“You’re going out again.” It was a statement, not a question. Despite Brian’s attempts at an explanation, Kassy was not happy. She was extremely pissed.
“I tried to tell her that I wanted to spend time with you, but-“
“She said she felt like I was getting all your attention and she felt dejected,” Kassy finished for him. She sighed, squeezing her eyes shut to hold back the tears.
“Kas, I tried,” Brian pleaded.
“Brian, I’m getting a little sick of your attempts at ‘trying to spend time with me’,” she growled into the receiver. “She won’t let you off your leash and I’m getting sick of it. You’re like a f*ckin’ puppet!” He tried to interrupt.
“Hey! I’m not on-“
“You claim the reason you’re still in Philly is because you want to spend time with me, yet we’re never together!” Kassy clenched her fist around the receiver, fighting to keep calm. “You’re playing me for a fool, Brian.”
“Kassy, no! I’m not playing you for anything! I want to get together with you, it’s just-“
“SHE WON’T LET YOU OFF YOUR LEASH!” Kassy yelled, her other fist holding onto the coffee table for support. “Brian, I gave you another chance and you blew it! Do you have any idea how much of an idiot I feel like right now?”
“I didn’t mean to-“
“Goodbye Brian.” Throwing the cordless phone onto the couch, she collapsed down after it and sobbed. She couldn’t control the tears anymore. She had began to trust him again and this was how he treated her?
Brian’s heart dropped down to his stomach as he listened to Kassy cry. When he’d heard a loud thump, he’d realized that she never turned the phone off. He began yelling her name into the phone, trying to get her attention.
“What’s going on?” Brian turned to see Howie and Kevin walk into the room. Sighing, Brian sat down on the bed, the receiver still attached to his ear.
“Kassy won’t pick up the phone,” he sighed, resting his head on his hand.
“Why don’t’ you try dialing?” Kevin suggested wryly. Brian scowled at him.
“We were discussing something, she got mad, and threw down the phone,” he explained. Kevin’s only reaction was to scowl. He had a feeling he knew what Brian and Kassy were “discussing” and if he was right, his cousin was gonna get hurt.
“Give me the phone,” Howie said, reaching out for it. Brian pulled away and looked up at him oddly. “Brian, just give me the phone. You yelling into it is not doing any good. Let me see if I can help.” Brian only stared at him.
“Give it to him,” Kevin demanded. Blinking slightly, Brian reluctantly handed Howie the phone.
“Kassy?” She calmed down a bit when she heard the voice on the other line. It was different, certainly not Brian’s. Sitting up, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands and reached for the phone. Putting it up to her ear, she took a deep breath.
“Yeah?” she said. Her voice was strained.
“Kas, it’s me, Howie.” She smiled, calmed by the concern in his voice. “Babe, are you okay?” She nodded and sniffed.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she lied.
“Not, you’re not,” he said. “Look,” his voice became hushed, “I know why you’re upset. They’re all ditching me, too.” Kassy’s smile brightened. Howie knew the exact reason she was upset, but he didn’t voice it because he knew her reaction. “Everyone has dates tonight except me. Wanna join me in this fabulous hotel room for a lovely evening? We can order pizza, watch movies, and lounge. Now, doesn’t that sound like fun?” Giggling, Kassy bit her bottom lip.
“You sure you want a party-pooper like me around?” she asked. He laughed.
“You’re no party-pooper,” he said. “From what Kevin’s said, you’re quite the party-starter.”
“Okay, what’d he tell you?” she asked, mock-seriously.
“Only good, hun, only good,” he laughed. Then, his voice became serious. “So, are we on for tonight?”
“Yeah, but first I have to make some last minute adjustments on my article,” she said. “Can I bring it over for you to look at?”
“Sure, anything you want,” he said. “I’ll go out and get some movies. Sappy or action?”
“I can’t handle anything sappy right now,” she said. “Go for Wesly Snipes slash Jim Carrey. Funny and action packed.”
“How ‘bout Demolition Man?” Howie asked.
“Never seen it, so why not?”
“Okay, I’ll get that and a few others. Actually, I’ll probably get Mark to do it.” Kassy laughed. Howie going out alone in public was probably not a good idea. “So, why don’t you finish your article and come over in, say, two hours?” Kassy looked at her watch. It was 4:20.
“That’s perfect,” she said. “I’ll see you then.”
“Wait, Kas! Do you know your way to the hotel?” She was silent for a moment, then laughed.
“No,” she said, simply.
“I’ll send a limo to pick you up at 6:30, alright?” Everyone should be gone by then. That way she won’t have to be bothered with him.
“I’ll pick her up,” Brian offered quickly. Both Howie and Kevin scowled at him.
“You don’t have to do that,“ Kassy protested.
“It’d be my pleasure,” Howie said, turning back to the phone. “Besides, our limo driver looks like he’s having too much fun, anyways. He needs work.” Kassy laughed. “Okay, so I’ll see you in two hours?”
“Sure,” she said. Before they hung up, she said, “Oh, and D?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” The two of them hung up and Howie turned on Brian. “You think she really wants to see you after what you just did?”