Impossibly True (Impossibly Duology) (3 page)

CHAPTER
FIVE

Branden

  
“Branden, what’s this?”
Mom asked, yanking my earplugs out. The music was on blast
so I didn’t hear her come down to the den. She waved an envelope and a sheet of
paper in front of my face. I got off the treadmill and took them from her.

  
Even though the letter was addressed to me, that didn’t stop
her from opening it.
“Snooping through my mail now, Mom?”

  
“Irrelevant,” she scoffed. “Why is Easton University’s athletics department
mailing you about your medical records? You’re not thinking about playing
hockey again, are you?”

  
I walked away from her and picked up my towel off the suede ottoman. Sitting
down to catch my breath, I wiped beads of sweat off my face and neck. When I
looked up at her again, I noticed her distress.

  
“I’m doing much better now,” I assured her.

  
“Oh, my God!”
Her eyes widened. “You are! Branden,
we’ve been over this already—”

  
I didn’t let her finish scolding me. “Doctor Henderson said I could give it
another shot since the disease is completely gone.”

  
Her forehead wrinkled. Mom had a dark look in her eyes as she spoke. “He also
said there’s a slight chance it might come back.”

  
“Exactly!”
I stood and tossed the towel over my
shoulder.
“A
slight
chance; one in a billion.
Mom, you have to support me on this. Hockey’s my dream.”

  
Looking back at the letter in my hand, she pleaded in a somber tone, “I don’t
have
to support this. Branden, please don’t do this to me. I don’t want to go through
that pain again.”

  
I gazed down and kicked at the carpet with my sneakers, considering what she
just said. She stepped past me and went back up the stairs, leaving her words
floating in the air around me.

  
Mom could be inconsiderate with some of the things she’d say. Hadn’t she seen
the impact sentences like those had on me? 

  
I walked over to the glass window in the den and peered out at the river,
sighing. The fog was thick outside. It hovered over the dark river. I could
hardly spot the bridge in the distance.

  
Her words still lingered in my head. They struck me hard, weighing heavy on my
chest. I was the one who had gone through it. I was the one who had stared
death in the face. Not her. She was still making it all about her.

  
“Bran!”
Ashton yelled from atop the stairs.

  
I continued staring out at the foggy river as I answered, “Yeah?”

  
“You have a visitor.”

  
My head spun away from the window and I headed for the stairs. It couldn’t be Moya.
She was having dinner with us tomorrow night.

  
“Who is it?” I asked, reaching the top.

  
“Some kid named Warren.”

  
Warren? I hadn’t spoken to him since I got sick again at the start of the
semester and had to take a leave of absence from school.     

  
As I approached the living room, I saw him checking out my mom’s antiques. He
seemed really fascinated with the ugly eagle sculpture she got as a souvenir
from her trip to Dominican Republic. Then again, that’s where his parents were
from.

  
I entered, saying, “Hey, man. How’s it going?”

  
Warren turned and gave me a quick handshake and light pat on the shoulder.
“Hey, dude. How’re you doing? I heard what happened to you. Listen, I know we
didn’t get to hang out much or really got to know each other, but if you ever
need a friend, you know?”

  
“Thanks, man.” I nodded and gestured for him to have a seat on the couch. I sat
on the chair opposite. “So, how’s everything going? Found a new roommate yet?”

  
“Yeah, some party animal,” he laughed, as if he wasn’t like that too. “
You starting
classes next semester or…?”

  
“Definitely.
I really want to get back on track.”

  
“That’s cool, man. I’m looking to switch things up for myself too. I even
joined the basketball team.”

  
Amazed by this news, my brows went up. Warren was short, and thinner than most
players on the college team.
“Oh yeah?
I didn’t take
you for the sports type.”

  
He let out a short laugh and said, “Well, it’s partly my dad’s idea, but I
figured I should be more involved, you know? Take full advantage of my college
experience. I’m even taking it easy with all the dating, going the one girl
route like you.”

  
Another surprise.
“Hey, that’s good.
All the best.”

  
“Thanks, dude. Oh, didn’t you play a sport in high school? I remember hearing
that somewhere…” he searched his head for the source.

  
I answered anyway, “I did. I played hockey for a while; thinking about starting
it up again.”

  
Suddenly, his face tensed. “But, I thought—”

  
“So,
you heading
home for the holidays?”

  
Warren understood that I was trying to change the subject, appearing more
unnerved now. “I am. I don’t live too far from here, just down by Meredith
Creek.” 

  
“Oh, that’s cool. My parents own a cabin out there.”

  
“Nice.”

  
That’s where I planned on taking Moya for our weekend getaway. She’d like it.

  
“Well, I just wanted to see how you’re doing.” He got up from the couch.

  
“Sure thing.”
I stood as well, shook his hand, and
then walked him to the front door. “Thanks for stopping by. I know you’re busy
with finals coming up.”

  
“Don’t sweat it. I’ll see you soon.”

  
The second Warren left, I retracted the negative assumption I’d made about him
in the beginning. He wasn’t a bad guy after all.

CHAPTER
SIX

Moya

  
After finishing up our shopping
at Harborplace in downtown Baltimore, Vanessa and I decided
to have lunch at a shrimp eatery inside the mall. Her cold symptoms had eased
up, making the day more fun and relaxing.

  
We sat at one of the tables by the window with the view of the harbor. Even
though it was cold outside, there were still tourists in the harbor taking
pictures of the popular USS Constellation naval ship and other nearby
attractions.

  
“Branden coming to the Annual Christmas Eve Festival?”
Vanessa asked, helping herself to one of my crab cakes.

  
“I hadn’t even mentioned it to him.”

  
Her brows shot up.
“Why not?”

  
I shrugged.
“Forgot.
What about Calvin? He never comes
to the festival.” That always made me curious, how Vanessa and Calvin never saw
each other on Christmas or New Year’s.

  
“Cause he’s always going out of state with his
fam
,”
she replied, playing it cool.

  
I suggested, “He should stay back one year, spend the holiday with you, or even
take you along.”

  
She quickly changed the subject. “What do you think we should get our moms for
Christmas?”

  
I hoped things were really good between her and Calvin, and she wasn’t
pretending with me. I knew my best friend well, but sometimes, I feared I
didn’t know her well enough.

  
Accepting Vanessa’s evasion, I went along and answered her question, “I’m going
to treat mine to a day at the spa. She’s been complaining about her feet and
back lately. A relaxing massage would be nice for her. She’ll like that, maybe
yours will too?”

  
“Mmm hmm.”
She drank some soda, a sly grin playing at
her lips as she said, “I could use a massage myself; have some sexy masseuse
oil me down and loosen me up.” She winked at me. “I love the Spanish ones too.
They just hit the right spots.”

  
Not in the least bit surprised by her remark, I snorted. If a stranger heard
Vanessa talking they’d think she was single. “Girl, don’t you have a
boyfriend?”

  
She tittered. “And I love him dearly.”

  
“I don’t know about you sometimes?”

  
I was starting to notice how she kept glancing at her phone, checking for a text
or something. So I decided to ask, “What are you waiting—”

  
“Hello, ladies. Nice seeing you here,” the deep voice disturbed me.

  
“It can’t be,” I muttered, turning around to confirm. I screwed up my face
seeing it really was Tobias.

  
“What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped, pointing my fork at him.
“Listen, you’re seriously taking this thing too far now. Don’t make me call the
cops.”

  
Astonished, Tobias stepped back and raised his hands. “Christ! Remember I live
in Baltimore too? I’m just shopping at the mall like everybody else. See,” he
lifted the bags for proof.

  
“Dang, girl, relax.” Vanessa reached over and snatched the fork from my hand,
putting it down on the table. “Were you going to stab him or something?” she
joked.

  
I sucked my teeth. “Don’t be silly.” Then I eyeballed Tobias again, shooting
daggers at him. “But you’re getting on my last nerve.”

  
A smug grin spread across his lips. “I can’t say hi to my classmates now?”

  
“Tobias, you’re something else,” Vanessa chuckled. She nudged my hand. “You
should just go on one date with him, girl.”

  
I gave her a cold stare. “Are you crazy? I have Branden.”

  
“I’m only joking, chill out.”

  
“Well, that’s not funny,
Nessa.”            

  
Her phone buzzed. After reading the text she sprang from the chair and started
to get her stuff together. “Girl, I gotta run. Calvin texted me saying he wants
to talk about something.”

  
“Okay, I’ll drive you.”

  
“Um,” she appeared awkward all of a sudden. “You don’t have to. He’s going to
pick me up. Don’t worry about it.”

  
I got up anyway. “It’s no problem. I’m leaving too.”

  
When I turned to leave, Tobias reached out his hand in front of me so I
couldn’t pass.

  
“Man, are you still here?” I groaned.

  
“Oh, come on, Moya. Hang out with me for a while.”

  
Vanessa was already at the exit. She peered back at us and said, “Calvin’s
outside the mall; gotta hurry. I’ll call you later, Moya.”

  
Not waiting for my response, she hasted off without so much as a look behind to
see if Tobias let me by, which he still hadn’t done.

  
“You heard your friend: one date,” he said.

  
Rolling my eyes, I pressed the back of my hand against his chest and tried to
move him aside. “You know my answer.”

  
Finally, Tobias let me through, only to follow closely behind as I exited the
shrimp eatery.

  
“Have you always been so headstrong?”

  
I ignored him, bustling down the steps. The frigid air tickled my face as the
wind picked up. Tobias reached for my elbow and slowed me down before I could
completely get away from him. My frustration level soared.

  
“Leave me alone, damn it.”

  
“I’ve wanted you since Calvin’s party, Moya. I’m not going to give up. I
can’t.”

  
The piercing look in his deep, brown eyes startled me. I’d seen that gaze before.
It was almost similar to the way Branden looked at me.

  
I wrung my arm free. “You can’t always get what you want, Tobias. I told you I
already have someone. A guy that I lo—”

  
I didn’t get to finish saying the word because he shoved his lips on mine. I
quickly pushed him off, slapping him so hard my hand stung.

  
“What the hell!”

  
Grinning, Tobias licked his bottom lip and rubbed his thumb across it. He
looked pleased. “I knew you’d taste good. I bet you feel even better.”

  
“Asshole!”
I shouted, not caring if anyone heard. “You
ever touch me again and you’ll get more than a slap across the face.”

  
I spun around, exasperated, wanting more than anything to get away from him; to
erase what just happened from my mind.

  
“Moya, I’m sorry,” he yelled after me. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  
His voice faded the further I got away from the mall, crossing the street to
the parking garage. Thank goodness he wasn’t following anymore.

  
Tobias
kissed
me. He actually had the audacity to put his mouth on mine.
I tightened my jacket around my body, feeling cold, and somewhat violated. How
could I tell Branden that another guy kissed me? Then again, why would I tell
him?

  
That evening, I
showered, got dressed, and waited for Branden to come pick me up. I always felt
anxious going by his house. It was the third time I’d be having dinner with his
family, and I still couldn’t control my nerves.

  
“You look nice,” Momma complimented me as I walked into the living room,
peeking out the window. Branden would be here any moment now.

  
Plopping down next to her on the crimson sofa, I replied, “Thanks, Momma. You
don’t think it’s too dressy, do you?”

  
She rubbed my arm. “No. It’s just fine.”

  
I decided to wear my ivory sweater, black jeans, and ankle boots, and I
accessorized with my butterfly necklace and gold stretch bracelet. I didn’t
want to dress too formal, but I still wanted to appear as if I made an effort.
Mrs. McCarthy always gave me a glance over whenever I entered her home. That
much I’d noticed.

  
“You should bring him by more often. I feel like I haven’t seen him in a
while,” she remarked, skipping through the channels to find something to watch
on TV.

  
“I will.” Then a thought occurred. “I’ll tell him to come over for dinner next
weekend.”

  
She looked at me and smiled. “Good. I look forward to that. He’s a wonderful
young man.”

  
At the sound of a car pulling up outside, butterflies began to swarm around in
my tummy. I stood the moment Branden knocked on the door, my heart pounding as
I treaded over to open it.

  
His blue eyes beamed at me. “Hey, you look nice.”

  
“Thank you. So do you.”

  
“Me?” he pointed to himself, doubtful, and peered down at his clothes. Branden
was wearing a gray crewneck t-shirt inside of his green military jacket, with
dark jeans and boots. I couldn’t help but smile. No matter how simple he was
dressed, he was more handsome every time I laid my eyes on him. He was my Branden.

  
I collected myself when Momma came over.
“Hey, Branden.
How are you doing?”

  
“I’m doing all right, Ms. Douglas.
How about yourself?”

  
“I’m good.” She smiled in an odd way that told me she was about to haul him
inside and start sharing stories about my childhood.

  
Trying to keep another episode of her showing off my embarrassing pictures, I
grabbed my coat from the rack by the door and hastily moved past her. “We’re
going to take off, Momma. I’ll see you later.”

  
“Oh, you can’t stay a little?” she asked, hopeful.

  
“Next time,” I said, towing Branden down the porch steps.

  
“Well, all right then,” she groaned, disappointed. “Have fun.”

  
“See you, Ms. Douglas,” Branden waved at her over his shoulder.

  
Not long after we climbed inside his car and waited for Momma to close the
front door, I reached over the middle console, kissing him in an insatiable
way. I pulled back for a moment and ran my fingers through his hair then down
the side of his face, while I admired the face I’d been missing for the past
few days. Nothing could compare.

  
Nothing at all.

  
Stroking my cheek, Branden whispered, “I missed you too.” Then he wrapped his
arms around me and pulled me in closer. His grip was tight, thrilling. He gave
me a rush. His spicy scent, leveled by an earthy and provocative aroma, seduced
me. I didn’t want him to let go.

  
I tilted my head and motioned as if I was going in for a kiss, but then I
stopped short, teasing his lips with my tongue instead. His eyes glistened in
the dark, unsatisfied. He wanted more.

  
Branden pressed his lips on mine. His minty taste cooled my mouth as his tongue
made its way inside and wrestled with mine for dominance. We would have gone on
longer, but then the headlights of an incoming car disrupted our heated moment.

  
I pulled away fast, remembering we were still in front of my house and Momma
could have seen the entire thing. She’d surely tease me about it later.

  
Branden settled back into his seat, squeezing my hand. “Damn, I’m not sure I
still want to go to dinner now,” he joked.