The Rebound

by Sierra Hill

  Catching my breath, the loud pounding in my ears softening to a dull roar, I hear my name called from the not-so-far-off distance. My head turns in various directions to see where the voice is coming from. And then I see him jogging toward me. My brother.

  “There you are.” His long legs get him in front of me in three long strides. Due to the shape he’s in he’s barely breathing hard at all, while I am panting like a pig at a marathon.

  I don’t say anything. I can’t. What could possibly be said at a time like this? I’m humiliated beyond words. Van has made a fool of me. He’s exposed how stupid, ignorant and naïve I am. I’d given him my heart and soul, and he played me like a Stradivarius violin.

  Cade places his arm around my shoulder and tugs me into his chest. His touch is protective and gentle. God, I love my brother.

  “It wasn’t what we thought, kiddo. It looked bad, for sure. But I believe Van. He was ambushed by her. Lyndsay told me she showed up uninvited and tried to put the moves on him. Van had nothing to do with it.”

  The tears that had been stuck like a silent scream are now streaking down my cheeks and dripping off my chin onto Cade’s T-shirt.

  “But he…she was practically naked in his lap…on his bed.” I hiccup.

  Cade turns me to face him and props my chin up with his finger.

  “Believe me, sometimes things appear one way but aren’t representative of what’s really going on. Did you ever hear about the time Ainsley showed up at our house party and found a hoops hunnie on my lap?”

  I squint up at him, eyes narrowing in disbelief. Cade used to be a player, so it’s very probable he’d have a girl attached to him.

  “Seriously,” he continues, unperturbed by my skepticism. “I was wasted, wallowing in my sorrows because Ains had broken my heart. Anyway, the girl sidles up to me, plants her ass down and starts trying to get busy with me. I didn’t encourage her in any way. In fact, I was trying to dislodge myself from her grip when Ainsley walked in and saw us. If I were in her shoes and saw it from her perspective, I wouldn’t have believed my innocence either. But that’s the point. Without the whole story, it can be damning for the innocent.”

  I huff out an incredulous breath. “So you’re saying is that I shouldn’t believe what I just saw? That Van he wasn’t getting busy with his ex? He looked pretty guilty by my standards.”

  My mind flashes back to the image of the two of them on his bed. My heart quivers in recognition of the hot anger that it sparked inside of me not fifteen minutes earlier.

  “Yes, I believe him. Van doesn’t lie. He has more integrity than any other guy I’ve ever known. And I know he’s into you. He wants to fix this, Ky. I can’t tell you what to do, but I think you should give him a chance.”

  I’m so confused. My brain can’t disassociate the image of Van with his arm around Lyndsay. Or the panicked ‘caught in the act’ expression in his eye. What am I supposed to do with all that? It’s too fresh. The wound is too raw. The humiliation hurts too much.

  “Maybe. But not tonight. I need to go home. I can’t see him right now.”

  “Okay. I’ll take you back home. Then I gotta get home to my girl.”

  He winks as I give him a teary smile. Even though I’m more than reluctant now, it is awfully encouraging to know that true love exists in the world. It may not be in my world this weekend, but at least it’s out there.

  As soon as I get home, I FaceTime with Kady.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” she bellows out when I tell her what happened tonight. “Holy shit. If it were me, I would’ve rushed over to that ho and bitch-slapped her punk-ass face. Then I would’ve kicked him in the balls.”

  I cringe at her violent proposition, because I would never have considered doing any of that. So I guess there are some positive aspects of my twin’s differing personality traits. She’s a bit rash and explosive – taking shots and then asking questions. I’m more of the little turtle – pulling into my shell to avoid conflict and drama. Hence the reason I ran. I’m a bit conflict averse, to say the least.

  “It hurts, Kady. It hurts so much.”

  I see my mirror image looking back at me through my phone, her blue hair pinned back from her face, dark smudges underneath her eyes.

  “It’s okay, sissy. I know. Love fucking sucks. Sex can be great, but outside of that, guys are just assholes. That’s why women should all be lesbians. Hey, speaking of which…did I tell you about my kiss with Leesa the other night? Holy hotness…that whole “I experimented in college” thing is for realz.”

  I know this shouldn’t shock me hearing Kady confess something like this. She is anything but subtle and will try anything once. But holy cats – she kissed a girl? She made out with a chick? This is not something I ever expected to hear. I don’t even have words…

  “Uh.” See? No words.

  Kady snickers, her brightly painted fingernails moving to rub across her lips.

  “I know…it freaked me out at first, too. I’ve actually never thought about it before, but it’s no biggie. It’s not like we fucked or anything. I didn’t even get to cop a feel. It was more of a joke. We were at a party when someone dared us to kiss. Leesa is in my Interpersonal Relations class…so who better than to relate with?” She laughs boldly at her attempt at humor.

  I roll my eyes at the absurdity of this conversation. This is what she always does. She somehow always manages to maneuver a conversation from whatever the topic is to direct the focus on her. I appreciate the redirection this time, though. It keeps me from thinking about…

  Just then, a text pops up on my phone, as Kady continues to regale her ‘I kissed a girl’ moment.

  My eyes stare in fascination at the words.

  Van: Please, please, please

  Van: Don’t let this be over

  Van: You’re everything to me

  Van: I LOVE YOU

  Van: Please believe nothing happened

  Van: I swear. Nothing was going on

  Van: I need to see you

  Van: Can I see you?

  “Hey. What are you doing? You’re obviously not listening to me right now.”

  Kady’s voice dislodges me from my head, where I’m ruminating over Van’s pleas. Except for my father when he left my mom, I’ve never been in a position to forgive a man. Am I supposed to make him sweat it out? Or give in right away?

  I think about the remaining time I have this weekend. It’s already late Saturday night. I have to leave back for school on Monday evening. The drive is four hours and I have a class bright and early on Tuesday. So if I don’t want this entire weekend to go to waste, I need to decide now.

  “Van’s texting me.”

  Kady grumbles. “Duh. I figured that. What’s he saying?”

  I read her the texts.

  “So? What should I do?”

  “I’d personally make him wait. But that’s just me. Maybe he did and maybe he didn’t have anything to do with Lyndsay’s impromptu visit. She could’ve been sneaky just like you and shown up announced.”

  Now that I think about it, I kind of feel bad for putting Van in that position tonight. If it’s true that he was cornered by Lyndsay, and then pounced on by me out of the blue, I can only imagine what that might do to a guy. Of course, he appeared guilty. He had no control over the situation or circumstances.

  “I do believe him. I just don’t know how to move forward. How can I trust him?”

  She shrugs her shoulders. “You either do or you don’t. I guess it depends on how much you want to be with him. If you’re going to make it work, you’re going to need to talk to him about this, get it out in the open, tell him how you feel and tell him how it’s going to be in the future. Find out from him where he stands with Lyndsay. He can’t be your boyfriend and remain friends with her. I’m sorry, that shit just don’t fly. He should sever ties completely.”

  “But, am I in a position to give that ultimatum? They grew up together. They were together for a long time. He’s
only been with me for a little over a month. Seems a bit drastic.”

  “I’m just saying that’s what I would do. You, Kylah, have a much bigger capacity to love and forgive than I do. I doubt I’d even give a guy a second chance. But you, sissy, are a whole different breed. And not in a bad way. As long as you don’t let him walk all over you. Just listen to your heart.”

  Hmm. My heart. It screams for Van.

  “You make me sound like a stupid sap. I may be shy and quiet, but I’m not a doormat. I do stand up for myself when the occasion calls.”

  “I know. You’re a tender-hearted badass. And that’s why I love ya.” She winks and flips me off at the same time. Ah, sisterly love.

  “Now get some sleep tonight. And tomorrow, go have hot, off-the-charts makeup sex.”

  I snort.

  I’m still too confused and tired to think about what that entails right now.

  But it’ll be fun to check another item off my sex bucket list this weekend.

  26

  Van

  It’s noon and I still haven’t heard from Kylah.

  Shit. If I lost her because of Lyndsay’s unwelcome visit, I will never forgive my ex.

  I didn’t sleep at all last night. Tossed and turned all night, checking my phone every five minutes in the event she called or texted me back. There was only silence. And it made me fucking insane.

  I had to stop myself from going nuts with the apology texts. I could’ve continued, but felt like a crazy stalker and had to put a cap on my lame-ass appeals for reconciliation and forgiveness. When she hadn’t responded within thirty minutes, I gave up and went to bed. There was no use in continuing to look like a loser. It’s kind of like when you get called for a foul out on the court. You state your case to the referee, trying to get him to see your side, and when they make their decision, you accept it and move on.

  That’s what I’ll have to do if she doesn’t forgive me.

  I woke up around ten, antsy and fidgety. Full of piss and vinegar. I’ve been moping around for the last hour or so and finally decided I had to do something. So I get on my workout clothes and run to the student athletic building on campus. Might as well get in some cardio and strength training today.

  As I enter the gym, a number of people greet me with high-fives and hellos. I make my way back to the weight room where I see a few of my teammates hanging out. Carver’s at the leg press, Scott and Lance at the bench press, and Christian is doing some deadlifts. They all shout out my name as I enter the little alcove in the back.

  Carver gives me an evil eye as I walk toward him.

  “Didn’t I tell you not to hurt her, dude? Now I’m required to kick your virginity-stealing ass.”

  I raise an eyebrow at him. “How’d you know about that?”

  Carver scoffs. “I know all, bruh. I heard Cade talking last night to Ainsley, in between rounds of fucking. Jesus, that girl is a screamer.”

  I blush, which is stupid. But I can’t help it. It feels wrong to know about Cade’s girl in that intimate manner.

  “How’d you know about Kylah’s virginity?”

  “She told me.” He says nonchalantly, puffing out his chest with a grunt through a set of leg curls, the sweat dripping down his chest.

  I glare at him and he continues. “The night you two went to the movies. She asked for sex advice.”

  I choke out a cough. Wasn’t expecting that.

  “And exactly what advice did you give her?” I pick up a couple of hand weights and begin some bicep curls, curious as to their conversation about sex.

  “Well, initially I told her that her best bet was just to fuck me because she wouldn’t get a better experience anywhere else.”

  When I glare at him, Carver laughs, his shoulders shaking ruefully. “Eh, calm down bro. You know you’re the one she wanted and I don’t do virgins. Too bad you couldn’t keep from running back to your ex long enough to be the guy Ky-Ky needed.”

  I throw down the weights and have him by the throat in under a second. The ruckus has all heads turning to see what’s up.

  “That’s not how it went down, Edwards. Don’t go talking about shit you know nothing about again.”

  Sometimes Carver pisses me off with his trash-talking, loud-mouth ways. Normally I let the things that come out of his mouth slide, but not today. Not in my current pissy mood.

  Christian is suddenly at my side, gripping my arm that I let fall from Carver’s neck.

  “Fuck this shit. I’m outta here.” I shoulder past Christian and head back outside, breaking into a jog to my dorm.

  When I arrive at my building, the air conditioning hits my skin, instantly cooling my sweat-soaked flesh. I sprint up the steps, turn the corner, and then the wind is knocked out of me.

  There sitting at my door is Kylah, knees bent so her chin rests on top, head bent as she plays with her phone. My sudden intake of breath catches her attention as her eyes flit to see me standing here at her side.

  “Ky.” Her name on my tongue sounds like home.

  My hand darts out to help her up, as she pushes to her feet, but continues to stare down at the floor. It’s like we’re both teenagers at our first dance, uncertain of where to put our hands and our feet, fearful of tripping each other with our awkwardness.

  I make the choice to open my door, leading the way inside as she follows behind me in silence.

  “Do you want something to drink?” I ask, uncertain as to what I should say.

  Her gaze flashes to the picnic basket sitting on top of my mini-fridge. She left it here last night when she dashed out of here. I haven’t opened it to see what’s in it. I felt too ashamed. Too upset. Too worried about what happened.

  “No, thank you.” She says politely, like a debutante at a ball.

  “Ky-” I start to say as she says my name at the same time.

  “Van…I-”

  “You go.” I oblige, gesturing for her to proceed.

  Kylah gives me a worried glance, wetting her lip with a nervous lick. The same spot I’ve licked and kissed a dozen times. She takes a seat on my couch, picking at the frayed knee in her jeans.

  “I guess we were both surprised last night when I showed up.” Her lips quirk up into a sheepish grin. God, she’s so sweet.

  I laugh awkwardly. “God, Kylah.”

  I squat down in front her, tentatively placing my hands on her knees. I can feel the warmth emanating from her skin and it sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m so sorry you walked in that mess. I had no idea Lyndsay was here. She had a key…I never got it back from her. She showed up out of the blue. I haven’t talked to her since Christmas. I’d never do that to you, Ky. Never.”

  Her soft, satiny palm lands on top my hand, sending electric currents through my arm and zapping me in the heart.

  “I know that, Van. I believe you. It was awful to see you with her, regardless of the circumstances. It really hurt me. The pragmatic side of me knows it wasn’t intentional. I know you aren’t cheating on me. The irrational side of me, though, feels burned. I can’t help that.”

  “I swear to you, Ky. Nothing happened and nothing ever would. I’m in love with you. It’s you I want to be with. Not her. Never again. I was so mad at her last night. I threw her out of my place. I told her I never wanted to see her or talk to her again. And I meant it. She broke me so deeply when she betrayed me. And honestly, I wasn’t really sure I could trust again. But then you came along…”

  As if a part of the iceberg is chipping away – melting from my admission – my heart begins to beat again. She stares at me, holding my gaze, her eyes pool with unshed tears. And something else. Recognition. Of the love I have for her. I’d give her the world if she’d accept it from me. What I need first, though, is her forgiveness. I need to know we’re solid. That we can go back to the way things were before last night.

  She chews on her lip, eyes averted again. “Thank you for that. I don’t want to give you an ultimatum – her or me. I don’t think that’s fair. But
if you want to continue…”

  I adamantly nod my head in confirmation. “Yes, I want to continue.”

  Kylah gives me a smile. “We both need to trust each other if this is going to work. I need to know that when I’m at school and not with you every day or week, or after a game, you will be faithful to me. And I know you feel the same way. I don’t care if you have female friends – that’s normal. I have guy friends at school that I hang with. But I don’t kiss them. I definitely don’t touch them or let them up to my dorm room. I expect the same thing from you.”

  It’s then that I realize the hang-ups I had over a long-distance relationship are no longer a problem. They were an issue when I was with Lyndsay because I was holding on too tight to a love that no longer existed. Kylah and me…this is what it means to be true. To be real. A mature relationship where there is trust and forgiveness.

  I flip my palm over and bring her hand to my lips, kissing her softly. I haven’t shaved today, so the bristle of my days’ old beard creates visible goosebumps up her arm.

  “I love you, Kylah. I want to make this work. I’m so glad you came into my life when you did. I don’t deserve you, but I want you. I want you so much.”

  The heat in her eyes causes a rush of lust to shoot straight down to my dick. Holy hell, I’m not sure what’s on her mind, but if it’s what I’m thinking, I can totally get on board.

  “Are we good again?”

  She reaches out to wrap her small hands around my neck, dipping her head down to meet my lips.

  “Yes, we’re good.” She murmurs against my mouth, as I inhale a deep sigh before capturing her lips with mine. It’s been a month since we’ve kissed. Since I last held her in my arms. Four weeks of abstinence and pent-up desire, with only dreams of burying myself deep inside her.

  Suddenly she releases me and sits back, tipping her head toward her shoulder.

  “Looks like you need a shower.”

  That might be a tactful way of saying I smell…after all, I was on a run and haven’t showered yet today.