The Realest Ever - By Keith Thomas Walker Page 0,28

took her to church this morning.”

“Mama’s boy.” Kyra snickered.

“Whatever.”

“Is she still mad at me?”

“She, um. She ain’t great, either,” Donovan admitted.

Kyra thought about the last time she saw Miss Beverly. Bad idea. She felt mortified and turned on at the same time. It was an awkward mix of emotions. She wondered if Donovan ever thought about their kiss. She would love to talk to him about it, but she knew it would be improper to bring it up because of his girlfriend.

“What about your aunt?” Donovan asked. “I feel like she doesn’t like me.”

“I have no idea what her problem is,” Kyra said. “I can’t wait to move from over here.” She eyed the front door of her aunt’s house much like she did when she was a child, looking at her own home.

Donovan was hit with a powerful sense of déjà vu. It was clear they weren’t meant to have a sexual relationship, but Donovan believed God put him in Kyra’s life to be her protector. They may have lost contact for a decade and a half, but his concern for her was one thing that remained the same.

“Please tell your girlfriend that I never asked you to help me with anything,” Kyra said as she opened the door.

Donovan grinned mischievously. “Will do.”

Kyra stared into his beautiful, brown eyes. “Thanks for lunch, and everything.”

“You’re welcome,” Donovan said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

CHAPTER SIX

DONOVAN THE PROTECTOR

Brianna sent Donovan two text messages during his lunch with Kyra. He read them when he stopped at a light down the street from Aunt Ruth’s house.

Hey, baby. Just wanted to know how things were going. Are you still with her? Where’d you take her? What are y’all doing?

In the second one, sent an hour later, Donovan knew his woman was losing her resolve.

Hey, baby. How long is your lunch going to be? I don’t want to call you. I’m trying real hard. If you don’t call me soon, I’m going to call you. Call me as soon as you can!!

Donovan almost didn’t call her back. Why’d she have to go overboard with the exclamation points? He had a lot on his mind. He didn’t want to explain things to Brianna until he knew what was going on. He had to remind himself that although his girlfriend was insanely jealous, this was a unique situation. This time Brianna’s concern was understandable. Donovan dialed her number, and she answered right away.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” she said. “Is your date over? You on your way home?”

“It wasn’t a date.”

“Whatever. Is it over?”

“Yes.”

“I have a lot I want to say about this. Are you on your way home?”

Donovan cringed. “Yes.”

“Can I meet you there, so we can talk?”

“Alright.”

“Where’d you take her?” Brianna asked. “What did y’all talk about? What have you been doing all this time?”

And so the inquisition begins. Donovan sighed. “I thought you were coming to my house so we can talk in person?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“Alright, I’ll see you there.”

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

Brianna’s new Jetta was parked in his driveway when Donovan got there. He pulled in beside it and locked eyes with Brianna. She was already trying to read his expression. Donovan offered her a smile as he got out of his truck. He went around to open Brianna’s door for her, but she hopped out of her ride just as quickly. She met him halfway.

She stood with her arms by her sides, her eyes darting slightly as she searched her man’s eyes for the truth his mouth might not give her. She checked his lips and collar for foreign makeup. Donovan’s expression was unreadable.

Brianna wore black leggings with a small tee shirt. Her slender limbs were long and sexy. Her hair was flawless. But she was so unsure of herself, her attractiveness sank from a 10 to a 7½.

“So, how’d it go?” she asked.

Donovan shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”

“What’s wrong?” Brianna asked. “You look upset. What’d she do?”

Donovan didn’t think he was, but now that she mentioned it, he did feel a little gloomy.

“Just thinking about some stuff.”

“About her?” Brianna’s chest hitched.

Donovan already felt bad for Kyra. Now he had to offer more empathy to his girlfriend. “What are you so nervous about?”

“I’ve been going crazy,” Brianna admitted. “I didn’t know what was happening, on your little date. I imagined the worst things.”

“Jeez, Brianna. This is why…” He caught himself.

“This is why what?” she demanded.

“Nothing.”

“Are you going to tell me what happened with her or not?”

“Yes. Could we go inside, please?”

“Yeah,” Brianna said. “I’m getting hot. I can tell you right