Impossibly Forever: Two Books in One (Impossibly Duology) (21 page)

  
I nodded, “Yeah. Finals are this week too.”

  
“You’re gonna do great. You’ve always been a smart kid. I ain’t worried.”

  
“Thank you,” I smiled.

  
Looking at Branden, he said, “Thanks, for calling me and getting us together.”

  
“Sure thing, sir,” he enthused. “She needed to see you. She’s been looking down
for a while because you haven’t been getting the chance to talk.
No matter what she says.”

  
I peered over at Branden and defended myself, “I haven’t been down. We’ve both
been preoccupied with a lot of things.”

  
He leaned his head to the side and said to my dad, “See.”

  
Dad laughed. “Yeah, she’s always been a stubborn kid, and she always pushed
things aside.”

  
Of course he’d still know that about me. “Okay, are you two finished? I’d like
to eat.”

  
They both glanced at each other, passing a silent remark, and then they took up
their menus to decide on what to order.

  
“Oh, your momma told you about inviting me to Christmas dinner?” Dad asked in
an afterthought.

  
I put my menu down. “She did.”

  
Placing his menu back on the table as well, he narrowed his eyes and asked,
“She told you after she invited me, didn’t she?”

  
“Yeah.”

  
“Just like your momma, always making the final decision before cluing us in,
huh?” he grinned slightly.

  
I couldn’t help plunging into defense mode where I wanted to back up my momma.
“She doesn’t like leaving things the way they are. She’s only trying to make it
better.”

  
He gestured his hand for me to calm down. “Moya, don’t get mad. I wasn’t
bashing your momma. I was only saying she should at least discuss things with
the people involved before making her decisions.”

  
“You mean like how she decided you wouldn’t be in my life without asking you
first? But you proved her right anyway when you gave up.”

  
“Moya…” Branden piped in; disappointed his lunch date wasn’t turning out so
good.

  
Dad raised his hand to stop him. “Oh no, it’s okay. She needs to get it out.”
He rested his elbows on top of the table, clasping his knuckles together. “Go
on,” he urged. “Tell me how bad I’ve been and how great your momma is; because
that’s all you ever do.”

  
I was getting frustrated. How dare him. “She’s a good mother; she did a lot for
me—”

  
“And I didn’t?” he interrupted, keeping his voice at a whisper yet it sounded
as if he was scolding me. “You’re forgetting one thing, baby girl. Your momma
took that from me.”

  
I sank back on the chair. “Please, I’d really like you to stop blaming her and
face the truth, because you’re just as guilty for what happened. She wronged me
by making me believe you didn’t want to be part of my life, but you also
wronged me by not pushing harder. You had plenty of opportunities—”

  
“Come on you two,” Branden chimed in. “Don’t do this. Pointing fingers won’t
make anything better. What you need to do is work on building a relationship
now.”

  
We both looked over at him, spotting how true those words were.

  
Swallowing my pride, I was the first to mutter, “Sorry.”

  
“Me too,” replied Dad, settling back on the chair. “Moya, we barely get to see
each other. I don’t want us to fight every time we do.”

  
I nodded my agreement. “I know, and that’s my fault.”

  
Branden coughed, following my remark. I glared playfully at him. “Yes, even I
can admit it’s me.”

  
“But’s it understandable,” Dad added, placing his hand on top of mine. I
brought my attention back to him. He smiled as he went on, “Let’s make a deal
that from here on we’ll start fresh; find a way to reconnect. What do you say,
baby girl? Please.”

  
“I’d like that, Daddy.” I smiled in return and squeezed his hand, saying
softly, “I really would.”

  
“So,” Branden chimed. “Are we good now?” He eyed between me and my father with
a questioning stare, looking for a sign that there would be no more arguing.

  
We both bobbed our heads at him,
then
he called the
waiter over to take our orders. After having lunch, Dad and I talked a while
before he took off. It really was good seeing him today. In spite of me going
into defense mode for a moment there, my heart felt at peace…for now.

  
When Branden brought me home, he wanted to cuddle on the sofa. It was a nice
thought, but I was still apprehensive about putting too much weight on his
body.

  
“Why don’t we sit down instead?” I suggested. “Hang out…chat.”

  
He scowled. “We can chat with me holding you.”

  
“I know, but…” I didn’t want him to know his health still scared me, even
though Doctor Henderson said he was better now. “I feel more comfortable
talking to you sitting up. If we lie down and cuddle, things could get heated
again. Then I wouldn’t be able to think straight.”

  
Branden stepped closer and snaked his arms around my waist. He lowered his
head, pressing it against my forehead as he gazed passionately into my eyes and
whispered, “What’s the matter? You can’t control yourself around me?”

  
A nervous laugh escaped my lips. He was right. But I didn’t want him to know he
had that much power over me. “Oh, I can control myself, babe. I don’t know
about you though.”

  
“Is that so?” Drawing me closer, Branden tilted his head and kissed my cheek.
He gently brushed his lips against my skin as he carried them back to my mouth,
only to tease me by coming in then pulling away. Still, the closeness between
us remained.            

  
I pressed my eyes shut and linked my fingers around his neck—trembling,
breathing heavy, lips parted, and waiting for his sensual kiss. It wasn’t happening.

  
After a few seconds past, I began to grow impatient. I opened my eyes slowly to
see what was taking him so long. Branden had a satisfied grin on his face.

  
“Well, look who said she can control herself. Just one touch and I already have
you falling to pieces,” he teased, a cocky laugh fighting to break free.

  
I unhooked my fingers from around his neck and pushed him away. Pretending as
if I was mad at him, I crossed my arms abruptly, pouted, and glared at him,
muttering, “Whatever.”

  
Branden composed him and moved forward, towing me into his embrace. I caved,
wrapping my arms around his waist and breathed in his earthy scent.

  
We stayed like that for a while until Branden left so I’d have time to get
myself together to drive back to school.

  
My cell phone didn’t ring at all when I was out for lunch, and there weren’t
any text messages from Vanessa. She was probably going back to Harrington by
some other means in order to avoid discussing her dilemma with me. Whatever the
case, we were best friends. She had no reason to keep secrets from me.

  
I would never judge her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Branden

Well,
that was a start. Maybe now Moya and her father could work more on reconnecting
and possibly end up having a good relationship like when she was younger.
Regardless of where they’re at now, it was still better than what I had at my
home—if I could even call it that anymore.

  
After returning from Berlin Heights, I headed straight for my room the second I
walked through the front door.

  
“Branden, just a moment,” Mom stopped me. I paused on the stairs and peered
into the living room, seemed like she had a visitor.

  
Walking over to the arched doorway, my eyes landed on the one person I wasn’t
expecting to see ever again.

  
“Samantha, what are you doing here?”

  
“Branden, don’t be rude. She’s only visiting—”

  
“Why do you keep giving her false hope?” I asked angrily.

  
Mom stood, folding her arms. She spoke in an authoritative tone. “Honey, I like
Moya. She’s a nice girl. But you and Samantha had something really special, and
I think you should give serious consideration to whether or not you truly want
to throw that away.”

  
“What?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “You know, Mom you’re such a hypocrite,” I
said through clenched teeth, feeling confused by the way she’d been treating
Moya, yet holding out hope I would get back with Samantha.

  
Her brows shot up. “I’m only looking out for your best interest.”

  
“Best interest my ass—”

  
“Bran, don’t be upset with your mom,” Samantha intervened. “I shouldn’t keep
coming by like this, not until you want me to.”

  
“I’ll never want you to,” I elucidated. “Why can’t you get it? I love Moya.”

  
Samantha winced, hearing me declare my love for another. She couldn’t fathom
the possibility I would move on from her, even if she dated after dumping me.

  
Mom placed a few strands of hair behind her ears and excused herself. “I’ll let
you two
talk
.” Stopping beside me, she added,
“Branden, please hear her out.”

  
“Geez…” Good thing she was my mother. I seriously wanted to tell her to get off
my back.

  
When Mom disappeared out of the living room, I turned and gestured towards the
front door. “Sorry she wasted your time.”

  
Samantha moved closer and touched my arm. “I’ll never stop loving you, Branden.
What I said and did on that day, and even after, it was stupid. Tell me what to
do to fix it. I’ll do anything. Please…I just…” she tightened her grasp on my
arm. “I love you and I want to be with you so bad.”

  
Her pleading pissed me off. It was different from the way she was the day she
left me. She was bolder, not hesitating to break my heart. I yanked my arm
away.

  
“Leave.”

  
“But…Branden—”

  
“Get out.”

  
Her eyes welled with tears. She covered her mouth and started to cry, shivering
as she did like she was experiencing a great amount of pain. It was such a
pitiful sight. I actually felt sorry for her.

  
“Look, I can’t give you what you want.”

  
Before I could stop her, Samantha plunged into my chest, clinging to my body
for dear life.

  
“Please…Branden,” her voice trembled. “Please, I love you so much,” she sobbed
even more. “Give me another chance. I won’t hurt you again, I promise.”

  
Her tears were starting to soak my shirt. A part of me wanted to shove her off
and drag her out the door; only the kinder part overcame that. I lifted my hand
to her head, stroking it gently. I was only trying to help ease her pain. But
what was I thinking? This would only intensify her desire to get me back.

  
I eased Samantha away from me. She looked surprised. “Branden—” she started to
speak again in that sorrowful, child-like voice.

  
I cut her off, “You’re only embarrassing yourself. Just go, find someone else.
After all, it’s easy for you to do that, remember?”
Her words
exactly.

  
Chest heaving, Samantha aggressively wiped her cheeks and marched past me, her
boots making a ruckus along the way. When she reached the coat closet by the
stairs, she glanced over at me before taking hers out. “You’re gonna see,
Branden. Soon, you’re gonna come looking for me.”

  
I snorted, doubting that.

  
She sniffed a few times while looking at me. I spun away from her cold stare.
Hard to think there was a time I’d believed there was nothing better than
peering into those gray eyes. Now it was so easy to look away.

  
At the sound of shuffling, I glanced over again. Samantha hurried to get her
coat out, put it on,
then
bustled out the front door,
slamming it shut. How rude. This wasn’t even her house.

  
Mom came walking down the hall. She eyed me with raised brows then glanced at
the front door.

  
“What happened?” she asked in a raised voice.

  
I scoffed and walked past her, going up the stairs. When I reached the top, I
turned halfway around and gazed down at her. “Don’t do that again. You’re only
making it worse for her.”

  
“Branden, she loves you.”

  
“I love Moya.”

  
She pursed her lips and rested her hands on her hips.
“How
long before that ends?
How long before she realizes she wants to be with
someone on her level?”

  
Gripping the railing above the stairs, I asked through gritted teeth, “What’s
that supposed to mean?”

  
Mom turned and walked into the living room, uttering out over her shoulder, “In
time, you’ll see.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Moya

  
I felt reenergized
by the time Monday swung around. Only a few days left
before the holiday break and I couldn’t wait. The butterflies sprang into
action when I started to think about the weekend getaway with Branden, only to
have them suppressed when Vanessa entered the campus café. I’d sent her another
text this morning telling her to meet me here.

  
She looked like herself now, dressed in a red, single-breasted hooded trench
coat she’d bought when we went to Harborplace Mall on Saturday. She had on a
white cashmere pullover top inside, black tapered trousers, and matching
leather ankle boots. I also noticed her braids were gone, replaced by her
natural curly afro.

  
Vanessa sat down on the wooden chair across from me, settling her bag on the
one beside her. “Okay, tell me what you know.”

  
“Well, how about you start by telling me who it is and why have you been
cheating on Calvin?”

  
She fell back on the chair, releasing a gasp. “I really wanted us to work. We
started dating in Junior High; we have a lot of history. But things have
changed.”

  
“That’s why you decided to cheat?”

  
“No, girl.
I didn’t go out looking for someone else.
He and I just…happened.”

  
I folded my hands on top of the table. “So, who is this guy? Are you gonna
break up with Calvin?”

  
She shook her head slowly. “I don’t know what I’m
gon
’
do. The last thing I want is to hurt Calvin, but I don’t want to hurt Warren
either.”

  
“Warren?” the name sounded familiar. “How did you two meet?”

  
She drank some of the coffee she came in with before answering, “I ran into him
a month ago when I was leaving Calvin’s practice. We’d had another argument. I
was so pissed. Anyway, I didn’t want to call you with another complaint about
my relationship, I mean it doesn’t take a genius to see how annoyed you are.”

  
“That’s not true, Nessa. I’m always willing to listen—”

  
“So you say,” she cut me off. “Truth is
,
you’re not.
You’re as overwhelmed by my complaining as much as any other person who knows
us. I guess I was looking for a new listening ear. That’s when I bumped into
Warren. He was coming for basketball practice and he seemed really concerned—”

  
“Wait a sec,” I lifted a hand to stop. “Hold up. Girl, Warren plays basketball
for Easton U?”

  
“Not yet, he just joined the team so he’s been training for next season—”

  
“Which means your man and your
sideboo
will be on the
same team.” I fell back on the chair, amazed.
“Nessa, what
the hell?”

  
“I know, it’s complicated.”

  
“Complicated isn’t the word. Does Warren know you’re seeing Calvin still?”

  
She screwed up her face. “Not…exactly. I kinda told him we broke up.”

  
“Oh
my gosh
.” I rested my elbows on top of the table
and lowered my head into the palm of my hands, muttering, “Nessa, I expected
better. You always used to say you’d never do that. How cheating was low and
you’d rather break up with Calvin before you ever considered it.” I glanced up
at her. “So what’s this? What are you doing?”

  
Rolling her eyes, she looked down at her lap. “I knew you would do that.”

  
“Do what?”

  
Her head snapped up. “Judge me.”

  
“Oh please. I’m not judging you, I’m only telling you—”

  
“How disappointed you are in me.”

  
I took a moment to check myself, if my tone came out the wrong way. Nothing
gave me that impression.

  
Vanessa peered out the window, lost in thought. I wondered what was running
through her head. There was a quiet air around us, with light chatter, utensils
clanking, and orders being prepared in the background.

  
Finally, I broke the silence, “Nessa, I’m not disappointed. I’m only worried
about you.”

  
“I know girl.” She looked at me and smiled half-heartedly, then reached over to
take my hand. “I didn’t mean to get all snippy with you. I guess I’m mad at
myself for getting into this mess.”

  
“So, what are you going to do?”

  
“I don’t know. I have feelings for them both.”

  
“But,” that surprised me. She’d been with Calvin for years. They came to the
same college together. Surely she’d choose him. “Are you thinking about leaving
Calvin for Warren?”

  
She didn’t answer, only got her bag off the chair and stood. “I’m still trying
to make a decision. Look, I gotta get to my next exam. I’ll call you later,
girl.”

  
“Okay. But honestly though, I hope you come clean about this for your sake as
well as for the guys.”

  
Nodding, she took up her coffee off the table then left.