Kicking Reality

“Bro, c’mon. We’ve been waiting on this for like forever.”

“Yeah.” He rubs the back of his neck nervously. “I just kinda like England. Emmy, don’t be mad, please.”

I exhale a laugh. “What would I be mad about?”

He whispers to someone beside him and then suddenly, Poppy’s face is on the screen, smiling wide with a persistent wave.

“Uh, why are you with Poppy?”

Logan’s mouth is wide with a smirk. I turn to him for an answer and he continues to watch me like I’m short a fuse. “I don’t get it.”

“I think your brother and Poppy are an item,” Mom says with a playful smile.

“But . . . but . . .” My words don’t come out. “When? How? This is insane. . . .”

“Back when you guys visited London. Over drinks and terrible dad jokes. Insane, yes . . . but fuck—I love this woman.” He kisses her cheek and it’s hard to ignore how happy he looks. I don’t actually think I had ever seen him this happy. It’s frightening yet I’m overcome with joy at the same time. “You always said we didn’t have the ESP thing going on. Twenty-six years later, it finally kicked in.”

“Oh yeah,” I challenge. “What am I thinking now?”

“You’re in love with the goof beside you and want this phone call to end so you can get laid because it’s been two weeks.”

I gasp, eyes wide in shock. “ASHLEY!”

Everyone laughs, even Mom and Dad despite the awkwardness of me getting laid. When the laughter dwindles, I relax enough to respond back to him.

“You’re right. I do love the goof beside me.” I nudge Logan with my elbow again. “And that’s all I’ll say.”

“It’s good to see you happy sis, even if it’s with him.” Ashley smiles through the screen. “You’ll always be my bro. Just make it official already. If you like it then you should have put a ring on it,” he chants, mimicking Beyoncé.

Logan grins, kissing my finger and leaning into the call as if it was only him and Ash.

“Soon bro . . .”

One week later—they won their premiership. And when the crowds cheered like maniacs, there, in the middle of the stadium, covered in mud and sweat, Logan pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him.

Fireworks and all.

My brother’s best friend, my rival, my lover.

The man who was always meant to be mine.

“Lights, camera, action!”

Season three aired and the ratings soared with the drama that had unfolded.

It had been a difficult six months, and this was the final wrap-up—the live reunion show.

Kyle and Kelly were the first to be interviewed in front of a live audience. Anthony Carron hosted all the reunion shows on the network. An over-the-top host with a vivacious attitude and thirst for gossip. He flaunted his homosexuality like a pair of new shoes; never one to shy away from drama in his own life. He knew how to bring out the real stories, make light of situations that appeared too heavy, and stood center ring when the boxing gloves came out.

I had been too wrapped up in my own scandal to see what others around me had been going through. Kyle and Kelly focused on a business venture this season that went horribly wrong. Their partner had bailed, taking all their life savings and investments. Luckily, the camera caught some of the fraudulent activity and now it was with the courts to decide what would happen.

Harley’s sexuality finally came out. A surprise to many including myself but nevertheless, a positive step forward. He spoke about his battle with depression and how coming out has helped him deal with that. When the cameras rolled back and showed some of the pivotal scenes in this season when Harley broke down, it was difficult to watch and even more difficult when he fought to hold back the tears on stage. Poppy and I intervened, joining him on the couch and holding his hand while he openly spoke about his struggle to finally accept himself.

There was a short interlude until Poppy came on. I loved how excited she was, dressed in a yellow and white polka dot 1950s-styled dress with white wedges. Her bright smile lit up the room, and when they called Ash out to join her, the two of them sat on the couch like lovesick fools.

“This season had lots of drama and we can’t forget the moment in London when Ash takes Poppy to the Royal Kings stadium and she kicks the ball in . . . how about we watch this clip.” Anthony points to the camera and footage of the two of them roll.

I remembered that Poppy switched flights, leaving later which she said was because she wanted to spend more time with her family. I had no idea this went on, and when Ash gave Poppy a lesson on how to kick the ball in the net, she kicks the ball accidently too hard and straight in his nuts.