I nod, crying even harder at the memory. “He broke his arm and we were grounded for months.”
Kyle nods. “When Darrius started dating other girls in the eighth grade, I thought it would be just a passing phase; that he was biding his time waiting for you, because you were too young for him. I never said anything because a two years age gap then seemed a lot and I thought it made sense to wait for you to grow a little more. I was convinced that once you were both in high school, he’d finally act on his feelings for you.”
I can’t hide my surprise that he knew. “I thought no one knew about how I felt about Darrius. I mean, Anna did.”
I don’t add that Anna told her brother that I was a shallow, spoiled brat at any chance she got.
“Lenley, of course I knew; and for what it’s worth, I think you’re the girl for Darrius. And I can’t believe he doesn’t see that.”
I don’t know what to say to that. The truth is humiliating, but I admit it anyway. “He said that he loves me but he doesn’t see me that way.”
I’m too embarrassed to go into detail about what Darrius said about my appearance last year and my lack of sexual experience last night.
Kyle shakes his head, squeezing me to his side. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think my son is an idiot. You two were made to be together and I hope he’ll see it before it’s too late and someone else sweeps you off your feet.”
Kyle’s support means the world to me, but it doesn’t change my current predicament.
“Thanks, Uncle Kyle,” I say, using the title I used to give him when I was younger; we switched to “Kyle” when I started high school.
“I still can’t work with Kiara, though. I can’t have them around me, together, every day. Maybe it would be different if they hadn’t known how I felt for Darrius, but they both knew. I’m sorry if I sound spoiled or entitled,” I say, imagining what Anna is probably already saying about my outburst. “But they both acted without taking my feelings into account. Kiara has been my best friend since middle school and she went behind my back. It would’ve been different, if she had talked to me first. But she went after him anyway. And Darrius could’ve had any girl in Star Cove. He could’ve had any girl in California and he went and picked one of my two besties. I can’t work here, if she does.”
Kyle sighs. “I understand, sweetheart. But this puts us between a rock and a hard place. The Angels are your legacy but they’re also Darrius’. And he’s our best chance to revive the old glory days of when your father was alive. He’s our best chance at a World Championship victory. And he’s never asked for anything like this before. If we deny him now—”
I understand what Kyle is trying to say. Darrius has offers from pretty much any other team in the world.
“Do you really think he’d go somewhere else?”
Kyle shrugs. “No, I don’t think so. Like I said, the Angels are his legacy just as much as they are yours, but if he’s unhappy, it’ll have an impact on his performance. You know how it is.”
I do. Kyle is referring to the fact that he never jumped again after Papa’s death. His grief was too deep and consuming to allow him to continue.
“I understand, Kyle. And I get that you need to do what’s needed to put Darrius in the best position to win. I’m disappointed, but I’m not mad. Just understand that I can’t work here if Kiara is part of the team.”
Mom speaks up for the first time. “Kyle,” she says softly, “Do you mind giving me and Lenley one second to talk about this?”
He nods, squeezing my shoulder one last time before leaving Mom’s office.
“Lenley,” she starts when the door closes behind Kyle.
“Mom, I know you’re disappointed. I know I let you down first by going to France for a year and now I’m letting you down again with this. I understand that if you have to choose between me and Darrius, it would be stupid to choose me. But I can’t work with her here. I just can’t.”
She sighs, taking my hand and guiding me toward the two-seater couch on the opposite wall from her desk.
“If we found a solution where you can work here without seeing them, would you consider it?”
I shrug. “I suppose. But how—”
“Your job is to curate our social media and our press releases. You don’t have to physically be in the office to do that. We’ll create a Chinese wall between you and Kiara. If there are any events that need live coverage, I’ll do my best to make sure that she stays out of your way as much as possible. I know it won’t be practical to avoid bumping into her one hundred percent of the time, but I hope you can be civil to them in the rare occasions when you both need to be here? After all, Star Cove is a small town and you’re bound to see her around sometimes. Unless ...”
I know what she isn’t saying out loud by the look in her eyes.
“No, Mom. I’m not going back to France. I’m going to school at Bridgeport in the fall. I know Mémère would love to have me back but I’ve made up my mind.”
She squeezes my hand. “Then will you try to make this work?”
I nod. “Ok. But I’m doing it for you and because I know that Papa’ would’ve wanted me to be involved in his legacy. However, if it becomes too much and I’m forced to be around them, I’m going to have to look for another job. Is that ok?”
Mom nods. “It’s fair.”
If it’s fair, then why do I feel like I’m the worst daughter in the entire world? “Are you sure?” I ask. “I know I’ve given you nothing but disappointments since last year and I’m sorry, Mom. You’ve always been there for me, especially since it’s been just the two of us.”
She smiles, even though her eyes are laced with sadness. “Of course, baby girl. I’m your mom and it’s my job. But maybe I should’ve said something about Darrius a little bit sooner.”
It’s impossible to hide my surprise. “You knew that I was in love with Darius too? Did Anna say something to you? She’s always suspected—”
Mom shakes her head, squeezing my hand in a comforting gesture that makes it harder not to cry. “Of course I knew! Lenley, I’m your mother. I know you were exceptionally close to your papà, and maybe in the effort to continue his legacy like he would’ve wanted, I’ve neglected other things. But it’s always been clear as day how much you love that boy. Even though he’s no longer a boy and you are certainly not a little girl anymore. When you and Darrius were small kids, I found it sweet, the way you followed him everywhere and looked at him as if he hung the moon. I liked how protective of you he was, even though the two of you would get into all sorts of mischief. I think that’s the reason Anna hates you so much; it’s always been you and Darrius against the world and she was never a part of your tight friendship.”
I’m surprised that Mom noticed that too. “Yeah, I think Anna has always resented all the time Darrius and I used to spend together. I also think she didn’t like that I was close to Kyle.”
Mom agrees with my analysis of the situation. “It’s just sad that in her pettiness she didn’t try to be your friend instead. I know Kyle loves you like one of his own children. Family is everything to him and back when he was still married to Darrius and Anna’s Mom, we had a deal with them and your papà.”