“What about the initiative?”
A pang goes through my chest. “It’s unclear what will happen. It’s being shelved for the time being.”
“What about the kids?”
“Exactly. What about the kids? They don’t deserve this.” I shake my head as I drive, still unable to fully grasp all that this means for everyone involved. What this might mean for MJ. “We’ll spend our last two months there placing the kids with other programs and centers. It’s going to be a beast because a lot of them charge for their services and our clients aren’t used to having to pay. I feel like a lot of kids are going to slip through the cracks.”
“I’m sorry, Charlotte.”
Kyle may be a lot of things and a big pain in my side half the time, but he can be sweet. He’s the oldest of five, and I’m the third. He and I have gotten closer in our adult years, especially ever since the sibling in between us, Maddy, got married last year. There’s a brother and a sister younger than me, as well.
“I know. Thanks. We’ll figure it out.” I sigh. That’s not even all of it and before Taysom tells him his version, I better explain mine.
“Also, why didn’t you tell me Taysom Reed was coming to the Center to film?” I don’t mean to, but the word “film” comes out more like a sneer.
“Oh, for his documentary?”
“Yes! You could have given me a heads-up. It would have been nice to have been prepared.” And I definitely would have worn a different shirt besides my sauna—er, beige blouse.
“No,thank you, Kyle, for giving Taysom the idea to give me free PR for the Early Childhood Center?”
“Thanks for the reminder that I’ll have a nationwide TV audience when this is all done.”
“So he interviewed you?”
“Yep.”
“Why are you being weird about it?”
“I haven’t seen the guy in years. He’s famous now. And then he stands there in front of a camera and starts askingme questions.” A pang hits my belly as I remember my mortification.
“They can edit awkward stuff before it airs. You’re fine.”
“But will they? Because it got bad and I saw the camerawoman’s eyes just about bug out of her head.”
Except, I remember Taysom’s comment,I got you,and the look in his eyes.
Oh, crap. All he has to do is say one nice thing and look at me in that way, and maybe that old crush isn’t so old anymore.
Kyle laughs. “What did you say?”
I cringe, tapping my forehead in between my eyes, wishing I could go back in time. “I…asked Taysom to donate to our place instead of that ridiculous, behemoth sports medicine tower.”
“Did you call it a ridiculous, behemoth sports medicine tower?” Kyle’s voice fills with mock horror.
“I honestly don’t know. There’s much about that interview I don’t remember. I do know he shot me down. Or his foundation’s president shot me down.” I grit my teeth together. “I don’t even know.”
“I’m sure he would have agreed to it if he could. But don’t worry about it. It’s Taysom. For a professional athlete, he’s surprisingly low-key.”
I hesitate. I’ve never told Kyle about my former crush on his best friend. And it doesn’t matter. It was so long ago, I barely remember it. And sure, Taysom is objectively handsome, but he and I are polar opposites. And, when I allowed myself to indulge in the fantasy of being in love with Taysom, he Twinkied me and never looked back.
“Twinkied.” “Twinkie Road” is what I call his rejection of me. When he forgot all about me because of a box of Twinkies.
I know it’s not exactly fair. I was just a baby of thirteen. He was all grown up—seventeen. And if I know anything about seventeen-year-old males, it’s that when cute, golden-fried cakesare thrown into the mix, they’re going to forget all about their friend’s injured little sister. It’s a given, like getting hungry after you eat rice. It’s basically a rule.
So, we have a teensy bit of a history—and it’s a painful one.
Besides, he probably has a girlfriend.
