ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝔽𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕪

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝑺𝒕. 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏

I didn't tell Kol that I knew his sister's boyfriend. Because then he wouldn't want Jeremiah to come to the dinner and then she would hate me more.

"I still don't understand why you're doing this. Kol would completely understand," Angela says, adjusting her earring.

"I know that. Believe me, I know. But it's only going to make Amanda madder," I breathe.

Angela rolls her eyes. "Homegirl needs to get over it. I get it, the process was painful, but you're here now. You're at the finish line. Shit. Irritating ass."

I snort out a laugh. "As much as I would love to share your feelings, I understand her feelings. So, I'll stick it out. It's just one brunch. And it's not like Jeremiah and Amanda will last forever. Believe me, I know Jeremiah. He is not boyfriend material."

A knock on the door interrupts what Angela would say. I smooth over my dress and answer the door. "Hey baby," Kol says and then brings me into a kiss.

"Hey, Kol," I smile. Kol looks back at Angela. "Hey Ang. I brought you something."

I didn't even realize the basket in his hand. It's filled with a blanket, drinks, snacks, and a pregnancy catalog.

I swear to God I want to get on my knees right now.

Angela smiles gratefully at him. "Thank you so much." Angela suddenly looks like she's about to cry. "I wish Leo was here to give these to me."

"We got you, Angela," I said. She hugs me and then hugs Kol. "Have fun on your double date."

I grimace at her mischievous smile that only I see.

Kol and I left the apartment and headed to his car. "That was very sweet of you, pretty boy," I say as he opens the car door.

I slid into the passenger's seat, and he closed the door. He rounds the car and gets into the driver's seat.

I steady my chin with my hand and put on my best seductive voice. "So, what did you get me?"

Kol gives me a heated look. "I have something special planned later today."

My interest was piqued. "Oh really? And what is it?"

"It's a surprise."

My face falls. "No, Kol. Please! Please tell me."

Kol laughs. "You'll know later. I promise it will be worth it."

My fingers trail against his arm to his chest. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do to convince you?" My hand descends closer to his belt buckle.

His tongue scratches the inside of his teeth. "No chance, sweetheart."

"Ugh. Fine." I sink back into my seat. "Just for that, no sex for you for one, no two weeks."

"Don't pout. I promise it will be a fun surprise." Kol says. When I don't reply, he leans over and places a soft kiss on my forehead.

After ten minutes we arrived at the restaurant. It's a new one called Debby's.

I get out of the car with anxiety-riddled all through my body.

We walk in and see Amanda only sitting at a booth. When we reach over there, Amanda stands up beaming.

"Little brother!" she exclaims, hugging Kol. When she releases him, she turns to me with a polite smile. "Hello, Maya."

"Hi, Amanda."

We all sat down.

"Where's your boyfriend?" Kol asks.

Hope runs through me. Maybe he canceled. Maybe he got sick. Or got hit by a bus.

"He's in the restroom," Amanda says and all the hope in my body disintegrates. Anxiety racks through me when I see Jeremiah leave the restroom and head over to our table.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

"Hey babe," he says, kissing Amanda on her lips. When he finally sits down, his eyes meet mine and I see a brief wave of shock before a mischievous smile plays on his lips.

"Maya St. Martin, is that you?"

No. No. Please no.

Amanda and Kol look between us with confusion.

"You two know each other?" Amanda asks.

Jeremiah gives me an unsettling smile. "Yeah. We went to high school together."

I feel my heart thumping in my chest like it's about to explode and I pray that Kol can't hear it. But he must have because realization spreads throughout his face and he turns to look at me. I can't meet his eyes.

Amanda laughs. "Such a small world. How did you guys meet?"

Jeremiah turns to me, extra attentive. "You remember, Maya?"

"Why didn't you tell me it was him?" Kol whispers for only me to hear.

"You were my tutor. I was failing Algebra and I needed help," I grit out. Food I haven't even eaten is threatening to climb up my throat.

Jeremiah laughs. "Yeah. I made a friend for life through that. I was a shit tutor though; you barely passed the class."

"So, how did you two meet?" Kol asks so suddenly.

Amanda smiles and a pink blush breaks out across her face.

"Jeremiah had just moved from Arizona. He was trying to get a job as a host at the restaurant I work at. They wouldn't hire him. But I saw something special in him. I worked with him on becoming a better employee and eventually, we ended up falling in love," she gushes.

Jeremiah kisses her and I cringe internally.

"Maya, why didn't you tell me?" Kol whispers.

I ignore him.

"What about you guys?" Jeremiah suddenly asks. "How'd you two meet?"

"At a club." Kol grits.

Jeremiah smiles at me and laughs. "Of course, you did."

"And what does that mean?" Kol says, his voice dropping an octave.

Jeremiah shrugs. He's wearing a friendly smile, but I know better. He's baiting Kol.

And I hated it. Because I wanted to mend things with his sister, so I can't just attack her boyfriend.

But she deserves better than Jeremiah.

"I know Maya. She was a big party girl in high school. Such a great time. It just makes sense you guys met at a club," Jeremiah explains and I see Kol's hand in lab ball into a fist.

"How did you guys get together?" Amanda asks, changing the subject. She felt the tension too. "How did my little brother ask you to be his girlfriend?"

I look down at my hands. "I want to hear the story, too," Jeremiah adds.

I stop myself from rolling my eyes. Good grief. I wish I had the answer, but I didn't.

Because no matter what Kol and I know about love; he's never asked me to be his girlfriend officially. But it was implied...right?

"Uh...he actually never asked me," I said stupidly.

Jeremiah's amusement grows and Kol's eyes sharpen. His leg bounces up and down and he refuses to meet my eyes.

"And why not? I mean, Amanda has told me a lot about you guys. Your history. The way you left him in bed for all those months. And now you're 'together' or at least you claim." Jeremiah leans forward with his hands crossed underneath his chin. "Why is that?"

I don't stop the inkling of tears rolling down my cheek. I don't look at anybody.

"Jere...maybe you should--" Amanda buts in.

"No no no. Babe. You complained that this brunch would be a mess because you'd never completely forgive Maya for what she did to Kol. But she was his girlfriend, so you had to try. And now we come to learn she's not even his fucking girlfriend. I mean, what kind of bullshit is that?"

"Jere!" Amanda screeches. "Stop it right now."

Broken sobs come from me. Kol's hand was turning red from how hard he was balling it up and his leg wouldn't stop bouncing.

"Jeremiah, you're one to talk," Kol said calmly. "Don't you have a habit of cheating on all your girlfriends? It's what you did to Maya, right?"

Time stops.

The one thing that I didn't want to happen. The one thing that I didn't want to be revealed.

Jeremiah's face pales and Amanda sputters.

"You dated Maya?" Amanda turns to me. I could barely see through my tears. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Kol finally looks at me. His hard resolve fades away instantly and guilt fills his face. Like he had just realized what he'd done.

But I don't care.

I grabbed my purse and ran out of the restaurant.

End of Chapter Fifty

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