Dante’s Party

My dad was having a small get together for us this Saturday. He said he was just proud that Baylen and I were doing so well in our sports and wanted to celebrate that. I was never opposed to having food and good times, so I agreed.

Dad never spoke about what happened in Punta Cana. I think he just wanted to forget all about it and move on. So did I. Baylen did end up asking questions and we resolved whatever he was feeling about it and he too moved on. Keegan and I however never spoke about it. It was not awkward, we just never did. I loved that he stood up for me, but I wasn’t his to worry about. I suppose this is where my new story begins, without Keegan Patts.

He tried calling me to talk about the other night with Jada, but I really didn’t feel like hearing his excuses yet again for making me look dumb. It was my own fault for being vulnerable. For loving him. For wanting things to be different. I hadn’t responded to any of his texts or phone calls since that night and I didn’t plan to. Avoiding Keegan until the day I left was my only defense against him.

Saturday came and it was time to get ready for the party at my dad’s house. Casey came over to help me finish my cupcakes. They were lemon-filled, vanilla cupcakes with cute little footballs and softballs on top. My mom taught me how to make certain things on cookies and cupcakes, but I was very limited in what I could do. Now my mom, she could make some of the most creative stuff. She once did 3-D books for my book club when I was 10 years old. Everyone still talks about those cupcakes.

I wore a cute pink cropped shirt with my light colored ripped jeans and my black sandals. Casey had on a giant Pelicans shirt, which I assumed was Cyman’s and some black shorts. He was actually coming to the party today with Hale. Jeff wasn’t invited. I hadn’t spoken to him since Punta Cana. He had tried several times to speak to me at lunch or in the hallway, but I didn’t have anything to say to him. The sweet boy that I thought he was left that day and I didn’t know this other person. He was so careless with my feelings and our relationship. I don’t know that I could ever forgive him for what he did.

Mom said, “Kyren is here with the van guys. Let’s go!”

I grabbed my cupcake tray and my phone and headed out to the van. Baylen and Keegan were already there helping dad and Alison set up tents and tables, so it was just the girls. Ms. Kyren looked beautiful. Her blonde hair was pushed back by a large pair of white sunglasses and she had on large white hoop earrings with an orange sundress. She was stunning. Mom kissed her quickly when she got into the car. It was not weird to see them together any more. It was actually comforting to see that mom and Ms. Kyren had found love again. The twins didn’t seem to mind. Maybe they didn’t understand yet, but all was well. Keegan even was accepting of their relationship as far as I knew.

I was excited to see everyone. Going away for three weeks was really going to give me a taste of college life. I was looking forward to the new friends I would make, networking with coaches and upping my pitching skills for when recruitment comes around. My dad says I have a great shot at being recruited at LSU. My stats this year were so good. I had 94 strikeouts and allowed an average of under 5 hits per game. I was ready to prove myself. I have been going to pitching clinics locally, but this would be so different.

When we got to my dad’s house, I could see people were already arriving. I scanned the yard to see who was all there. I saw my dad’s sister and some of her children and also my grandma Rose. We call her “Honey” and we call my maternal grandmother “Lovie”. I ran over to my Honey and gave her the biggest hug. It had been forever since I had seen her. She gushed over my accomplishments and told me that she had a little something for myself and Baylen later. I knew that meant she was giving us money. My Honey kind of did what she wanted. My parents hated when she gave us money, but she didn’t care and that’s why I adore her so much. I wish I had her carefree spirit. I would not have been in the predicaments I have seen myself in lately.

I made my rounds saying hello and catching family up on my athletic career. Since my dad played football at Florida State University, they all had high expectations for myself and Baylen. As I was ending a conversation with my uncle Jovi, I saw a car pull up. The people looked very familiar, but it was too hard to make out exactly who it was. As they got closer. I could see that it was Jada and her father! Why was she here? Were her and Keegan really back together? You know what, I didn’t even care. This wasn’t my concern because he no longer had my heart. I watched for a second to see what she would do. Keegan walked over to greet her and took her by the arm to the inside of the house. Well there is the validation I needed.

I shook that thought out of my head and went right back to socializing. My dad gathered everyone around to give a quick speech.

“I just wanted to thank you all for coming out to send my kiddos off to their training camps. As many of you know, I was a college athlete and I can only hope for this dream to become a reality for them as well,” Dad said.

Everyone clapped and raised their glasses, cups and beer cans. It was a nice moment to see our loved ones cheering us on. I finished up my lemonade and I said a few words as well. I said goodbye to my family and asked Bay to drive me home. Watching Jada with Keegan was a little more difficult than I had anticipated. I was just ready to go.

As I packed up the remaining cupcakes, Keegan came over to the table I was at and sat down. I completely ignored him and continued packing up the pastries.

“Brees, are you really not speaking to me?” he asked, leaning forward in his seat.

“Kinda fucking seems like it,” I said, angrily throwing away paper plates into the trash can.

“You have to let me explain why Jada was there the other night. I was pretty upset with Bay and Quinn until they explained it to me as well,” he said, brushing back his curls.

“Keegan, that would be lovely if you had not actually invited her to mine and Baylen’s party today,” I said, glaring at him.