He sighs and comes into the living room, but sits on the loveseat instead of next to me on the couch. This can’t be good. Maybe Ishould’vegone home first.
Damon grips the fabric of his shorts, opening and closing his fists.
“I…” He clears his throat and starts again. “I ran into Andre before your trip. Well, the day of, since you wound up leaving early.”
“Yeah,” I say slowly, worry sending a knot between my shoulders. “You told me that when I first called from the airport.”
“Right.” He clears his throat again. He’s looking everywhere but at me, and I’m getting more and more anxious. What the fuck did Andre say?
“Well, he mentioned that he broke things off with Julie. He said he’d been hanging out with your dad, and your dad said—”
“Mydadsaid?” I ask, incredulous.
“Yeah. He said that he and your dad are really close. That your dad wants you two to get back together.”
I scoff.
“Lucky for me, it’s not his decision.”
Damon shakes his head in frustration.
“And I get that, but he also said your dad would never accept me. That if you’re serious about me and this isn’t some passing fling, I would’ve met your family by now.”
“You have!” I insist. “I brought Jeremiah to the exhibition game.”
“Oh.” He shrugs slightly. “Right. Well, I meant, like, yourimmediatefamily.”
I frown, my patience wearing thin.
“I already told you, my dad and I aren’t on the best terms. I’m still getting to know my stepmom. You think they get to decide who I’m serious with?”
“I…I don’t know,” he mutters. “We have fun together. We hang out all the time. Itfeelsreal. But Andre keeps popping up. He’s everywhere we go.”
He stands up, pacing.
“And there are always cameras around! Reporters shouting questions. Posts and comments about who you should be with. I’ve had the displeasure of reading some, and most people don’t understand why you’re with a high school basketball coach when an R&B star is trying to win you back!”
“But you know, right?” I whisper, the fist wrapped around my heart making it hard to breathe. “That it doesn’t justfeelreal, itisreal?”
Damon rakes his fingers through his spiky hair. He’s due for a shave, but he and the team decided not to cut their hair as long as their winning streak lasts.
“It’s just…a lot to deal with. You yourself said you weren’t looking for anything serious when we started. What if, deep down, you still aren’t?”
I stand, gathering my purse. I will not let him see me break down. Not when I’m this furious with him. How could he think it was an act? How could he think I’d go back to Andre when he knows the truth?
Damon jumps up, following me to the door.
“Wait! You’re leaving? We aren’t going to talk about this?”
He reaches for me, but pulls back his hand when I step away.
“I’m tired. I’m going home to sleep for twenty-four hours straight.”
“Kendra, please. I’m not saying things right. Please let me explain.”
“You explained yourself just fine. Plenty of guys can’t deal with the cameras, the constant scrutiny. It’s why a lot of celebrities choose to date other celebrities.”
Damon starts to speak, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand.
