Keegan’s Birthday Party (continued)

I didn’t even see her standing there. I hadn’t felt that uncomfortable rage in my heart since the last time we saw one another, but here she was. At her boyfriend’s birthday party. That made sense actually. Why am I such a bitch to this girl? She was being supportive and it was actually sweet. I have to stop letting these thoughts take over my head I swear. I had to get it together. I looked her up and down for a quick second. She had on cute white shorts and a light purple top. She looked perfectly tanned in this sunlight. I’m bi-racial and I don’t even look that sun-kissed.

“Yes mam,” she said, reaching out to hug me.

“How are you feeling since that football hit you in the face Brees?” she asked.

My face felt hot and I got embarrassed about the situation all over again. Why would she bring this up? It’s been over a week. I stared at her intensely, wishing I could turn myself invisible.

“She is all good now,” Baylen jumped in, sensing the tension.

“There is food over by the fire pit and the gift table is inside of the barn,” Mr. Patts said.

He was a tall man. Very handsome just like Keegan. Keegan reminds me of him with his tall build.

“Oh, umm, we forgot the gift but no worries!” I reassured them, “my mom is bringing it as we speak.”

Mr. Patts snapped his head around quickly to meet my gaze. “She is coming here?” he said with a more sternly aimed tone.

I nodded. My heart started racing and I didn’t really know what else to say. He looked furious.

“Kyren, I will be in the barn. I will expect you to join me until Missy stops by and leaves as quickly as she came,” he demanded.

“But Jared, this is silly. Can’t we…” Mrs. Patts began. She was quickly cut off.

“Did you hear what I said? I’m not discussing this or her!” he yelled, starting for the barn. Mrs. Patts mouthed the words SORRY to us and followed behind him quickly.

“What the fuck was that?” Jeff asked, stepping into my eyeline.

“Nothing,” I said as everyone started to disperse. I didn’t even get to say much to Keegan. He walked off with Jada to the fire pit.

“Sounded intense,” Cyman said. He nodded towards where the Patts had gone.

“It really isn’t a big deal,” I said, “Mr. Patts just gets triggered by my mom for whatever reason and he literally rages sometimes.”

“Bro, that’s insane. What did your mom do to piss him off?” Cyman asked.

I shrugged and turned my attention to Jeff. I wanted today to be special and I was hoping with him there, it would be. We walked around by the cornhole game and horseshoes. I couldn’t help but to sense the compassion in Mrs. Kyren’s voice when she begged for Mr. Jared to just let my mom come over. Was it her that didn’t want my mom around or him?

“Should we play?” Jeff asked.

“No, I’m not really in the right clothing for that,” I said, pulling down my romper sleeves a bit. They kept coming up. I am not sure how anyone thinks this is comfortable. It was a literal nightmare. I did get two compliments on my outfit so far today though so it wasn’t a complete waste.

We decided to all sit on the big cushion area near the tree. There were large cushions set together to form one large seating area. Jeff grabbed me a sweet tea from the cooler. Casey sat near Cyman and Hale and I sat with Jeff. He put his arm around me and we chatted with our friends. It was the perfect scenario for this kiss I had been wanting this week. I felt like surely it would happen at any moment.