Page 136 of Best In Class
I follow.
He makes it all the way to the parking lot before he stops. He just stands there, breathing hard, staring out at nothing.
“I always thought there’d be a different ending,” he murmurs. “That if I kept showing up, she’d choose me.”
“I know.”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing.” I put my hand on his shoulder. He looks like a lost boy and not the man he has become. “You want your parents to be people they never were.”
“I hate that it hurts,” he whispers.
“Me too.”
We stand in silence for a while, just the sounds of cars passing and the hum of a hot Savannah afternoon.
Then he sighs, pulls off his jacket, and throws it into the back seat of my car.
“Still feel like racquetball?” I ask. “Burn off some energy?”
He shakes his head. “Nah. Let’s go grab a beer.”
“Fine. But I’m still wearing my wristbands,” I say, cracking a smile. “And I have matching ones for you.”
“Hard pass.” Lev actually laughs. It’s real even if it is bitter-edged and broken-hearted.
And I know he’s going to be okay. Because I’ll make sure he knows that sometimes walking away isn’t weakness, it’s the strongest thing you can do.
Hours later, I deposit a drunk Lev at his place and go to Luna’s. It’s late, she’s already in bed. I called her and told her what happened and that I was going to be with Lev.
“Dom?” Mama calls out as I reach the stairs.
“Mama. It’s late. What are you doing up?” She’s by the kitchen.
“Waiting for you.”
I go to her, and she takes my hand. “I want to talk.”
“Okay.”
We sit at the breakfast nook.
“Luna told me what happened with Lev and his parents. Is he okay?”
“Yeah, Mama.”
“Good.” Mama has a cup of steaming tea in front of her, which she picks up and drinks. “Son, it’s been a few months since…well, you’re almost living here.”
“Yes, Mama.” I’ve been waiting for this to come up.
“It’s not right.”
“She’s not ready.”
Mama frowns. “For what?”
“Marriage. The ring.”
