Somebody to Love Read online

  “So, your brothers knew about your plan, and what, think it’s still going on? Why?” Before I could answer, he added. “They’re assholes, by the way, especially the big one.”

  “I know, and yeah they do because that’s what I led them to believe. My brother Baz, he has this weird obsession with my love/sex life.”

  “Baz the big one?”

  “Yeah. He says he’s looking out for me, but sometimes he can be…invasive to say the least. He thinks I’m soft when it comes to women, so I didn’t want him to know about Kirby.”

  Jayson’s face twisted into a frown. “Pardon my French, but who gives a shit what he thinks? It’s your life.”

  Didn’t have an answer for that. Sometimes I didn’t know why I let Baz’s opinion matter so much.

  Jayson was up again, leaning forward on the bed with his arms on his knees. “On to the more important questions. You like this girl? Like for real like her?”

  His question gave me pause. Must have been some alternate reality for me to be conversing with Jayson Adams about anything, let alone sex and relationships. “We’re friends.”

  To that he laughed, hard. “Where have I heard that one before?” He continued to chuckle, shaking his head. “Listen man, take my advice and make her yours before you lose her to some fuck boy.”

  I shot a glare at him. “Still an asshole, huh?”

  “Kidding.” He held up a hand. “But for real, don’t follow in my footsteps. Denial is a powerful drug, but the ramifications just ain’t worth it. If you like her, tell her. Hell, kiss her. Just don’t tell her you were drunk afterwards.” He shook his head, at himself I presumed. “Basically, just don’t be an idiot.”

  I gave a nod to acknowledge his advice then set my book aside. He went back to his reading and I sat mulling over all that had been said tonight. Over everything that had transpired since meeting Kirby. But mostly I thought about her beautiful face and what it would be like to hold her in my arms as something more than a friend.

  Chapter Twenty - Four

  ~ Kirby ~

  I was a punk. A huge one. Several days had passed since Esme’s suggestion of me inviting Keem to go out off campus and I’d yet to summon the courage to do so. A few times the question had been on the tip of my tongue, but then he’d do something like look at me and I’d go mute. Either that or go babbling on about something even I didn’t care about.

  I don’t know why I was so nervous. It wasn’t like I was asking him on a date. We were friends. Best friends, he’d said. And I was his only one. That made me a little sad for him. Esme had been my only friend for a long time, and she was great, but sometimes it was a little lonely having only one. Keem and I hadn’t known each other very long so that meant before me he hadn’t had any. It was hard to understand why though when he was so great. Who wouldn’t want to be his friend?

  Since discovering I was his only friend, I’d made a promise to myself to be the best one ever. Cheer him up when he felt sad. Be there in his times of need. Assure him of how amazing he was even when he didn’t feel it. I’d be his Esme.

  Something touched my shoulder and I jumped.

  “Boo!”

  My heart beat double time but not because I was scared. He was touching me. Him doing that never failed to make me come undone.

  He laughed near my ear, leaning over me now. “Did I scare you?”

  I breathed in his clean, masculine scent and became lightheaded. I nodded and pushed out a slow breath, glancing over at him. He’d gotten his hair lined up today and his facial hair was neatly groomed. He always did that on Thursdays. He’d probably done so just before coming here because he still smelled of aftershave.

  There were times I wished he wouldn’t get so close. It teased me to no end. But then, being near him was like a natural intoxication, and it was a high I never wanted to come down from.

  Still smiling, he went to his side of our table and set his books down. “How was your day, Sunshine?”

  “Good.” So much better now.

  “Glad to hear. My day was pretty good too. Got an A on that assignment I was stressin’ about.”

  I smiled, picking my pen up. “That’s great. I knew you would.”

  He seemed to be smiling a lot more today than usual. “Finals are next month. Gonna be ready?”

  Sighing, I leaned my cheek on my fist. I wasn’t looking forward to taking more tests. Those are what stressed me. I didn’t do well under pressure. “Seems like we just took midterms.”

  “That’s because we did,” he chuckled. “Last month.”

  I twisted my lips to the side. “College moves so much faster than high school.”

  “I know. I can’t believe next semester is my last at university. I still have to take my masters, but it’s crazy how fast it all went.”

  In that moment it dawned on me, Keem wasn’t going to be here next year. He was graduating. I sat up straight. Well, almost, my shoulders were kinda slumped with the realization that next year my second best friend and crush would be gone. Only thing is, I didn’t know where.

  “Have you decided where you’re doing your masters?” He’d mentioned before that it wouldn’t be in River Crest. We hadn’t been that close back then, so I guess it hadn’t really registered that he’d be leaving. Now though, it felt like my chest might cave in.

  He sat back in his chair with a small shrug. “I’d had it narrowed down to a few schools, one in Cali. But that was when there was nothing worth staying for. Now that I got something holding me here…I don’t know.”

  My gaze lifted from where it had dropped when he’d mentioned California. “There’s…something holding you here?”

  He caught my gaze and held it to a point that would’ve been uncomfortable if it were anyone but him. “Yeah. A very incredible something.”

  ~ ♥ ~

  We walked side by side, to Esme’s dorm as usual. It was getting really cold now, would snow soon, but beside him was the warmest place in the world.

  “Keem?”

  “Yes, Sunshine?”

  My heart started going crazy again. “Um…this weekend…are…are you um…are you busy?”

  He shifted my books that he was carrying to one arm and took my hand, pulling me closer to him as someone zipped by us on a skateboard. “I work Sunday, Saturday too, but only for four hours. Why? Did you wanna do something?”

  I smiled, nodded, happy he’d asked the question that had been giving me anxiety for days.

  “What did you have in mind?”

  Uh oh. “Um…” Biting my lip, I looked up at him and gave a little shrug. I’d tried to think of some adult activities we could do, but hadn’t been able to come up with any. I had no idea what adults did for fun, I was just barely one after all.

  He chuckled. “I’ll think of something.”

  Yay. “Kay.”

  When we made it to Esme’s door, Keem gave me my books and then a hug. I guessed he hugged his friends because he’d been doing that a lot lately. I wasn’t complaining.

  “Later, Sunshine.”

  “Bye, Keem.”

  ~ ♥ ~

  The weekend came sooner than expected and Keem, like me, hadn’t come up with anything new either. He’d be picking me up soon to have lunch at Angelo’s, which was fine, but I’d really been looking forward to something different.

  I buttoned up my yellow pea coat then pulled on the matching hat and gloves. The weather report on my phone said there was a chance of snow. That news made me kind of sad. It meant autumn was coming to an end and soon there’d be no more pretty leaves to crunch under my feet while I walked to class. I didn’t mind the snow as much as most, but it was ugly once it got all dirty from being driven and walked in.

  Soon there was a knock on the door and I smiled. Esme was out with another of her friends. That used to bother me, but now that I had Keem it was okay. I’d never admitted it to her, but sometimes I liked being with him more.

  When I opened the door, my smile grew.
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  Keem stood with a smile on his face, a mustard yellow scarf around his neck. Lately, on occasion, he’d incorporate something yellow into his outfit. There was also a yellow bracelet on his wrist. One of those rubber kinds that were super popular once upon a time. He wore that every day.

  In the car, I nodded my head to the music playing from his phone connected to the stereo. We had similar tastes. James Arthur crooned about never letting go and I couldn’t help but share his sentiment. Maybe not the love part. Of that I wasn’t sure. But I knew I never wanted to let go of Keem. Not ever.

  We passed Angelo’s without slowing. I watched it fade away over my shoulder then faced him with a frown. “I thought we were going to Angelo’s.”

  There was a one-sided smile on his face. “We are, later, but first I wanna take you somewhere else.”

  “Where?”

  He glanced at me, biting his lip, still smiling, sexy as ever. “It’s a surprise.”

  An involuntary gasp left my mouth. “I love surprises!”

  “I know you do, Sunshine.” He reached over, took my hand and gave it a squeeze.

  I could barely sit still I was so filled with anticipation. Not to mention he had yet to let go of my hand. His was so warm and mine was so small clasped in his.

  The drive was a long one and each passing moment I grew more anxious.

  “Are we almost there?”

  He chuckled, finally pulling his hand free to make a left turn. “Soon, Sunshine.”

  I stared out of the window at unfamiliar buildings. We were in a nice neighborhood. Nicer even than River Crest. I didn’t leave there much so I’d never explored any of the surrounding cities. About five minutes ago we’d passed a sign declaring that we’d entered Bridge Pointe.

  Finally, we pulled up to a line of store fronts and parked. The connected buildings were all brick and light beige. There was what looked like an independent clothing store, a sweets shop, and a place that took up the rest of the space that could have fit four more smaller businesses. I Graffiti style moniker hung above with the name: The Loft.

  Inside the floor to ceiling window I could see people. Some at desks and some moving about. I jumped when my door opened. I hadn’t even noticed Keem climb out and come around to my side. He held out his hand to me and when I took it he helped me out.

  Keem fed the parking meter an hours’ worth of quarters then led me toward The Loft.

  “What is this place?”

  “It’s a shared office for young entrepreneurs. My older sister rents a space here. She’s a vlogger.”

  I looked up at him. “You have an older sister?”

  He chuckled while holding the door open for me. “A couple actually. From my dad’s first marriage. Juliet was living in London with her boyfriend. They broke up, so she moved back here.”

  I immediately warmed from the heat inside. Outside was freezing.

  “London? That’s so…posh.”

  He laughed at my statement and I giggled a little myself, until his arm looped around my waist. Then I was too focused on breathing and making sure to put one foot in front of the other on jelly legs.

  The office space was ultra-modern, super colorful and huge. Individual desks sat to one side, ten from what I could count. On the other side were long tables were several people worked. And toward the back there were bright blue and yellow sofas, coffee tables, and two flat screen TVs. There was even a small kitchen area!

  Keem walked us to the closest desk where a heavyset, cocoa skinned man sat. “Excuse me, I’m looking for Juliet.”

  Just as the man opened his mouth to respond, a loud, kind of squeaky voice filled the room. “Booooooo!”

  Keem’s head jerked up and everyone in the place turned toward the origin of the voice.

  A tall woman with skin the color of cinnamon moved hastily toward us. Her heels clacked on the tiled floor. When she reached Keem she threw her arms around him. “Baby brother!”

  She pulled away, looking him over. “Look at my boo. You grew up! And got so handsome.” She hugged his neck again then began sprinkling kisses on his cheeks.

  He craned his neck back, laughing and trying to pry her off. “Chill, Jewls. You’re worse than Mom.”

  She finally let go and he straightened his glasses, shaking his head. “I can’t help that I missed you. Gosh you’re so handsome.” She pinched his cheek. “And I would’ve saw you weeks ago if you were ever home,” she said, swatting his chest.

  I hid a giggle behind my hand at their sibling antics. My sisters and I never behaved that way with one another. Not in a very long time anyway.

  Juliet’s attention flew to me and her eyes brightened. Without looking away from me, she spoke to Keem. “Is this her?”

  Her? Me? Was I her? What her?

  I looked at Keem. He was looking at me, smiling.

  “Yeah.”

  Juliet gasped. “OMG! She’s as cute as a button. Scratch that, she’s gorgeous. Look at you, bro.” she punched his shoulder lightly.

  Heat blazed across my cheeks. She thought I was gorgeous? With her flawless skin, hazel eyes, and curves, she was easily the most beautiful woman in the whole place. I was pretty sure I had a girl crush. She was so tall and in her business attire, looked so sophisticated.

  Thick brown curls with golden highlights bounced around her smiling face as she turned to me again. “Keem told me all about you when we spoke on the phone the other day.”

  “H-he did?” Keem talked about me to his sister? All about me?

  “Yup, first I heard about you, even though you’ve been together for weeks.”

  Together!

  “No. We…we’re not…”

  “Oh, that’s right. You’re…friends.” She raised a perfectly manicured brow at Keem.

  His mouth lifted in a one-sided smile. “Maybe if you were ever home,” he rebutted.

  She made a face at him. “Hey now, don’t you get cheeky with me.” Soon she smiled again then turned, beckoning us behind her.

  Keem’s arm draped over my shoulder and he leaned down near my ear, his lips almost touching it. “You’re wondering why we’re here.”

  An involuntary shiver worked its way down my spine and heat pooled between my thighs. He really needed to stop touching me this way unless he wanted me to go into cardiac arrest.

  All I could do was nod.

  “Well, when I spoke to Jewls the other day she mentioned that there was someone in her office space who was an animator. She worked it out with them so they could meet with you and maybe show you a few things.”

  I froze for a few seconds then turned to him. “Keem…”

  He only smiled.

  Something took over me then my arms were around his waist, hugging him tight, tears in my eyes.

  He hugged me back equally as tight then smiled again when I looked up at him.

  “Thank you.”

  “Anything for you, Sunshine.”

  “A-hem.” Juliet cleared her throat then smiled at us.

  Keem pulled away then took my hand as we followed her again. He leaned down again, speaking near my ear. “I know you’re not the best with people, so if it gets to be too much just let me know, okay?”

  I nodded, smiling at his consideration. “Kay.”

  We stopped at a desk toward the back. A young black girl sat there. She was petite like me, but her skin was deep dark, like coffee. She had locs that were adorned with pretty beads and shells and was dressed in a Doctor Who graphic tee and jeans.

  She looked up at us with a welcoming smile then stood, hand outstretched to me. “You must be Kirby.”

  I was a little taken aback that she knew my name, then realized Juliet must have told her. “Yes.” I shook her hand. It was freezing cold.

  “I’m Calista. Everyone calls me Cali.” She took her seat again and picked up a clear coffee cup and took a sip. Ice sloshed around as she did. “Jewls tells me you’re an aspiring animator?”

  “Um…” I glanced up at Keem
. “I love animation, I’m not that good at it though.”

  “That’s okay. Gotta start somewhere. Are you self-taught?”

  I nodded.

  She was silent for a minute, clicking a few things on her laptop. “Check this out.”

  We all leaned close as a short animation played on screen. It was only about thirty seconds long but looked very professional. Her style was so different than any I’d seen before. Sleek, but still cartoonish, and appealing to the eyes. I could see kids enjoying it.

  When it finished she smiled. “That’s from a cartoon I’m working on. You guys just got an exclusive look.”

  “Wow.” I was so in awe of her. It was an incredible feeling seeing someone who looked like me doing a thing I longed to do. “Are you self-taught too?”

  “A first, but then I attended Ringling College of Art and Design to hone my skills.”

  My eyes grew wide. “You went to Ringling?” That was my dream school. I’d begged Raina to apply.

  “Yup.” She sipped her cold drink again. “You’re probably wondering, ‘why isn’t she working for one of the top animation studios?’. I thought about it, but I really want to start something of my own. Something that reflects us.”

  I almost gasped. Her career path was almost identical to the one I dreamed of. Part of me wanted to ask her to be my mentor, teach me everything she knew. But another was aware that my dream my not ever come to fruition. Another thing I’d yet to summon the courage to do was talk to Raina.

  Juliet disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a chair for me. She then took Keem by the arm. “Come on, let them talk animation while I catch up with my baby bro some more.”

  Keem looked down at me. “Will you be okay?”

  I thought for a second then nodded. Cali seemed nice and being at university had made me less afraid of people. At least on an individual level.