The Realest Ever - By Keith Thomas Walker Page 0,53
about Kat’s father. All he knew was the guy’s name was Leonard, and he was in jail for “drugs.” Donovan didn’t know if Leonard was selling or using, but he assumed it was the latter. Kyra said her time with Leonard got really bad towards the end. Donovan wanted to know exactly what happened, but he didn’t want to push her.
“How do you like your new job?” he asked.
Kyra’s smile was immediate. “I like it. I never thought about working in a school, around kids, but it’s really cool. The other ladies in the office are so funny. They have me cracking up.”
“I’m glad you’re fitting in,” Donovan said. “That’s a great school. They always have good pass rates on the state tests.”
“I know. They have posters everywhere,” Kyra said. “You can’t turn a corner without seeing how good they did.”
Donovan leaned forward with his elbows on the table. He stared into her eyes. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.” Kyra beamed. “Next month I’m giving you half my check.”
Donovan shook his head. “Not this again.”
“Listen,” Kyra said, “you’re going to let me pay you back. You did too much for me.”
“I don’t need your money.”
“It’s not about that. And why don’t you need it? I work in the district now, so I know teachers don’t get paid that much.”
Donovan chuckled. “We do if we’ve been teaching for almost ten years. And I get more because I coach, too. You need to keep your money for the other things on your to-do list, like saving up for furniture so you can move out.”
“You can’t tell me what to do with my money.”
Donovan rubbed his bottom lip. “I like that feisty Kyra. I miss her.”
Kyra’s blood raced as she watched him gently squeeze his mouth. She really wanted to suck that lip! No doubt that was the liquor talking. She hadn’t had a drink in months. She sucked her own bottom lip between her teeth and licked on it instead. It tasted pretty good, with the margarita salt lingering. But she knew Donovan’s lips tasted better.
“What about your girlfriend?” she asked. “Brianna doesn’t care if I pay you back?”
“Oh, we broke up.” Donovan’s brain caught up to his comment a second later. He looked down at his empty wine glass rather than meet Kyra’s surprised eyes.
“What?”
“Yeah, I meant to tell you.”
He looked up at her. She looked upset.
But Kyra was more confused than offended. Why would he not tell her about such an enormous change in his life? And didn’t this say something about how he felt about Kyra? Maybe Donovan didn’t know that she had a crush on him, but if he felt the same way, he would’ve told her he was single, wouldn’t he? Had Donovan never considered that he and Kyra could be more than friends?
“When?” she asked.
“Um, last week.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were, um, you were busy with your new job and stuff. It wasn’t that big a deal. Plus I didn’t want you to think you had anything to do with it.”
“Are you sure I didn’t?”
“I’m positive,” Donovan said. “Me and Brianna were having problems, for a long time.”
“But you didn’t break up until I got here.”
“That’s why I didn’t want to tell you,” Donovan said. “I knew you wouldn’t understand. I didn’t want to put that on your conscious.”
Okay, that makes sense, Kyra thought. “I’m sorry y’all broke up. Are you sure you’re not hurting. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Do you miss her? Do you want to talk about it?”
“It’s fine,” Donovan assured her. “I feel at peace right now. Seriously.” He smiled. “We’re both in a better place. Brianna wasn’t good for me. That stuff happens.”
So what about us? Kyra wondered. She knew it was selfish to want to claim Donovan right after his breakup, but she couldn’t help it. They may never get an opportunity like this again. She wanted to ask him outright, but she couldn’t bear it if he rejected her. Donovan was her only childhood fantasy that hadn’t been dashed yet. A few awkward moments passed while Kyra waited for Donovan to broach the subject.
“What about you?” he said. “You haven’t met anyone?”
“No.” Nope. I’m totally single!
“I’m sure you will,” Donovan said.
Okay…. Kyra frowned. Was he really not interested at all? Maybe it was because he was still hurting, from Brianna. Surely that was it.
“What’s up?” Donovan asked. “I see that look…”
“Huh?”
“Somebody has hit on you!” he said. His eyes brightened. “Come on, break bread. Who was