The Realest Ever - By Keith Thomas Walker Page 0,34
for her, and Brianna allowed him to pull her into his arms. Donovan’s embrace was as warm and wonderful as it had ever been.
Despite what he told her, Brianna’s vision blurred with tears. She knew it wasn’t wrong for her to want him all to herself. The thought of losing this man was unbearable.
CHAPTER SEVEN
RUTH THE SCHEMER
The following Wednesday Donovan was surprised that there were no students waiting for him after football practice. There was usually at least one member of the team who needed tutoring or a ride home or just a man they could talk to about man stuff. Roughly half of Donovan’s players lived in a home without a father-figure. Donovan didn’t mind filling in the gap for them.
He called Kyra before he locked up the gym.
“Hello.”
“Hi. Busy?”
“No,” Kyra said, “just looking at this paper.”
“How are the kids?”
“They’re fine.”
“Q started at Sunrise, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, he started Monday. He likes it.”
“I loved that school,” Donovan said. “Do you remember when…” He trailed off because Kyra was giggling. “What?” Her laughter put a smile on his face.
“Do you remember when,” Kyra said. “How many times have you said that since I’ve been back?”
Donovan chuckled. “I don’t know. A lot, probably.”
On Sunday night Donovan and Kyra stayed on the phone until well after midnight. Donovan paid for it the next morning when he had to get up at 6:30 for work, but he didn’t mind the baggy eyes. He loved reliving the past with Kyra.
“Do I remember what?” she said.
“Forget it. I’m not telling you now.”
“Come on.”
“Uh-uhn. You shouldn’t have laughed at me.”
“Come on, Donovan. Now I’m gonna keep wondering what it was.”
“Maybe later,” he said. “Can I come over?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I want to bring you some papers I printed out. There are a few openings in the school district. I think you should apply for them.”
“That’s what I’m doing right now,” Kyra said, “looking in the newspaper for a job.”
“You see anything hopeful?”
“I found a lot of hopefuls. It’s just a matter of whether I want to flip burgers or not.”
“You don’t want to flip burgers.”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind. I just need to save up some money so I can get out of here.”
“That’s fine, but you can’t move out of your aunt’s house with a minimum wage job,” Donovan warned. “Unless you want to keep struggling, or stay on public assistance.”
“I’m not tripping on public assistance,” Kyra said. “I used to think I didn’t want it, but now I don’t care what it takes to get my own place.”
“Why are you in such a rush,” Donovan wondered. “Did something happen?”
“No.” Kyra sighed. “Nothing in particular. It’s an everyday thing, with my aunt.”
“I’m on my way to bring you these papers. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“Wait. I don’t have anything to wear.”
“What? Are you serious?”
Kyra’s face grew warm. “I didn’t bring a lot of clothes down here, Donovan. I had to make sure I got all of the kid’s stuff first.”
“What are you wearing now?” Donovan asked.
“Just some jeans and a tee shirt.”
“Then you’re fine. I don’t have anything to wear?..” He frowned. “Kyra, that’s ridiculous. You used to come to my house in flip flops and sweat pants.”
“I’m not a little kid anymore.”
“But you’re still my best friend, and I don’t care what you look like. I’m on my way.”
He hung up, which was a good indication that was non-negotiable.
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
Donovan knocked on Aunt Ruth’s door twenty minutes later. Kyra answered wearing the blue jeans and tee shirt she promised. What she failed to mention was how well the outfit accentuated her figure. Her jeans weren’t that tight, but her tee shirt was. It clung to her flat stomach and stretched over her perky bosoms.
Donovan’s eyes widened. He already ironed out his feelings for Kyra, but every time he saw her she looked more stunning. Why couldn’t…
“Thanks for stopping by.” Kyra cut off his train of thought with not only her words. She also stepped to him and gave him a brief hug.
Why does he always smell so good? Kyra wondered as Donovan wrapped his arms around her. She knew that he showered after football practice, and he took the time to put on cologne. Or maybe it was just Axe body spray. Either way, Kyra found it irresistible.
Donovan wore a tee-shirt with canvas shorts today. His arms were as muscular as Kyra expected. His shoulders and biceps were incredible. He belonged on the cover of a Men’s Health magazine. Each one of his pectorals was roughly the size