by Jordan Marie
"Mom?" I try and get her attention because she keeps mumbling in the background.
"It's bloody embarrassing, White Hall."
"Bloody? Did you move to England when I wasn't looking?"
"I heard it in a movie. It sounded cool and chic. Though, I think I may have to start using an accent for it to truly work. Anyway, quit trying to distract me! I want to know why the fuck I'm just hearing about my grandchild!"
"I have no Earthly idea what you're talking about. I don't think my brain can follow you this early."
"Fine. Put Kayla on the phone."
"Mom, the sun's barely shining outside. Kayla's not here."
"Why the hell not?" she asks, and I sigh.
"She had to go out of town for a teaching retreat her school organized. She'll be back tonight."
She's been gone for two nights and I'm not happy. We got our all-clear tests done, but I was pissed off because she told her nutty coworker I was her brother, so when we got back, I left. It was stupid and I was pouting. Son of a bitch if it isn't a blow to a man's ego when the woman he is fantasizing about keeps telling people he's like a brother to her. I mean, damn. Then the next day, she springs this "retreat" on me. So that's three days without Kayla. At first, I thought that might be good. It would give me time to clear my head, gain some perspective. Maybe I'm just having these thoughts and feelings about her because of the situation. Yeah, that's definitely not it. Three days and I'm slowly dying. She’s become my drug and withdrawals are definitely not pretty. I'm even missing sleeping with her and that shouldn't be possible. I only slept with her one night since all this started, but the feeling is there all the same.
"Are you listening to me, White Hall?"
That'd be a no…
"I'm sorry, Mom. The cat was wanting out," I mumble.
"You don't have a cat."
"What were you saying?" Sometimes it's not healthy to have a parent who knows your entire life.
"I was saying that I can't believe that you put a bun in my sweet Kayla's oven and didn't even tell me!"
Finally, she has my attention.
"What the fuck are you talking about, Mom?" I growl.
"White Hall! You do not talk to me like that! Would you kiss your mother with that mouth? Don't answer that. You barely come see me, let alone kiss me. I swear I don't know where I went wrong with you boys. If it wasn't for Cyan, I'd feel like a total failure."
"Oh, please." I all but roll my eyes at her claim. Of all of us, Cyan is probably the wildest. Somehow, however, he has managed to completely snow mom into thinking he's practically a virgin saint. If she ever found out the truth, it would probably kill her.
"I'm serious. You could learn something by trying to be more like your brother."
"Sure. What are you talking about with Kayla?"
"I'm talking about the fact that I had to read in a magazine in the checkout lane that my sweet Kayla was pregnant! I can't believe you, White Hall. You should have at least told the family what was going on."
"Mom, I have no idea what you're talking about here, and Kayla is definitely not pregnant."
"She's not?"
"She's definitely not. It's not even possible," I tell her.
"Well, shit. Maybe I should tell you to be more like Gray. He seems fertile enough since he met CC."
"Mom, would you please explain where you heard about me and Kayla?"
"I did, dear. Though you were probably playing with your make-believe pussy and didn't listen."
"Mom—"
"It's in all the gossip rags and on that horrible television show that says it’s all about entertaining news, but in reality is just a place for junk reality television that rots brain cells."
"You're fucking kidding me?"
"No. I'm pretty sure if we have a zombie apocalypse, the origins will be traced back to that TV channel. You can't keep brain cells alive and active watching—"
"Not about the TV, Mom," I growl, reaching for my remote. It takes me a few minutes to find the channel she's talking about. Some mindless reality TV show is on that I've never taken the time to watch and upon threat of death, probably never will. I keep scrolling through the channels. Sadly, I find what I need on the sports channel.
"Did you find it?" I hear Mom say in my ear, but I don't pay attention to her. I've forgotten all about my phone because there on the sports news is a picture of me and Kayla.
We're standing outside of the family clinic building. The picture is grainy and obviously been snapped with a cellphone—probably dear old Gladys's. It's after Gladys left. I remember. It was right after I told Kayla that she was mine. With this picture though, I see something I didn't before. Or fuck, maybe I'm just seeing it now because I'm lonely, horny, and want it to be there. I see pleasure. Does she like being called mine?
"Mom, I'll have to call you back," I say into the phone, my eyes glued to the screen. She's arguing in the background, but I ignore it and hang up. I know I'm going to have hell to pay for that, but I can't help it. I have the strongest fucking urge to jack off doing nothing but looking at Kayla's face on my television and seeing the pleasure in her eyes when she's looking at me. Before I can pause my TV, however, I make the mistake of turning up the volume.
"White Lucas has been off the field for a couple months. Speculation is that the star quarterback might never return due to an injury he received last season. White was benched the first part of the season because his throwing arm seemed weak and off the mark. He was permanently sidelined a month later by the general manager and has been consulting with team doctors. The injury however, doesn't seem to be keeping White from other endeavors. This photo was released late last night by celebrity gossip magazine the Snitch. The photo shows Lucas standing with a woman in front of a local family planning clinic in Dallas. The source for the Snitch tells us that White is definitely playing this one close to the vest, however. In fact, very close. Apparently the woman in the picture is, in actuality, White's stepsister, and they've been dating for a year. That's keeping it in the family a little too much for us, but who are we to judge? Could there be a baby on the way for the pro-baller? Let's hope the little bundle of joy doesn't take after his father when it comes to weak arms. The general manager for the team had no comment at this time. In other news—"
I turn the TV off, then throw my remote across the room. I watch it slam against the wall and smash into a hundred pieces.
It does nothing to make me feel better.
CHAPTER 25
KAYLA
"I'm sorry, Ms. Graham. We hate to do this, but I'm sure you can understand our position."
"No. I'm afraid I don't, Principal Blake."
"We're a small private school, Ms. Graham. Our parents pay for their child's education with the understanding that in doing so, they are guaranteeing their child will receive the utmost learning potential and care."
"Has my ability to teach these children been inadequate? The last time I checked my performance review, my parents were all happy."
"There's an issue of morality, Ms. Graham."
"Excuse me?"
"You signed a morality contract. The type of press you have been receiving is not in line with that."
"Press? I'm sorry, Mr. Blake, I have no idea what you're talking about. It was my understanding that this weekend was about a teaching retreat to reward for our performance—not about me losing my job."
"That was before."
"Before what?" I exclaim, getting fed up with the runaround he's giving me. I thought coming on this retreat would give me a few days to clear my head. Getting our results back from the clinic meant the way was all clear for me and White. Now if only I could just move past my guilt of lying to him, or at least stop feeling like I’ve pushed him into making a decision he wouldn’t normally.
Principal Blake takes out a magazine from a pile on his desk and hands it to me. It's the kind you see in the checkout aisle at your local grocery store or gas station. I always glance at th
e pictures, but never really pay them any attention. Their headlines always make me giggle—especially after watching that Men In Black movie where they were referenced as giving real information about aliens.
This one isn't making me giggle, though. Not at all. This one is actually making me sick to my stomach. Just reading the headline, I want to hurl.
"Pro Football Quarterback White Lucas having a love child with his sister."
Oh, no.
"Surely you can see that your position at Rosemont can no longer continue."
"This isn't true!" I literally yell, my hand shaking. My eyes are blurry so I know I have tears starting to fall and that just pisses me off more.
"You're not pregnant?"
"No! White and I haven't even had sex yet!" I actually did scream that. Considering everyone at the retreat is probably right outside the door, it might not have been a good move—along with tagging on the word “yet”. Christ eating bananas, when will I learn to shut up?
"Really, Ms. Graham. Your sexual life is your own, of course, but I have to consider the children."
"Why? I'm not having sex in front of them! What I do outside of the classroom should have no bearing on anything. Besides, White is not my brother!"
"He's not?"
"Of course he's not. I mean, his mother kind of adopted me, so I guess technically he is, but he's not! I mean there's nothing blood-related."
"So he is on record as being your sibling?"
"What? No! At least I don't think so. Why would he be? This is ridiculous!"
"Be that as it may, my hands are tied here. You can, of course, appeal to the board of directors."
"You can bet your ass I will!"
"But since your contract clearly stipulates against things like this—"
"This isn't the end of this," I growl, getting up from my chair.
"Ms. Graham—"
"You and the school board will be hearing from my lawyer!" I announce and stalk out of there.
I don't look at anyone as I leave. There's no point because I can feel their eyes on me. I'm in my car and heading towards the house. I should call White, but I'm afraid to. This is all my fault. I'll put it off as long as I can.
CHAPTER 26
WHITE
"Kayla! I know you're in there. Open this door!" I yell into her apartment door as I bang on it with my fist. She got back yesterday. I thought she would seek me out, and when she didn't, I assumed she would at least come over last night or call me. I waited and waited… like a chump.
I swore to myself I wasn't about to crawl back to her. It's her turn to chase me. That lasted the rest of the night and most of the morning. It's now noon and I know for a fact that Kayla didn't go to work. I know because I've been watching through my window for her to leave—again, like a chump.
Now I'm done waiting.
"Open this fucking—" I break off as Kayla opens the door. She doesn't look like I expected though. She's wearing sweats and a large t-shirt that hangs to her knees. The sweats are so baggy, you could fit three of her in them. Her hair has probably not been brushed and it's pulled up on her head but is hanging in every direction—including her eyes. She's holding a half gallon container of her favorite orange sherbet ice cream.
"Stop screaming. We do have other neighbors, you know," she mumbles with a spoon in her mouth. She walks off, leaving the door open. I follow her in, just in time to see her all but fall on the couch. She doesn't even look up, even when I sit down across from her.
"Do you want to explain to me why you haven't bothered telling me you were back?"
"I didn't realize I needed to check in with you. In fact, I'm pretty sure I don't."
"I'm not in the mood for your shit, Kayla."
"Look! Something we can agree on. I'm not in the mood for yours, either," she sighs, sliding down on the couch and bunching her hair against the armrest. At least that explains why her hair is a mess.
"What's going on with you?"
"I've been knocked up by my brother, haven't you heard?"
"Is that why you didn't go into work today?"
"Kind of."
"Kind of?"
"I am no longer employed by Rosemont Center for Education," she says, waving her spoon in the air as she pronounces the name of the school in time with each wave.
"You're not? You quit? But, you loved that job."
"I did," she says, licking the back of her spoon and still refusing to look at me.
"Kayla?"
"Turns out I'm not Rosemont material."
"What are you talking about?" Frustration is in my voice, and I probably should have kept that in check. Especially when she turns to look at me and I see anger warring with sadness in her dark eyes.
"They don't want a woman teaching their children who sleeps with her stepbrother."
"I'm not your damn brother! Or fuck, even stepbrother."
"But, you are."
"No. I'm not. You were never legally my sister."
"No, but your mom did go to court. Some papers were signed, even if they weren’t full adoption papers. Everyone treated me like your sister.”
“I’ve never treated you like my sister!”
“No. Not you. Though to be fair, until recently, you didn't even realize I had boobs, so it’s kind of the same thing."
"The fuck it is!"
"Whatever, I don't want to talk about this anymore. I find I’m all talked out."
"Well, too fucking bad! If you think I'm going to let them get away with this shit, you're crazy. We'll fight it. Hell, we'll sue them!"
"I signed a morality clause," she says with a sigh, sitting up and putting the container of ice cream on the coffee table.
"Big fucking deal. You haven't done anything wrong."
"Just let it go, White. I've already got another job."
"You do?"
"Yeah, I accepted it today."
"That's great then, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I just never thought about all the fallout of you and I doing this. I just don't think it's worth it. I think it would be better if we just walked away and—"
"Do not even finish that sentence, Kayla."
"Why not? I'm just stating the truth. What's the point of all this, White? I mean, seriously. We haven't even had sex and it's already a catastrophe."
"This is just crazy. It will blow over and won’t even matter. Those fucking prudes at Rosemont will regret their decision, honey. You're a fantastic teacher. How many women do you know can find a job in less than a day? You’ve got this."
"It’s not a big deal, White. Listen, I appreciate you coming over and worrying about me and everything, but I'm tired. I'm gonna go to bed."
"It is a big thing, Kayla, but fine, we'll go to bed,” I tell her, standing up.
"I meant alone. You in your bed, and me in mine."
"That's not going to happen."
"I think it is."
"You should think again."
"Are you seriously going to fight with me on this, after the chaos of the last forty-eight hours?"
"I'm seriously going to fight you, if you think that I'm giving up what we've started."
"What we've started?"
"Exactly."
Kayla holds her head down and I'm kind of expecting her to cave at this point. That's why when she looks up at me, I'm surprised to see anger. She stands up, her body vibrating with it.
"Maybe now would be a good time to remind you that you agreed to sleep with me to help me have a baby—no other reason."
"I'm aware. I also know—"
"Then, it's also a good time to tell you that I no longer want a child."
"Why the hell not?"
"A number of reasons! But the most important being, I don't have a job!"
"Of course you do! You told me you got one—"
"With your brother!"
"What??" I yell, and this time my voice is louder than hers.
; "I took a job from Green to teach his little boy, Allen."
"Why the fuck would you do that?"
"Because I needed a job!"
"No. I forbid it!"
"You… forbid it?"
"That's what I said. You are not going on the road with Green. And while we're on the subject, you are not to be around Blue, either."
"Have you lost your mind?"
"If I have, it's your fault."
"I doubt that!"
"I'm serious. You turn the tables on me until I can't remember what life was like without the taste of you on my lips. Then you leave town and don't even bother to return my damn texts or call me when you get back. You’re making me a raving lunatic!"
"You were the one who left me alone after our date on the Riverwalk, stud. Did you forget?"
"I was mad! You told that bitch I was your brother!"
"I think the last two days have shown that's true!"
"Bullshit! It shows you need to quit telling people crap like that and tell them I'm your man."
"My man?"
"I didn't stutter, Buttercup."
"You are unbelievable," she says, walking away from me. Which, by the way, leaves me chasing after her, yet again. Like a chump.
I grab her before she leaves the room, spinning her around to face me. A man can only take so much, and she's pushed me way past my limit.
"I'm done with letting you twist me in knots," I growl.
"You're insane."
"You've driven me to it," I mutter, wrapping my hand around the side of her neck and pulling her lips to mine.
CHAPTER 27
WHITE
Kayla's arms push against me. Her hands curl around my biceps, her fingers biting into my skin. She tries to pull her mouth away, and maybe I'm an asshole, but I don't let her. It's time she learns who is in control here. It's time she learns—me.
I increase the strength of the hold I have on her neck, basically forcing her to open for me. When she does, I don't think; I push inside her mouth, intent on owning it—on conquering her.
Her mouth is both cool and warm at once—a heat that is undeniably Kayla, and a taste that is from the cool sherbet she had earlier. My hand moves down to her breast, palming it, letting it fill and spill over as my fingers knead it. I'm being rough, zero finesse, and I don't give a damn because finally she stops trying to pull away and kisses me back.