I scoffed loudly. “Okay, you’ve been reading too many romance novels. Doubtful that she still loves me if she’s withhim, and even if she does, she’s not breaking up her family to be with some dude who broke her heart in high school.”
“You weren’t just some dude, and the fact that you’re willing to make lifestyle changes just to get the info says you still have deep feelings.”
“Doesn’t matter, Peace. She made a choice, and it wasn’t me.” Even saying the words, though it’d been true for years, saddened me.
“You have to see her again. You two were epic.”
“Epic? O-kay.” I laughed at my brother’s flair for the dramatic. “We were in love for a second, and then life happened.”
“Life didn’t just happen, and she needs to know that.” His eyes watered, and I steeled myself against his emotions. Reliving the past would only make me want to use. He blew out his breath and continued, “She’s in charge of the reunion, and what better way to see her again than to attend. Then you can tell if she still has feelings for you, or you can play it off and use the reunion as an excuse if she doesn’t.”
“Or she’s into me because she’s fascinated with my status.”
“The status that you worked hard to achieve to impress her in the first place.”
“I told you that?” I shook my head, ruefully. “I must have been lit.”
“Probably, but I know you meant every word.”
I did. Everything I did and who I became was about showing Jamaica that I was somebody. “Still don’t get why this is important to you.”
“Maybe I want to see my brother happy for once. Always thought you and Jamaica had something special.”
“Naw. Only in my head and yours. Apparently, she moved on too quickly to my best friend, no less.”
His eyes widened. “What did you expect her to do? You left without a word to anyone for a year. Then, when you returned home, you were in Dallas for a hot second and gone again. You expected her to wait?”
“No. She stopped taking my calls and changed her number. And I was too hurt to deal with you, and you know why. At the time, I couldn’t fight for her. I wasn’t in any position to make any demands of her. And when I was, she didn’t want me anymore. I just never expected her to fall for my best friend,” I explained. The angry pangs of betrayal struck, and irritation coated my tone as I asked him, “Are you happy? Forget about fixing my life for a sec. What’s happening with you? You seeing someone?”
“A couple of someones.” He smiled. “I’m good. Like really good. I love my job with the kids. I’m up for lead supervisor at the job…might get promoted to regional manager, and I have been asked to live with two different sexy people. The only thing missing is you.”
Seeing my brother smile like this, who as a teenager walked around with a permanent frown, eased the anger that had briefly flamed. Only three years apart. I don’t remember a time he didn’t exist. “My brother, the player. Breaking hearts left and right. Glad we bat for different teams, or you would be my enemy.” My brother had worn his sexual orientation on his sleeve since I can remember.
And my father, the definition of masculine toxicity, tried to beat it out of him at every turn.
“So, will you attend the reunion?”
“Be honest. Does the school want to give me special recognition? Was it Jamaica’s idea if they do?” I moved the phone closer to my face. “Tell me.”
His eyes lit with devilment. “No. But who cares? You’re Freedom Cade, the biggest celebrity, next to Usher and Ms. Badu, to come out of Dallas. The moment you show up, it’s going to be wild, and you’ll get to see her again.”
I rubbed the top of my head. “Just show up. Like, walk into the reception?”
“Yep. Like the bad ass you’ve always been.” He fluffed his pillow. “See if Jamaica is affected by you.”
“What if she isn’t?” I looked at Peace through my phone. His expression was hopeful, like he knew she and I would get back together and live like some damn fairytale. He fully expected a happy ending.
He quirked a brow. “Once again, you are motherfucking Freedom Cade. And that doubt in your voice tells me you never stop loving her, and maybe it’s time for Jamaica to remember that she has options.”
“You're really pushing this hard,” I commented. “Should I know why?”
“Yep. It’s a good reason. Seeing Kody cheat just made it all the clearer on my next steps.”
I relaxed against my pillows. Maybe it was time to see her again and finally let go of her once and for all. Or hold on and never let go.
“Jamie, get up.” I knocked hard on the door. “Get off that game.”
His voice sounded muffled, and I opened the door. As I thought, he had his game console and headphones on, still under the covers, wearing his Black Panther t-shirt. I had to stand in front of the TV to get his attention. “Get dressed, or you’re walking to school.” I glanced around his cluttered space. “I thought I asked you to pick up in here?”
