Expect The Unexpected (H-Town)

Prologue

And why not?" Kaedi asked, confused—and hurt.

Dino laughed, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"You really think we'd make a good couple?" he said. "I see you as my sister, Kaedi. I could never date you—that shit would be way too fucking weird. Don't get me wrong, you got it going on, but we could never be that."

The words hit harder than she expected.

Kaedi, Leah, Stacey, Dino, Shazam, and G.I. were in the middle of a game of Spin the Bottle. Kaedi had spun it, and it landed on Dino. She'd had the biggest crush on him since they were six years old—always believing that one day, when they got older, they'd end up together.

She definitely wasn't expecting this.

She felt the sting, but she wasn't about to let anyone see it. Turning her head, she quickly wiped away the tear that slipped free.

"Aight, whatever," she said, rolling her eyes. "Stacey, spin the bottle."

Dino glanced at her, curious, but Kaedi avoided his gaze.

Stacey spun the bottle. It landed on Shazam. She bit her lip while he sighed inwardly.

"So... truth or a kiss?" he asked, already trying to get it over with.

Stacey pretended to think, though her mind was made up.
"Kiss me."

He leaned in, and they kissed. It felt like forever to Kaedi—but in reality, it was only a few seconds. Everyone cheered except her. Dino glanced her way again, and she rolled her eyes.

When they finally pulled apart, the air shifted—awkward. Kaedi took a shot. Then another.

Leah spun next. The bottle landed on G.I., and they smiled at each other. Everyone was pretty damn faded by now, but Kaedi had sobered up the moment Dino opened his mouth earlier.

"So," Leah asked, leaning closer, "you got a thing for me, Darryl?"

"I think you cute, yeah," he said honestly. "But I don't see us dating."

"Okay!" Stacey announced, stumbling to her feet. "That's the end of this game."

Luckily, everyone lived either up the block or across the street. Another hour of drinking passed before people started heading out—everyone except Dino.
He followed Kaedi into the kitchen as she grabbed a bottle of water.

"Is there a reason you still chillin' around my crib?" she asked flatly. "Everybody else already left."

"I just wanna make sure everything's good with you," he said, stepping in front of her.

She rolled her eyes and took a long drink. "I'm fine. You can leave."

"This don't got nothing to do with earlier, does it?" he asked, moving closer.

Her heart picked up speed. She drank more water.

"Nah. I'm tired and ready to sleep. That's all," she lied.

Dino gave her a look—one that said he didn't believe her for a second. He shook his head.

"You want me to stay over? Keep you company?"

"Nah, I'm good." She walked to the door and opened it.

"Good night, Keven. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

He hesitated, then stepped outside.
She closed the door. Locked it.

Then she slid down against it and cried.

Not long—just enough to let it out. By the time she stood up again, she was already cleaning. Her family would be home in the morning, and life wasn't going to pause for a broken heart.