Chapter Twenty-four
“Man to man, that was a foul move you made, Brian,” Jamaal said. “We’re boys, and you were supposed to have my back.”
Brian had called him three times before Jamaal picked up his cell. He knew Jamaal only answered to press him for information on how Karlie was doing.
Karlie had retreated to her room filled with despondency. Brian’s suggestion that she pray fell on deaf ears.
Brian adjusted his earpiece. “I told Karlie the truth because you had no right to attack me when you’re doing some creepy things. You say you’re all about God, but you’re only for Him on Sabbaths. I heard all about you and Camesha Jones.”
Jamaal’s harsh intake of breath rippled in Brian’s ear. “How do you know her name?”
Brian heard the shock in Jamaal’s voice. “Nikki and Camesha are friends. She wanted to tell Karlie, but I stopped her.”
“I didn’t know Camesha and Nikki knew each other. It happened once. One time when I was dumb enough to attend a frat party. But I’ve wised up since then. I love Karlie. I’ve loved her since high school, and she’s the one for me.”
“The fact that you stepped out on Karlie and smashed Camesha proves she’s not the one.”
“No, it only shows I’m human. I made a mistake. I’ve gone to God about it, but I had no intention of telling Karlie. I didn’t want to hurt her.”
“Keeping the truth from her is just as hurtful. With all these diseases prevalent today, it’s also harmful.”
Jamaal sighed. “You’re right. I didn’t have an excuse. I just wanted—”
“To get laid?” Brian chuckled. “I do understand, but you knew what you were getting into when you dated Karlie.”
“She’s worth it,” Jamaal said.
Brian pictured Karlie in his mind. Her hair, her smile, her beautiful aura. “I agree. Karlie is a special girl.”
“But I’m furious with you for taking advantage of her, Brian,” Jamaal said. “When I saw that picture, I nearly lost my mind. How could you do that to me?”
Brian wandered over to the chaise lounge in his room. “I didn’t sleep with her. We shared a bed because I was sick, and she was worried about me. Karlie meant to send that to me as a joke. That’s all it was. A prank gone wrong. Nothing more.”
Jamaal snorted. “You must think I was born last night. You’re tripping over her. If Karlie let you, you’d hit that without hesitation.”
“Yes, I would,” Brian said. “Well, before today, I would’ve.”
“What happened today?”
Brian heard the curiosity in Jamaal’s voice. He hesitated for a beat, but Brian knew Jamaal needed to know the sordid truth. “My father told us he might be Karlie’s father.”
Following that announcement, there was a small crash, noise, and bumbling before Jamaal came back on the line. “I was so shocked, I dropped my phone,” he said. “Did you say you and Karlie might be brother and sister?”
Brian’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes.” After that single word, his spirit plummeted. How he wished it was not true. He did not want Karlie as a sister.
“Wow. Here I am thinking you and Karlie had something going on, and . . . I had no idea . . .”
“That makes two of us. So, as of now, the line has been drawn.”
Emotionally, though, Brian was confused. He shoved any inappropriate feelings in the inner recesses of his heart. They were filed under the “to be tackled” box of his mind at a later date.
“Now I feel stupid.” Jamaal groaned. “I’ve got to call Karlie. I owe her a big apology for violating her trust.”
Brian rubbed it in. “She cried for hours after you left. She was inconsolable. I think she’s sleeping now, but you should give her a call.”
“I know she’ll forgive me,” Jamaal said, “but I don’t know if she’ll give me another chance.”
“I don’t think you deserve one.”
“That’s not your call, and you’d better not poison Karlie against me,” Jamaal threatened.
Brian wasn’t intimidated. “I think you’re doing a bang-up job of ruining your relationship without any interference from me.”
“I’ll be praying. God can help me.”
“You do that.”
Brian disconnected the call and tossed his phone on the bed. Brothers like Jamaal infuriated him. Jamaal seemed only to know God when it was convenient. He had been messing with Camesha for months, not once as he had claimed. Jamaal preached the Bible and quoted verses in one breath, and then talked trash to the girls with another.
Brian shook his head. He wasn’t like Jamaal. He revered God too much to make a commitment he couldn’t keep. However, when he expressed that sentiment to Karlie, she dismissed him as making excuses.
“No one is able to keep that commitment,” she had said. “Only God can help us.”
After Jamaal’s actions, Brian believed she was right. He was fast realizing, if and when he needed salvation, he had better rely on God. Karlie had taught him that.
Brian rapped on the connecting door before entering. He meandered through tossed articles of clothing and approached the bed. Burrowed under her blanket, Karlie’s body shook and he could hear her sobs.
Without hesitation, he slipped next to her, remaining above the blanket, and cuddled her close.
Karlie convulsed into fresh tears. Brian’s heart melted at her pain. He’d only seen her cry like this the months after her mother died.
“Hush, it will get better,” he whispered.
“I don’t know who I am,” she stammered. “I don’t know what I’m feeling. I just . . .”
“Did you pray?”
Karlie shook her head.
“We can’t have that now, can we?” Brian rolled off the bed to snag some tissues. Gently he made her face him and blotted her tears. Her red, pudgy face tore at his heart. “Pray with me.” He took her hand. “I have all kinds of questions for God, and I need your help. Please.”
She lifted her shoulders and took a deep breath. With a nod, Karlie sank to her knees. Her strong grip on his hand made Brian bend his knees and join her by the side of the bed.
She closed her eyes and Brian observed her from under his lashes. His admiration for her grew as she gathered her strength. Even in her pain, she was willing to pray with him. Karlie was a true woman of God.
“Lord, I know you’re not the author of confusion,” Karlie prayed. “Right now, Brian and I are hurting. We’re uneasy and so . . .”
“. . . discombobulated,” he said.
She squeezed his hand. “We need your peace. We need your strength. Brian and I cast everything on you because you are able to take us through anything. We can face anything with you guiding us.”
“What she said,” Brian whispered.
“Lead us, Lord. Comfort us. Lord, let us see your will even through this turmoil. I pray this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.” Karlie attempted to stand.
Brian tugged her back to the floor. “I have something to say.”
She tilted her chin but quickly recovered from her surprise. “Go ahead.”
“Lord, help Karlie keep her faith in you. I need her to keep telling me about you because it’s working. Also, if by some miracle you can change genetics, I would sincerely appreciate it. Amen.”
Brian released Karlie’s hand and stood.
Karlie chuckled. “God doesn’t change genetics. It’s like gravity. It’s set already from the foundation.”
“That’s my prayer,” he said. “Didn’t you tell me I needed to pour out what I feel?”
“Yes, but . . .”
“But, nothing,” he said. “That’s how I feel.”
Karlie didn’t argue the point. Instead, she touched his arm. “I’m glad God brought you into my life. Thanks for always keeping it real.”
“That’s me. That’s what I do.”