Page 10 of Kayla's List

“Who the heck isBuckyBarnes?” I ask with my brows furrowed.

“He had amnesia in theCaptainAmericamovie.” Emani gives me a look as if I’m supposed to know what she’s talking about.

“Emani,” I say, exasperated.

“Mani. We’ve gone over this. Your obscure movie references only make sense to you, honey.” Shelby chuckles.

“Hey!CaptainAmericais not obscure. Anyways, Kayla is an IT nerd. She should know all about comic book stuff,” Emani defends herself with a pout.

“Just because I’m a computer nerd doesnotmake me a comic nerd. Please don’t group us all together.” I scoff, and both of them chuckle.

“Anyway, let’s get back on topic,” Shelby says, before sipping on a mimosa she made.

Once we got back to my apartment, we all got cleaned up and made brunch. Although we hadn’t planned to stay out all night, we did plan on having a sleepover, so we were prepared with breakfast food and drinks.

“Uhh…” I stall, not wanting to talk about my embarrassment anymore.

“So, did you wake up naked? I mean I know yousayyou don’t remember, but at least, do you feel a little bowlegged?” Shelby asks, and I roll my eyes.

“And just how does onefeelbowlegged, Shelby?” Emani asks with an arch in her brow.

“Don’t act like ya’ll are virgins up in here. You know if you get dicked down really good, you wake up sore and walking funny,” Shelby answers with a mischievous glint in her brown eyes.

I wish I could say I know what she’s talking about, but I don’t. I’ve only had two lovers in my life, and neither of them had caused me to become sore or walk funny. I begin to wonder if I have missed out. We talk about sex all the time.Well, my friends talk. I normally just nod and smile and pretend to listen. Maybe I should pay more attention while my friends are talking about sex. I might just learn something.

“Well, I guess with your explanation, I havefeltbowlegged before.” Emani giggles as she and Shelby high-five again.

Once again, I shake my head at my friends’ silliness, but I smile. These two women are the only people I can count on to lift the clouds from my sour mood. Not only had they come and saved me from my depression after the shock of having a cheating boyfriend, but they stayed with me.

“Well, I haven’t ever felt bowlegged,” I finally admit with a shrug.

Two sets of wide eyes looked in my direction. Before they say anything, I know what’s coming.

“It’s okay. I knew Warren’s good looks were a waste.” Shelby shakes her head with a suck of her teeth and a deep frown.

“Let’s not bring up ‘he who shall not be named.’ He doesn’t deserve our acknowledgment.” Emani’s voice is serious, but the twinkle in her eye lets me know that I can talk about my ex with her anytime.

Surprisingly, though, I don’t want to talk about Warren. I don’t want to dwell on him at all. If I do, I know I will fall into a dark pit that I’m not sure I can get myself out of. I put so much of my worth into him and our relationship, and now that it’s over, I’m afraid.

I’m deathly afraid of what’s next for me and I would rather focus on anything else.

“So, are we going to talk about howAndylooked like he might have had you walking bowlegged if you let him hit?”

I lied. I don't want to focus on that either.

“No, ma’am, we are not.” I fold my arms over my chest, shaking my head.

“Let it go, Shelby. Why don’t we talk about your fast behind? I saw you give your number to TobinandJason.” Emani turns the conversation to Shelby.

“Well, you weren’t paying close enough attention cause I gave it to Brady, too.” Shelby cackles.

I’m relieved that the conversation is off of me and onto Shelby’s shenanigans. Because I was afraid that if we kept talking about the gorgeous stranger that I just might remember something else from last night, and my mortification just wouldn’t let me do that. I am awkward at the best of times. I can’t imagine how I behaved when I was inebriated.

The fact that my girls hadn’t said too much about my behavior has me even more anxious. They know me better than anyone, so the fact they’re not teasing me means one of two things: either I made a fool of myself, and they don’t want to embarrass me or they didn’t see me make a fool of myself. Either way, I’m not ready to face the truth of what happened last night. Hopefully, my friends will let me hide my head in the sand and forget about the beautiful stranger named Anderson McNair.

Memories

KAYLA