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“I’m sorry you had to go through all that. There isn’t anything I can say that will make it better, so I won’t try. But know that I like having you here, and so do those kids.”
“Thanks. I like it here too. Those kids need a place like this to come. More often than not, they have a shitty home life or are stuck in a group home, ending up in gangs or worse. I know we can’t help them all, but if we can just get to a few, then I feel like we’re making a difference, no matter how small that might be.”
“So you’ll stay on here? I mean permanently because I’d like to split the classes with you and cover each other when needed.”
“You serious?”
I nod. “The kids need consistency. I come and go all the time, and I can’t guarantee that’s going to change anytime soon. I have a job in a different city, after all. The last thing they need is a series of unfamiliar faces in and out of their lives. They get that enough already.”
“No, you’re right. I’m absolutely down for this. I was even thinking about making a club outside of the gym, maybe using the gym as a sponsor or something?”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“I don’t know, basketball or soccer or something. Anything that will get them involved and working as a team. I want it to be free for the neighborhood kids, so I’m thinking sponsorship and donations would be the best bet.”
“I’m game for both sponsorship and donations, and I know others who can donate too. My only stipulation is that this club is inclusive. A boys’ soccer club is great, but what about the girls, you know?”
“There’ll be something for everyone. It never crossed my mind to exclude anyone. I think, depending on the level of interest, we’ll need some volunteers too.”
“That’s alright. I can round up some folks. I’ll let you do the legwork on this because I just don’t have the time, but bring me what you have in mind, and we’ll get things sorted for you.”
He leans over and kisses my cheek. “You’re a hell of a woman, Mal.”
“I’m not. I just know what it’s like for these kids. Hell, I was one of these kids. I was lucky to have people step up and guide me, even if it was only in the small ways I would let them. Without that, I’d probably be dead now.”
“You’re paying it forward,” he says quietly. “I get that.” And I suspect he does, more than anyone.
“The world would be a much better place if we all did that, don’t you think?”
He doesn’t answer, but he wraps his arm around my shoulders and tugs me until my head rests against him.
“Go out with me.”
I sigh, turning my head to look up at him. “My life is so complicated right now. You should find yourself a white picket fence girl.”
“I had a white picket fence girl. She ran at the first sign of trouble and took my best friend with her.”
I wince at his words. Talk about kicking a man when he’s down.
“You, however, don’t strike me as the kind of girl who runs at the first sign of trouble.”
“Well, that’s not exactly true. I just usually end up running toward it,” I admit, making him grin.
“Go out with me.”
“Look, I’m kind of seeing someones.”
“You’re seeing someone’s what? Brother, sister, father?” he questions, looking confused.
“Someones. As in, I’m seeing someone, but there are more than one of them.” I bite my lip and wait to see how he reacts.
His eyes move over my face, then pause. “Blink, Vega, and Graves?”
I nod slowly.
“Huh.” He doesn’t say anything else. There is no judgement, but I’m not sure the “huh” is a good thing.
“Well, if you already have three men, what harm is there in adding one more?”
