Spring

MYLES POV

"I've packed everything you will need. I've confirmed the hotel reservations. I will land immediately after you, and we can schedule something fun for the week. You will not be bored in a foreign state."

"Thanks, Mom." I smiled at her. She had her arm hooked around mine while we exited the elevator on the first floor.

"Come here." She stopped and struggled to wrap her hands around my neck. When I lean and rub her back with my palms, she confidently presumes, "I know you will do well."

"The team is way back on the table this season. Two games wouldn't change anything."

The ranking was brutal after everything that happened. Most of my teammates blamed me for it. I had been absent for almost half of the season, and when I returned, my balance wasn't promised as before.

"You didn't let anyone down." Mom told me when she pulled back and held my arms.

"I did. Honestly, I did. A lot of people, in fact." My breath was erratic, I had to strain my muscles to regulate it.

"I hope you will be able to forgive yourself." She said, and my eyes lifted from her. When she noticed my discomfort, she simply grabbed my arm again. "Let's get you to the car."

After the court trials and so many truths that unraveled, it was only mom that remained. She might not be my biological mother, but she communicated with me in a way only a mother could. And with Nelson locked up, she took over not only parenting me but managing me. She was the only one I could trust.

"You know you don't have to always treat me like an egg."

"After all the things Nelson did? Of course, I will treat you like an egg. I will make sure there's no reason for anyone to hurt you again. That's what parents do." She assured, heartily.

"The good ones," I mumbled to myself. I doubt she heard.

When we reached the vehicle, she pulled open the door to where Jake was behind the wheel before I could do it myself.

"Get in. I will see you there."

I've been anxious about this day since the moment I found out about the game's venue.

Texas.

A part of me didn't want to be there, I had caused enough trouble. The other half of me was lost and delusional and scared all at once. I knew Brayden's family would come to support him. I knew one way or another I must confront Cali.

This day had always been my fear, even though it should be a relief that I could vouch for my innocence to her. She deserved an explanation and not the kind that her brother had sowed and bloomed in her mind.
When I recovered, it was too late, she was gone and had deactivated her social media sites. I only gave up trying her phone that past December when I had sent her hundreds of voicemails that weren't replied to.

She has every right to be mad, though. I had my regrets, but I wasn't a monster.

~

Jake got me to the airport on time before the jet took off. Everyone was all loaded, and so was my luggage as we arrived.

I thanked Jake and told him to take some rest while I was gone, as he had been completely devoted to his job ever since he found me in a hospital bed.

Upon arrival on the plane, David pointed out, "You are late." with a newspaper in his hand.

"I am sorry."

"You are always late." He retorted while I set down my backpack and took a seat next to Vincent.

"He was probably pleasing his gentleman with some hot yoga coach." A familiar voice said from behind me.

"What the fuck, Zion?"

"You should be glad. Some of us here are heartbroken," Jeffery countered opposite me.

"It will get better, Jeff." I gently bumped my shoe with his.

"I loved Yolanda, it's not like you and Miss allergy. I actually have feelings, brother," he stated.

I tensed, forcing myself to maintain a neutral composure as I could feel the heat of Brayden's eyes. He was sitting on the other side of the lounging area.

Brayden and I barely spoke, and when we did, it was on the court, when we had to communicate. The last time I heard, he was looking for a new place to move out of the condominium.

While the rest of the team had no idea what happened between Brayden and me, David did. I had anticipated the day that Brayden would flare and expose the truth to everyone because I was sure he would. He sued me after learning about my relationship with his sister. I had to pay a couple of million and go through hell as he had promised. He would go to any level to see me pay. And I don't blame him the slightest bit, he had warned everyone he knows to stay away from Cali, but my feelings got the best of me.

David cleared his throat, calling everyone's attention. He was on his feet, with a bottle of energy drink in his hand.

"Okay, boys, heartbroken, late, or tired. We are going out there to take the highest cut."

"If Mr. number one does his job well," Bray mocked.

"Come on, Brayden," Zion spoke up when I didn't respond. His hands squeezed my shoulder. "Last game was on all of us. Those guys came prepared."

"Yes sure." Bray scoffed.

"Well, we are not blaming our failures on anyone's account. We are moving forward. We are focusing on what we have in front of us. Okay?"

"Yes, coach." The boys reacted loudly.

"Myles?" David called, and the whole room became silent.

"Yes, coach."

As soon as we took off, I set up my headphones as loud as it could get, shutting off the presence while the memories from last year flowed into my mind.

I haven't been fond of red substances since I was a child when I had to choose between chemistry and painting. Those two courses meant torture for me because they pulled me back to the day I held my parents' belongings that were returned to me after the car crash that took them away.

Blood was red and red meant the end and danger. I was lying on it, knowing with a full chest that I would never have Cali again.

Cali, the sunshine that blooms happiness even when it is cold and foggy.

My eyes were closed in silence after she was pulled away from me. I thought it was the stillness of death. What could hurt worse than how I felt at that moment? I doubt there was anything.

The next time my eyes fluttered, I was filled with vagueness, it was hard to recognize my surroundings until Jake's face appeared in my vision and the EKG machine's peeping sound told me I was still alive.

Everything was blurry though.
"Where am I?"

"Don't try to sit, you'll only hurt yourself."
He helped me back to lie on the bed as dizziness enveloped me.
"You are in the hospital. You have a concussion and some broken ribs."

Okay, I had hoped those explained the critical headache, which I bet could be cured. The pains in my stomach too, that I was also sure would ease. However, as I began to retain my memories of what resulted in my admittance to a hospital, I immediately knew I couldn't cure the intense affliction that stabbed into my heart.

Nelson had come in then and asked Jake to wait outside. He set his coffee on a table and began pacing around the room. When he stopped by the window, staring into the distance, he scoffed.
"Those young people who look up to you would be disappointed. They would regret lying out there praying for your recovery in this heated season."

I would sit up if my ribs weren't useless. My eyes followed him instead as he strolled back to me. He doesn't look as tidy as he always does. His hair wasn't fit, his suit had no tie and the coat and pants were crumpled.

"You... You selfish child. You think you could betray me?" He thundered then. The outburst was more excruciating than the EKG machine sound in my brain.

"I gave you life. I gave you everything. This whole fame and fortune. You wouldn't have reached anywhere without me." He reminded me. He was furious and flushed.

I had always known that day would come, but I didn't know it was going to be like that. At that stake.

"I asked you for just one thing. One simple favor. Look where it got you now...." Nelson's angered voice began trailing off in my head as Vincent's calm tone replaced it instead, "Bro, wake up. We've landed."

My eyes slowly opened, some of the passengers had already gotten off the plane. I heaved and told Vincent I would be right behind him.

I just need a minute for myself to calm down. I was getting worked up with everything happening so fast.

Texas. I was in Texas, about to breathe the air that Cali grew up in. Cali, that I was forbidden from. Cali, whom I wish to see again.

When I finally gathered the strength I could get, I hung my backpack over my shoulder and headed out.

"It is nice to meet you." David was talking with someone next to Brayden. It took me a second to recognize the man. It was Mr. Donovan.

Great.

"I hope you don't mind, I am taking my boy with me. Actually, I am taking two boys from you." He told our coach.

"If you can get them to the game on time why not?" David slapped his arm friendly and advanced towards the bus where the rest of the team was headed.

"Myles?" The man called. And my alarmed eyes fell back on him.

But to my surprise, he looked excited, he walked over to me and pulled me into a hug like he had no idea what went down between his children and me.

"It is good to see you again," he said.

"You too, Mr. Donovan."

"Did Brayden tell you're staying with us? We have the guest room ready for you."

The overwhelming joy of the man had me disoriented. I glanced over his shoulder to where Brayden was awkwardly dodging my gaze.

I didn't understand.

"Oh, umm... I don't want to be any..." I was stammering, as he had caught me off guard.

Mr. Donovan didn't let me finish. He interjected, "No no. Don't dare. You're like a son to us. A friend of Brayden's is also ours. Besides, my youngest, Cali, would appreciate it. I am sure you've met her. She kind of is-was your fan. Please accept our invitation."

Was?

I stood still in my stance, agape and distraught. Didn't know what to do.

Brayden interfered then, walking over to where I was immobilized, and smiled weirdly to his father, "He's coming."

"Great." The man grinned widely and grabbed the boxes that were left by the crew.

"I drive a Ford. Not so flashy like those you boys would prefer, but it is safer." He playfully informed us as he walked in front of us.

Things were occurring in a different direction. I should text my mom soon and let her know I wouldn't be with the team.

My heart was still thumping in my chest when I
thank Mr. Donovan after he helped us to his vehicle with an umbrella as it was raining outside.

"Call me, Ken."

As we settled into the warmth of the car, he pulled onto the road.

The next minute, he brought up a conversation that lasted for a while. He talked about the weather here, and the kids from the neighborhood training for basketball. Then he said, "I am sorry boys, I will stop by Cali's school. Normally she would walk herself home but it's raining."

The mention of her name made it very real, and the fact that I was about to meet her even soon had blood rushing through my vessels more than usual.

"What about the Honda?" Brayden asked his father from the passenger seat.

"She's not ready yet."

"Since the accident?"

The accident.

"She didn't tell you?"

"I didn't know. She barely... We barely talk anymore." Bray muttered.

"She's seeing a therapist for the third time. It won't work but we have to keep trying." Ken sounded despair.

What?

The air was tense as grave silence passed by before Bray mumbled, "Oh..."

Ken glanced over at me from the rare mirror.

"I am sorry Myles. It's just that Cali had a rough year last year. She lost her friend in an accident from all that teenage bullying I don't even understand."

It took everything in me to muster out a reply, "I am sorry to hear that."

The man smiled a little from the rare mirror when he pulled by.

My chest was beginning to shrink with guilt, but then it worsened, for it shredded abruptly as my eyes found her.

"Mother fuckers." Bray cussed and scrambled out of the car with an umbrella as he noticed the same thing I was terrifyingly watching.

"We are trying so much. I just wish she would talk to someone about it. She's so close off and guarded and afraid of those kids. She's always been since she was a child. She didn't know what she truly deserved." Ken said, while my eyes were glued to where Bray was approaching.

Her hair was long and sticking to her skin because it was drenched by the rain. I couldn't have enough sight of her face from there in the car.

I've never seen a person so innocent and clueless. Her fingers were clenched around the straps of her bag while she was being pushed by some group of kids from the shade into the pouring rain.