The Reunion

Chapter 25 - Kaia

Kaia looked blankly at them; a dullness washed over her senses. "I'm sorry- what is this?" She scrunched her brow. "This... it feels too much like it did then." She tilted her head. "Anyone care to explain why it seems I'm the last one to know what's going on?"

She hated feeling so on the outside when everyone else acted like they knew something she didn't.

None of them made a move. Every single one of them frozen on the spot. People walked around their solid stances, and the people in the lobby began to trickle down.

"Seriously... feel free to clue me in as to why you two look like you're about to go to freaking battle for her – against my stupid ex-boyfriend of all people." She locked eyes with Karlie, "and why does it look like you're living your worst nightmare, K?"

She stood there staring at Kaia dumbly. She felt so ignorant of why they all looked lost.

Both of her brothers stood unmoving, like solid fronts on either side of Karlie, but she had no clue why. Why did Karlie need them like a strong line of defense? Karlie's shocked face morphed into that of a pleading scared child.

"It's a lot to explain." Karlie said weakly. Her voice could have been swept away by a soft breeze.

"Evidently." Kaia sighed; her frustration weighing heavy. "But your face is screaming that you don't want to tell me." She looked across the lobby. But Karlie's eyes never left Kaia. How could everything that began to feel so positive, so bright and happy, lose its shine so quickly and turn its nasty head at her?

Across the lobby, Kaia could see Adam watching them intently.

"And why does he look so god damned smug?" Kaia waved a hand to point to the far side of the lobby. "Fucking asshole." She grumbled just barely audible.

She wanted answers. Kaia had spent so long not fully understanding the entire picture. No, she needed answers. Needed Karlie to finally paint the full picture. She was so good at painting, but this time, Kaia needed her to be perfect at it. Every detail, every feature, even the tiniest descriptor, it was time to see it all.

"I think we should go someplace else for this." Karlie offered quietly.

This felt like a betrayal on so many levels. Secrets had been kept from her, but she had no idea that her brothers were in on this. They had all played her as a fool, and a warm anger seeped into her blood. She could feel it boiling just under her skin. All three of them had been in on this long game, and she was left on the sidelines. She had been benched. Kaia had never been benched before, and this cut deep.

Reluctantly, she let them lead her outside, away from the people mulling about inside. There were even some walking around outside the building, which only made her more frustrated. Why couldn't they just quickly get to the point? She flexed her hands, but they continued to form in fists.

Ironically, the only spot on the grounds that seemed to be void of people, was by the track. Kaia clenched her teeth at the memory of her last time here. Her eyes closed tightly when she recalled their intense and tender embrace.

Her thoughts and recollections blurred her anger and betrayal, and she didn't want to let it go just yet. "Alright, I need you to tell me what the hell is going on or... has been going on." She spat, turning on them. "Clearly, I'm not a part of whatever you three have going on..." she gestured wildly to her brothers, "This has been going on for years, hasn't it?" She paused but didn't wait for an answer. "Even after earlier? After what we did, you don't feel comfortable talking to me?"

Both guys swiveled to Karlie with wide eyes and devilish grins formed on both of their stupidly good-looking faces.

She knew this was putting Karlie on the spot. Something she didn't want to do to her. Kaia never once wanted to make her feel interrogated, but this had gone on far too long.