"Where is Kenny?" I asked noticing he is gone.
"He is being measured in one of the other available rooms," explained Ike looking at Kyle.
"You have something to say?" asked Kyle clearly annoyed.
"Not right now but later yes," said Ike folding his arms. I sit down feeling super embarrassed despite how happy I was just a few moments ago. I hear my phone go off. I see a text from Craig.
Craig: LOL you know we could hear you right
I know my face is turning 50 shades of red.
Stan: I thought we were quite
Craig: You thought wrong. I thought you said you were staying away from him
Stan: Shut up
I listen to Ike and Craig talk in the background as I wonder what is going to happen with all of my friends knowing what is going on. I doubt they will tell Catherine but I am still wondering what do they think about me doing this knowing he is getting married. Kenny walks out from back 20 minutes later. I see Mr. Jeffrey having a word with Kyle.
"What are you guys up to?" asked Kenny putting on his sun glasses.
"Nothing," replied Ike. "We are going to go get lunch and rest for the evening. We fly out tomorrow."
"Crazy man," replied Kenny shaking his head. "Thank God Kyle makes good money. We have to do the wedding rehearsal in two weeks." Moments like this I am glad I work from home. All this flying back and forth is killing me. Lucky the flight is being paid for and it's only an hour.
"Well hopefully Kyle will only be doing this once," said Ike.
"What did you just say?" asked Kyle joining us.
"Nothing," replied Craig. "We are talking about where we are going to eat. Kenny is hungry."
"Not just Kenny," I cleared up. I could use something to eat myself.
"Doesn't matter to me," replied Kyle. "You guys go ahead and enjoy yourself. I have to fly out to my next game so I need to leave now." We all said good bye to Kyle as he instructed his driver to drop him at the airport and to call Ike with instructions on where to be picked up at. Kyle sounds so important when he gives out orders like that.
"I guess it would be best to eat somewhere in this shopping center since we are without the driver," stated Ike.
"I don't really come out this way much," replied Kenny. "But Cali always has good food places. Let's go to the pizza place in the corner." We start walking towards the pizza eatery. Kenny grabs me pulling me closer to him. "So when did that start?"
"It was suppose to stop," Craig chimed in. I see Ike shaking his head.
"My social life is not up for discussion," I state trying to keep my cool as I pull out of Kenny's grasp.
"You should have thought about that when we were in the tailor shop," chuckled Kenny. "I totally didn't see this coming so I find this very fascinating."
"Forget all of that nonsense," exclaimed Ike almost borderline angry. "I want to know what the fuck is going on with my brother." Kenny looks at Ike.
"I can only tell you what I assume. You know how Kyle is, he will talk when he is ready."
"He is out of control in my opinion," said Ike. I wonder what does Ike mean by that. It almost feels like he is blaming me for what is happening with Kyle although I am sure this is not the case. "We need to do something."
"At least he is not on drugs," said Kenny opening the door. A waitress greeted us and got us seated quickly despite the lunch hour rush. We got a table for 4 sitting in the corner. It was a rounded booth so plenty of space for everyone. Once we placed our orders and then Kenny started spilling his thoughts. "You all do watch his games don't you?"
"I try but I am very busy," said Ike.
"Not really," I admit. Craig is not into sports. He can do live games but watching the games on TV he finds boring.
"Last season his team made it to the playoffs but struck out. The year before they were in the championship. Kyle missed the winning shot and his team lost. Although they are suppose to be team players something tells me they treated him like shit afterwards. I think they still were during practice too for this upcoming season. So far they seem to be doing good this season but they had Kyle sitting out most of the games as if they don't trust him. You have to remember how much Kyle loves to play. This broke his heart. Had he not been dating Catherine I think he would have been a complete wreck."
"I didn't know this was so important to him," replied Ike.
"Are you kidding?" said Kenny. "He tried to become a black guy because he thought it would better his chances at playing when we were kids. You probably don't remember that but I do. He stopped playing for years after that. Then he decided it was now or never in high school. Best decision he has made, look at where he is now." I don't say anything as I am still trying to process everything.
Knowing Kyle he is probably stressing a lot right now. Learning all of this makes me want to text him and give him reassurance. I was the only one who could talk some sense into him or help him relax when we younger. I never thought much of it since I am so in love with him. Now I can see why he wanted to reconnect with me. He truly needs me. According to Kenny Cat is doing a fine job at that, which is a joke. We enjoy the rest of our lunch. Ike contacts the driver to come and pick us up. Kenny asked me to walk with him to his car. I already know what is to come.
"Seriously man," he said leaning against his car. "When did this start?"
"It was an accident," I cry. "I mean we shared a drunk kiss when he came to check on his house in South Park and it just escalated from there. I tried to break things off because I know this is not going to go anywhere but dude this is a lot harder than I thought."
"Of course it is when you are in love with that person," replied Kenny.
"He loves me too," I say like a child. "He tells me that all the time." Kenny nodded.
"I am sure he does. He loves Cat too. To be honest Stan I think he is going to go through with this marriage. You need to stop this before things get ugly for the both of you. I am surprised Kyle is being this reckless. Given his stress level as of lately I can understand though."
"He doesn't need to be marrying Cat," I say angrily. "This has nothing to do with what him and I have going on. I mean she is seriously not right for him. He was upset the last time we saw him and she didn't even comfort him. Like what girlfriend would do that?"
"Clam down now," said Kenny. "Everything is going to work out. Doesn't it always for us."
I shrug my shoulders. "Yeah whatever. I was doing great avoiding him until this weekend. I mean learning that he is stressing out I do not want to add to that. Kenny, I can't be friends with Kyle. I want all of him or nothing."
"You got it bad my friend. I say cut him off if need be."
"We still have this wedding shit so I will after the wedding. I really wish I could just do it now. I feel like this is getting much harder as time goes on."
"As it should. You are digging yourself into a deeper hole. Slow down on the phone calls and text messages. Then by time the wedding happens it shouldn't be so bad to go cold turkey." I nod.
"Thanks Kenny. At least you are trying to help me. Craig is trying to convince me to steal him away from Cat."
Kenny laughed. "Craig would say some stupid shit like that. Listen, if Kyle didn't want to be with Cat, he wouldn't be." That kind of stings a little. It confirms that Kyle does love Catherine. "You can call me anytime okay. I can help you move on in baby steps."
"Alright. The driver is here so I have to get going. I can see Craig giving me the death stare." I hug Kenny and jog over to the driver. I can do this. I can move on. I can do the right thing for me and for Kyle.