The Realest Ever - By Keith Thomas Walker Page 0,67

do, too.”

“I used to try to avoid it,” Donovan said. “I’d change the station and listen to something else. But once I heard even a little piece of that song, I couldn’t help but think about that day. I end up changing to the station back, so I can hear the rest of it. After a while, I stopped trying to avoid it. That song always reminds me of you, and I liked thinking about you, even though it hurt.”

Kyra’s eyes filled with tears. She wiped them quickly so she could maintain focus on Donovan’s eyes.

“That song scares me,” he said. “That’s why I’ve been acting the way I have. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you how I feel.”

“How, how do you feel?”

Donovan looked puzzled. “I love you, Kyra. I always have. You know that.”

If Kyra discovered a drug that could give her the surge of euphoria she felt at that moment, she would destroy it. It was too powerful. All of her anxiety and pent up frustration and longing spun together like a tornado in her chest. There was a great explosion, leaving the purest form of joy and love and peace in its wake. It was so wonderful, Kyra thought she might pass out.

Again her eyes squirted tears. Donovan reached to wipe them this time. His touch was soft yet electrifying. Kyra was unaware that she leaned her face into his strong hand.

“I love you, too,” she whispered.

Donovan smiled and nodded. “I know.”

So where do we go from here? Kyra’s heart yearned for an answer, but she didn’t ask. She knew Donovan was about to tell her. He had always been the rock in her life, ever since she was a child. She trusted him 100%, knowing he would never do anything to harm her.

“I did get jealous when you went out with Roland.”

“I didn’t want to make you jealous,” Kyra said.

“I know. I told you to go out with him, even though I knew you wanted to go out with me instead.”

Kyra grinned. So you could tell?

“The reason for that goes back to that song and our kiss,” Donovan stated. “I lost you for fifteen years, and I never want to lose you again. I’m afraid that if we have a relationship, and something goes wrong, we won’t be friends anymore, like last time.”

The mere thought of it brought Donovan a fresh wave of the heartache he felt when his mother kicked Kyra out of their home. His eyes glistened. He brushed the moisture away with his shoulder.

Kyra’s heart bled for him. No one had ever loved her as much as Donovan did. It was the most amazing feeling in the world.

“That’s why I feel bad about telling you not to see Roland,” he said. “Because I still don’t know if you and I should get in a relationship like that. I shouldn’t have interfered with your love life unless I was sure.”

Kyra felt a tinge of disappointment. He wasn’t sure. She was ready to give herself to him in all capacities, but Donovan wasn’t sure. Maybe he was right. Was their fairytale love affair meant to be, or was it their eternal friendship that was destined. There was no way to know for sure. Kyra knew Donovan would complete her life in either scenario. She smiled.

“I’m ready for whatever you decide. You don’t have to make a decision right now. I’m not going anywhere.”

Donovan returned her smile, though he knew it was wrong to hold Kyra’s heart hostage indefinitely. She was a beautiful woman, and she deserved to fly. Donovan let her go two weeks ago, but he pulled the string tied to her leg when she flew too far away from him. That was something he could never do again, regardless of what their future held.

The referee blew his whistle, signaling the beginning of the third quarter. Donovan noticed the seats around them were filled again.

“You wanna get some snacks?” he asked Kyra.

She nodded. Donovan stood and took her hand and helped her up. He looked her up and down, the bright stadium lights twinkling in his eyes.

“You know you’re wearing the hell out of that dress, don’t you?”

“Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. You are one handsome devil yourself.”

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

Donovan got popcorn and soft drinks for both of them. Kyra got a pack of cherry Now & Later’s and a pickle, or as Donovan called it, The Hood Chick Special. They took a leisurely stroll around the stadium on the way back to their seats,