Chapter 8

avoided Jagger at practice Monday. I couldn’t be awkward around her and I also couldn’t show any feelings towards her. Keegan was coming over later for dinner with his mom and the twins, so I focused on that.

Coach hit a few to each position and we ran drills where we turned a double play. It was brutally hot so she kept letting us get water. I couldn’t help but watch Jagger as she threw off her hat and dumped a bottle of water on her head. The water saturated her shirt and it clung to her golden skin. I watched in angst as I felt my heart beating faster as she wiped the excess water from her face.

“Did you want some?” a tall brunette asked me.

I snapped out of my Jagger trance and shook my head. I had my own water, but hers was drawing me in.

After practice, I jogged to my car so I could escape talking to anyone, but more specifically, Jagger. As I opened my door, I felt someone’s hand on my shoulder. I turned around and it was her.

“Hey Brees. Are you upset with me? Did I do something?” she asked with a look of concern.

“Oh. Umm, no Jagger. I just don’t feel well today and didn’t want anyone to get sick if it’s contagious. I think it’s allergies but you never know,” I reassured her.

Her face and shoulders relaxed and she smiled. Her bright green eyes caught the sunlight just right and shone like emeralds. Her beads of sweat rolled down her face and chest. She reached out and grabbed my hand.

“I’m glad it isn’t something I did. I was so unfocused all practice thinking about it,” she said, squeezing my hand.

“No, we are all good. I promise,” I said, grabbing her other hand.

We stood there holding hands and smiling at one another. There was definitely an unexplained chemistry there.

“Well I’ll let you get to it. I don’t want to hold you up. Call me later if you want,” she offered, swinging my arms back and forth.

“I will, Jag. I’ll be with Keegan and his family tonight so it may be late,” I said.

“I’d wait up all night for you to call Brees. Talking to you helps me sleep at night,” she said, winking at me and running off towards her dad’s car.

She would wait up for me all night? Is that what people do when they only think of someone as a friend? I couldn’t sit and analyze this right now. I also didn’t feel like I could tell Casey. I was kind of alone with these feelings and I didn’t know what to do.

I drove home and saw that Ms. Kyren’s car was in the driveway already. Why were they here? They weren’t supposed to come over for another three hours. I parked on the curb in front of our house and ran inside.

Everyone was sitting in the living room talking and laughing. Baylen had the record player on with some upbeat jazz and there were appetizers on the coffee table. Mom even had the mini beignets that I loved from Cougar Jacks! She only got those when she had great news. Now I was eager to find out what was going on.

I said hello to everyone and then ran to my room so I could hop into the shower quickly. No way I could be out there with dirt caked into every crevice I possessed. I only took about 15 minutes of my normal 30 minute shower. I threw my wet hair up into a high bun and headed back into the living room. Mom and Ms. Kyren were so adorable slow dancing together near the big window. The sun silhouetted their frames. My mom gently kissed her cheek every so often and Ms. Kyren rested her head on mom’s shoulder.

When mom saw me she twirled Ms. Kyren and ended their dance with a bow. She walked over to the record player and lifted the needle.

“So guys we know we wanted to do dinner tonight as a family, but we wanted to get together a bit earlier and share some news,” mom said.

I panned her face to search for what her news could be. She was smiling so big. I sat on the couch with Keegan and he grabbed my knee. She clasped her hands together over Ms. Kyren’s hands and shouted her news so loudly and gleefully that I giggled a little.

“Ky and I are getting married next summer!” she squealed.

I couldn’t believe it. Everyone hugged them and the room filled with chatter about the future plans. My heart swelled with happiness for the love between them. Finally, my mom would get her happy ending. She would be with the one person that she loved.

Keegan didn’t look so thrilled however. He looked over at me and shook his head. How could he not be over the moon excited for our parents? I gestured to the kitchen with my head and he followed me as I walked in the same direction.

“Kee, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy for them?” I asked, holding his hand.

“It’s not that, Brees. It’s just that when they get married you and I will be step-brother and step-sister. It’s just weird,” he shrugged and rolled his eyes.

He started brushing his hair forward with his hand and he let out a large exhale.

“I understand that can be weird on paper, but our love isn’t defined by that. We will still be Brees and Keegan and our moms will just be married. Nothing needs to change,” I said touching my palm to his cheek.

“Yeah except the fact that they will live together and I’m sure we won’t be able to spend time together like we normally do. This is a lot to take in right now if I’m being honest,” he said.

“Let’s share these concerns with our moms then Keegan. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable because of this,” I said, pleading with him to come into the living room with me.

“There’s no point. No matter what we say, they will still be getting married and you will still be my sister in some way, whether it’s on paper or otherwise. What will people think,” he said walking out of the kitchen angrily.

I followed after him. He was headed right towards our moms. I tried to stop him before he got there but he moved way too quickly.

“You guys realize you are going to ruin my relationship with Brees, right?” he accused.

“No sweetie. We understand that your relationship is so important and we wouldn’t dream of coming between you two,” Ms. Kyren said, with the warmest smile.

“Keegan this is why we are waiting until you two are off at college and are not living at home with us,” my mom interjected, lovingly.

“Doesn’t mean she won’t be my sister after the wedding. It’s weird mom and it makes me uncomfortable. Thinking I’m headed off to college with a girlfriend, but really I’m heading off dating my future sister. I don’t think I can do this. Brees, I’m so sorry,” he said looking up at me with tears in his eyes.