“It can be, but I bet it’s mostly because you miss that boy. Remember that there is no rule book when it comes to love. Question your perceived notions, Kaya. If I build a life with my deceased husband’s best friend and you fall for your brother’s best friend, who says it’s wrong?”
“But Ma, the fight they had only confirms my biggest fear. Kyle will never accept it. How can I build a life with a man my brother will never support?”
“That fight only confirms that your brother still has some growing up to do and you can’t make decisions about the rest of your life based on what other people think. I’m not saying you throw it in Kyle’s face every moment you get, but you can work things out with Brandon. Just do it slowly, carefully and respectfully.”
“Like you’ve done with Mr. Solomon?” I understand what she’s getting at.
She nods her head yes.
“Exactly.”
“Well, tell him that he’s going to have to fix his payroll issues if he’s going to join this family.” I smirk.
“It’s difficult running a small business, but you’re right.” She smiles back at me. “He should pay you and anyone else he hires on time. I’ll have a word with him about it. Maybe I’ll even help him since I’m retiring next year.”
“Good.”
My mother gives me a brief kiss on the cheek and motions to stand up and leave the basement. On her way up the stairs, she asks me one last question.
“Honey, can I ask you something?”
“Sure, Ma.”
“Are you still a virgin?”
I almost choke on my saliva.
“No, Ma, and I haven’t been for a long time.”
“Was Brandon your first?” she asks hesitantly.
No, I think to myself, but he should have been.
Brick
The whistle blowsand I slam my fist into the frozen turf, my rage and sorrow swelling with each punch. I’m playing a scrimmage with several of my teammates to keep in shape, but this was probably a bad idea.
“Yo, man, are you okay?”
“Fine.”
I shake my head, trying to clear away the memories of the past few weeks.
Falling for Kaya.
Fighting with Kyle.
Losing Kaya.
Yet no matter how hard I try, the image of his bloody face and her broken expression keep flashing before my eyes.
All I want is to love Kaya and for Kyle to understand and accept us, but for that to happen I’ll need Kaya to fight for us too and I’m not sure if she can do that… or if she even wants to.
My teammates watched me as I stumble off the field. I can feel the pity pouring off of them and it only makes my anger burn brighter. I want to tell them what happened, to explain why I’m so upset and pushing myself so hard, but I know it would do no good.
They would never understand what I have with Kaya, especially when my love life brought such negative attention to the team a few weeks ago.
I stagger through the hallway towards the locker room, exhaustion and despair weighing heavy on my weary shoulders. I pushed open the locker room door, which creaks in protest, and try to focus my thoughts on the upcoming contract renegotiations that Phillip is working so hard on.
