The Athlete

by Elin Peer

  “So that would be a ‘no’ from you,” Finn concluded.

  We were all impatient for him to reveal the result of the test, but Finn just stood there.

  Khan was the first to lose his patience. “For fuck’s sake, Finn. What did the test say?”

  “That Magni is Solo’s father.”

  Magni spun Finn around to look into his eyes. “Are you joking?”

  “No, I ran the test twice, and the results came back positive both times. You are Solo’s father.”

  “I don’t understand how that’s even possible.”

  Pearl spoke up. “Why not? I think it makes perfect sense. The sex-bots would’ve registered that you were strong, tall, and fit – or in other words a perfect candidate for a donor. When we created the school of inclusion ten years ago we agreed on having ten normal children from each side, but as you know, Khan had his own agenda and asked for the strongest, fiercest fighters between ten and fourteen. Of course any son of yours would stand out. Look at Mason, he’s just like the two of you.”

  Magni narrowed his eyes and turned to me. “Shit. She’s got a point, Finn. Maybe we should run paternity tests on all the boys. Who knows how many times I’ve been a donor without knowing it.”

  Khan groaned. “Will you get over yourself? You’re not the only man with good genes in this country and none of the other boys resembles you.”

  Magni turned to Hunter and stared at him. “What about you? You have blond hair. Maybe you’re my son too.”

  Pearl scrunched her nose up. “Let’s hope not. You do realize that if Hunter is your son, that would mean that Willow is your daughter since they are twins. Or in other words that Willow and Solomon are siblings.”

  Willow looked horrified.

  Khan sighed and signaled for Solomon to stand up. “From now on Magni is going to look at every young man and wonder if he’s the father, but with you he will know for sure. Welcome to the family.” The two of them shook hands before Khan pulled Solomon in for a manly hug.

  Laura was the next to give him a hug. “I’m not sure whether to congratulate you or not. This family can be a bit dysfunctional, but then Finn brings Athena by and somehow she manages to untangle the mess.”

  “Don’t listen to her. I’m fucking proud of my family and I tell you one thing. We have each other’s back.” Magni reached out his hand to Solomon, who took it. The two of them hugged too and I rolled my eyes. Had everyone forgotten how Magni had almost killed Solomon at least twice?

  “Can I get a hug now, brother?” Mila had a wide smile on her face.

  “We should celebrate this.” Khan called for a servant. “Tell the chef to prepare a feast for tonight. We have something to celebrate.”

  While everyone was chatting away, I retreated to the windowsill. Maybe they were right, and I needed to move past my animosity for Solomon, but it was easier said than done. For seven years I had hated him with a vengeance. I couldn’t just switch it off and suddenly be happy about his first marrying my sister and now realizing he was part of the ruling family. Being cordial was the best I could do at this point, but I was quiet and withdrawn. My sister and Emanuela attempted to cheer me up, but after an hour of being surrounded by all the happy people, I excused myself and took a walk in the park alone.

  Several hours later, Jonah and Solomon found me sitting by the lake.

  “Willow sent us out looking for you. You’re not answering her calls.” They got off the two hoverbikes that they had arrived on.

  I scowled at Solomon. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be up at the mansion celebrating with your new family?”

  “Yeah, but my wife is worried.”

  “Tell her that I’m fine.”

  Jonah came to sit next to me. “You don’t seem fine. Why don’t you tell us what’s wrong?”

  I gave a loud snort. “You forget that you are in the Northlands. We don’t talk about our emotions.”

  “That’s a shame because I sense some tension between the two of you.”

  I snorted again. “You don’t say.”

  “Maybe you should talk it out.”

  Solomon came closer and I hated that he was standing while I was sitting, so I got up.

  “May I suggest that you two use the resolution recipe?”

  “The what?”

  “It’s a way to resolve disagreements and it involves you taking turns and discussing what you’re upset about.”

  “Stay out of it, Jonah. You wouldn’t understand it anyway.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re not an Nman.”

  “So what? I’m still a man, and I’m pretty sure feelings and emotions are the same on each side of the border.”

  “Hey, it’s not your fault you were born a Motlander, but we’re just different. Hunter and I aren’t as soft as you men from the Motherlands.”

  Jonah didn’t look offended. “You say that like it’s a good thing.”

  “Of course, you heard Magni. He thinks we’re soft compared to his generation and I’m still reeling from that insult.”

  “Huh, interesting.” Jonah tilted his head to one side. “I’m curious – how would you describe a real man?”

  “He’s a protector, provider, he’s strong, determined, superior, fearless, driven…” Solomon looked at me. “What else?”

  I tucked my hands in my pockets. “Well, for one, a real man doesn’t take any bullshit and he kills anyone who hurts a woman or child under his protection.”

  Solomon drew in a sigh. “Yeah, that too.”

  Jonah leaned back. “Can I just point out that no one is fearless?”

  “I am!” Solomon pushed his chest out.

  Jonah looked at me.

  I raised a brow. “What?” Emanuela had already called me out on this the first night I moved in with her.

  “I suppose you want me to believe that you are fearless too?”

  The way I squared my shoulders only made Jonah shake his head with a chuckle. “You two are cute.”

  “Careful,” Solomon warned him.

  “Or what? Are you going to pound on me?” Jonah looked amused. “You two are anything but fearless. Why else would you cling to some antique concepts about masculinity. Of course men are afraid. You would have to be one-dimensional and daft in your head if you didn’t acknowledge that.”

  Since Emanuela had told me the same thing I wasn’t as provoked by Jonah’s words as Solomon, whose voice grew deeper. “Are you accusing us of being cowards?”

  “No. I’m accusing you of being limited in the way you see yourself. Whoever raised you to believe there was some script for you to follow forgot to tell you the most important part, and instead of always looking down on us men from the Motherlands, maybe you could be open-minded and admit that we could teach you something.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “It’s not about being a good man. It’s about being a good person.”

  Solomon crossed his arms and I scowled.

  “How was it again?” Jonah turned to Solomon. “You said that a real man is a protector, provider, he’s strong, determined, superior, fearless, and driven. Was that it?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Okay, but women can be all those things too, and don’t you see that if you say men are superior then you’re also saying women are inferior?”

  Solo and I both frowned.

  “Hunter, do you think Willow is inferior to Solomon?”

  “Hell no, if anything she’s too good for him.”

  “What about my sister, do you think she’s inferior to you?”

  “No, Emanuela can hold her own. I didn’t mean that men are superior like that.”

  “Good. And what about you, Solo. What do you think?”

  “It’s a fact that women aren’t as physically strong as us.”

  “But does that make them inferior?”

  “I guess not. Most of the women I know are sharp and brave.”

  “So why are you two holding
on to all those limiting thoughts on what it means to be tough? Just let it go.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You’ve never been tough in your life,” Solomon said unapologetically.

  Jonah raised his eyebrows. “Maybe not according to your standards, but ever since I was thirteen I’ve been training to take on a whole council of women raised to believe that men are not to be trusted with power. If I go in there and flex my biceps, I guarantee you that no woman will be impressed with me. I’m going to need a different kind of strength, determination, and drive when I fight for what I believe in. But the same is true for everyone else who argues their case in that council.”

  Solomon rocked his head from side to side as if weighing evidence. “I see your point, but the difference between you men from the Motherlands and us Nmen is that you’re soft and emotional compared to us.”

  I agreed, “That’s true. We’re not as soft as you are.”

  Jonah looked from Solomon to me and back again. “If you think I’m going to be offended because you call me emotionally aware then you’re wrong. Just like women can be all the things you claimed a real man should be, men can be nurturing, emotionally available, and empathetic too. Right now, I’m all those things for you guys because clearly someone needs to show you what it looks like.”

  “We never said that real men have no empathy. It’s just that females are made to care for children and that sort of thing.”

  “That sort of thing?” Jonah gaped at us. “That’s what people say when they don’t know what they’re talking about. You wouldn’t know how to define femininity if I asked you to, would you?”

  “Sure.” Solomon placed his hands on his hips and lowered his brows. “Femininity, it’s, ehh… well, you know, it’s basically everything opposite to masculinity and that’s why men and women complement each other so well.”

  “Is it?” Jonah shook his head. “Let me ask you this then, do you think it’s important for a man to have a high level of integrity?”

  “Of course.”

  “What about women?”

  “I guess integrity is important for everyone.”

  “Okay, but then what about honesty, is that important?”

  “That’s part of having a high level of integrity.”

  “Right, so it would apply to both men and women then.”

  “Yeah.” Solomon nodded.

  “And humor? What about humor?”

  This time, I answered. “Masculine and feminine humor are different. Everyone knows that. It’s rare to find women who are funny.”

  “Maybe the women would say that you don’t get their humor?”

  Solomon kicked at the ground. “Raven is funny. She cracks me up, but I don’t see what humor has to do with anything.”

  “I’m trying to open your mind to see that the qualities in men and women aren’t as different as you are brought up to believe. You don’t need to be the opposite of women to be so-called real men.”

  Solomon gave a deep groan. “I’m an alpha by nature. That’s per definition the most badass men you can find.”

  Jonah laughed. “If alpha means leader, then I’m an alpha too.”

  That comment made both Solomon and me scoff.

  “I see! You don’t think I’m an alpha because I grew up with women and I’m a pacifist who’s never been in a fight.”

  Wrinkling my nose up, I shrugged. “Come on, Jonah, you can’t claim to be an alpha and a pacifist at the same time. Those two are in opposition.”

  “Why? An alpha doesn’t have to be violent and oppressive. I’m the kind of leader who serves my people with integrity and kindness rather than discipline and violence.”

  Solomon shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “You make it sound like we are Neanderthals who run around beating people with clubs.”

  “That’s not my intention. It’s not your fault that you were born as Nmen.” Jonah threw our words back in our faces and winked.

  “You’re pretty fearless for someone who wouldn’t stand a chance against either of us.”

  “I don’t see it that way. You are both rational and reasonable men who can communicate in a civil manner. You may not be able to express your feelings well or explore your wide range of emotions, but that’s because of the culture you grew up in, and no one can hold it against you.”

  Solomon and I frowned at him, but he kept talking.

  “I can’t imagine how lonely it must’ve been to keep so many secrets from your best friends.”

  “What secrets?” This time Solomon gave me a look of confusion. “What the hell is he talking about?”

  I snapped back at him, “How about, ‘I’m planning to kidnap your sister’?”

  “Oh, that secret.” Solomon groaned.

  “Actually, I was talking about the secret that you were frauds.” Only someone as non-threatening as Jonah could have gotten away with such an accusation without being thrown to the ground.

  My tone got impatient. “Did you just call us fucking frauds?”

  “I’m talking about that definition of manhood that you have. At some point you must have realized that you weren’t emotionally numb and then what? Did you talk to your friends about it? Did you tell them about your fears?”

  Solomon and I stayed quiet, neither of us willing to admit any weakness to the other.

  Jonah gave us a sad smile. “I bet every one of you boys wondered if you were the only one. You pretended to be someone you never were, didn’t you?”

  “No!” Maybe it was my unwillingness to admit that he was spot on, but there was no way I would stand here and look weak in front of Solomon.

  “Imagine what it would’ve been like, if you two could have sat down and shared how you felt. If instead of wanting to kill Solomon for putting you through your worst fears of losing your sister, you could have asked him to explain.”

  “There’s nothing to explain.”

  “Am I to believe that you don’t have any questions about what led your best friend to do something as desperate as risking his own life?”

  “I don’t care about his life.” My voice was shaking. “I only care about Willow.”

  “If that was true, you would want her to be happy, wouldn’t you?”

  “I do want her to be happy.”

  Solo lowered his brow. “If she’s not it’s because she worries about you. It’s not because I mistreat her.”

  I looked away.

  “Do you trust him when he says that he doesn’t mistreat Willow?”

  I didn’t answer.

  “Do you at least trust that your sister wouldn’t allow him to mistreat her?”

  I knew Willow to be strong and independent. “I guess.”

  “But you worry.”

  “Yes, of course I worry. That’s my fucking job. I’m her protector.” My hands fell to my side. “Or at least I used to be.”

  “But, Hunter, Willow’s an adult now, and a strong woman.”

  “Of course, but I’m still her brother.”

  “And I’m her husband.” Solomon’s tone was soft. “We both love her. We’ve always loved her.”

  “Only I never put her in danger like you did.”

  “And that’s something I have to live with every day.” Solomon’s tone was raw with emotion and his hand shook when he pointed to Jonah. “Maybe he’s right. Maybe if I’d had a friend to confide in it wouldn’t have happened. But I was seventeen and all I could think about was Willow, and how she would go back to the Motherlands and forget about me. I was petrified and I acted out of desperation.”

  “Petrified qualifies as fear, wouldn’t you say?”

  We both ignored Jonah as I directed my anger at Solomon again. “You betrayed our friendship.”

  His voice rose. “I know. And I have to live with that too. I’ll be the first to admit that if our roles were reversed, I’d hate you as well.”

  “Thank you for at least being man enough to admit it.”

  “Hunter!” Jon
ah gave me an are you serious look. “If you insist on hanging onto that badge of manhood, then let me ask you this: are you man enough to forgive your old friend?”

  “Never!”

  “Let me rephrase the question then. What would it take for you to forgive your old friend?”

  “I don’t know.” I tucked my hands under my armpits, signaling that I wasn’t open to hugging it out or some other Motlander shit.

  “Would it help if Solo gave you his deepest and sincerest apology?”

  “I already did but Hunter attacked me and tried to kill me.”

  Jonah frowned. “When was this?”

  “Right after Willow and I were torn apart. I asked to apologize to him, but he wouldn’t listen.”

  “Ah, so the feeling of betrayal was still raw with him.” Jonah rubbed his forehead. “How about now? Hunter, would you be willing to accept an apology now?”

  I didn’t answer. My pride was holding me hostage. Solomon had made me look like a failure of a brother – someone unable to protect his sister from danger.

  “You have every right to hate me for what I did. We were friends and you trusted me. If I could go back and do things differently, I would.”

  I met Solomon’s eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Hunter. If you need to hit me, hit me, but I’m begging you never to cut off Willow again because of me. She loves both of us and she shouldn’t have to choose.”

  I stood frozen to the ground.

  For Solomon to show this level of remorse was unexpected. He had always been proud and cocky when I’d known him.

  “Do you think you can forgive Solo?”

  “No. But hitting him sounds appealing.”

  Jonah reached out his hands. “No, Hunter, violence never solved anything.” But I was already in front of Solomon, taking a swing.

  When my fist connected with his jaw, the force of my punch made Solomon’s face turn to the side. It was satisfying to hear his deep groan of pain.

  “Seriously?” Jonah threw up his hands and looked up at us. “You two are like children. Grow up!”

  “We told you that you wouldn’t understand.” My hand was hurting from the punch as I walked to the hoverbikes. “Isn’t there a celebration taking place? I could really use a cold beer.”