“Come on, stop sulking. You’re already old, not earning money to support the family, yet you cling to broken stuffed bears every day. I don’t even dislike you, so what right do you have to be angry?”
That bear had been bought for me by my late grandmother. Kendall knew that.
I quietly wiped its face clean, feeling sorry for it, unwilling to say another word.
Just then, Nolan called.
“Is that old man asleep yet? Forget him, drink with us. Madison and Brooklyn are here, too.”
Kendall glanced at me awkwardly. “He’s next to me.”
“Then bring your brother-in-law. Stop acting like an old man.”
As soon as Kendall saw the location Nolan sent, she turned the car around.
“I don’t want to go. I want to go home!”
The word drink pulled me back to humiliating memories.
That had been my first time meeting Kendall’s friends. I had prepared carefully, but all I got was ridicule. They knew I couldn’t hold liquor, yet they took turns trying to get me drunk.
They even took photos of me in that state and posted them online.
And to send Nolan home, Kendall left me passed out and alone in the bar.
When I woke, my phone and wallet were gone and a group of malicious strangers surrounded me.
Although my manager rescued me that night, the fear still made me tremble. Kendall, however, had long forgotten.
“Don’t be so selfish, okay? What’s wrong with meeting an old friend? I’ve never stopped you from socializing.”
“Then drop me off. I’ll go home.”
My head felt heavy and all I wanted was rest. I had no energy to argue.
“No. If you don’t go, you’re not giving my friend face and you’re not giving me face. You have to come tonight!”
Her stubborn temper flared again. Seeing the look on my face, she added, “Be good. Just say hello and we’ll leave. Don’t upset me again.”
By the time we arrived, it was already past two in the morning.
Nolan greeted Kendall with a warm hug the moment they met.
Then Nolan looked me up and down. “Zayden, you’re still so arrogant! Are you mad at me? How petty! Kendall and I have known each other for so many years. If something happened, would it be your turn to marry her?”
As he spoke, a group of people pulled Kendall over and sat her down.
There were only four seats. I was the only one left standing.
“Hey, we’ve been friends since childhood. We’re used to this. There’s no extra seat…” Nolan glanced around, then smiled at me.