by A. M. Brooks
“This is Nora Sutton.” Darrian glanced at me before looking at his father. “Her dad works with Anders.” I watched Mr. King nod his head and assumed my last name and the mention of Ander’s must have sparked some recognition.
“Bring her to dinner,” he said suddenly, taking us all off guard. The couple walked away before we could decline or accept
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he said once they were out of earshot. I glanced at him, the apprehension was rolling off of him in waves.
I started to open my mouth to tell Darrian it may not be a good idea. “I will,” I told him instead. I squeezed his hand between the two of mine. Darrian visibly relaxed. “I rode with Olivia though,” I grimaced, remembering that small detail.
“Text her and I’ll drive you home after.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.
“Okay.” I pulled out my phone to do as he asked.
“Meet you out front in ten?” he asked before giving me another kiss.
I nodded as I started texting Olivia. Darrian disappeared through the crowd. Olivia answered me back right away saying she’d see me tomorrow. It took a minute to register we are supposed to go to Trent’s race tomorrow and that was why she’d see me. I also sent a text to my dad stating I’ll be home late even though I doubt he’d notice.
Fifteen minutes later we were free of the crowd and headed to the King mansion. As we drove through town, we smiled and laughed. Stores were already hanging signs that they would be closed in the morning. The school colors were hung by the light posts and people were partying at every corner as they walked to their cars. Darrian reached over and took my hand. I felt content and relaxed as he continued to drive us to his home.
Unlike the last few times I’d been here, cars were not flowing down the street and the windows were not shaking from the bass of the latest craze song. Darrian parked by the garage so he could take me home afterward. As we approached the front steps, Ethan’s vehicle came speeding to a stop. He and Elijah jumped out.
“No way!” Ethan laughed, pulling me into a hug. “You actually wanted to come to dinner?” He gave me a playful wink and I laughed with him.
“Figured I’d better help this one out.” I playfully nudged Darrian who is still smiling at me.
“Get ready for the lion’s den,” Elijah said stoically with a small hint of a smile on his face.
“Your parents already here?” Darrian asked, wrapping his arm around me as he ushered me toward the door.
“Yeah, they bailed right away,” Ethan answered.
“Gotcha.” We all filed into the entryway where an older woman took our coats. I smiled at how different it is to be here on a nonparty night. We’re escorted into the large dining room that is normally locked during the parties as well. Mr. King and Mrs. King sit at the ends of the table. Across from us, a couple, who must be Ethan and Elijah’s parents, are seated. Neither of the fathers stop talking when we walked in nor when Darrian introduced me to his aunt. Ethan and Elijah kissed their mother’s cheek before sitting down.
“You’re Nora Sutton?” their mother asked.
I smiled at her, trying my best not to be nervous. “Yes, nice to meet you,” I said, holding out my hand.
She shook it smiling as well. “I think you know my sister, Jodi. Isn’t your father Mark Sutton?”
“Yes ma’am,” I nodded. “I didn’t realize you and Jodi were related,” I told her as I was honestly surprised.
“No way!” Ethan said enthusiastically. “Just think, Nora, if my aunt marries your dad we’ll be related.” He wiggled his eyebrows. I laughed not sure if that would be a dream or a nightmare.
“Yes,” his mother answered taking a sip of her wine. “I’ve heard a lot about you and your family from my sister.”
“All good things, right mother?” Elijah asked, eyeing her coolly.
“Of course!” she answered him, looking upset. Darrian tensed next to me. I had no idea what was going on, just wishing my dad hasn’t done something stupid regarding Jodi. I hoped not as the woman had grown on me in the few times I’ve met her.
Fortunately, we’re spared from further discussion as dinner was brought in. I had eaten before the game and wasn’t starving. The guys, however, dug in as if they hadn’t had a meal in weeks.
“So, Darrian,” his father’s voice boomed down the table. “I noticed Joe from Stanford was at the game tonight.” Darrian’s body went rigid next to me. Ethan and I made eye contact across the table as he mouthed oh shit. Sanford was the school Darrian’s dad was pushing on him in the form of family tradition. While they had a basketball team, their reputation was not as good as the schools Darrian had applied to and was hoping to get scouted by.
“Yes sir,” Darrian answered tightly.
“Have you talked with Joe, son?” Mr. King asked. Chatter around the table died. I peeked at Darrian who was ignoring looking at his father.
“No sir,” Darrian answered, looking at me. “I have not.”
“Now son.” His father set down his cloth napkin. “Stanford is a family tradition. Best business school in the country. Joe promised he could get you on the team so you could still play ball and get your education done right.”
The muscle in Darrian’s jaw twitched as he ground his teeth together. “I already have two offers I’m considering,” he announced. The room went completely silent. Mrs. King gasped next to me. Obviously, this wasn’t something Darrian had been planning to share.
“And where might that be?” Mr. King asked. His voice was hard, his eyes bored holes in the side of Darrian’s face. Giving me one more look Darrian focused on his father.
“UNC and Syracuse, sir,” Darrian answered. Mr. King’s face turned darker than the already dark skin, shading red and blue from the breath he was holding in.
“That’s not what we talked about,” Mr. King gritted out.
“Charles,” his mother warned.
“No, Krista.” Mr. King held up his hand. “It is this boy’s duty to get an education, fine, play ball and slum it when you can, but at the end of the four years you come back here and run the company.”
Darrian was shaking with anger. “Play ball and slum it?”
“You know what I mean.” His father stared hard at him, his face stone tight. “Your job is business and marrying Mikayla.”
“Charles,” his mother stepped in. “Enough. Darrian is just having fun right now. Let him make the right decisions on his own.”
I looked down at my plate hiding the angry blush on my cheeks. I was who he was slumming it with. Just having fun with. Even when I was right in the room, his parents were reminding me he should be with Mikayla.
“Yeah okay, Ma.” Darrian stood up suddenly, holding out his hand to me. I took it, gripping tightly as I stood. “I’m taking Nora home.”
“Thank you for the wonderful meal,” I said quietly, giving a small smile to Mrs. King. Despite the company, the food had tasted delicious. Darrian pulled me out of the room before anyone could respond. As we got to the entryway, the voices picked back up, but we ignored them.
Outside Darrian walked me to my side of the car, stopping to kiss my cheek before he opened the door and helped me in. The drive to my house was mostly silent except for the low hum of Future’s “Selfish” on the radio. As we pulled into my driveway, Darrian finally turned to me. “I’m sorry Nora. You didn’t need to hear any of that.”
“It’s okay.” I shrugged before grabbing his hand, running my thumb over his long fingers.
“No, it’s not,” he responded, capturing my eyes with his.
“No,” I answered truthfully. “Sorry but screw them, Darrian. Follow your own path. You’re an incredible player and if that’s what you want to do, you should go for it.” I don’t tell him my heart secretly hurts imagining him going to a school so far away. While UNC was my second choice, I knew it was his first. If I decided to go to UCLA, we’d be on separate coasts.
“I can’t wait to get out of here,” he echoed my t
houghts, his gaze distant as he looked out my window. “After graduation, I’m gone.”
I nodded, not sure what else to say to that. Darrian never gave me expectations with our arrangement. His approach was to always live in the moment. His parent’s sentiment regarding me reverberated in my heart. I didn’t think Darrian believed he’s slumming it with me by the way he acted. Just having fun for now though...that is exactly what we kept coming back to. It’s what I kept signing up for, hurting myself for, knowing that my future with Darrian is unknown and undefined.
“Thanks again for coming tonight,” he said, bringing me back to him out of my depressed thoughts.
“I’m glad I got to see you play,” I told him honestly. He leaned across the console to kiss me, gripping the back of my head to anchor my mouth to his. Unlike the soft kisses from earlier this one was searching. Our tongues moved together, trying not to dissect the emotions we were experiencing. I felt him groan against my lips before he pulled back.
“I need to ask you something,” he said, looking so serious I was almost scared.
“Anything,” I breathed out while crossing my fingers it was something I could actually give him.
“Will you be my Valentine?” He smiled when I relaxed again. I jokingly hit his chest.
“You freaked me out for a second,” I told him, laughing with him, the tension in the car dissipating.
“You didn’t answer though,” he reminded me. My eyes floated over his face, taking in the seriousness I see there and holding onto it like a lifeline. I told him to stand up to his parents and do what he wants. Regardless of where we end up four months from now, I wanted to choose to live in the moment with him.
“Yes,” I answered him before sealing my lips to his one more time.
When Darrian told me everything would be fine, he meant it. We found a new way to handle our conflict this time. While Darrian was done with ball and B+, he wasn’t actually done using. He just never used around me. I never saw what he was taking or how much. He never brought me to Roman’s or pressured me to try anything again. I watched through rose-colored glasses as our relationship blossomed and he continued to ignore reality. The season was over, and while Darrian had only mentioned his two choices to his father the truth was he had been offered positions on the team by many different schools. UNC and Syracuse were the only two though that offered a full ride provided he start right after graduation. We spent hours going over his options almost every night. After we ended the call, I tossed and turned unable to sleep. Darrian wanted to escape, and I was getting used to him being here. Even if he would ask me to follow him, or for us to be together, it would still be another year before I’d graduate. He never asked though. Darrian had to make a decision by the end of the month to announce at the beginning of March. Everyone was looking at him to see what he would decide. I knew he was facing pressure from all around while battling his own wants and needs. I decided I could turn a blind eye when he took the edge off every now and then.
Even though we were “back together” this time, I didn’t give up all I had gained. I still went to the track at least once a weekend with Olivia, Lily, and sometimes Shea. On those nights Darrian hung out with the guys. It felt good to still have my own identity and not let myself just become “King’s girl.” On the nights we did spend together I couldn’t be happier. We had yet to have sex again because I wanted to take it slow. Darrian didn’t fight me on it, instead, we made out like crazy anywhere and everywhere.
Valentine’s Day was fast approaching, which we were reminded of every day at school. Araminta didn’t skip over any holiday. Valentine’s was almost as big of a deal as Halloween. Hearts, flowers, and candy were everywhere. Apparently, it was a thing to hire a singing telegram or plan a flash mob for the one you love.
For once in my life, I was actually looking forward to the holiday. Darrian surprised me by making reservations for the best seafood restaurant just outside of town. We decided after dinner we’d go see a movie and have a casual date night. I couldn’t wait. Lily had dragged me shopping for a new dress. She and Ethan were on a break, so her plan consisted of watching the Nicholas Spark marathon on TV and wallowing. I tried getting her to come with us, but she refused not wanting to ruin our special night. Ethan was throwing a party that night mostly for all the single people. He called it a Stop Light party. Even when I asked him Darrian denied wanting to go, and said he wanted to spend the whole night with me.
As the day rolled around, I woke up feeling optimistic. School was going to be long and boring that day since I was so anxious for the evening. I took care of my appearance dressing in dark jeans, my white lace tank, and green cardigan. Opting to look nicer, I exchanged my Converse for some tan booties. My hair was already curled for the night ahead. I’d change clothes after school before Darrian picked me up at six. Butterflies zoomed in my stomach as I bounced down the stairs. Stopping in the kitchen, I noticed a small bouquet of flowers on the island, my name on a white envelope next to it. Curious, I picked up the envelope and tore it open. A child-like teddy bear was squeezing a heart on the front.
Happy Valentine’s Day Nora!
Have a good day at school.
Love, Dad
I reread the words three times before I set the card down. I couldn’t remember the last time my dad had done anything for Valentine’s Day. He usually referred to it as a made-up Hallmark day, or an excuse for restaurants to jack up their prices. Never had he bothered to get me flowers. Puzzled, I set the card down, backing away slowly like it might burst into flames. I raced out the door and climbed into the SUV eager to get to school. I couldn’t wait to see Darrian on the most romantic day of the year.
As expected, the school was again decked out. I really had to hand it to our student council, they never miss a beat. Red and pink construction paper hearts hung from the ceilings and a booth was set up inside the doors selling candy grams. Like an idiot, I couldn’t help the huge grin that stretched across my face. I speed walked to my locker to get my books situated before looking for Darrian. Despite our non-official status, I took a chance and had made him a Valentine. Now that I was here though my stomach was knotted. What if he thought I was pushing? I chewed my lip raw, my nerves racing while I fumbled with the dial on my locker. I heard the pop and the door opened, red confetti hearts spilled out decorating the ground. Cut out hearts hung amongst my favorite candies. Pulling one out slowly I noticed a note was attached to each one in Darrian’s bold script:
You are my Hot Tamale.
You can always make me Laffy Taffy.
Wanna Skor?
You Pop-Rock!
I laughed, just thinking of Darrian taking the time to do something like this. Although I shouldn’t have been surprised since he did publicly ask me to the Snowball, but this gesture was borderline boyfriend material. My stupid heart soared at the thought.
“You like it?” His voice sent tingles down my arms.
I turned, throwing my arms around him. “It’s amazing!” I hold him to me. My cheeks are hurting from grinning too much. When he pulled back I saw it, a moment of uncertainty crossed his face.
“Hey.” I placed my hand on his arm making eye contact. “This is honestly the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I love it.” My words seemed to soothe him. The tension in his shoulders became relaxed and he stopped gripping his hands together.
“I’m glad,” he smiled, peering down at me.
“Thank you.” I stand on my tiptoes giving him a small kiss.
“Just wait, Nora, the day is just starting.” Mischievousness flickered in his eyes and I was instantly intrigued.
“Wow,” I told him laughing. “Now I feel bad, all I have is this.” Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the gift bag containing the card I spent hours agonizing over at the store. Nothing too funny, nothing too lovey and nothing too boring. I hoped he understood the sentimental value of the sailboat. Tucked inside the bag with the card was a framed collage of the Athlos game and ch
ampionship game. Every night while we talked I was busy fitting frames together and matching images. Now I was nervous for him to see the final product. As he studied it, his fingers float over the images, mostly of the team and him, and a few of his record-breaking hoops.
“Thank you,” he said, looking up at me. I shrugged, still a little unsure about his reaction. “I mean it, thank you. This is perfect.”
I smiled. “It’s not store-bought,” I told him, blushing.
“That makes it even better.” His lips skimmed mine while he tucked the gift and card back into the bag. Closing my locker, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders to walk me to class. After all that agonizing I felt on cloud nine. The morning has already gone better than I expected. Glancing sideways I noticed Darrian’s pupils are normal in size and I can’t help but feel relieved, like he is making an effort to be present today.
By lunch, my lips are shaking from all the laughing, and my cheeks hurt from being in a permanent smile. Every hour a candy gram was delivered to me in class accompanied by a terrible rendition of 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop.” I swore our elderly English teacher was going to faint during the chorus. Every stop I made at my locker was ambushed by a freshman basketball player bringing me a red rose. They wouldn’t leave unless I passed a message along to Darrian. By the end of the day, my messages were getting creative and more than once the little boys blushed. My heart was soaring. Not even Mikayla’s attempts to ignore me at lunch bothered me. Hannah bounced in her seat gushing about how romantic Darrian was.
Before the end of the day, my closest friends were wishing me a great night with Darrian. Trent had planned to be at Ethan and Elijah’s party and Olivia and Shea were having a girls’ night or code for their own date night without Shea’s parents knowing. I shook my head. My friend shouldn’t have to hide her relationship. It was obvious to see they made each other happy and no one was judging.
“I’ll pick you up at six,” he reminded me, holding my hand ‘til we stopped at the SUV.
“I’ll be ready,” I promised. Darrian gave me a light kiss before pulling away. I watched as he jogged across the parking lot to his Jeep with a goofy grin on my face. I had a Valentine’s date. It sounded too good to be true.