Page 75 of Catching Kyle

He chuckles, his chest shaking me with it, and I bury myself deeper.

“I think I get it from my mom,” he says. “Last night you promised me that I could trust you, and that goes both ways. I will be my best for you. As available as I can be.”

My chest warms, feeling the truth in his words.

I look at him. He leans down and gives me a kiss, holding it there. He pulls away and looks into my eyes.

“Do you really want to do this?” he asks. “If not, we can figure out another way. I can look more into my decision—”

“You don’t need to give up football for me,” I say. “I want to do this.”

He smiles and kisses me on the forehead. “Good,” he says. “Me too.”

We make our way back into his living room, Amani and Skye chatting on the couch. Josue is looking at one of his bookshelves.

“You’ve got a killer selection, dude,” Josue says. “Didn’t think you’d be such a fantasy fan.”

“Thanks man,” Kyle says, smiling in that radiant way he does. “Might be the best genre.” He glances at me. “After romance.”

I laugh and teasingly push him. And that’s when I realize how happy I am. I’m surrounded by people who love and want to help me. And that’s making it easier to truly love myself.

“So what’ll it be boys?” Amani asks.

“Yeah,” Skye says. “Is this fake-dating a go?”

I look at Kyle, then at my friends. “I think so.”

“Great,” Amani says, rubbing her hands together. “Now let’s work out the nasty details.”

Chapter 28

Kyle Weaver

IthinkAmanimadean understatement when she called them ‘nasty details’. Because figuring out this fake-dating situation has been downright disgusting. Don’t get me wrong—I’m glad Michael came up with the idea. But hiding who I truly am for so long goes against everything both my ma and daddy told me about integrity. Yet it’s my only choice if I want to play and keep Michael around.

I sit with Amani, Michael’s best friend and my new fake-girlfriend, on my couch as we wait for my agent Timmy to show up. When I told him I wanted to introduce my new girlfriend, he jumped at the opportunity. I hate having him in my house, but giving him this ‘evidence’ he’s been asking for will get him off my ass. And another contract with the Tigers.

But overall, I’m relieved. With any other woman, I’d have to at least try to be intimate, bringing back the storm of depression to my mind. But with Amani, I don’t have to do that. And I get Michael at the same time. It’s perfect. I do wish Michael could be here, but I don’t want Timmy suspecting we’re a thing.

“Think he’ll like me?” Amani asks. She’s rubbing her palms on her jeans.

“I don’t even know if Timmy likes me,” I say. “I just know that he likes that I make him money. But since you’re gonna help me get re-signed, that means more money for him. So yeah, I think he’ll like you. Just not personally.”

“Ouch,” she says. “Is this what professional football is really like?”

I sigh. “Not always. There’s a couple guys on my team that I really like. Made good friends on others as well. But the business side can be brutal. Even with a contract, I’m not guaranteed anything. It’s pretty cutthroat.”

She leans back into my couch. “So winning the Championship Game is worth all this then?”

I run my tongue across my teeth. I can still hear the beeping in my dad’s hospital room. The pain on his face. I couldn’t promise him a family. All that left me to give him was football. Neeti, my therapist, and I have been digging into this more and more, but I’m frustrated. After our first session, I felt good. But talking about it has only become more painful. I thought this therapy shit was supposed to make things easier. Guess not.

“It is,” I say. “The least I can do.”

My doorbell rings, making my chest constrict with anxiety. “I’ll get it.”

I leave Amani to answer my door. I open it, and there Timmy stands, but there’s also someone else. She’s a short brunette women dressed comfortable, yet stylish.

“Timmy,” I say, trying to sound enthused. “And you are?”