My phone buzzes with a FaceTime call from Kai.
“Hi,” I answer flipping the camera around, so he can see me.
“This has to be quick, but Happy Birthday, Kat. I love you.”
Then I see Vance, Jake, and Hunter squeeze into the frame, and they shout, “Happy Birthday, Kat baby, I love you,” mocking Kai. Then they start making kissy sounds like middle schoolers.
“Thank you,” I say and blow them all a kiss.
Vance is such an idiot, he jumps up as if he is catching my kiss and slaps his palm to his cheek. Kai punches him and shouts, “That was meant for me.”
A female voice I don’t recognize cuts in, telling the guys they are ready for them in the booth. “I gotta go, Kat, don’t go breaking my heart.”
“Wild horses, Kai.” The video call ends, and I want to cry.
God this sucks. I wish I was there watching him sing. I know it’s what he has been dreaming of. I am happy for him. I really am.
Khloe comes running into my room. “Khloe has a pwesent for Katie,” she squeals and claps her tiny hands together.
I follow her to the kitchen where a small box sits on the counter with my name on it. Kelli reaches it to me. “This came for you. I think it’s from Kai.”
I eagerly open it to find a jewelry box. I flip the lid off the top to find a beautiful diamond horse pendant on a silver chain. My boyfriend is amazing.
Kelli helps me put it on. This is never leaving my neck.
Khloe yanks on my shirt and reaches me a cupcake that looks like it has had her fingers dug down in the top of it. I fight a giggle. “Did you make this for me?”
“She made it with her Easy Bake Oven that Kai bought her. I wouldn’t eat that,” Kelli whispers the last part to me and trades me for a real cupcake with Khloe none the wiser.
“Thank you, Khloe.” I give her a hug. She gives me a slobbery pink frosted kiss on the cheek.
Penny calls, telling me she is about five minutes away. I tell Kelli and Khloe bye. When I go out into the garage, a red Camaro that matches Kai’s is sitting here with a bow on it.
“Oh, and there is this… This is your birthday/graduation present from all of us. Kent, Kai, Kirk, Khloe, and me. I talked to your guidance counselor this week. Katie, I am so proud of
you for getting Valedictorian of your class.” We both have tears. I can’t believe they did this for me. “Kai said you loved his so much he wanted you to have one of your own, so we helped him with it even though he tried to refuse our offer. So, when you talk to him later, don’t let him know any differently.” She grabs my hand, placing the keys in it, and hugs me. “You are like a daughter to me, Katie. You deserve this.”
“This is too much, I can’t,” I sob tears of joy.
“You can, and you will. Kai wants you to have it and so do we. Now, go out and enjoy your birthday.” She wipes her tears.
I rip the bow off with shaky fingers and get in the car. After adjusting the seat and mirrors, I back out of the garage and meet Penny at the end of the driveway. I wait for her to park and roll down my window as she gets out of her car.
She sees me and squeals. Then she says, “Katie, I am starting to rethink this whole not hating you thing.”
“Then get in and you can decide while we cruise around.”
“I cannot believe your boyfriend bought you a fucking car. You bitch. All of the good stuff always happens to you Katie, so not fair.”
“Okay, miss I have two rock stars calling and texting me all the time,” I tease her. “Text Raven and tell her we are on our way.”
Penny takes my phone sending her the message. She snaps a quick picture of me driving my car, and a few minutes before I come up on Raven’s turn, she sends a text back saying she can’t come out with us.
“I told you, that girl is a hater.” Penny gives me a don’t even try to deny it glare.
“Raven is complicated,” I say, knowing deep down I think Penny is right.
Penny and I end up driving to the Dairy Bar for a milkshake, and we even stop by Beck’s house to show him my new ride. He isn’t impressed. He thinks Kai is trying to buy me. Whatever, he just doesn’t like Kai, for whatever reason. He needs to get over it.