by Shane Morgan
CHAPTER FORTY
Branden
On Thursday, I met with the coach of Easton University’s Hockey team. He’d gone over my medical reports and the letter from Doctor Henderson, giving his approval that I could play sports again. Luckily, the coach said he’d allow me to start practice next semester and then we’d see how things went from there—if I was really ready.
I was ecstatic. I wanted to surprise Moya and share the news with her. I walked over to the School of Business, remembering she’d be taking her Financial Management exam this morning, then waited for her in the hallway.
At every sound of a classroom door opening, I looked to see if Moya would come out. She didn’t, not until half an hour later. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. She hurried her steps.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” she asked, rushing into my arms.
Squeezing her, I replied, “I wanted to surprise you. How did it go?”
She slipped out of my embrace and nodded excitingly as she answered, “I did great. Better than I expected.”
“That’s awesome. You want to grab a bite before your next one?”
Moya held my hand as we walked out the exit. Reaching the building where the cafeteria was, I muttered as we entered, “There’s something I want to tell you.”
She looked at me with a quizzical expression. “What is it?”
Finding a table, I waited until she sat down and placed her bag on the chair next to her before confessing, “I’m going to start playing hockey again.”
Moya froze, not uttering a sound. Then she folded her hands on top of the table and narrowed her eyes.
“Are you crazy?”
I laughed nervously. “No…I’m going to start training next semester and if the coach thinks I have what it takes, he’ll let me play with the team.”
“Branden, you can’t. Your chest—”
“Is much better, babe. Come on, can’t you be happy for me. I’ve wanted to play hockey again for so long.”
Her gaze softened. “I know, but…you have to think about what you’ve been through. I don’t think you’re ready to get that active just yet. It’s barely been three months.”
Moya tried to reason with me, but it was no use. My mind was already made up. I was going to play hockey again no matter what she or my mother thought about it.
“I need your support on this. I’ve already gotten crap about it from my mother and I don’t need to hear it from you too. Definitely not you.”
“And she should give you crap about it, Bran. It’s dangerous, and careless, and…just plain stupid to take such a risk after what you’ve been through.”
I fell back on the chair, pissed. “Thanks a lot. I’ve supported you with everything and the one time I ask for it, this is what I get.”
She scoffed. “This is completely different from everything else, Branden. This is your health we’re talking about, you living a full life.”
“What’s a full life if I can’t do the things that make me happy?”
“I know it’s hard to give up something you love, but,” she reached her hand out for mine. I pulled away. “Babe, it’s for your own good.”
I didn’t want to hear it. The conversation was over. The girl I loved didn’t have my back. That sucked.
Getting up, I said lowly, “Good luck on your next exam. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Branden,” she got up as well. “Don’t be mad. Please…I’m just trying to make you see the risks—”
“I don’t need you to make me see anything. All I need right now is your support.”
I turned and headed for the exit, leaving Moya behind in the cafeteria. She didn’t come after me. I knew wouldn’t. Moya wasn’t the type to chase after anyone.
“Branden!”
I was stunned. The urgency in her voice compelled me to stop walking. When I turned around, she was hurrying towards me down the concrete path, a worried look in her eyes.
“Don’t leave like this,” she said as she reached me. “I’m sorry you feel like I don’t want to back your decision, but don’t you see how scared I am of losing you? I was freaked out that time when you were in the hospital. I don’t want you to end up like that again, in pain, unsure of whether or not you’ll live to see another day.”
My girl still had some surprises for me. I cupped her cheeks then gently engulfed her in my arms. “I know you’re scared, babe. But I don’t want us to be scared for the rest of our lives.”
“You’re right,” she whispered into my chest. “I’m still so worried though.”
Easing her away, I stared into her beautiful eyes, saying, “I’ll be all right, Moya. Trust me. If anything feels off I’ll contact Dr. Henderson right away.”
That seemed to have settled her worries. Her mouth curved into a relaxed smile. It meant she was willing to try. Giving me a soft kiss on the lips, she whispered, “I trust you, Branden. I do. That’s why I’m going to support you. Just promise me, if anything happens, if you get any weird feeling—”
“I’ll stop. I promise. Though, that won’t happen because I’m healed, babe.”
She gave me another hug before heading off to her next exam.
Walking back to my car in the campus parking lot, I felt relieved, happy. It’d been a while since I had someone in my corner, and with Moya at my side I knew I could take on anything.
I decided to stop at the pizza shop in downtown Harrington before driving home. It was right across the street from the club where I first danced with Moya. We hadn’t been there since that night.
The second I entered the pizza shop I spotted Warren at the counter. I walked over to him.
“Hey man. How’s it going?”
He got off the stool and gave me a quick hug and handshake. “Hey, Bran, I’m okay. You?”
“Good.”
Warren peered over at the entrance when I sat down on the stool next to his, as if he was waiting for someone.
“Oh, sorry, are you meeting someone here?” I asked, easing up.
“No it’s cool, man. She’s probably not coming anyway.”
I sat down again and ordered a slice of pepperoni and soda to go. Looking at Warren, I noticed he was distressed about something. His shoulders sagged as his eyes burned into the coffee cup. This was a different side to the always energetic guy I once roomed with.
I had to ask, “Is everything all right?”
Folding his hands on top of the counter, he heaved a sigh before answering, “Yeah. It’s just this girl I like. She told me yesterday that she wasn’t sure she could continue seeing me.” He sounded as low as he appeared, with his voice near hoarse.
“I’m sorry, dude.”
“I asked her why, ‘cause we’ve been hanging out for a while now and things seemed to be good between us. She said it was too complicated, and that it was better this way. So I told her to meet me here today, to talk about it.” He looked over at the entrance again. “But she hasn’t showed up yet. Then again, she said she might not come.”
I had no idea what to say to him. I was the last person to give advice on relationships. “Maybe she will,” didn’t sound too bad.
Warren perked up at my words. He drank some coffee then muttered, “Yeah…but…” his frown returned.
“But what?” I asked, picking at my menu.
“I don’t know, maybe she’s going back to her ex. I hope not. She seems so much happier when we’re together.”
Just as the waitress brought over my order, I heard him blow out a breath of relief and say, “Here she is. You were right, man.”
I turned to see the girl who had the former player fretting so much. When I did, my eyes narrowed in confusion.
“Vanessa…” her name came out in a whisper as I remembered hearing she already had a boyfriend, some guy named Calvin.
Seeing me, she slowed her steps. “Branden? What are you doing here?”
“Wait, how do you two know each other?” asked Warren, sounding a little jealous.
>
I replied, “She’s a friend of my girlfriend.”
“Yeah,” Vanessa chimed. “Warren, I didn’t know you knew Branden.”
“We were roommates at the start of the semester; before he got…I guess you probably know about that too.” Warren moved closer to her, towing her into his arms. “So, what’s this about you wanting to end our relationship?”
I cleared my throat, grabbed the bag with my pizza, and snatched up my soda. “I’m going to take off.”
Warren nodded at me. “All right, man. I’ll see you soon.”
“See you, Vanessa.”
“Bye,” she murmured, barely meeting my gaze. If she’d broken up with Calvin, why was she acting weird that I found out she and Warren were seeing each other now? It wasn’t a big deal.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Moya
I was still finding it hard to get over Branden playing hockey again, deliberating whether or not he was really ready. On top of that, Vanessa was still in her zone. She hadn’t replied to any of my texts since hearing that Tobias kissed me, and by Friday, I figured she wasn’t going to drive back to Berlin Heights with me. Oh well. I wanted to hang out with Branden before going home anyway, since I had my final exam today.
He picked me up on campus and we drove downtown, where we had dinner then stopped by Sound Box afterwards to chill for a while—the social club he’d brought me to hours after kissing me for the first time. It was also the night I realized more than ever that he was sick.
The place was packed tonight. We made it through a group of college kids celebrating the end of their finals, and found a spot at the bar. Branden quickly browsed the club, but there weren’t any empty chairs anywhere.
Locked out of Heaven reverberated through the tight crowd; people shouted so they could hear each other. The overall atmosphere wasn’t as relaxing as that time when we came here. Tonight, it was suffocating and more like a sweat fest.
“You wanna go?” Branden asked, pushing up to my ear. He probably read the discomfort on my face.
“It’s too tight. We can go somewhere else.”
He brought his arm around my waist. “Anywhere else won’t be safe tonight. Too much drinking, partying, you name it. But we can just go by the docks or whatever; up to you.”
Nodding my agreement, he took my hand and led me towards the exit. When we approached the doors, Tobias entered with his friends. They were just as brawny as he was. An arrogant air radiated from their bodies.
Tobias glimpsed me as I went by him with Branden. Shit.
“Moya! Hey!” he followed me outside.
Branden slowed and glanced back at Tobias, confused.
“I didn’t know you did clubs. Well, I guess even bookworms need a break sometime.”
I scoffed, “Whatever,” then nudged Branden to keep walking with me back to his car. He seemed troubled by another guy calling my name. To make things worse, Tobias jogged up and gripped me by the elbow.
Branden put a hand up in front of his chest, demanding, “Get your hand off her!”
My heart rushed. I was both surprised and excited by his protectiveness.
Tobias obliged, an unreadable expression formed on his face as he eased away. “Whoa, be cool.”
“Let’s go,” I said to Branden, trying to stop the rising tension from exploding.
I heard Tobias snort behind us as we walked away. “Are you serious? This can’t be the so-called boyfriend you dissed me for? He’s not even one of us.”
“What did you say?” Branden spun and started back towards him. I hurried to stop him.
“Babe, don’t. He’s not worth it. Let’s just go, okay?”
His jaw twitched; his veins bulged as if they were going to pop any moment. I hadn’t seen Branden so enraged before.
Nervously, I pulled his hand, wanting for us to get to his car and drive away. I was pissed at Tobias for his ignorant remarks. But I wasn’t going to let Branden fight him. Not with his previous health scare.
Swallowing his pride, he turned and continued with me down the sidewalk to his car.
Then as if to provoke him further, Tobias called out, “See, Moya. Your boy’s a coward!”
Shit! There was nothing I could do after that.
Branden twirled and rushed past me. I hastened to stop him, but I was too late. He lurched at Tobias, landing the first blow.
Spectators waiting by the club entrance roared in excitement instead of coming to break up the fight. I placed my hands on top of my head, frustrated.
“Stop it! Branden, stop!” I yelled. They weren’t listening to me at all.
I winced and peered away fast as Tobias gave him a punch to the face. Glancing back to them, I realized it hadn’t thrown Branden off too much. He coughed a bit, then charged Tobias again, knocking him over onto the concrete.
The two rumbled, trying to overpower each other. Tobias pushed Branden hard. He fell back onto his elbow, getting up in a flash.
Blood trickled from the corner of Tobias’ mouth. He spat some on the sidewalk and shot to his feet as well.
“I’m gonna teach you for that,” he growled.
Branden taunted him. “Come on, then.”
Tobias stormed at him with clenched fists. Branden shifted fast and nailed him with a right hook. Tobias dropped down to the sidewalk, nearly out cold, but having no strength to get up again to continue the fight.
Branden heaved as he backed away from him and walked up to me. There was a bruise on his face, and blood on his lips.
“Happy now?” I hissed.
He still had an angry look in his eyes. Branden moved around me and went to open the car door for me to get in.
The few people that were watching drifted back to whatever they were preoccupied with before, seeing the fight was over. And I was happy to get out of there before Tobias’ friends came looking for Branden when they realized what had happened.
***
Branden sat on the edge of my bed and I pressed an icepack against his face.
“I can’t believe you fought him.”
“I wasn’t going to look bad in front of—”
“Don’t be silly,” I cut him off. “Branden, you could never look bad to me just because you walked away from ignorance.”
He took the icepack out of my hand and turned his gaze to the carpet. “I don’t like what he said…how he said it.”
I stood and walked over to the desk, sitting down on the chair. “I don’t either. But Bran, you have to understand that we’re going to have crap to deal with. People like Tobias are all over the place and some beliefs still exist even today, regardless of how discriminating it is.”
“I know.”
“Really? Because you can’t go beating up every single person that says something like that to us.”
He peered up at me, his eyes looking as if he was pleased with himself. “It did feel good though,” he grinned, “Kicking his ass. I wiped that smirk off his face.”
Honestly, there was a part of me that felt like Tobias had it coming. He was annoying as hell.
“Yeah, he deserved it for kissing me,” I accidentally let that part slip out when really I wanted to leave it in my thoughts.
Branden jumped up, a furious expression on his face as he blurted out, “What! He kissed you! When? How?”
Hastily, I stood and touched his arms. “He did it against my will. Branden, listen to me…”
He eased away from me and started for the door. “And you’re mad at me for fighting him?” He reached for the doorknob, but then slowed and glanced back at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“There wasn’t anything to tell. He did it by force and I was just as disgusted as you are.”
“Nothing to tell?” he creased his forehead, gazing at me with a questioning look in his blue eyes. “Another guy kisses you and you kept it a secret from me. What, do you have a thing for him or something?”
“No!” His remark aggravated the hell out of me. “I don’t
have a thing for anyone else besides you. And the reason why I didn’t tell you about the kiss is because I knew you’d get upset over nothing.”
Considering my words, Branden settled down. He stepped closer to me and away from the door. “I’m sorry. I just don’t like that another guy came that close to you. It makes me—”
“Jealous?” I finished for him, folding my arms. I eyed him in a teasing way as I said softly, “And there I was thinking you weren’t the jealous type.”
Branden reached out for me, taking me into his arms. “I can’t help it, Moya. I love you so much I can’t stand the thought of another guy stealing you away; touching you, kissing you. Now that I have you in my life, I don’t know how I could ever live without you.”
His words set my entire body on fire. I’d never felt so wanted, needed. Lifting my chin, I edged closer to his lips and whispered, “You’ll never lose me, baby.”
Then we kissed, lightly, stopping when I touched his face where he had been hit. Branden winced and dabbed his finger on the bruise. I led him back to my bed to put the icepack on it.
As if seeing me for the first time, his eyes gleamed blissfully as he stared at me. My heart thumped. I shivered at the sudden desire erupting inside.
Branden brushed away loose curls from over my eyes and rubbed his thumb across my lips. I considered staying in the dorm for tonight, with him, instead of driving back to Berlin Heights. Momma never liked me driving home late anyway.
While engrossed in thoughts of where the night could lead, I hadn’t noticed the climate change taking place outside.
“Look,” said Branden.
I turned on the bed and peered out the window. It was snowing. Moving over on the bed, I pulled the curtain away so we could see better. Light flurries sprinkled from the sky, melting as soon as it reached the ground.
“Winter is officially here now,” I murmured.
Branden came up next to me, slipping his arm around me. “Technically, tomorrow’s the first day of winter. It’s still fall.”