Page 74 of My Scorned Best Friend

That was when our friendship took a turn for a brief moment when we were around twelve. He could play with his friends, and I could do girly things like learning makeup and braiding. We would still get together, but there were fewer times back then.

“What do you think our moms would say if they saw us now?” I ask.

He secures my wet hair in a ponytail. “I think they’d be really happy for us.”

“Yeah, same. I wish they could see it, you know?” I feel myself getting choked up. I don’t want to ruin tonight with tears.

“They see it,” he says and kisses my shoulder. “Now go to bed, baby.”

He opens up the comforter some more and gets in. His big body behind me gives me the same safe and secure feeling I’ve always had with him.

“Thank you for coming. I hope you don’t get in trouble,” I say, putting my head on the pillow.

His arm slides around my stomach as if we’re not close enough. “You’re worth any trouble I might get into. This is where I’m supposed to be. Now sleep.”

I chuckle and rest so much easier when he’s with me.

Along with the joy in my heart, I can’t help but think something bad is going to happen. That maybe we’re too happy. That everything is too simple. Stop it, Clara, you’ve been through hell and it’s your time to be happy. I tell myself this over and over until I drift away.

23

“SAY IT TO MY FACE.”

Xavier

Finally, my football season is done. I feel like a slacker, because toward the end, I think a part of me was somehow hoping we wouldn’t make the playoffs. But we had a lot of issues with our offense this year, and even if we had squeaked into the playoffs, we probably wouldn’t have made it past one round. I feel good about my own game this year though. Still, losing stings. But this just wasn’t our season. I’ve been in this business long enough to know that some years, no matter how hard you work, how much you put into it, it just doesn’t come together the way you want.

I drive into Sunrise Bay a day earlier than I’m supposed to and it feels like a breath of fresh air. This isn’t just a one-night visit, I’m back for months. Months I get to spend with Clara. In Clara. She still thinks I’m coming back tomorrow, so I’m surprising her at the library.

My Uber driver drops me off outside the library and I sneak in, hoping no one sees me and sends her a text telling her I’m back, ruining the surprise.

Unfortunately, Unessa is at the front counter. She’s dyed her hair jet black, and she still has a look of disdain on her face when she sees me.

“Hey, Unessa.”

“Couldn’t make the playoffs, huh? I thought you were this famous quarterback no one can top?”

I chuckle. “It was a tough season, but thanks for following.” I wink.

She scoffs. “I’m not following your career. I just figured all the good teams are still playing and here you are back in your hometown.”

My jaw tics. “How about you just tell me where Clara is?”

“Clara is in her office if you must know.” She continues to scan in books.

“Thanks, Unessa. I like the hair by the way.”

“Don’t be condescending,” she says to my back because I’m already past her.

I get ten steps away before I hear my name.

“Xavier!” Grandma Ethel shouts from behind me.

A few people shush her.

“Oh please, get a life,” she says to the complainers.

I turn around to find her, Dori, and Midge standing there with piles of books in their hands. “Hey, Grandma.” I kiss her cheek. “Dori. Midge.” I give them each a nod. “Sorry, I gotta go.”

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