“Right.”
“But I need you to understand impulsivity is the opposite of what’s going on between us.” I took a breath, already grateful for the practice I had with baring my soul. “We’ve had a connection before, when we were younger, and neither of us acknowledged it and it grew and festered into what became my hurt and her animosity.”
“You did more than just hurt my sister Nola, you almost ruined her chance at the Jaguars.” Aaliyah wasn’t letting up, nor did she need to.
“I know! And I promise I made sure Bee knows I’d grovel the rest of our years together. And I promise we tried to ignore and avoid the connection between us now… =but we realized we’d be doing a disservice to each other. What we have is special.Sheis special. We’ve fought and we’ve compromised and we’ve been honest. She absolutely has me wrapped around her fingerl and I’m happy about that! I know she won’t show it, but your opinion does mean a lot to her.”
“You don’t have to like me, trust me I know, but can you at least be happy for her? That’s all I ask. This morning Celeste asked me what my biggest regret was and, it was that I never spoke up for myself with her. I never told her how I felt, I just let everything else happen with no regard for my heart, even if I was terrified of getting rejected. I regret everyday the time I wasted that then turned into something bitter. But I know I’ll never do it again. I’m holding on to Bee, and I’m never letting go.”
I wasn’t granted a quick answer from Aaliyah. Instead, she took her time assessing my face, then looked me up and down. Her mouth showed her answer before she even had to open it, her scowl melted from harsh lines to a softer demeanor.
“If you hurt my sister, I willendyou, Nola Young. Relationship with Rashida and Allison be damned.”
“That’s all I ask.”
“And for the record I don’tnotlike you… you’re just always on my sister’s ass.”
I laughed at Aaliyah’s honesty, “How do you think we got here?”
“I have a surprise for you.” I held a sturdy, small dark blue box for Bee to take.
“Why?” She drew out, proceeding with caution as she stepped toward me. Her eyes squinted and her mouth scowled like I still couldn’t be trusted. But I knew she had been in a better mood since I told her I talked to Aaliyah and we gossiped about Gia and Celeste.
I didn’t let her suspicion trow me off, though. “It’s your birthday gift.” I smiled.
“My birthday was last month, my love.” She eyed the box like it was a bomb now.
“Yes, I am aware of your Aries star sign.”
“Who gives a gift a month late?” Damn she wouldn’t let up.
I thrust the box closer to her, my giddiness starting to turn into self-doubt. For a brief second I thought my smile would wilt, but then I remembered who I was debating. My favorite person in the world, second to my sister, was a professional ball buster, someone who wouldn’t let me have a second of peace.
“Nola, I know we’re gay, but it’s entirely too early to get engaged.”
“Brittney Lee…” My patience was running low.
“Fine, fine!” She snatched the box greedily from my generous hand, her eyes were bright and anticipatory.
“I’ll never catch a break with you, will I?”
“How else do you think we’re supposed to keep this interesting?”
As she opened the box and eyed the jewelry sitting on the center cushion, I slipped my own piece into place.
“Nola what is this—” She looked up at me, where I was smiling wide to reveal a piece of gold jewelry sitting on my bottom canine and the tooth next to it.
“Oh my god, you got me a grill!” She screamed into the kitchen. “Oh my God, we havematchinggrills?!” My heart nearly exploded from the look on her face.
In the same way I had tried to memorize every bit of Brittney, I had done the same for her emotions and how she presented them. Every emotion Bee possessed morphed her face completely. It was clear as day when we were on the court as opponents, but it was even more special to see in the privacy of our home. Immediately her eyes welled with tears, but her smile didn’t crack off her face.
“Why did you do this?” She looked at me like I did something heroic or worthy enough to receive a medal.
“I heard you ask for it for your birthday. So I called my jeweler up.” I shrugged at my best attempt at being nonchalant, but that didn’t exist when I orbited around Bee. Our matching grills had an ocean wave set in the middle that matched our team logo.
“Who just casually has a jeweler?” Bee rolled her eyes and laughed, wiping the tears that fell freely.
“Be serious, Brittney. You’ve seen my collection.”
