Distracted (19 page)

Bryson

“Bro, come on now. You
have
to come to the Championship parade. That shit isn’t optional. The whole city will be there.”

Wes was pacing back and forth in front of my bed, the bed I had no plans of getting out of just to be around people. Sure I would probably be handed a hefty fine for not attending the parade, probably be deemed the bad guy, and probably lose a bunch of fans, but I honestly didn’t care.

She was really gone.

Correction; I let her go…
willingly
.

And now after talking to DJ Mix’m, I couldn’t stop wondering what alternatives we had for handling the situation. Shit, maybe if I would’ve pleaded my case a little better, we would’ve had a chance. Or maybe we just needed to go to counseling or somethin’. Or maybe...

Wes’s voice cut me from my thoughts. “Bryson, are you even listening to me? Look, I know that whole shit with Kennedy still isn’t sittin’ right, but you’ve gotta snap out of it. Like ASAP.”

I knew he was right, but something made me ask, “Wes, have you ever had your heartbroken?
”

He tossed a hand at me like the question was ridiculous. “Hell nah. I don’t fall in love. That shit is a trap.”

I quickly corrected him, “No. Groupies are a trap. Take it from me.”

He nodded his head to agree. “Noted. But for real, B. We gotta go. Suck that shit up for the people and let’s ride out.” I knew he wasn’t giving up anytime soon and even if he did, Leslie would be next to blow up my phone and my doorbell until I showed up.

“Man… alright. I’ll be ready in a minute. Wait for me downstairs.” He nodded before he left my room, closing the door behind him. I looked at the Championship shirt he had brought for me to wear and even though I hardly felt worthy of the title, I pulled it over my head, scrubbing a hand over my hair that was long overdue for a haircut.

Hopefully there’s a hat to match the shirt.

I went to the closet to change out of my pajama pants into some jeans and all I could think about was Kennedy sorting through rack after rack until she found the perfect pair for me to wear. She was always so intricate like that, always so on point. I could already imagine her little scowl as I went to pick out a pair of tennis shoes, but I concluded that with this particular event, she wouldn’t mind so much.

Damn, I miss that girl.

I went back to the bedroom to grab my phone and shoot her a text. Even if we were done pursuing a relationship, maybe she had actually heard my little spill on the radio and would consider at least being friends with me again.

Hey Kenn. I wanted to invite you to the Championship parade today at 4 ‘o clock. I’m pretty sure Chloe’s coming too, so you won’t be alone or anything, though it’s pretty hard to feel alone in a crowd of thousands lol. Let me know. -B$

I finished getting dressed then snatched my phone up to see she had actually replied.

Kennedy: We’ll be there.

It was so simple, yet it filled me with so much excitement that I could hardly contain myself as I jogged down the stairs to meet Wes.

“Ready, bro?”

He looked at me suspiciously before he asked, “What’s gotten into you, man? Just ten minutes ago you were all Danny Downer and shit.”

My grin was ear-to-ear as I told him, “She’s coming.”

He stood up so we could leave but not without asking, “Who?”

I enthusiastically answered, “Kennedy. She’s coming to the parade.”

He laughed, putting a hand to his forehead as he said. “Aww shit. That’s what you’re all hyped up about? That girl has got you mad sprung, B.”

I knew it was true and there was no denying it. I was crazy about Kennedy, which really only meant one thing.

I had to get her back.

&

I saw her before she noticed me.

Though most people were cheering us on and trying to catch the different freebies we were tossing out from the float, she was busy on her phone. So instead of calling out to her since I knew she wouldn’t hear me, I pulled out my phone and sent her a text.

Look up, Kenn. -B$

I could tell the exact moment she got the text because her head flew up and her eyes locked in on mine before she served up a sugary sweet smile that surprised the hell out of me. I mean, she had actually shown up, so I suppose that was worth something. But I still wasn’t expecting her to actually be happy to see me.

While I had her attention, I quickly sent her another text.

Baby, you look absolutely stunning. I miss you so damn much. -B$

She was smiling into her phone so I took that as a sign to send her one more.

Kennedy, I’m too in love with you to let you go. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you, I swear. -B$

I couldn’t see her face clearly since our float had passed her, but I could tell she was replying.

Kenn: Whatever it takes, huh?

Whatever it takes, baby. I’ll give you the world if I have to, though until we get world peace and shit, you should probably hold off on accepting it. -B$

Kenn: LOL. I can’t stand you, or the rain, and I swear on that. ;)

Smiling at me.

LOLs.

This had to be a sign for me to make my move.

Well can you stand me enough to let me take you to dinner tonight? -B$

It was risky, but now was a better chance than any to ask her.

It took a little while for a reply to come, but I was more than happy with the results when it did.

Kenn: Sure. Send me the details.

Kennedy

I was nervous.

More nervous than I had been for anything in a long time.              

Agreeing to going to dinner with Bryson was… not a want, but a need. After sleeping on the whole situation, I had come to the conclusion that I did in fact want to be with him. Exactly how we were gonna make it work, I wasn’t sure. But I was willing to figure it out if he was willing to do the same.

The kind of love I still felt for Bryson was scary if I was being honest with myself. So there was really no way of just… letting it go. Sure I could’ve tried to detox myself of everything him, but I really would’ve just been losing even more of myself in the process.

Just because Bryson had a child on the way didn’t mean he was incapable of loving me too.

And he did love me.

In fact, he loved me so much that he was willing to sacrifice his own happiness by really seeing things from my point of view and acknowledging how much sense it made for me to move on.

For a moment, I really believed I was going to do just that. That I was just gonna be able to say farewell and move on with my life as if he never even existed. But then I realized that even in his absence, I was still consumed by him. My thoughts, my feelings, my heart… were out of my hands, out of my control. I had reached the point of no return and I was finally ready to accept it.

I was considering changing my outfit for the hundredth time when there was a soft knock on the bedroom door. I could pretty much assume it was Landon so I told him to come on in.

He looked at me through the mirror as he said, “Perfect. You’re already dressed. I was gonna see if you wanted to go grab a bite to eat with me.”

“Umm… actually, I’m going to dinner with Bryson.”

His expression was a mix of confusion and disbelief. “Wait a minute. You’re doing what?”

I rolled my eyes, doing a final touch-up of my makeup as I told him, “Landon, I know you heard me loud and clear so I’m not gonna repeat it for your listening pleasure.” I could only see his reflection in the mirror, but he appeared completely outdone.

“So you’re tellin’ me… we were engaged, we both cheated, and you don’t even
consider
taking me back. But this dude has a damn baby on the way and he gets to take you to dinner? What kinda shit is that, Kennedy?”

I turned off my lighted vanity mirror before I grabbed my clutch from the bed and went past him out of the bedroom door. Of course he was right on my heels, so I decided to explain, “That’s none of your business, Landon. What we had has been over for quite some time now and though I can understand if this little arrangement had you confused, I’m here to tell you that nothing between us has changed.”

I figured that was enough for him to get the point, but clearly I was wrong as he spewed from behind me, “So you’d rather be with the dude that clearly dogged you out and will more than likely rub it in your face for the next however long ya’ll actually end up together? You’re being a fool, Kennedy.”

My hand was already on the doorknob, but that stopped me from turning it.

“Well if I’m such a fool, then why are you still here? Why are
you
so desperate to be with me? Why have you been trying to blind me with your sweet little antics so that I would take
you
back? I’m not the fool here. You’re the fool for even thinking for a second that I’d be interested in the likes of you. Now… I’m gonna go, but I suggest your
foolish
ass finds a new place to hang out at cause I’m over this.”

He wasted no time challenging me, “I’m not going anywhere, Kennedy.”

“Well you know what? You don’t have to, Landon.
I’ll go
. As soon as I get back, I’ll pack my things and go.” I wasn’t sure how any of that was actually gonna work, but I’d find a way if that meant I could get away from Landon for good.

Instead of being as mad as I imagined him to be, he actually seemed amused as he said, “Yeah, that’s if you aren’t too busy crying to me about how Bryson has fucked you over again.”

I rolled my eyes so hard I was afraid they’d get stuck. “Your jealousy is
so
not attractive. But true colors will always find a way to show, huh? How about you go find some business of your own, Landon. I’m sure Brandy could use a few more dollars during her set tonight.”

Sure, it was a low blow but quite honestly, I didn’t care. And he didn’t even have a comeback, just watched me as I walked out of the apartment.

I secretly wished I would never have to come back.

Bryson

I was ready.

Ready to see her, ready to be with her, ready to release all of the feelings I was forced to keep bottled in when we couldn’t just…
be
.

I knew it would probably be wise of me to follow her lead so that I didn’t overstep, but just thinking about it all had me more anxious than I had ever felt about any one of my “important” basketball games. I knew I looked good, smelled good, and had actually found time to get a haircut, but I still wasn’t sure how she’d accept me.

Was she just being friendly or did her new, positive attitude actually mean something?

I prayed for the latter.

I took a peek at my Rolex before I looked towards the door of the restaurant I knew she loved since I always caught her having leftovers from the place for lunch. It wasn’t exactly the fanciest place I could’ve found, but I wanted to prove myself as being caring, and observant, and…

Chill, bro.

I peeked up again as she strolled inside looking even better than when I saw her earlier at the parade. She was wearing a simple spaghetti-strap dress that hung onto her lanky frame and flat sandals which I hardly ever saw her wear considering she stayed in heels. Her hair was pulled up into one of those little knot things, putting her high cheekbones on display. And her lips were tinted with red, probably the same color she wore during her interview.

Why do I even remember that?

Because you remember everything about Kennedy.

I smiled as I stood up to wave her over. She looked around for a few seconds before she finally caught my gesture and smiled.

My heart bloomed immediately.

She held her clutch tight as she squeezed past the other tables to get to me.

And when she did…

I couldn’t have pulled her into my arms fast enough.

At first she didn’t seem completely sold, but eventually she sighed and fell deeper into my embrace. I pulled away just enough so that I could see her face before I pulled her in once more.

“Bryson, I can’t...
breathe
.”

I laughed before I released her just enough, but not completely. “My bad, Kenn. I just missed you. Like really,
really
missed you.” It almost felt a little psychotic how complete I felt just holding her in my arms.

“Well you’re really,
really
gonna be missing me when I die from not getting enough air,” she teased.

I finally let her go, pulling out a chair for her before finding my own chair. “Hey, don’t talk like that.”

She waited until I was sitting before she replied with a smile, “I was just joking, Bryson. But how have you been? Living the dream, I’m sure.” She had a light air to her that kind of surprised me, but not enough to deter me from my mission of getting her confidently back on my side.

“To be completely honest with you, right now feels like more of a dream than anything else I’ve experienced in the last couple weeks.” She looked down to her lap so that I wouldn’t see her blushing, but I had caught her anyway. And when she finally did look back up, she tried to change the subject.

“Well how’s baby Harris? Do you know what you’re having yet?”

Though I hadn’t been to an appointment to see for myself yet, I was still proud to share, “A girl.”

Her eyes went wide as she immediately started goin’ in. “Ha! Should’ve known God would give you a girl. They call it punishment for a man when he hasn’t treated the women in his life the best. So now you’ll get to find out what it’s like when a girl comes home crying over a boy that did her dirty.”

I shrugged, knowing there may have been some truth to her little statement. But my truth was, “My treatment has never been the issue. It's the honesty they don’t seem to like very much.” It would take all of my fingers and toes, plus hers, to count how many times a woman didn’t appreciate my honesty.

Her tone was a little withdrawn as she expressed, “Well I do. Even when it’s not good news.” I knew exactly what she was implying. The whole situation was pretty fucked up, but there wasn’t much more I could do about it other than beg for her forgiveness.

So that’s what I did.

“Kenn baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you right away. It was an honest mistake that I own up to completely. I just hope maybe one day you’ll forgive me for it.”

She took a sip of her wine, then a second before she said, “I’ve already forgiven you, Bryson. It’s the next step I’m afraid of.” Just the mention of a next step had me ready to give her everything I had.

But I played it cool and asked, “What do you mean?”

She took a few glances around the restaurant, then another sip of wine, clearly stalling her answer. So I knew I had to assure her, “It’s okay, Kennedy. Say what you need to say. I’m all ears.”

She sighed, setting her nearly empty glass on the table. “I mean… you’re getting ready to be a father and… I don’t know. That’s a lot.”

“Well according to the notes from Leslie, Nicole has agreed to joint custody. Of course for the first couple of months, the baby will primarily be with her mother. But once she gets a little weight on her, we’ll be splitting time.”

I could tell Kennedy’s mind was running a mile a minute as she lifted her glass to finish it off, then used the back of her hand to swipe her mouth. Her uneasiness about the arrangement made sense, but I had to ask, “Why are you freaking out right now, Kenn?”

She motioned for the waitress to bring her a fresh glass before she answered, “I guess I just… the whole idea of being a wicked stepmother was like the first thing in my head. And considering I’m not even ready to have children of my own, there was no way I was gonna raise someone else’s.” A laugh slipped out before I could contain it. The last thing I could ever see Kennedy being was a wicked stepmother, but in the moment that was beside the fact.

“Kenn, this baby…
my baby
… is nothing for you to worry about. You only have to be as involved as you wanna be, but you don’t really
have
to do anything you don’t wanna do.
If
you wanna be with me that is.” I couldn’t get too ahead of myself though it felt like things were going in the right direction.

“Bryson, come on now. Do you really think I would’ve shown up if I didn’t wanna be with you? And besides, even if I don’t want kids yet that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate open-mouthed kisses and unexpected snuggles just as much as the next woman.” My smile grew for more reasons than one.

But mainly because, “Kennedy, you’d be pretty sexy with a little baby bump.”

She rolled her eyes, taking a quick sip of her newly delivered glass of wine before she said, “Ugh! Don’t jinx me like that.”

“
What
? I’m just sayin’. Whenever the time comes that a lucky someone gets to plant their seed in that glorious body of yours, it’ll be dope. I can already see your little fashionistas strolling around now.” I was just sure Kennedy’s children would come out of the womb dressed like Baby Gap models.

She bit her lip to stifle a grin before she brushed me off. “Oh whatever. And why’d you say
lucky someone
as if you don’t want that person to be you?”

I quickly assured her, “Oh, I most certainly want it to be me. But I’m not ready to press my luck quite yet. Just taking this one thing at a time.” She nodded her head to agree with me, so I continued on. “But I was hoping maybe we could… I don’t know. Pick up where we left off?” I figured I’d attack while she was clearly in a good mood. In all honestly, I would’ve taken any type of relationship she was willing to give me, even if it was at the basic friendship level.

Would I have pushed the boundaries?

For sure.

But I was willing to restart wherever she saw fit as long as she was gonna be in my life in some capacity.

She wore the cutest little smirk as she said, “I’m pretty sure we left off in your bed.”

“Perfect. Let’s go,” I teased, halfway standing up before I sat back down. “Nah, I’m kiddin’. We should probably take our time. Do things the right way.”

She didn’t seem too enthused about the idea as she said, “Bryson, if we were really trying to do things the right way, we would’ve lost the game a long time ago. How about we do things
our
way?
”

I nodded to agree with her. “I like the sound of that.”

She could only smile and I was proud knowing I actually had something to do with it. It was the same kind of smile she used to give her phone when ol’ boy would hit her up while she was working with me.

Speaking of which...

“Hey, did Landon ever tell you I stopped by before the big game?”

She immediately looked confused as she answered, “What? No!”

Punk ass bitch.

I gave Kennedy the edited version, “That scrub. Is he still hanging around?”

She went back to her withdrawn self, taking another one of those hearty sips of wine before she explained, “Well… we were splitting rent. So since he had paid his part of the rent for the month, he got to stay. And then the stay was extended. Which actually reminds me… I’m kinda homeless right now.”

“
Homeless
? Homeless how? Where have you been staying, Kennedy?” I was already ready to beat Landon’s ass if he had pulled some weak shit.

She held a hand up as she said, “Relax. I’ve been at the apartment, but
we
… we got into it, right before I came here actually, and I told him I’d leave.”

An idea came to my head instantly.

I tried to hide my excitement as I told her, “Well I have tons of empty rooms for you to choose from if you’d like.”

Of course she looked at me like I was crazy. “Bryson, do you really think that’s a good idea?”

“Hell yeah. In fact, I think it’s a great idea. Best idea I’ve had all day. So what do you say, roomie?” I was only teasing, knowing the last thing I would ever think of Kennedy as was a roommate.

She looked at me dead on with a smile as she said, “You’re crazy.”

“Don’t act like you aren’t considering it though. And I won’t even charge you rent. It’s a win-win situation for the both of us.”  I couldn’t have imagined a better outcome of our little dinner than this one.

If she actually agreed to it.

She eyed me for a long time before she asked, “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Dead serious, Kenn. It gets lonely in that big ol’ house by myself. And besides, those few days that you stayed over was the most action some of those rooms have ever seen.” The memories of every position we did in every room was still engrained in my head to this day.

She tossed a hand at me, looking partially embarrassed and partially turned on as she said, “Shut up!”

“But seriously though, I’d be honored if you took me up on the offer. I’ll keep my hands to myself and everything.”

She challenged me with her eyes over the rim of her wine glass before she said, “That might be the first lie you’ve ever told me.” We laughed together and it felt so damn good to not only be in her presence, but be on her good side.

Now I was ready to press my luck.

“So… when do you wanna move your stuff? I mean, unless you’d rather not move that stuff. We can just get you all new stuff.” If I had it my way, she wouldn’t ever have to step back into her old apartment.

She looked completely amused as she said, “Bryson, you’re making this offer a little too good to turn down.”

I grinned cheesily as I replied, “Ah, what can I say? I don’t really like to hear no if I don’t absolutely have to.”

She bit her lip as she thought it over and I widened my smile to show her how happy she could be if she said yes, even if the whole thing seemed a little unorthodox, with a hint of crazy, and maybe a hint of...

“Fine.” My heart literally jumped in my chest.

You didn’t hear her right, bro.

I swallowed my premature excitement to ask, “Fine?”

She smiled brightly as she nodded her head yes. “Fine. I’ll move in with you.
For now
. Until I can find my own place.”

I grabbed her hands from across the table, rubbing them with my thumbs as I assured her, “Baby, you know you aren’t gonna want to actually leave. In fact, I’m gonna make sure of it. You’ve already walked out on me enough. I refuse to let it happen again.”