Talent Icon had been a success. Native Clothing was excited to work with Kevin. The CEO said he wanted to make another deal.
Kevin and Kyla had left the center. They were walking to Kevin’s car. The night air was cold. Kevin pulled Kyla close to him to warm her.
“What do you want to do?” she asked. “Head home?”
“Yeah. The traffic is pretty bad. It’ll take a while.”
They got into the car. He started the engine. Then he looked at her. “You know what? I really want to see Bryan.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
Kevin pulled out of the parking space. He drove slowly through the crowd.
“You don’t want to?” he asked.
“It’s not that. I just wonder if Bryan’s ready. He’s fine seeing just you. I’m not sure—”
“I don’t think he’d mind a quick visit.”
They drove away from the convention center. Traffic was slow.
Kyla squeezed Kevin’s hand. “What about you?” she asked. “Are you okay?”
Kevin stared out the front window. His eyes were focused on the line of cars ahead. They’d go for a few seconds, then come to a sudden halt. It was like that for miles.
“I feel like part of me died.”
Kyla laughed. “That’s deep,” she said. “You should post it.”
“I know, right? But it’s true. People only knew one side of me. The famous side. Maybe I will post something. It might help other people.” He looked at her.
“What?” she said. “What are you thinking now?”
“We should do something together,” Kevin said. “Kev and Kyla.”
“What would our show be about?”
“Something positive. How to use social media to make a difference.”
“I like it,” she said.
“Let’s talk to Bryan about it. He has good ideas.”
Kevin slammed on the brakes. Traffic had come to a sudden stop again.
“I almost forgot,” Kyla said. “I have something for you.” She reached into her coat pocket. “Here.” She handed a note to Kevin.
“What’s this?”
“Read it.”
Kevin opened the note. It was from his parents. They wanted him to know how proud they were. Whatever Kevin wanted to do was okay with them. They just wanted him to be happy.
He looked at Kyla. “They could have just texted me.”
“I think they wanted to make it personal. Like you did with Brad. Some things are better in person. Besides, I know it means a lot to you.”
“Keep telling me the truth,” he said. “Even when I don’t like it.”
“Okay. I’ll tell you the truth right now. I love the real Kevin Sanders.” She had drawn K + K on the frosty window. There was a heart around it.
Traffic was moving again. Kyla was on Instagram. “You’re trending,” she said.
Kevin looked over. It was a photo of him. He was wearing the green Native shirt. The Insta-world had met the real Kevin Sanders. “How many likes?” he asked.