“Evan told me you got into a fight and punched his uncle.” He flips us over, and suddenly he’s on top. Warm lips search the side of my neck, and I feel my nipples harden. He kisses his way down, bites my shirt, and starts to tug. I playfully punch his arm.
“You are not a puppy,” I tell him.
He growls and starts to bark like a little dog. “Let’s get a dog. I bet you’ll want one of those little poodles. Or worse, one of those tiny mutts that can fit in your purse.” He distracts me by unbuttoning my pants. He unzips them, but I grab his hand before he can go any further.
“You wanted to do this relationship thing, so let’s do it.” I manage to roll out from underneath him and stand up.
“You wouldn’t understand,” he says. “You and your brother and sister are so close. It’s not like that for me and Charlie, at least not anymore.”
After zipping and buttoning my pants, I take his hand and pull us to the couch in the corner of his bedroom. I sit next to him and wait for him to speak.
“No one’s like me and my siblings. Others shouldn’t even try.” I bump his shoulder with mine to lighten the mood, but he doesn’t smile. “Tell me.” I take his hand and hold it. “Maybe I can help.”
“We were close once. Out of the two of us, he’s the more gifted athlete. He’s two years older and got the same scholarship as me. He was all set to go off to college until he got drunk one night, climbed a tree, and fell. He fractured his femur and needed surgery. He lost his scholarship, and all his hopes and dreams were dashed. That was bad enough. When I got the same scholarship two years later, he became angry. Told me I wasn’t good enough to make it, and all I was doing was followin’ in his shadow. He criticized everythin’ I did, but that’s not the worst of it. He went into my email and replied that I was not acceptin’ the scholarship.” I let out a surprised gasp. “My high school coach found me the next day and almost ripped my head off because the school called him. I told him I had no idea what he was talking about. He dragged me to the office, and we called the school and cleared things up. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew Charlie was behind it. I didn’t take it to Mama. I figured me and coach had fixed it, but Charlie only got angrier. He tried to hurt me next. Pushed me down the stairs at home. I called him out on it, and we started fightin’ in the livin’ room. Broke the coffee table, the television, and punched a hole through the wall. He’s freakishly strong and had me on the floor. He tried to stomp me, but I got away and got the upper hand. I told Mama everythin’ when she got home. She believed me but told me that my brother needed help and was not in his right mind. To her credit, she got him therapy, but he wouldn’t go. I left a few weeks later, and he went down a deep spiral. He has a drinkin’ problem and just finished his third stint in rehab a few months ago.”
He stops speaking, and I squeeze his hand for comfort. He picks it up and puts it to his lips. I rest my head on his chest, and he pulls me closer, almost as if he’s absorbing some of my strength.
“Does this last stint in rehab have anything to do with what happened last Christmas?” I whisper.
“He got drunk. I guess he was still drunk when he woke up the mornin’ after Christmas. Evan was up, and he decided he was going to get in a car with my son while he was still intoxicated because Evan wanted donuts. He got pulled over and was arrested. Mama got a call from the sheriff, telling us they had Evan. We were both still sleepin’. When I got there, I punched him and told him never to speak to me or my son again. Because this was his third DUI, he had to serve three months in jail, and when he got out, he went to rehab, promisin’ our mother he would never drink again. He’s supposedly openin’ a restaurant.”
He puts his head on my lap as if the confession has taken a lot out of him. I stroke his hair and try to make sense of his words. I’ve never felt any jealousy toward my siblings. I’ve only always wanted the best for them. Alan’s the smartest, and Tara’s the pretty one, but that’s never bothered me. I can never imagine hating them for things that aren’t their fault.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “That’s a lot. I understand why you’d be angry, especially after putting Evan in danger. Families are complicated, Colt. Even the ones who seem to have it together have their demons.” I stroke his hair, tucking a piece behind his ear.
“Are you finally going to tell me about you and your mama now?”
“There isn’t much of a story about my mother. She left my dad when I was nine. We went to school, and when we came home, she was gone. We’d go months without seeing her sometimes. We still do. This is about you and your brother. I understand your anger, especially the part that involves Evan.”
“And the other parts?”
I run my fingernails through his scalp. He sighs and closes his eyes.
“I understand how you feel about that too. I’m trying to put myself in your place, champion. I can’t ever picture Alan or Tara doing that to me, but if they were not themselves and drinking, I don’t know. If they came to me and begged for forgiveness, I’d think of all the good times we had versus the bad. I would forgive, but that’s a decision I would make based on our shared history. These decisions are always personal. There’s no wrong or right answer. Has Charlie asked for forgiveness?”
I let my hand fall away from his hair, but he picks it up and puts it back. I start stroking the nape of his neck.
“He has. Many, many times, and I feel guilty, Vickie. I think he keeps drinkin’ because I won’t forgive him.”
“That’s not on you. Don’t put that in your head.”
He’s quiet, but I can tell he’s thinking of what to say next. I continue to touch him, but Evan bursts through the door with Mary Leigh behind him. She’s wringing her hands and taking slow steps toward Colt, whose head is still in my lap.
When I stop stroking his hair, he whispers, “Don’t stop.” So, I continue.
“I’m sorry, Son,” she says. “You know I want you and your brother to make up, but you don’t need any extra stress before the Finals. Forgive me, please.” She stands over him, looking down. He lifts his head from my lap, stands, and takes her into a hug.
“Nothing to forgive, Mama.” She lets out a half laugh, half sob, and wraps her arms around him. Evan joins in and hugs his father’s leg. I smile at the sweet scene. Colt offers me his hand, and when I take it, he pulls me up and wraps his arm around me too. His mother does the same, and the four of us hug.
* * *
Now
“I can’t believehow mean you were to Ethan when he has his own personal luxury suite at Madison Square Garden.” Tara makes a face. I’m almost positive she had no idea Ethan had this until very recently. She’s as opposed to basketball as I am, maybe even more so. At least I’ll watch with our dad, who is now sitting with the boys on either side of him while he explains the game.
Colt’s mother texts on her phone, and I’m pretty sure she’s texting Charlie. Every so often, she’ll leave a voicemail for Colt, praising him for something he did before she forgets.
“Who is Mary Leigh texting?” Tara whispers.
