Page 32 of Fast Lane

As we pull up to my childhood home, I turn around and face Kosi. She’s looking out the window. Her hair is down and slightly wavy, skimming her elbows. The moonlight makes her pale skin look translucent. “I’ll be right back out. Why don’t you move to the front,” I suggest.

“I’m fine back here,” she says quietly.

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Move to the front, Kosi.”

My tone clearly awakens the sleeping beast I’ve known all these years. Her head whips around in my direction. Even with the space between us and the dark of night around us I can see the fire in her cobalt blue eyes. “Why?”

“Because I’m not a damn chauffeur!” I get out of the car in a fury. Slamming the door as I do. I don’t look back as I head towards the front door of my house. Riverlyn is already inside. My dad is home for the night. His truck is parked under the carport.

As I step into the house my dad looks up from the leather recliner that has always been deemed as his spot. There’s a tumbler cup sitting in the cup holder, coffee I assume since his addiction to it pretty much keeps the coffee industry afloat. He has a book in his hands and a pair of glasses perched on his nose. He looks up from the book at me. “Evening son.” He’s changed a lot over the years. His honey-colored hair has morphed to white, laugh lines have formed around his eyes and mouth. However, he’s still as welcoming as ever.

“Hi Dad,” I tell him as I stand near the door. “I can’t stay long. I have a friend waiting for me in the car.”

He stands up and stretches his back before dropping the book into the seat of the chair. “No worries. Is Riverlyn causing a lot of trouble?” Concern dances in the hazel iris of his eyes.

I shake my head. “No sir, not really. She’s had an issue with a boy but I think after tonight that’s resolved.”

“Good, good.” My dad crosses the small living room to where I’m standing. He places a hand on my shoulder as he looks out the screen door. “You know you don’t have to take her on as if she’s your own.”

He’s referring to Riverlyn. I do know that but I do take her on because he has enough to worry about and I only want the best for her. My head bobs up and down. “Yes sir, I do. She is mine, though,” I tease. I remember growing up. I was almost ten when Riverlyn was born. Suddenly, my dad was a single parent with an almost teenager and newborn. He needed help and I didn’t mind being the one to step into that roll. Riverlyn is as much mine to protect as she is his.

For a moment he looks sad but then he chuckles and smiles. “That sure is a pretty one you got out there,” he comments and motions his head outside.

Over my shoulder I look back at where Kosi is moving from the backseat to the front seat. My body relaxes some knowing it won’t be another battle when I get back outside. “She really is. She isn’t mine though.”

My dad raises his eyebrows. “She isn’t?” I shake my head. “Well, you should fix that.”

I chuckle. “If only it were that easy.”

He squeezes my shoulder. “Nothing easy is worth having. You have to remember that son.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now, go tell your sister bye so you can get on with your night.” I nod and head down the hallway. My sister is already in her pjs, makeup gone, and hair combed out. She’s so grown up now and it seems like it happened in the blink of an eye.

Riverlyn turns and smiles at me. “Thank you. I’m sorry I’ve been in so much trouble lately.”

Dismissively I wave my hand. “You aren’t trouble, Riv. You’re perfect. Unfortunately, you had your first heartbreak and those suck. Josh still deserves his ass beat but I won’t go there. Overall, I think you handled it really well.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders and squeeze. Her arms come around my waist. “I’m proud of you, Riverlyn, don’t you ever forget or doubt that.”

She looks up at me. “You’re the best big brother ever. Most definitely my favorite.”

“Hey! I’m your only big brother,” I tell her as I tickle her side. We laugh for a while and finally I decide I need to get back out there. I tell Riverlyn good night and head for her bedroom door. Just as I reach the door she says, “I really like Kosi.”

I don’t reply but I can’t help but think so do I. As I head back towards the living room I catch my dad coming back inside. My eyebrows pull together. “What are you doing?” I ask.

He smiles at me. “I like her… a lot.”

The fact that my dad went outside to talk to Kosi throws me for a loop. I’m not mad about it, just shocked. “You talked to Kosi?” I ask. Even I can hear the surprise in my voice.

“Yep, she’s a keeper. You need to remember that.”

I sigh and head for the door. “Good night, Dad. I’ll see you soon.”

“You too son,” he tells me as I head back outside.

As I make my way to the car I can’t help but feel at a complete loss. Kosi and I have always been one certain way, at the opposite ends of the sword, so-to-speak. Now, it’s like we have no clue what we’re doing. I know I don’t. If I follow my gut, it’ll follow her. I have no doubt about that. Everything else in my body tells me to run the hell away. There is no good that can come from this situation. It’s too complicated. We’re too different. Then her eyes land on mine and I know I won’t be able to fight this anymore.

When I climb inside she just stares ahead. She doesn’t speak, doesn’t move. “Do you want to go get your car now or do you want me to come get you in the morning?”

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