Andy
AS MUCH as Kyle’s Aunt Bethany hurt him, he still had empathy for her. This loss has rocked him. She died a few days after she appeared at the house to see him. When he received the call, he sobbed like small child.
He has shut down a bit since. I’ve been waiting him out, which is why I was thrown when the guys arrived this morning and said that Kyle had asked them all to come over. In fact, I was hurt. I thought when he was ready to open up it would be to me, not his group of friends.
I’ve tried not to let it show, but I don’t think I’m doing a good job of it. Everyone is in the living room waiting for Kyle to come out, and I’ve been in the kitchen pacing. I asked the chef to make us all breakfast, and I’ve remained in here pretending to help.
“Yo, And,” Kyle calls from the living room.
“Yeah,” I reply.
“Come here.”
I roll my eyes but turn for the living room. I enter the spacious room where I left everyone after letting them in. I stop in my tracks. I’d been so angry I didn’t notice everyone had arrived in white linen shorts and buttons-up shirts.
How did I miss that?
Now, they are all standing around the living room with light green roses in their hands, holding them over their hearts. They look like white knights, a legion of gorgeous forbidden angels or gods as Mas would call them. Confusion covers my face. I look from side to side, searching for Kyle to figure out what’s going on. Blitz’s bark grabs my attention. I turn around to find Kyle, Mas, and Blitz standing behind me. Both Kyle and Mas have green roses in their hands.
“These are my brothers, my family, the people I trust most in my life. When I need to build, I sit down with them. They help me make my best decisions. If I fall I know I can count on one of them to lift me up. There was a time I was good with that—only having my brothers as my counsel.
“Then life decided I was ready for more. That I was ready to expand my family, to grow my circle of trust. When Mas asked me when we were going to be a real family, I didn’t know what to tell him. I thought about it long and hard.
“The answer I came up with is… we already are a real family.” He says the last part as he digs into his pocket and pulls out a box. “Mas also gave me some great advice. He told me I should ask you to marry me. I think the kid is a genius—”
“Kyle,” I choke out like a warning.
“Hold on, baby. I’m not finished. I thought his advice was genius, so we went out ring shopping. Then I called my counsel, my brothers, and my family.” He takes a pause in his words.
I wrap my arms around my middle to hold myself together. My family starts to enter the room all dressed in white, holding the same green roses as everyone else. My mother, my dad, and my siblings. Daphne and Emma are right behind them.
“You see. My life has been filled with abundance since I met you. I didn’t realize it until I looked around at all my blessings. Green roses are a sign of abundance, of constant rejuvenation of spirit, the renewal of life. You bring me a constant renewal. Every time I look into your eyes, I feel rejuvenated.” He takes another pause, handing Mas the rose he’s been holding.
Everyone comes forward one by one, starting with Mason, placing the roses at my feet. Kyle begins to fill the space with the perfect melody as he croons with that rich deep voice of his. I start to laugh, a big smile taking over my face as he sings about not wanting to be right if loving me is wrong.
He once said that our love could fill a room. I can definitely feel the love everyone is sharing with us. When everyone has placed their rose down and cleared the way, Kyle is standing before me.
He lifts a hand to swipe a tear from my cheek. Still singing in that soulful voice, he locks eyes with me. Belting out the last note, he drops to one knee before me.
“I want to make my decisions with you. I want to come to you when I’m thinking about building in my life. I want to raise Mas with you and be the family we were meant to be. Andy, will you marry me?” he asks, opening the box in his hand to reveal a ring.
“Yes,” I try to say through my clogged throat.
Kyle slips the ring onto my finger, lifting to his full height to cup the back of my neck and kiss me just the way he did the very first time. Only this time, I know who I am. I’m confident in the person that stands before him, and it’s all because of his love.
“Now that’s how ya do it,” Mitch cheers.
We break our kiss as the entire room bursts into cheers and laughter. Kyle wraps his arms around me, hugging me hard enough to crush me. I embrace him just as hard.
“I have an announcement to make,” Kyle says to the room. “I’ll be retiring from the NBA. Andy and Mas are more important to me. I think it’s time I do something else.”
I pull away and look up at him. I know my face has to reveal my shock. He shrugs as if it’s no big deal. I know it’s not that simple. He loves to play. I can’t believe he’s making such a huge sacrifice.
He dips his head to place his lips to my ear. “I love you and Mas more. It’s time I focus on the things that matter most,” he says, kissing the shell of my ear.
“As long as you’re happy,” I say, searching his face.
“You said yes. I’m good,” he says with a sparkle in his eyes and a sexy smile on his lips.
Kyle
IT’S BEEN a good day. I took my aunt’s passing hard, but it also made me think about how short life is. I planned today as the start to the rest of my life. I was glad all of our family could be here with us. These are the people that have been there for me and Andy without question.
I look at Andy across the yard, sitting with his family and Mas. It’s like a scene out of a movie. The scene is picture-perfect, but it’s the smile on Andy’s face that’s enough to push this day over the top. All roads have led to this. Sure, there were cracks in the path, a few detours, some scrapes and bruises, but they were all worth it in my opinion. They’re my battle scars and I own them, no one else.
I turn back to my friends sitting around me. It’s that time. Our mandatory check-in. Javier pours the brandy he brought with him into tumblers, passing the glasses to the left until we all have one in our hands.
I count myself blessed for the millionth time today. These men dropped everything to be here for me. That’s more than I could ask for.
“To our brother’s new beginnings.” Javier lifts his glass to salute.
“Salud,” we say in unison and take a drink.
“This is bittersweet for me,” Ray says.
I turn to him, already knowing what he’s talking about. Ray has been holding out hope for years that we’d get to play together.
“You should be happy he’s retiring. He can stop busting our asses,” Chris says teasingly.
“Man, that’s what makes it bittersweet. On one hand, I know I can win a championship now. On the other hand, I was hoping to someday do it with him,” Ray says, looking down into his glass. “It would have been nice if we all could have pulled off getting on the same team.”
“You know that wasn’t going to happen unless you were willing to come to my bum-ass team. They paid too much for me. Nobody wants to buy out this fucking contract. I’m going to have to take a pay cut if I want out,” Chris mumbles.
“Man, what you talking about? Your team made the conference finals. We didn’t get out of the first round,” Ray huffs.
“Yeah, we made the conference finals, but it wasn’t because that team is any good. I’m just saying. The team we have now will never be a finisher. We get by on dumb luck,” Chris says and sucks his teeth.
Everyone falls silent for a moment. We could sit here and debate what sucks about our teams, but it’s not why we’re here. If we go down that road, we could go on forever.
“What’s the plan?” Beau asks, breaking the silence.
“Find a new place for us to live, plan a wedding, and open a safe place for orphaned kids,” I reply.
All of my friends sit forward in their seats. I know I have their full attention. We all have been through rough childhoods.
“You’ve thought this out, I see,” Jordan says.
“Yeah, I was going to talk to Beau. We still have one lot we haven’t broken ground on yet. Permits have been screwed up, and the crew had some issues—maybe with good reason. It’s big enough for what I have in mind,” I say.
“Sounds like a plan. We tripled our targeted projections for the other lots. I say we go for it. We can get some plans drawn up and get started on the logistic of running something like that,” Beau replies. He already has his phone out. I’m sure he’s making notes or sending texts out to get the ball rolling. I appreciate that.
“I was thinking… if you guys are interested in raising the money like we talked about, we should move forward with opening the school. Give the kids a home and safe place to learn.”
Silence falls again. I can see the distant looks that cover a few faces. Safe homes and places to learn weren’t a given when we were coming up. We could all tell stories.
“I like that,” Chris says into his glass. “I like that a lot.”
“You think Andy would want to take on the school? You know, become the principal there?” Beau asks.
“I don’t know. Maybe,” I muse.
I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about that. I make a mental note to make the offer. He loves his school, but you never know.
“Whatever you need, I’m in.” Javier lifts his tumbler.
I smile. Javier’s connections will prove invaluable. Beau’s fingers fly over his phone some more. I can already see this coming together. It feels right. Everything is falling into place. This is exactly what I need to do.
“Man, life sure can throw you a curveball. I never thought one of us would be getting married.” Jordan smiles.
“You’re telling me.” I laugh.
“Dude, I mean, don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t mind finding someone to just kick back and chill with,” Jordan adds. “I’m getting tired.”
“I know what you mean,” Javier says glumly. “I’ll be retiring soon. It feels like I should be retiring my antics at the club as well.”
“Seriously,” I interject, tilting my head to look at my friend more closely.
That usual spark is missing from his eyes. He does look more taxed than usual. I start to look at all of my other friends. They all seem to be in deep thought.
“How’s Joey?” I ask Chris.
That question brings a smile to his face. There was a time that I thought those two would be married by now. Joey and Chris have known each other since they were little. They’re like night and day, but they’re perfect for each other.
“He’s good. Real good. Don’t tell him I forgot to tell you he said hello.” Chris grins.
“I’m so telling,” I tease.
Mason’s laughter pulls my attention. I turn to see him sitting next to Andy, leaning against him with his head thrown back. From this angle, I can see the joy on his face.
“You did good,” Daniel speaks up. “He loves Mas as much as you do. That kid truly believes you two could hang the moon for him if he asked.”
“For him, I’d find a way,” I say.
“We know,” Beau replies, slapping a hand to my back. “Trust me, we know.”