Page 61 of Kove and Xiah
“What would you like to know?”
“Whatever you want to share. I don’t want to impose.” She walked right in my room, sat on the footstool at the foot of my bed, crossed one leg over the other, and leaned back, settling in for a conversation.
I circled my finger in her direction. “This feels very much like an imposition.”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “It is, now tell me about this man who wants you to strip for him.”
My mouth dropped open and I grinned, rolling my eyes. She had listened to my entire call. She and I were truly best friends and I told her pretty much everything. My mother had a lot of insider information about my life, not as much as Koa, but not because I didn’t feel like I could tell her those things. I simply believed some stuff needed to remain in the friend vault.
“The man I sold the million dollar house to.” I sighed, taking a seat next to her and turning my face toward hers.
“The basketball player?” She frowned slightly and I nodded.
“Please don’t judge. I know what it looks like and…”
Her hand dropped to where mine were clasped in my lap and she covered them to stop me. “Sweetheart, I would never judge you.”
“The look you just gave me felt undeniably judgy,” I admitted and she sighed.
“That wasn’t from judgment. It was more of a reservation about who this man is. You mentioned he just signed a contract with the Royals. That’s a huge commitment and I’m sure he’sgoing to invest a lot of time getting settled into that role which means…”
“We’re not dating…” I blurted and she offered an amused look which had me doubling down. “We’re not.”
“You’re my child, Xiah. I know your smiles, your frowns, your tones, your postures. All the simple things that speak to me when you don’t. I can read you just from your eyes.”
“Okay, so…”
Before she said what was on her mind, I knew I was being stubborn. I was trying hard not to verbalize what I was feeling because that meant admitting something I didn’t believe possible or wasn’t confident about.
“Even if you’re not dating this man, you want to. That concerns me for a lot of reasons. Is this thing one sided? Has he expressed that he’s not interested in anything more than the two of you stripping for each other and you’re hanging on to hope that you can change his mind…”
“No…” I shook my head. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“I haven’t talked to him about how I feel or what I want. I’m just kinda goin’ with the flow. I like the flow.” I shrugged and she grinned.
“I’ve seen the man you’re flowing with. There’s a lot to like.”
“Mom…” I warned and she laughed.
“He’s handsome, Xiah. You don’t expect me to not acknowledge that, do you?”
“I don’t expect you to do anything when it comes to him. Did you look him up?”
“No, your father did. He’s really excited about this young man being added to the Royals roster. Apparently he’s really talented and good friends with another player your father likes on the Royals.Tyriq Hill.The two of them played together atCFU. I don’t know his name but your father does and you know how that man is about his sports.” She rolled her eyes.
I grinned. My mother and I were the same. We didn’t hate sports but didn’t seek them out. I had no clue how she’d married a man who was obsessed with them but they worked. I really thought my life would mirror theirs when I married Kaden so maybe part of our failed marriage was on me too. I saw what I wanted to see.
Nope, not doing that. I refuse to blame myself. He’s still an evil narcissistic asshole.
“Does he know about your debacle of a marriage? Is that why you haven’t discussed what you’re doing and just going with the flow?”
“He doesn’t know but that doesn’t have anything to do with it. I messed that up. I believed he was something he wasn’t and I don’t want to do that again. I’m just enjoying this for what it is and I’m also still married. So I don’t have the right to have relationship conversations. No future plans and no commitments until I figure all this out.”
“With how things played out, I assumed we’d end up here. I’ve been prepared to have this talk, so here it goes.” She turned to me. “Your marriage, although legal, isn’t real. You didn’t fail, he failed you. I hate that we didn’t see it but life happens. You can move on with your life. You don’t have to penalize yourself and not entertain the potential for happiness because of that man. You have it figured out, Xiah. He wronged you and you’re ready for the next chapter in your life. If it’s this man, then I support whatever is next. Now your father…” she smiled smugly, “Good luck with this one getting his approval and a chance at your heart.”
I groaned, already knowing. “I know.”
