Destiny's Detour

by Mari Brown

  I tell Amy what just happened with David, which makes her start laughing. Troy just kisses me on my cheek and heads downstairs. Amy and I look at each other, shrug our shoulders, and start laughing all over again. In part, I am reacting to the fact I have been so tense because I’ve been afraid of how David would handle Troy and I as a serious couple.

  Amy and I finally calm down and walk into my room so I can at least put on a pair of shorts before going downstairs. I use that time alone with Amy to fill her in on what happened with Troy last night. She tells me she isn’t surprised that Troy asked me to be his girlfriend. With the way we have been acting, it’s been obvious to everyone we really have feelings for each other and that it hasn’t been completely pretend. She also surprises me when she mentions that she always thought Troy had a thing for me when we were younger.

  When we finally make it downstairs and walk into the kitchen, I am not surprised to see Ryan, Mark, and Jessica sitting at the dining room table. I look at David and Troy, who are laughing about something together. I wonder if my brother is in denial or if he really is that cool with it. Amy and I grab coffee and make our way back to the dining room with our friends. As I near Troy, he reaches out for me and pulls me into his lap. Thankfully, he pulls gently so coffee doesn’t go everywhere. Once I am safely in his lap, he wraps an arm around my waist. I settle into him but I look at my brother.

  David just smirks and says, “Not yet, I am still pretending.”

  I look over at Amy, and as she looks back at me, we both start laughing again. For some reason, David is all too calm about this.

  The others at the table raise their eyebrows at us, which makes Amy and I laugh harder. Finally, we hush and I begin listening to what is being said around the table. Chase is talking about hooking up with some chick in the bathroom at the party. I can’t help but smile as I imagine him nailing her, and then leaving her in the bathroom when he is done. I should probably be upset for the girl. But I don’t feel sorry for girls who put themselves in the position to be a hump and dump. For the most part, everyone recaps the night of drinking. It is decided that the fraternity knows how to throw a party.

  Slowly, I tune out the conversations and get lost in my own world again. I want David to talk to me seriously. I want to make sure my big brother isn’t mad at me. I don’t even realize that Troy is nibbling on my ear, because I am so lost in my own world, until David says, "Not helping, Dude! I am pretending. Work with me here.”

  Troy laughs but stops nibbling.

  I am not sure why I am suddenly upset with David, but I am.

  “David, for once in your life, just grow the fuck up,” I say, and with that, I get up, storm upstairs, and slam my bedroom door.

  I am throwing a tantrum but he really frustrates me. I want my brother’s support. Does he not realize how important his opinion is to me? I am not saying that I need his permission to date Troy, but he could act like an adult and be supportive. When a knock sounds at my door, I really want to tell whomever it was to go away but I don’t. I open the door to see David.

  “What do you want?” I ask while holding the door open.

  “Can I come in and talk to you?”

  “I guess.” I step aside for him to enter before shutting the door. David sits down on the edge of my bed. I stand, waiting for him to say something. Finally, he pats the bed beside him. I make my way over and sit down. He puts an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into the side of him.

  “Look, I’m sorry I was an ass this morning. I just don’t want to deal with the fact my little sister was in bed with my best friend. It’s not a pleasant thought for me, you know.”

  I sigh. “I figured you weren’t going to be all that happy about it, David, but I didn’t expect you to just ignore it either.”

  “Look, I know back when you were in middle school and high school, you had a crush on Troy. I also know that he liked you, too. I have actually been waiting for this happen. I am just thankful he took my advice and waited until college to do something about it.”

  “Wait, what?” I sputter.

  “Destiny, Troy has been interested in you since you were a freshman in high school. I begged him to wait until you were out of high school before he said anything. I wanted you to be able to live your life and enjoy it. Get to experience things. In one way, I guess I was also hoping he would forget about you, but I think I always knew that wouldn’t happen. It’s not that I mind you two being together. It just worries me what will happen if it doesn’t work out with you guys. Not to mention, I have to get used to y’all doing the touchy feely stuff around me.”

  “David, I promise if Troy and I don’t work out, we will never make you choose between us. He will always be your best friend first. That’s what worries you?” He nods his head and I put my head on his shoulder. “You’re the best brother ever and I love you. I would never hurt you on purpose.”

  There is a light knock at my door and I get up to open it. Troy is standing on the other side, looking all sexy. I motion for him to come in, making sure to close the door behind him because I don’t think anyone else needs to be in on this conversation. Troy looks at David then me and says, “So, are y’all cool again?”

  We both nod yes, then he asks David, “Are you and I still cool?”

  “Yeah, man. We're cool but just know this, you may be my best friend and I love you like a brother but she will always be my sister first. You hurt or disrespect her and I will beat the shit out of you, friendship be damned. I am trusting you with a piece of my heart, treat her right.”

  "I get it my brother. I would expect nothing less. You have my word." The men hug it out and the tension in the room slowly dissipates.

  “And try to keep it PG-13 in front of me. Please, for my sanity.”

  We spend another thirty minutes in my room talking. We don’t talk about anything important. It’s just idle chitchat. David is the first to leave, saying he needs to shower. Come to think of it, I need to shower, too. I smell like alcohol, sweat, and sex. Troy gives me a heated look.

  “Oh, no, down boy! I need a shower. I reek.”

  He smiles seductively at me, stands up, grabs me, and starts pulling me toward my bathroom. He turns on the shower, adjusting the temperature. He begins stripping my clothes off, then drops his pants, and pulls me into the shower with him.

  Surprisingly, he doesn’t try anything sexual with me, but he does wash my hair and body. I return the favor. Who knew a shower could be so sensual. He wraps a towel around his waist. “Get dressed and wait for me in your bed. I am going to my room to get some clothes on.”

  I don’t know why, but I listen to him. I throw on a pair of yoga pants with a tank top and lay down on my bed. My phone rings, so I reach over to see that it is my mom calling. I haven’t talked to her in a few days so I am happy she is calling. She tells me that she and dad are coming for a visit tomorrow and want to catch up on all that’s been going on.

  That sends me into panic mode. My parents can’t find out about Troy and I dating just yet, or they might make me move out of the house. I am a daddy’s girl and he is super overprotective of me. As soon as Troy comes back in my room, we will have to talk about it. I kind of want to keep him, now that I have him.

  A few minutes later, Troy is back and he jumps on the bed beside me. I giggle, but then turn to look at him seriously.

  “Uh oh!”

  “My parents are coming tomorrow to visit, and I don’t think now is the time to let them know about us.”

  He sits silently but I can tell he is thinking.

  “I think you are right. Now is not the time to tell your parents, but Destiny, I plan on being with you for a long time, and eventually, we will have to tell them.”

  I nod. “Yes, Troy, I know we will have to tell them, but I have only been your girlfriend for a few hours, so let’s not rush it. I kind of like living here.”

  “I like you living here, too,” he says as his lips brush over mine.

  Troy a
nd I spend an hour making out in my bed. Eventually, we get up and I go to the bathroom to fix my hair so it isn’t totally obvious what we have been doing. Troy is in the living room with the guys playing a video game by the time I make it downstairs. Amy is in her room napping so I am getting bored. I finally decide I want to go to the mall. I run back upstairs and throw on some jeans and a T-shirt.

  I stick my head in the living room and yell, “Going to the mall to spend my daddy’s money. Y’all wanna come?” I giggle when the guys just groan and shudder. “Well, then I’ll catch you losers later.” I head out the door and hop into my car. Not too long after I leave, I get a text from Troy.

  Troy: So I am a loser? And spending daddy’s money? What are you, three again?

  Gah, jerk face. I don’t even bother to reply to him.

  I enjoy myself at the mall and make several purchases. A girl can never have enough clothes or shoes. Since Victoria’s Secret is calling my name, I decide to look for some new bras, panties, and maybe some lingerie to wear for my new boyfriend. Boyfriend. How surreal is that. It takes me two hours to shop and I come out with way more than I’d planned to get. I am loaded down with bags when I decide to hit the Starbucks in the mall and rest for a few minutes. I am sitting there, enjoying the peace and quiet, when I sense a presence walk up to my table. I look up to see Charlie. Great, what does this douche want from me?

  “Hi Destiny! Can I join you?” He smiles down at me.

  “Do you have to?” I ask.

  He smirks and says, “Now, don’t be mean just because your brother and I don’t get along. It doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

  “If my brother doesn’t like you, then I know I won’t like you because he’s less picky about his friends than I am. What do you want?”

  “I just want to get to know the pretty girl better.”

  “Um, yeah, but no. One, I don’t like you, and two, I have a boyfriend.”

  “Who, Troy?”

  “Yes, he is my boyfriend. What’s it to you?”

  “You could do so much better than him.”

  “Yeah, like who, you?”

  “Yes,” he states seriously.

  “Again, no, I don’t think so.” With that said, I gather all my bags and start heading out to my car.

  A low growl comes from Charlie as he says, “You are nothing but a spoiled rich bitch. You will regret turning me down.”

  I just keep walking away from him. Seriously, Charlie and Buffy should hook up. They would be perfect for each other. Creeped out a little, I decide to head on home after my run in with Charlie.

  I enter the house with all my bags and David catches me. “Damn, did you leave anything at the mall? Does Dad still have money?”

  I laugh as I walk away.

  “Don’t get mad cause Daddy loves me more than you.”

  Troy and Mark are still playing video games. Does this boy ever leave?

  “Um, David, not that I don’t like Mark or anything, but did he move in?”

  “Well, funny story, Sis. He kind of got kicked out of his dorm so I told him he could crash on our couch until he could find a new place to stay.”

  “Oh, I guess that’s okay.”

  I spend the next few hours putting away my new clothes, making sure everything is neat and orderly in my closet. That’s the only place I actually maintain tight order in; otherwise, I’d never find anything. When I look at the clock, I realize that it’s time for me to head downstairs and get dinner started.

  While I cook dinner, Amy sets the table and keeps me company. We talk a little about Mark staying at the house for a few days while looking for a new place to stay. I am curious as to what he did that got him kicked out of the dorms already. At some point, Troy comes in the kitchen, wraps his arms around me, and begins kissing the side of my neck. Amy makes fake gagging noises. I pull away from Troy and swat at him while smiling because everything about being with him makes me happy.

  Troy leads me to the living room and Amy follows. David and Mark are already in there watching a movie. Before I can even take a seat, Troy pulls me into his lap. Not that his lap isn’t nice, but am I forever going to have to sit on it?

  He is nibbling on my ear when David pipes up. “Dude, that’s my little sister. Not in front of me.”

  I snicker.

  “No, seriously. You’re making me a little nauseous.” The oven timer goes off, and David jumps up from his seat. “Saved by the bell.” When he walks by us, he smacks Troy on the back of the head, and then rushes into the kitchen.

  Troy’s arms tighten around me as he stands up from the couch and races after David. I would complain, but it wouldn’t do me any good. Besides, things won’t get too out of hand, especially since Troy refuses to put me down and David would never hurt me. When the timer beeps again, Troy has no choice but to let me go, or supper will burn.

  Everyone pitches in to set the table while I bring the food over, and moments later, we are all sitting at the table eating dinner. As the bowls get passed around, football and dance schedules are discussed, and eventually, the conversation makes its way around to Mark being kicked out of the dorm. It turns out he was busted for having weed. Idiot. This leads us to talking about where he could find a new place to stay.

  Even though I am waiting for someone to bring it up, I’m surprised all the same when David says, “Why can’t we just let him stay here? He can pay rent to help with food or something.”

  I look around the table and realize all of them are looking at me.

  “Why are y’all looking at me?”

  “Cause you hate change. If you don’t have any say or control in what happens, we will have to hear your mouth for weeks.”

  “I don’t care. I like Mark. But where is he going to sleep? In case you have forgotten, all the rooms are taken.”

  Troy pipes in. “Destiny, you can move in my room with me, and then Mark can have your room.”

  I’m not sure what I think about that. It’s one thing to sleep in the same place, but totally different to actually stay in his room permanently. Not to mention, I love my room the way it is, and now I will have to figure out how to combine my style with Troy’s taste.

  “Ya, that would work. It’s not like you wouldn’t be there every night anyway, Destiny,” David says.

  I look over at Amy to see her smiling and trying not to laugh at my obvious discomfort. I look at Mark and he at least has the decency to look like he feels sorry for me.

  I sigh. “Fine, I will move in with Troy so that Mark can have that bedroom. After our parents leave tomorrow, we can do all the moving. Which reminds me, no one mention Troy and I are together just yet to them. I am not in the mood to move back home.”

  David starts laughing. “Dad is going to flip the fuck out. Not that he doesn’t like Troy, but no one is ever good enough for his little princess.”

  “Well, I am going to tell them eventually, just not tomorrow. Troy and I haven’t even been official 24 hours, so it just seems a little early to bring it up with them.”

  “Troy and you have been unofficial for half our lives. Mom and Dad aren’t stupid, Des.”

  “This conversation is over,” I tell my brother with a slight blush to my cheeks.

  I head upstairs and start getting some of my things to move into Troy’s room so that I will have what I need for bed that night and for my shower in the morning. Troy decides to come upstairs with me and I can barely get my stuff together with him touching me. He keeps sneaking kisses. We wind up laying in our bed together most of the night making out. That seems so weird, too, thinking to myself, our bed, and I guess it is now our room. I can’t believe how quickly Troy and I are moving into sharing a room together. It all feels natural though. There is nothing strange about it to us. The fact that we have known each other forever makes everything flow differently. We don’t really have a getting to know you phase. We have been in that phase our entire lives.

  At some point, there is a knock at our door. I
get up to see David standing on the other side. I motion for him to come in. He just wants to tell us that Mark, Amy, and he are going out and asks if we want to join them. I don’t because my parents will be coming in early and I really don’t want to be hung over when they get here. I tell Troy he can go if he wants to, but he opts to stay home with me. What a sweet boy.

  The next morning, I wake with a smile on my face when I realize I am laying all entangled in my sexy boyfriend’s arms. I think I am going to like this waking up next to him every morning. We spent hours making love last night, taking full advantage of having the house to ourselves. I have to stop thinking about that because my body is already tingling at the memories of last night. I lean over, give Troy a quick kiss, and begin untangling myself so I can get in the bathroom to shower. I need to get dressed because I have a feeling my parents will be showing up shortly.

  Troy wakes up at some point after I get in the shower, and suddenly, he is in there with me. It’s not a huge shower, but it does have just enough room for Troy and me to comfortably be in here together. I am glad we have our own bathroom. It is going to be cluttered, though, by the time I move all my stuff in here.

  “Thought you could sneak away?” he whispers.

  “I was hardly sneaking off from you. I just know my parents will be here soon, and I guess I am excited to see them for the first time in almost a month.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you are. After all, you are daddy’s little princess.”

  “Troy, you aren’t jealous are you?”

  “Hardly, Princess. I give you something no one else can.”

  I playfully smack him, and we both go about finishing our shower and then getting dressed.

  We make it down to the kitchen where I cook us a light breakfast and we wait for the others to wake up and my parents to arrive. My parents’ arrival comes first. I am literally throwing myself into my dad’s arms when I open the door. As I go to hug my mom, my dad is already greeting Troy, and then it is my mom’s turn as she wraps Troy into one of her hugs. My mom really is the best hugger. It is like you can feel all her love for you through it. The four us move into the house, and I fix everyone coffee as we wait for the rest to wake up. I tell my parents that they had all gone out partying while Troy and I had decided to stay in. That is why we are already up and functioning. I notice a look cross between my parents but they speak no words. I am sure they are wondering why Troy would choose to stay home with me.