Page 152 of Rebound
“What other choice do I have? When you’re my age, your friends become sparse. Besides, Lilian and I used to work together for a long time.”
“You had a job?” Ever since I moved in, I’ve never seen Kita leave for work. I assumed she’s retired from a high paying job or has family money because our neighborhood isn’t cheap.
“Of course I had a job!” Kita says, outrageously. “Where did I think I got my money?”
I shrug. “I figured you inherited money from a rich husband who died under mysterious circumstances."
This makes Kita laugh. The kitchen is filled with the smell of baking bread, and I look at the timer on the stove to see how much time is left before my sourdough is done. It’s Lavinia’s favorite, so I make sure to bake a fresh loaf when she’s coming over.
“You really like Lavinia,” she says to me.
“I’ve liked her for a long time.” I lean back against the counter as Kita gives me an introspective look.
“Is it just like?” She asks, a lilt to her voice.
I’ve wanted her for so long that I can’t imagine the thought of letting her go. The only thing left to do is make Lavinia fall in love with me and then she wouldn’t want to leave. I like to think that time reserved a place for us, that it had to be now and not before because we weren’t the versions of ourselves who were open to love.
Loving Lavinia is the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I often catch myself staring at her when she isn’t looking, as if my eyes are trying to memorize every moment of her existence–the way a strand of hair escapes her braid and curls along the nape of her neck, the steadiness of her gaze, the curve of her lips when she smiles to herself, the quiet rhythm of her breath.
Loving her feels like standing at the edge of a mountain and watching a sunrise you never expected to see–soft, endless, and full of promises I can’t put into words. She tries to hide her imperfections, yet they fit against mine like a map I’ve been following my whole life without knowing it was leading me to her.
The oven dings and I’m saved from answering Kita. I don’t want to tell someone else I love Lavinia before I tell her. I grab the oven mitts and pull the bread out of the oven, setting it on the counter.
“That looks perfect,” Kita comments. It really does, golden and risen to perfection. At this point, I’m an expert at making sourdough.
My phone chimes and I almost drop the bread, thinking it’s Lavinia messaging. Kita grins at me as I pick up my phone. The message is from an unknown number.
Unknown
Hey, it’s Kai. If you’re free tonight, drop by Archer’s Pub at 7:00pm. Back door.
I show the message to Kita.
“You have to go,” she says. “This is an opportunity, Roman.”
I screenshot the message and send it to Lavinia. Her response is immediate.
Blossom
O. M. G. Babe, it’s finally happening! You’re going to be a contender!
I guess I’m going to Archer’s Pub tonight at 7:00pm.
At 6:45pm,I’m standing in front of Archer’s pub. Kai’s message said to come to the back entrance and I’m a little suspicious. This can be innocent, or it can be an ambush. I know they’re good guys; that’s part of the reason I wanted this. I’ve seen their friendship, and it’s always made me wish for something similar.
“Figured you’d get here early.”
I look towards the alley that probably leads to the back of the pub. Ford’s walking out of it, hands thrust into the pocket of his jeans.
“I wanted to get a lay of the land,” I say. They don’t know I’ve been here before with Coach. Since the pub is owned by Holden’s family, I assume the guys have access whenever they need.
“Relax, we’re not going to do anything bad.” He grins. “Now turn around.”
He pulls out something long and black from his pocket and it takes me a second to realize it’s a blindfold.
“Dude, I’m not interested in you like that,” I say.
“You’re not exactly my type, either.” Ford makes a circular motion with two fingers, telling me to turn around. With a sigh,I do as he instructs. My vision darkens as Ford puts the blindfold over my eyes.
