Page 54 of Second Chance Trouble

“What? Too much?” Titus asked, stealing a glance at me from the road.

I huffed satirically.

“Okay, it’s too much right now. Just like how a perfect Hail Mary pass might be too much to expect the first time you picked up a football. But, you could throw a short pass, right? And if the receiver stepped further back each time and you kept practicing, eventually you’d have it.”

“So, you’re saying that if I had practiced, I would have been able to tell Merri how I felt?”

“I’m saying that if you practice, you still could,” he said with a smile.

“How does one practice opening up?”

Titus tightened his lips, searching for a reply.

“You start with little things like compliments. How often do you give people compliments?”

“I give them when I think people deserve them.”

“Which I’m assuming is not very often?”

I chuckled.

“I’m only assuming that because I’ve never heard one from you. So, I’m hoping that’s the case.”

“What are you talking about? I compliment you all the time.”

“Name once.”

I opened my mouth and then chuckled.

“Don’t worry. I don’t take it personally. It’s just who you are.”

“But, you shouldn’t have to make excuses for my being a bad brother.”

“I didn’t say that. You’re the best brother I could’ve hoped for. Don’t tell Cali, but you’re my favorite,” he said, blushing.

“Thanks.” I paused. “You too.”

Titus looked at me and leadingly asked, “Me too, what?”

“You want me to say it?” I asked him, confused.

“Yes, Claude! That’s the point of what I was saying. You need to practice it. And since I’m picking you up, making me obviously a great brother, this should be a short pass.”

“You’re a good brother, too,” I conceded.

Titus smiled. “Thanks, Claude. I really appreciate you saying it.”

“Well, it’s true,” I confirmed. “You’ve been a good brother to me.”

“Thanks. So, how painful was that to say?”

“It wasn’t that bad,” I admitted.

“Now, do that a thousand more times and in a few years, you might be able to tell Merri he has great hair,” Titus teased.

“Fuck you,” I joked.

“What? Too much. How about satisfactory hair? Do you think in a couple of years, you might be able to work up to that?”

---