"I'm serious. You could learn something by trying to be more like your brother."
"Sure. What are you talking about with Kayla?"
"I'm talking about the fact that I had to read in a magazine in the checkout lane that my sweet Kayla was pregnant! I can't believe you, White Hall. You should have at least told the family what was going on."
"Mom, I have no idea what you're talking about here, and Kayla is definitely not pregnant."
"She's not?"
"She's definitely not. It's not even possible," I tell her.
"Well, shit. Maybe I should tell you to be more like Gray. He seems fertile enough since he met CC."
"Mom, would you please explain where you heard about me and Kayla?"
"I did, dear. Though you were probably playing with your make-believe pussy and didn't listen."
"Mom—"
"It's in all the gossip rags and on that horrible television show that says it’s all about entertaining news, but in reality is just a place for junk reality television that rots brain cells."
"You're fucking kidding me?"
"No. I'm pretty sure if we have a zombie apocalypse, the origins will be traced back to that TV channel. You can't keep brain cells alive and active watching—"
"Not about the TV, Mom," I growl, reaching for my remote. It takes me a few minutes to find the channel she's talking about. Some mindless reality TV show is on that I've never taken the time to watch and upon threat of death, probably never will. I keep scrolling through the channels. Sadly, I find what I need on the sports channel.
"Did you find it?" I hear Mom say in my ear, but I don't pay attention to her. I've forgotten all about my phone because there on the sports news is a picture of me and Kayla.
We're standing outside of the family clinic building. The picture is grainy and obviously been snapped with a cellphone—probably dear old Gladys's. It's after Gladys left. I remember. It was right after I told Kayla that she was mine. With this picture though, I see something I didn't before. Or fuck, maybe I'm just seeing it now because I'm lonely, horny, and want it to be there. I see pleasure. Does she like being called mine?
"Mom, I'll have to call you back," I say into the phone, my eyes glued to the screen. She's arguing in the background, but I ignore it and hang up. I know I'm going to have hell to pay for that, but I can't help it. I have the strongest fucking urge to jack off doing nothing but looking at Kayla's face on my television and seeing the pleasure in her eyes when she's looking at me. Before I can pause my TV, however, I make the mistake of turning up the volume.
"White Lucas has been off the field for a couple months. Speculation is that the star quarterback might never return due to an injury he received last season. White was benched the first part of the season because his throwing arm seemed weak and off the mark. He was permanently sidelined a month later by the general manager and has been consulting with team doctors. The injury however, doesn't seem to be keeping White from other endeavors. This photo was released late last night by celebrity gossip magazine the Snitch. The photo shows Lucas standing with a woman in front of a local family planning clinic in Dallas. The source for the Snitch tells us that White is definitely playing this one close to the vest, however. In fact, very close. Apparently the woman in the picture is, in actuality, White's stepsister, and they've been dating for a year. That's keeping it in the family a little too much for us, but who are we to judge? Could there be a baby on the way for the pro-baller? Let's hope the little bundle of joy doesn't take after his father when it comes to weak arms. The general manager for the team had no comment at this time. In other news—"
I turn the TV off, then throw my remote across the room. I watch it slam against the wall and smash into a hundred pieces.
It does nothing to make me feel better.
CHAPTER 25
KAYLA
"I'm sorry, Ms. Graham. We hate to do this, but I'm sure you can understand our position."
"No. I'm afraid I don't, Principal Blake."
"We're a small private school, Ms. Graham. Our parents pay for their child's education with the understanding that in doing so, they are guaranteeing their child will receive the utmost learning potential and care."
"Has my ability to teach these children been inadequate? The last time I checked my performance review, my parents were all happy."
"There's an issue of morality, Ms. Graham."
"Excuse me?"
"You signed a morality contract. The type of press you have been receiving is not in line with that."
"Press? I'm sorry, Mr. Blake, I have no idea what you're talking about. It was my understanding that this weekend was about a teaching retreat to reward for our performance—not about me losing my job."