just because Bryan and I aren’t together anymore.” I tell her as I hug her back.

“Oh Ti!” She whispers as she squeezes me tighter. She pulls away and says, “Well, I’m going to find my i***t of a brother right now. He has a lot of explaining to do. I’ll see you later.”

Well… that went better than I expected. I watch Kay walk away as I wipe a tear rolling down my cheek. I just hope Kay… or Bryan… tell their parents as well. I don’t want to have to explain what happened again. I grab another glass of wine from the server and I down it before I go to find Bryce inside the glass tent.