Chapter 6 - Take one for team

“I’m at your gate open up.” Jay says when I answer.

“Okay.” I say ending the call and opening the gate for him. About a minute later he knocks on my door. I go to the door and open it.

“Hi.” I say when I open the door.

“Hi beautiful.” He says leaning in for a hug. “I brought an old friend.” He says just as my eyes collide with Kane’s. I smile to hide the turmoil of feeling I feel when I see him.

“Welcome, please come in.”  I say letting them both in.

“Thank you for having us over.” Jay says as they follow me to the kitchen.

“It’s my pleasure,” I say leading them to my kitchen table. “Have a seat.” I say looking from Jay to Kane.

“Thank you.” Kane says smiling. He looks around my house with so much interest.

“I’ll get the wine.” I say going to the fridge. I need a moment to get my emotions in check. I didn’t think I would see Kane so soon. His being here is throwing me off; I don’t know how to feel about him being in my personal space.

“This looks good.” Jay says looking at the charcuterie board I have set up for us. I take the wine out of the fridge and take the wine opener I put out earlier. I look for an extra glass for Kane.

“It really is.” I say walking back to the table. I place the wine glass next to his plate and start to open the bottle.

“May I?” Kane says reaching for the bottle. His fingers graze mine lightly and I hit with a bolt of electricity where he touched me.

“Yeah, sure.” I say letting go of the bottle. I sit down and watch him open the bottle with so much ease. He pours the three of a glass of wine and I slide him a wine bottle stopper and he closes the bottle. I take it and place it in the ice bucket.

“You’re mom is not joining us?” Jay asks after he takes a sip of the wine.

“No, she’s not here.” I say and he looks at me with concern. I see Kane look from Jay to me out of the corner of my eye. He’s looking at Jay’s face right now and I can tell he too thinks something is wrong. “She has a date.” I say and Jay literally sighs in relief.

“Oh really? Who’s the lucky guy?” He asks his face bright with excitement.  

“Max.” I say and he looks at me in question.

“You’re saying that I should know who that is.” He says digging into the food.

“Farrow’s brilliant professor.” I say in explanation and he smiles at me when he figures out who I’m talking about.

“How in the hell did that happen?” He asks looking at me surprised.

“They met at the hospital the last time she was…” I say not finishing off the sentence. I don’t feel comfortable discussing my mother’s health in front of Kane. It feels too vulnerable.

“Amazing.” He says smiling at me. “So what about you?” He asks and I look at him confused.

“What about me?” I ask finally.

“You should let me hook you up with someone.” He says smiling at me like he won the lottery.

“Are you tired of having to explain to people that I’m not your girlfriend?” I ask playfully.

“Yes.” He says laughing.

“People assume you guys are a couple?” Kane asks looking at me with a huge smile on his face.

“Bro, every time we go somewhere together. People come up saying how lucky I am to have such a beautiful woman on my arm. ” Jay says and Kane looks at me sweetly.

“Well, they’re right about one thing.” He says smiling. I shake my head at him, he’s just teasing.

“No doubt you’re gorgeous. But Farrow hates it.” He says and I look at him in surprise, I didn’t know she knew people did that.

“She knows about that?” Kane asks the same question that popped into my head.

“I went to a family with her a few months ago and an aunt of mine walked up to us and asked what happened to my other beautiful girlfriend.” He says laughing.

“No.” I say not finding the joke in his story. Farrow must have been furious.

“Yes. I had to explain to her who my aunt was talking about. But even then she didn’t believe me; she thought I was covering up my cheating ways by saying my aunt was referring to you.” He says and I look at him in shock.

“So Farrow hates my guts and you didn’t tell me,” I say horrified.

“No, you’re good. She doesn’t hate you. I explained to her what happened she’s cool.” He says smiling at me.

“You almost died.” Kane says and they start laughing.

“But like I was saying, Let me set you up with a young, accomplished, attractive, healthy, sane man.” He says and I think about it for a minute. I don’t remember the last time I was on a date and I don’t think the last time I was in an actual relationship.

“I don’t know.” I say and he frowns at me in disappointment.

“What do you mean?” He asks sounding so sad.

“I would let you if we weren’t so close.” I say and he looks at me confused.

“What do you mean? That’s exactly the reason why I’m the perfect person.” He says looking at Kane for confirmation. Kane nods in agreement and then they both look at me, waiting for me to explain myself.

“Who am I going to ask advice from if things go south. If he’s someone you know then I can’t come to you” I say and he looks at me like; are you dumb?

“You come to me. My loyalties lie with you. We are stuck together until the end of time.” He says and I look at him not convinced at all.

“I wish I believed you.” I say half playing, half serious. I wonder where his loyalties lie with Kane. So far I’m sure he’s team K. and that is enough to tell me that I can’t fully put my faith n him when it comes to my love life. I love him but I can’t trust him with my heart.

“Look I’m here for you. If you want to hide a body, I’m your man. Thrust me.” He says giving me his best smile.

“That smile is not going to convince me.” I say smiling too.

“Shalom I know a great guy. He’s smart, has a great job, he’s a cool guy. I think you’d like him.” He says ignoring everything I just told him.

“You really want me to go on this date huh?” I ask suspiciously, he’s selling this guy too hard. He’s never been this insistent I go on a date before.

“Did he beg you to set him up with someone?” I ask intrigued to know what’s going on here.

“Maybe.” He says half smiling and half hiding it.

“Is he being pressured to get married?” I say and they both look at me in shock.

“Jeez, I didn’t know you were this cynical.” Kane says looking his face filled with a lot of judgment.

“Life will teach you new skills” I say and he looks at me worried. I look at Jay waiting for my answer.

“He does have a little pressure from his parents.” He says and Kane looks at him shocked.

“Did you have to put the man out there like that?” He asks and Jay and I laugh.

“Was I supposed to lie to her?” Jay says pointing at me still laughing.

“”Yes. At least give him a chance at a date and then she’ll learn the truth later.” He says laughing a little.

“That’s so messy. Now I see how women end up married to people they don’t know.” I say and we all laugh.

“Pretty much.” Kane says looking at me guiltily.

“It’s not like you’ll marry us if we told our whole truths.” He says looking at me accusingly.

“Yes we will.” I say and they look at me with an I don’t believe you face.

“Lies.” Kane says shaking his head at me.

“Okay let me speak for me then. I want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” I say and they roll their eyes at me, making me laugh.

“You want to know about all the debt I have?” Jay asks making a face at me.

“I especially want to know about the debt. I definitely want any R100000 surprises on my wedding night.” I say and they both make a face at the thought of learning about this type of thing after marriage.

“So am I setting up this date or not?” Jay asks after a moment.

“Let me think about it.” I say smiling at him. I do need to get back on the dating scene but I don’t know if I’m ready yet.