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“What? Too much?” Titus asked, stealing a glance at me from the road.
I huffed satirically.
“Okay, it’s too much right now. Just like how a perfect Hail Mary pass might be too much to expect the first time you picked up a football. But, you could throw a short pass, right? And if the receiver stepped further back each time and you kept practicing, eventually you’d have it.”
“So, you’re saying that if I had practiced, I would have been able to tell Merri how I felt?”
“I’m saying that if you practice, you still could,” he said with a smile.
“How does one practice opening up?”
Titus tightened his lips, searching for a reply.
“You start with little things like compliments. How often do you give people compliments?”
“I give them when I think people deserve them.”
“Which I’m assuming is not very often?”
I chuckled.
“I’m only assuming that because I’ve never heard one from you. So, I’m hoping that’s the case.”
“What are you talking about? I compliment you all the time.”
“Name once.”
I opened my mouth and then chuckled.
“Don’t worry. I don’t take it personally. It’s just who you are.”
“But, you shouldn’t have to make excuses for my being a bad brother.”
“I didn’t say that. You’re the best brother I could’ve hoped for. Don’t tell Cali, but you’re my favorite,” he said, blushing.
“Thanks.” I paused. “You too.”
Titus looked at me and leadingly asked, “Me too, what?”
“You want me to say it?” I asked him, confused.
“Yes, Claude! That’s the point of what I was saying. You need to practice it. And since I’m picking you up, making me obviously a great brother, this should be a short pass.”
“You’re a good brother, too,” I conceded.
Titus smiled. “Thanks, Claude. I really appreciate you saying it.”
“Well, it’s true,” I confirmed. “You’ve been a good brother to me.”
“Thanks. So, how painful was that to say?”
“It wasn’t that bad,” I admitted.
“Now, do that a thousand more times and in a few years, you might be able to tell Merri he has great hair,” Titus teased.
“Fuck you,” I joked.
“What? Too much. How about satisfactory hair? Do you think in a couple of years, you might be able to work up to that?”
