Page 15 of A Trial of the Heart
Shiloh:What if I told you I had plans?
I chuckled before my reply. Shiloh seemed to always give pushback, maybe to seem in charge before she agreed to whatever I was suggesting or doing. I was preparing another text when another of hers came through.
Shiloh:I’ll be ready. Can you tell me where we’re going, though?
Me:I’ll meet you on the landing deck at eight.
I had a dope night planned for Shiloh; I wanted it all to be a surprise, so I wasn’t telling her anything.
Shiloh:Fine
She wasn’t in my presence, but I imagined that when she sent the text, she was fake pouting while also rolling her eyes. She could pout for now, but I was going to make sure she ended the night with a smile.
“A’ight, bro. What we drinking?” I dropped my phone on the table, giving Kameron my attention.
Kameron chuckled. “You mean what you drinking. This number three for me. You gotta catch up.” He raised his cup in the air.
With a chuckle, I raised my hand for one of the mixologists to come get my drink order. I would have a few drinks, but with the way Kameron tossed them back, he would for sure need a babysitter. I was my brother’s keeper.
“On it,” I responded as the mixologist approached us. “Let me get a White Russian and a round of tequila.”
“Whew! Hell yeah!” Kameron shouted. He was getting married, and since I had only spent a little time with him, I was going to ensure he enjoyed himself.
“I gotta make sure I send my brother off to the missus correctly.”
“I’m really doing this shit, bro.” Kameron seemed to come down from his high instantly.
Before Kameron had proposed, he came to me, asking if he should marry Selena. I was the youngest, but we relied on each other for many things. Selena was a dope woman and had stuck by Kameron in some of the toughest times. Naturally, when he asked was it the right time, I said hell yeah and would support him the whole way through. Women like Selena were like finding a needle in a haystack, so missing the mark would be the dumbest thing Kameron could do. I was proud to see he’d made the step to make her his wife.
“The day will be here before you know it. Ready?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Kameron smiled with his eyes before it eventually took over his lips.
“Ready or not, it’s happening.”
I knew he loved Selena, but his response and tone put me on alert.
“Cold feet?” I half joked.
With a heavy sigh, Kameron raked his hands across his waves. “I mean, I love Selena and shit. We both know that…”
“But?” I interjected before he could finish because it was no way he was going to say what I was thinking.
“I mean.” He shrugged. “You and I both know I messed up more times than I care to admit. I’m over that shit now, of course, but the damage has been done. Selena stuck around, and I’m grateful for that, but being truthful, I don’t deserve her.”
Kameron was right. He’d done some things that we would never speak about again, and Selena being the woman she was forgave and forgot. Kameron and I were similar. We also differed. One thing I didn’t do was play games. I didn’t want anyone to play with me, so I returned the favor.
“What if all I did comes rushing back one day, and Selena dogs the hell out me?” His words slurred.
I chuckled. If Selena ever got her lick back, I couldn’t deny the fact she would be within her rights.
“Man, ain’t shit funny. I’m serious.”
It wasn’t funny, but it was at the same time. “Bro, cool out. Selena stuck with you years after the dumb things you did. She even agreed to marry yo’ simple ass after waiting on you to propose for forever. The past is just that. Y’all left it there, so keep it that way. Selena ain’t going nowhere. Marry ya queen, continue to make her happy, give her some babies, and grow old together.”
Kameron may not have always been the best guy in the relationship, but it was no denying the love they shared was real. One day, I hoped to have what they shared, minus the mishaps.
Without a word, Kameron lifted his drink, finishing it. “I just want to make her happy, ya know? She’s an amazing woman and deserves the world.”
