Page 5 of Savage for You

What I want to say is, “thinking about how Montana is mine.” But I don’t. Of course not.

“Nothing, man, just happy Autumn decided to come to campus since our parents need to travel back to Puerto Rico cuz my Papa isn’t doing so well,” I tell the guys.

“Autumn’s coming? I’m glad, man,” Xander says.

“Who’s Autumn?” Talon asks.

“My younger sister, she went through some shit, and so, she did her first two years online. She's a junior this year,” I say. “She’s so sweet but got bullied a lot for her weight. Well, it's not my story to tell, but I’m glad she is coming,” I continue as I look over at them.

“Well, whoever bullied her are assholes. I don’t know why the media tells women what is considered beautiful or not based on their weight,” Talon says as he shakes his head. “That shit pisses me off, especially because of what happened with Montana and that asshole,” he says and that makes me snap my head towards my fuming defensive end.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“Nothing, never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything…it’s not my place to say,” Talon replies, but I want to know more.

I’ll just have to get to know Montana better to figure out her story. I can’t wait to get to know her more, because that girl is mine even if she doesn’t know it yet.

Mine.

I just arrive at my parents' house; my mom and Autumn are dancing in the kitchen to Bad Bunny's Me Porto Bonito, which is playing through the speakers.

I love seeing my sister so happy and in her element. She’s the best person I know.

“Hey, Ma, Autumn, how was your day? Looks like you had a great one.” I give them each a kiss on their cheeks.

“It was really great. I went on a walk and met this girl who goes to SBU too. She was running and we literally ran into each other by accident,” she says with a smile, slightly laughing.

I love how she is smiling and laughing again.

“That's great, sis. I’m happy you met someone to hang out with and a new friend,” I say.

“Yeah, we started talking, and we have similar stories, she said she works out in the athletic gym, and I would be able to go with her even though I’m not an athlete. She also invited me to a lake party next weekend and I told her I would go,” Autumn says, smiling.

“Awesome! Maybe we can work out together too. I mean, if you want. Lake party next weekend?” I reply to her and grab a maduro my mom is making.

“Yeah, we can do that, and I want to step out of my comfort zone.”

“That’s great baby sis.”

Autumn shut me out and I miss her. I just wish she would talk to me more. I know she doesn’t want me to step in but that’s what a big brother does. We protect our families. I don’t understand why she can’t see her the way I see her. She has body dysmorphia and that when she looks in the mirror, she doesn’t see what we all see. I cannot imagine all the pressure women go through.

When we were in high school, people were nice to her face when I was around. No one would ever mess with my sister, or so I thought. She's fourteen months younger than me, so when I left, they didn’t have to hide it. What I didn’t know until just after prom was how bad she really had it.

“When we were talking, we just clicked. I’ll be careful until I really know her, but she gives off this vibe like I’ve known her forever,” she says to us with a smile.

“How was your day, baby? How is football going? I'm so sorry your dad and I won't be here for the first few games since we have to go see your Papa in Puerto Rico. I just hate missing them,” Mom asks.

“It was really great for me too. I made a new friend who’s also on the team. He and his cousin just transferred here from a different college. She's actually the girl I met, and I can’t explain it, but I know I want to get to know her more. I know you and dad would be at my games if you could, I understand.” I nod. I know how much my mom and dad hate missing my games.

“That’s great, baby. Well, I can’t wait to meet her, you never date. Such the romantic you are, saying you want something like your father and me. I’m happy you’ve never settled,” my mom says to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“What’s her name?” Autumn asks.

“Monti.”

“Hmm, Monti is the name of the girl I met today while walking,” Autumn says to us.

“Maybe, she’s the same one. If so, then you’ll be going to Xander’s Fourth of July party.” I shrug my shoulders and add, “If she is, will that be a problem for you, sis?”

---