Page 81 of Sweet Girl
Epilogue
Mid-May
“Do you have any idea how much shit your parents will flip when you tell them that you’re going to live with Ky-Ky?”
I give Carver a sideways glance, wincing a little as I lift my end of the couch. He’s helping me move out of the dorm and into my new apartment in Scottsdale.
It’s crazy to think how much has changed in my life in the matter of a few short months. We went into the post-season on a winning streak, ended up making our way into the NCAA tournament, but were eliminated in the Regional semi-finals when we were clobbered by Gonzaga. It was a pitiful game.
We were playing in Seattle at the Key Arena, and were up by five when Carver went in for a lay-up and was elbowed in the face by another player. Ended up breaking his nose and knocking out one of his front teeth. He had to be rushed to an emergency dentist during the game and never returned to play. Needless to say, he was uncharacteristically sullen and angsty after he got patched up and we made our way back to Phoenix. I knew it had to be more than just the game, but I didn’t know what.
“Telling my parents will be difficult, and they will definitely have an issue with it based on their religious beliefs, but they also know and love Kylah. And I’m an adult, with a degree and new career. I have my own life to lead now. The harder conversation will be with Allan and Kristine Griffin.”
Over Spring Break, Kylah made the decision to transfer from Harvey Mudd to ASU in the fall. She’d met with the admissions counselors and gotten everything in order. The only remaining discussion was to tell her folks she was transferring and that she wouldn’t need to live at home or in the dorms come fall. Her mom and new stepdad, John, were throwing a summer graduation bash for Cade next week and we’d decided to tell them all then.
The good thing about the timing was that it would be overshadowed by another announcement. Cade had already informed us that he was going to propose to Ainsley at the BBQ, which would certainly take the heat off of Kylah’s announcement.
With sweat dripping down our backs, we hoist the couch into the moving truck. A few more items to pack up and then I’d be driving it to my new apartment where Kylah was already organizing dishes in the cupboards. It made me smile knowing in a few months it would become her kitchen, too.
“I don’t know what you’re grinning about, dude, because we’ve still got a few loads before we finish. And then you promised me a twelve-pack.”
Waving him off, we head back up the stairs to my room.
“So what do you think about Cade? Isn’t it crazy that he’s going to be a married man in the next year?”
Carver lets go of a scoffing laugh. “Idiot. Why the fuck is he rushing into something like that? No man should settle down this soon after college graduation.”
I lift my eyebrows at his disparaging remark. I take what Carver says with a grain of salt. He’s always been anti-love, anti-relationship. I don’t really know why. It just seems like there’s a story there. But for him at this time in his life, I get it. He’s getting ready for the upcoming NBA draft day.
“He’s in love and wants to settle down. I get that. Not like you...you’ll have tons of hot females following you around once you go pro.”
“Damn straight I will. Getting pussy anytime I want, in every city I go.” He winks suggestively.
As we wait for the elevator to return so we can move my desk, I ask him the question on my mind lately.
“You going up to Washington for a visit before draft day? Don’t you have family back there?”
Carver’s back stiffens noticeably.
“Maybe. Not sure. Next question.”
“Don’t you have to go back to that oral surgeon for the veneer or whatever the hell you need to get for your teeth?”
When Cade got his tooth knocked out, they replaced it with some sort of temporary bridge or something like that. Carver had to go in to have the permanent structure secured and didn’t have the time until he was done with school.
“Technically, I can have the work done anywhere. But yeah, I have an appointment for next week.”
“So you are going back to Seattle. But you’re not going to see your family?”
I know I’m digging, and I’m not really sure why. Maybe it’s because I feel like I don’t know Carver as much as I do my other friends. He only shows us certain aspects of his character. The captain of the team on the court, and the player off the court. And now that we’ll all be going our separate ways, and Carver most likely being picked up on a professional team, our friendships will be scattered in every direction.
The elevator doors open up and we set the couch down, both stretching out our backs and necks in the process. Moving is hard work, even when you’re athletic.
Carver tilts his head and glares at me.
“What’s your deal? Why so interested in who I’m going to see when I’m back home?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. It just seems like you’re hiding something, man. You never talk about your family. I mean, you know everything about mine – even Dougie. But I don’t even know if you have siblings.”
