I nod. “Yeah.”
He smiles, but it quickly falters. “Mayra and I are engaged, actually. I gave her a ring a couple months ago now. But honestly, it feels like a Band-Aid that we put on our relationship. But anyway. What about you? Is Krista like your first girlfriend or something?"
Now he’s teasing. And I'm glad to see a smile back on his face.
I laugh. “Maybe my second. But honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. She's perfect, I'm telling you. I need to save up a little bit more money since we just bought a house together, but as soon as I get enough money together to get her the ring she deserves, I'm going to ask her to marry me."
I look over at her, and she meets my eye and winks at me before going back to Miles.
"And you'll have a son," Jimmy says. He doesn't say it in a judgmental way whatsoever. Quite the opposite, actually.
"Yeah, I mean, I guess he already is… my son,” I say. But it comes out more like a question.
It's the first time I say that out loud. And I get that nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach because it feels like I'm not good enough to be anybody's father, much less Miles’.
"As soon as I saw you three, I thought he was your son. Thought maybe you got busy right after you started going to college or something,” he says with a chuckle.
But I’m hardly listening.
"Hey," Jimmy says, jarring me out of that thought. "If I said that before I even came up to talk to you that I thought you were his dad, it's because you seem like his dad. Just from watching you guys for a few minutes, I can tell that little kid loves you like a dad already, man.”
I don’t say anything, and he goes on.
“Look, I know you, and I can tell you're scared about what this means, and believe me, I get it. With your parents, I'd be afraid of what it means to have a real family too. But I think you underestimate yourself, Ryan. It’s crystal clear you already love him as if he were your own. That's what it takes to be a dad. It doesn't matter that you guys aren’t biologically related. What matters is that you love those two.”
We look over at Krista and Miles, and my chest swells.
“That you accept her and him together. And that you’re gonna give that kid what you never had. If anybody can do it, it's you."
I just nod. That's all I can do right now because I'm not about to start tearing up like a girl in front of a bunch of strangers. So I nod.
And Jimmy gets it.
"Thanks, man,” I say.
"Any time. I'm here for you. I know it's been long as hell since we last saw each other, but that better not happen again, right?"
"You mean now that you’re going to be traveling most of the year during the NBA basketball season, you’re gonna hook me up with courtside tickets?” I ask with a smile.
“You know it," he says. "For real, though. You were there for me at my first college game. You better be there for me at my first NBA game."
Man, I can't believe he just said that.
“Done,” I say, and we hug and laugh like two teenagers back in high school. I mean, here we are, where we hung out so long ago.
This is where Jimmy made the varsity basketball team as a freshman and I made JV.
"So what about your parents? How are they?" I ask.
"They're good. They’d love to see you. In fact, I think we’re getting dinner with them right after. You should come. I know they’d love—”
But somebody's interrupting us before I have a chance to give Jimmy an answer.
The same guy is dragging him away.
“Listen, find me after. Oh, and Mayra’s around here somewhere. I think,” he says sheepishly. “You should see her too. And my sister and her boyfriend are coming, so like I said, you better not go anywhere.”
I wave, and he’s gone.
There goes my best friend. I never doubted he could reach his dreams. I just can't believe he's actually in the NBA now.
Only Jimmy.
Fourteen
Jimmy
“Jimmy, you’re only twenty-one years old, but clearly, you have big dreams, and you’re not afraid to do what it takes to reach those dreams. In the last two years…” the reporter says.
I’m trying to listen, to keep it all in my head and process what she’s saying so I can answer without sounding like an idiot, but it’s hard with all the lights in my face.
All of a sudden, I’m a little nervous.
I don’t usually get nervous. Maybe a little before a big game, but I guess this is different.
It’s my first live interview, though, and I wish Mayra was here. We’ve been fighting a lot lately, but I think I’d feel better if she was close by.
I look around. Where is she?
We fought this morning before I left for practice, but she wouldn’t skip out on me, would she?
She’s always been there for me.
“What role did your high school basketball coach, now retired, play in your quick rise to success in college ball and now to the National Basketball Association?”
The microphone is in my face, and the reporter is waiting for me to answer.
“Um, well,” I start. “Coach Rogers was a huge part of me being where I am today. He always pushed me hard and believed in me, not to mention he helped me learn a lot of important skills. I would say, you know, that he definitely gave the foundation I needed, and I’ll always be grateful to him for that. And he’s here today, actually, still supporting me.”
I wave to Coach Rogers, and everyone claps as he nods back with a smile. Several photographers start taking pictures of him.
The reporter nods and brings the microphone back to her mouth. She almost doesn’t seem real with her ruby red-lipsticked smile and stiffly-styled blonde hair. It looks like a wig.
“Who else has played a crucial role in helping you be where you are today, Jimmy?” She thrusts the microphone back in my face.
“Uh, um, my parents, for sure. My mom and dad always supported me, ever since the beginning. I remember being in middle school, and uh, telling them I wanted to be in the NBA someday. That no matter what, I was gonna do it. I was watching a game, and I was amazed at the talent I was watching on the screen, and I realized every single one of those players started at the bottom. And it almost mattered more that they worked so hard to get there, not necessarily their talent. And so I told my mom and dad that I wanted that to be me, and they didn’t laugh. They just told me that if I worked hard enough, I could do absolutely anything I wanted to.”
“Wow. They sound like amazing parents to have. Now we’re here tonight at your old high school, Jimmy.” She looks around, and the camera pans a bit before coming back to us. “Tell us, why are you here tonight? And who is the young girl on the posters hung up around the gym?”
Right. The school counselor, Miranda, had helped me rehearse this.
I clear my throat for a second before I look back at the reporter.
“Um, so we’re here to raise awareness about drunk driving and how it’s one of the leading causes of death among teenagers and young adults, especially with prom night coming up. And it’s something that shouldn’t even exist, you know? We want to encourage the students here and everywhere to make smart decisions when driving. No drinking or texting. To drive safely because your world can change in a split second. The girl on the posters, she went to school here around the same time I was a student here. And, um, she died as a result of drunk driving. So tonight is for her and in hopes that we can raise awareness and save lives. You know, my life is just getting started. My career is just getting started, but one wrong decision and my life could be over. Or worse, someone else’s life could end just because I chose to drink and then drive.”
I look around at the crowd, drowning out their applause, as the reporter says some other stuff.
I’m looking for Mayra. I want to text her, but it’s gonna have to wait.
The reporter asks me something else. “So what are you doing tonight, Jimmy, to help raise awareness and rais
e funds for this program that your high school has started?”
Miranda, who originally asked me to be here tonight, walks up to me. She speaks up.
“Jimmy has so graciously agreed to sign several items for us tonight and to be here for this exclusive interview. We are going to auction these items online to raise money for schools in the county to start their drunk driving awareness programs. Jimmy here has very generously donated the shoes he wore during his last basketball season here at this school.”
The crowd drowns the gym in screams.
“He really is doing a generous thing for us, even as he just became a professional basketball player and an amazing role model for our students.”
She showcases my old shoes, a couple of my college jerseys, and some posters on a table behind us.
“Ms. Miranda, from what I understand, Valerie, the young girl on these posters, was actually your younger sister?” the reporter asks, shoving the microphone in the counselor’s face.
I see the counselor give a slight nod and stiffen a bit as she answers the question. “She’s actually the reason I decided to switch careers and become a high school counselor. If we can stop just one young person from losing their lives and their family from feeling the pain that comes from that kind of tragedy, I feel like Valerie’s legacy will live on.”
Things turn serious and the crowd silent as tears fill her eyes, but the reporter remains neutral. As reporters always do.
I glance around again and finally see Mayra over by the concession stand. I give her a small wave as the two ladies continue talking, but she doesn’t wave back.
The counselor is handing me a permanent marker, and I remember that it’s time to start signing this stuff.
I start with the shoes and hold them up. The people around us cheer, and flashes go off as people take pictures. I set them back down and finish signing everything else.
I grab one jersey and throw it out into the crowd. The students go wild, and we finally end the interview.
I glance over at Mayra one more time, but she’s gone.
Fifteen
Lucas
I feel for the diamond ring in my pocket, my hand sweaty against the cool metal.
This is it.
Tonight I ask Ariana to marry me. To become my wife.
I'm nervous about exactly how I'm going to do this. Jimmy knows what I’m up to, and I assume that he's told Mayra. The dinner tonight after his event is not just to celebrate his appearance at the high school but also so I can ask Ariana in front of her entire family if she will marry me.
But first, it’s my turn to support Jimmy at his event at the old high school.
I walk in and look around for Ariana, Mayra, and Jimmy. They're all supposed to be here tonight. So I have to keep it cool between now and then. I don't want to give it away and have her figure out what I'm planning.
I want the question to be a complete surprise.
This commitment is what we need. I’ve been ready for this for a while now. Maybe she doesn't realize it yet, but I know her.
This is the right step for us. I can't wait to tell her that I’m absolutely crazy about her, that I want her to be the mother of my children. I don’t care if it’s tomorrow or ten years from now. I just want to be with her for the rest of our lives.
I walk around and see a big crowd of people gathered around the small stage in the gym. Jimmy is up there, but he's busy being interviewed at the moment. Mayra is standing off to the side, but before I can reach her, she's walking away. She's walking way too fast for me to catch up to her, so I let her go. Maybe she's running to grab something for Jimmy. I look back towards the stage. He's finishing up his interview with the local news.
I actually teach down the road from here at the middle school. But I haven't been here in a while. I glance at my watch and wonder if Ariana is here yet or if she’s still stuck at work. She said she’d be here.
Finally, the crowd disperses as Jimmy walks off the stage. It looks like he’s done. He walks over.
"Hey, did you see where Mayra went?” he asks, after asking me how I’m doing.
“Yeah, I saw her walk that way,” I say, pointing. He looks in that direction but hesitates.
“What is it?" I ask.
He shrugs “She’s probably sick of me anyway. I’ll just let her…”
“You guys are having problems?" I ask.
"Yeah… My sister hasn’t mentioned anything?"
Now it's my turn to shrug. "I guess I haven't had much time to talk to her this week, to be honest. She has a deadline at work, and I’ve unit planning. Anyway, I’m sure you two will figure it out.”
He stares off for a second.
"Hey, check this out." I take the ring out of my pocket and show him. "What do you think? Good enough for your sister?”
He takes the ring gently in his fingers and brings it up for inspection. I can tell he's impressed. "Wow. You definitely went all out. Nice. Yeah, I think she's going to love it.”
He claps me on the back, and we both smile. “Thanks, man. It’s not as big as the rock you gave Mayra, but it’ll do for a lowly art teacher and his future wife.”
Jimmy smiles and gives me the ring back. I put it back in my pocket.
"Well yeah, but you know it doesn't really matter anyway. I mean, Mayra and I are supposed to get married and all, but honestly, I don't think we've ever been this low before. And we've been together how many years now? It seems like the ring I gave her only made everything worse.”
I sigh. “That bad, huh? What matters is being ready for the long haul. It's not always going to be easy. Hell, it's not easy for us right now. But I also know that your sister’s it for me."
Jimmy looks down again.
“Hey, chin up, man. Whatever's going on with you and Mayra, I'm sure it's just temporary. Everyone can tell you two are meant for each other. ”
He looks at me again. “Yeah, I sure hope so. I just don't know what else to do, you know? I know I'm letting her down, but I have no idea how to fix it. Not without giving up my career. And I don't think I can ever do that, to be honest."
I look at him closely. "Yeah, I can’t imagine having that kind of choice to make. But I know you’ll make the right choice, and if you ask me, I think you can have your cake and eat it too, if you really try."
Jimmy finally stands up a little taller. “You think?"
“Oh yeah." I put my hand on his shoulder.
"I should go look for her." He starts walking off.
"Hey," I call to him. He turns around. “Have you seen Ariana anywhere?"
"No, I haven't seen her. But I'm sure she's around."
Sixteen
Ariana
I’ve just put the pregnancy test away in my purse when I hear the bathroom door open. I quickly close my purse shut and look in the bathroom mirror like I'm fixing my hair and make-up.
Then I realize who’s reflection it is in the mirror. "Hey, you," I say. It's Mayra.
She flinches before turning to look at me. She was about to go into the nearest stall, but instead, she walks over. She gives me a small smile. "Hey, you made it."
She gives me a hug, and that's when I realize there are tears in her eyes.
“Hey, what's wrong?" I ask. She looks down with a sniffle.
"I don't know. I think I'm about to head home, honestly. I'm just not sure I'm up for all of this." She waves her hand, indicating the gym.
And I know what she means. She means this. Jimmy's public appearance. This whole event.
"What is it, though? Did my brother do something to you? Because I will have his neck." I say jokingly, but Mayra is not cracking a smile.
Instead, she starts crying softly. And I realize this is a lot more serious than I thought. I immediately take her in my arms and stroke her hair.
I glance at my purse, making sure that the pregnancy test isn’t visible. Right now is not the right time to talk about that.
And if anything, I should talk to Lucas
about it first. My eyes go back to Mayra. “That bad?"
"I just don't know what to do anymore, Ariana. I know he's your brother, and at the end of the day, you're going to be on his side, but I just can't take it anymore. I think this is it."
She looks up at me, taking a couple of steps back and wrapping her arms around herself instead. "I really think we’re over. Maybe for a while now, and I just haven't admitted it to myself. But I think maybe this is what's best."
I can’t believe what I just heard. “Are you serious? Are you sure?"
And I realize before she's answered that she wouldn't be saying any of this out loud if she wasn't absolutely sure.
This is my best friend and my little brother. They've been together for years now. Since we went to this school together.
I still remember the first time they kissed. The day they started going out. I thought it would be weird at first, but the longer they were together, I realized they were the two people in my life who I knew were just right for each other.
And ever since then, they had been that couple in our lives. That couple you knew would always be together, were crazy about each other. You could always count on them to be together. No matter what. But I must have been wrong because I’ve never seen Mayra like this before in my life.
“It’s just—I can't make him choose me, you know? I can't make him choose between me and his career. That's not my choice to make. I think that just hit me. He has to choose. It’s his choice, and I think I know what it is. And I can't hate him for it. I just kind of hate myself, honestly. I don't want to say I wasted my time with him but all that time… and starting over. Oh god."
She breaks down crying again.
“I’ve never been alone. I just realized I've always been with him. I don't even know what it's like to be on my own."
I walk over and hug her again, tight. “Mayra, you are not alone. You've never been alone, and you never will be alone. He's my brother, but you're my best friend. I love you both the same. You’re like my sister, remember? You’re my sister, and you always will be. And I will always be there for you. Always. Never forget that."
Until Forever (Changing Hearts Book 4) Page 6
