Xavier FINAL(4)

     I also made sure they knew I wasn’t hiding. I was still gonna go to the shop and work when I could. Not just because I missed it but because there was a crazy amount of talent that walked in and out of Forever Steel’s doors.

     ~

     I was sitting on the floor putting on a fashion show with Bella and a crew of Barbie’s. I’m not gonna lie, it was fun. Bella was a riot. So full of imagination and life.

     That was the hardest conversation I had. She cried real tears. She even offered to play more of the things I wanted to play. I told her I’d be back for her birthday and that we could talk every day.

     The night before I left, I packed a lunch and she and I bundled up and had a picnic on the patio. When we were done I pulled out the Barbie she used when she played her and the Ken doll who apparently reminded her of me.

     I held him up and moved him as if he were speaking. “You know we can still talk every day right?”

     “Yes I do. We can face time.” She forced a smile and it upset me.

     “No fake smiles.” My Ken said.

     “I’m plastic. What do you expect?” She forced it again.

     “I’m gonna miss you too Bella Doll.”

     “Sometimes we have to do what we have to do Xavier Doll. I get it.”

     ~

     A week and a half later when the plane landed in Jersey all I could think was, thank God I’m home. And the first place I was going was Forever Steel.





Chapter 2



     Harvard Goodbyes



     Daniel and I met three years ago when he and I were at the same party. He was drunk, so was I. I’m not the type of girl who just lays down with anyone. Well, I may have been, but being raised with three older brothers and a father who is a detective in Boston, doesn’t really allow you the luxury of dipping your feet in the sex pool. Sure I had played around but never had actually had sex.

     Growing up with three brothers who were very protective of me was a good thing when we were younger. My two oldest brothers are two years older than I am and twins. My younger brother is two years younger. We played well together when we were kids, Cops and Robbers, Cowboys and Indians, and with action figures. We loved to play all types of sports. I also learned real quickly how to fight. We always had a great time.

     Then I sprouted boobs and began going through the hormonal changes that girls go through. It was interesting back then to see while I was going through the change so were my brothers. Their friends changed too. Any boy I looked they brought over, ended up with a black eye and seemingly disappeared from their lives soon after that. Odd? I thought so until I figured out through a note I received in school from one of the boys who no longer came over. He asked if I would like to be his secret friend. Weird? Nope. I mentioned it to my brother Kaen and that boy had a black eye the next day and wouldn’t even look at me.

     What’s the female version of cock blocking? Poon goons, clam jam, the pussy police or what I call it, the K.G.P. My brothers; Kaen, Keller, and Grady Patrick. Each stood almost a foot taller than me and each had no business messing with my growth and development. But I loved them just the same.

     It was hard on them when I went to college. Mom tried her best to help me out. I wanted a new look and boy, did I get it. My brothers went crazy and my mother defended me, even against my father’s wishes.

     I looked like a girl now. Clothes that fit, make-up, and heels. Don’t get me wrong, I was still a Patrick down deep but now I could be Taelyn without three brothers, who would have preferred I was going off to a convent instead of college.

     I was a virgin until Daniel. He loved my brothers even more because ‘my flower’ was still intact. He told me so the first drunken night we spent together. He also assured me he wasn’t afraid of them. That night he touched me, all above the waist touches. I wasn’t so perfect, my hands went south and he didn’t stop me.

     After that night he courted me. He said I deserved it. He wanted to be romantic, all brought on by virtuous me. I was pleased that I had my virginity to give to him. He was in awe of such a notion. I wasn’t used to such a gentleman. I loved it though. Flowers, dinners, walks in central park while holding hands, and picnics.