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It had been a few days since Kenny's conversation with Carter and she only felt more nervous as the time passed. The club was opening in a few days, the owner had a meeting planned for all of the employees just the next day and she knew that she had to tell her brother before he found out on his own. It was safe to say that Carter's offer to be there with her was her only saving grace, even if she knew that it would potentially fuel the fire to Cameron's tantrum.
She sat in the car for a moment outside of her brother's apartment, her fingers tapping on the car door nervously, "This is going to be so bad. We need to make sure he's away from all sharp objects and flammables. And you. You can stand behind me, I can hold him off." Kenny couldn't stop talking. There were so many possibilities running through her mind of how he'd react and none of them were good. She didn't see him giving her a swift high-five or a pat on the back for joining a club that was likely to attract a rough crowd. And she definitely didn't see him opening his arms to Carter being in his apartment.
"Are you sure about this? Maybe I shouldn't tell him. It's not really his kind of scene, I can't imagine he'd find out. What if I just wait a little bit longer?" Finally she turned to the man next to her, her eyebrows pulled together and her teeth sunk into her lower lip.
Nervousness didn't wear well on Carter's expression. He sat comfortably and calmly alongside her as they pulled up on her brother's apartment, and his eyes were immediately on her. He didn't say a word as she spoke; she needed to air out whatever she'd been bottling up, and it was better to say it now as opposed to when she was face to face with her brother. He didn't even bother to point out that of the two, he'd likely be better at holding him off.
Surely, it couldn't go that wrong. Right?
"Wouldn't it be far worse if he happened to find out on his own?" Carter asked her instead, shrugging his shoulders. Sure, the possibilities might have been low, but she had to consider more than just the obvious; "Even if... One of his friends walks in one day and sees you, you better believe that information's getting back to him instantly. Then you're in a worse position instantly."
Reaching over the console that divided them, he took her hand with one and pat it gently with the other; "You're going to be fine, dear."
McKenna was envious of the way he remained so calm, but it also wasn't his brother. Cameron was similar to Kenny in the regard that both of them were highly dramatic when it came to each other. Carter and Dom had always just seemed so calm and level-headed in comparison. Perhaps that was the reason she found herself freaking out, it was heightened by the fact that she knew Cam was going to go crazy.
Carter took her hand and she took a deep breath, looking at him straight on and accepting his words with a nod, "Just don't egg him on, ya know. Your presence is gonna bug him as it is because you're, ya know, you." She cracked a smile and nodded again, "Okay. Let's do this before I totally wimp out and demand that you take me for ice cream instead." Which she'd likely need after this encounter anyway.
Kenny paused once she exited the car and she stared at the door to her brother's apartment from below. Once Carter was beside her, she led him up the stairs and towards the door. Upon arriving in front of the door, she quickly reached back for Carter's hand and knocked with her free one on the door to her brother's apartment. She wanted to believe that he wasn't home, but of course, she knew he was.
A second later and Carter was raising his hands, like he'd been caught red handed and needed to show they were completely empty. And he, completely innocent. "You know I'll only interject if it's necessary." He lied.
But he followed her regardless, leaving the apparent safety of the car to follow her towards the door. At a half step behind her, he stopped short of the door and let her knock on it instead. He felt her hand reach for his and he took it calmly, offering a reassuring squeeze and keeping hold of it for good measure.
The second he answered the door, Carter grinned.
"Hello, darling." He greeted him; "I'm home, and I've brought a friend."
❥ He was happily watching the crime drama's he oh so loved. He had been the entire day seeing no reason to be doing anything else. He had college work, sure, but he had no need to be on campus to do that. So he was... procrastinating for a more creative term. Procrastinating was great. No people, no work, no need to imitate anybody. His happy peace was soon interrupted by a knock on his door. He wasn't expecting anyone, at least he thought he wasn't. Though it could have been Kenny. She had a habit of appearing out of the blue for random visits.
Sighing, he paused his stream and got up opening the door. Smiling brightly upon seeing his sister, then scowling at that irritating voice. "So I see, darling" Cameron shot a glare at Carter. "Hi, Kenny." He greeted his sister. "Why don't you both come in." Cameron smiled a tight smile, stepping aside to let them in. "So, what's up Kenny? Why didn't you let me know you were dropping by?" He asked McKenna, completely ignoring Carter's current existence.
She'd been so certain that Carter would be on good behavior, although she couldn't figure out what gave her that delusional thought. Not even a minute in and he was already stirring the pot. McKenna glanced back at him and squeezed his hand, hoping to convey that this was not good behavior and she'd very much like him not to get into it with her brother.
As they stepped inside, she stretched up and kissed her brother's cheek, still holding fast to Carter's hand. If he was going to be a smart ass already, there was no way she was letting him go. "Hi, Cammy! Is it so bad that I just wanted to see you? And why should I have to call, it's not like you're doing anything?" She gave him an all too wide smile because she was nervous. She did not like lying to her brother, but it wasn't a total sham. She had wanted to see him and she was typically showing up at random times anyway. The only difference was that she didn't typically bring Carter with her.
When he came back to her mind, she looked at him with wide eyes, completely unsure of how to start the conversation about the club. She chewed on her lower lip and scooted closer to him when they sat down. "What are you doing exactly? Watching another crime show without me, I see. I'm telling Olivia that you're excluding us, bet she'll be offended, too."
The smile to a scowl was obvious. Carter considered clutching his chest at the sheer warmth of Cam's reaction to him, but he didn't. He didn't want to be overdramatic just yet; that would ruin everything. At least he was still invited inside; that was a nice touch.
He watched the way she kissed his cheek, and again, he deftly considered following suit. But the moment passed with his patience. So instead, he simply followed along as she dragged him into a seat beside her, hand still fastened to his like the lifeline it was designed to be.
"For what it's worth, I'm also offended by the lack of invitation." He added lightly, raising his hand at the point.
mood: happy, not overly-murderous, still irritated though
words: 146
❥ Cameron closed the door and kissed his sister back when they entered. Cam raised a brow slightly. Carter was behaving, for once, holding back on those usual irritating, nerve-grating habits he had grown to know. He grinned at his sister, she had a point, she dropped in all the time unannounced. "Well, of course not Kenny, I'm always glad to see you." Cam laughed a little. "Oh, so she just dragged you along this time, did she?" Cameron shot a look Carter's way. If Carter was playing nice, he supposed he had to too. He wasn't overjoyed of having Carter in his apartment, but he was in a relatively non-murderous mood today. "And oh hush Kenny, it's not like they're episodes we haven't already seen a hundred times over. I would never watch new ones without you two, you know." Cam lead them into the small kitchen.
"Drinks? Snacks?" Cam opened the fridge pulling out a water pitcher and pouring himself a glass.
Kenny couldn't even think about snacks or drinks. Her stomach was in such a twist that she was fairly certain trying to force something in would only result in it just as quickly coming back up. She worried that she might have been squeezing Carter's hand too tight and she looked at him to assess whether she was right or not, loosening her grip on him the tiniest bit, but still not letting go. Why did it feel like she was about to tell her brother that she was pregnant or getting married to the man beside her? Surely this should have been easier than that.
"Cam, can you sit down, I need to talk to you about something," That sounded bad. "I mean, it's okay, everything is fine, I just, I've got some good news." Why did that sound worse? McKenna had no clue what she was getting herself into. "I just need you to focus for a second, yeah? And then I'll be out of your hair and all will be good. I'll take Cart with me, too," She glanced at him with a small smile.
"Oh, you know Cam, I always live for the time I get to see you." Rare as it was. He smiled at the man for his hospitality, and while he could try to be on his behaviour, he couldn't help the way he gently spurred him. Better he be mad at Carter than Kenny, anyway.
Carter listened to the way Kenny framed the news she was about to give. It was an appalling start. but he knew bringing that up would only make it worse. She made it sound like she was dying. Patting her hands in the silence, he let his smile grow once more.
"We want to get married, Cam." He announced quickly, glancing at her with a bright kind of love in his eyes, "And we want you to be accepting of our decision, so I've come to ask your permission before I pop the question."
mood: Not thrilled in the slightest, you've gotta be kidding me, ready to murder, Kenny correct him, help
words: 159
❥ Cameron smiled in return at Carter, frowning slightly at the dig, but ignoring it for the most part. He turned his attention to Kenny, his frown growing from the tone in her voice. Something serious was happening, and he knew he'd have to try and be patient and understanding with her, and whatever news she may bring. He downed his glass of water and grabbed another one, making his way over to the table sitting down. He was halfway through a mouthful before spluttering, he turned to Carter staring wide-eyed. That couldn't have been the news... could it? No way, Kenny wouldn't have sounded that... well... he supposed weird over that... but that didn't stop him from jumping out of his seat, looking ready to throttle Carter. "You of all people, want to settle down with... one person? I don't believe that, and I don't trust that." He looked to Kenny, then back at Carter, then back to Kenny.
The words that left Carter's mouth, had McKenna baffled. She didn't know how to react initially because she hadn't expected him to speak the words that she'd been thinking. It was a joke, she didn't actually want it said out loud. Her eyes snapped to her brother to gauge his reaction. He had to know it was a joke. Kenny was barely an adult! She was not old enough to be married. Let alone to the beautiful man beside her who she honestly couldn't see marrying anyone. He was a free spirit of sorts and while she truly adored him in so many ways, that way was not one of them.
"No. No no. No no no," She stood up quickly to stand in front of her brother. "Cameron, no. C'mon seriously? You had to know that was a joke." She glanced down at her best friend and narrowed her eyes before turning back to her brother. "It's not that, it's nothing like that. It's...okay, look." Kenny folded her hands and pressed them to her lips as she contemplated the best way to come out with it. It really wasn't as bad as she thought, was it?
"I'm working at a burlesque club as a performer, there, I said it. Let me have it, Cam. Go on," She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for his reaction.
"Every man is capable of change when the right person comes along." Carter pointed out. Still, he absolutely had been joking. At least there was some method to his humour.
Sly remarks aside, he let her have the floor and all the attention that coincided with it. Her delivery was as shaken as Carter expected it would be given how nervous she'd been before they got there. But she gave him the need and it was his to react to.
"On the plus side," Carter started, to ease the silence, "It's better news than marrying me."
❥ He sighed with relief oh thank god it wasn't so. Cameron calmed and sat back down. He knew it was a joke, but to be honest, anything Carter said makes him want to throttle the other. Though, he only ever reacted when it was something he didn't like. Like marriage. "Yes, yes, it was a joke, I know, but you don't just tell your best friend's brother that out of the blue." Cameron nodded acknowledgement to Carter's statement but said nothing, Kenny was trying to tell him something, so he couldn't get tangled up with Carter right now. Then she said it. Performing. Burlesque. Night Club. There was silence, long, still silence as Cameron was taken in by surprise and so many emotions that had come with the news, he had to struggle with himself to contain them, this was his sister, he couldn't get mad. Carter was the who ended the silence anyway. Well, he was right, or was he? Cameron honestly didn't know which was worse.
He took a breath, closed his eyes a moment and thought about his words. Whatever he said, and whatever he did, he was not going to yell at his sister, and while he was not pleased with the news, he had to try and support her, so taking the protective route would be a better path. "You are aware of the dangers? The type of people who go into those sorts of club can be unsavory. I can't be there to protect you. If something happened... what am I to tell our parents and our aunt? "oops, something happened to Kenny at a burlesque club" that makes me sound so responsible." He then sighed, still keeping his patience. "Look, you're old enough to make your own decisions, and honestly, you have the figure for it, so if this is really what you want to do, go for it... but please be safe. Yes, I'm not pleased with the idea, yes, I'm worried as all heck about you, but our parents brought us up in a way that accepts all and embraces everything, so I'm not going to say no." Cameron got up again and hugged his sister close. "All I ask is that you promise to be safe." He pulled out of the hug, keeping his hands on her shoulders. "And if something happens, if things look like they're getting out of hand, please, please call me or Carter." Cameron paused then looked over to Carter. "Yes, I mean I'm trusting you. All things aside, if anything happened to Kenny, I know you'd be there."
McKenna was appreciative of Carter being there, all of his jokes aside, he had a comforting presence because she knew he would take the brunt of whatever came. And he was good for diffusing tense situations. He knew enough about her to know that she was a nervous person, even when it came to her family sometimes.
Kenny was about to protest when he spoke of danger, but she pressed her lips together to let him continue. She was always quick to defend her decisions, even if they were wrong. He pulled her into a hug and she gave him a tight squeeze before he pulled away. "Cam, it's just a club. There's security and plenty of people around that would notice if something was off. It's not going to be dangerous and it's just a step in the right direction. But I'll be safe, I always am."
She was shocked that he'd asked Carter to look out for her, mostly because she'd expected her brother to point him out as part of the danger. Of course she knew that wasn't true, but Cameron didn't like her best friend in the tiniest bit. Kenny reached back to place a hand on her best friend's shoulder and she smiled. She knew he would come visit and she felt like he would protect her if it was needed.
