Chapter 8 - Kaeli
Eight
Kaeli
I’m on my morning run when my phone rings. Tapping on one of the AirPods, I accept the call, not halting my feet as I run around the traffic-free streets of Jamaica Plain at seven in the morning.
Roman’s voice greets me, bringing a smile to my face. “Hey, my favorite baby sister!”
I chuckle at his goofiness. He’s the total opposite of me in more ways than one. While I’m taking a jog outside, I’m not athletic, whereas he’s the epitome of one. He’s an athlete by profession, for god’s sake.
I’m an introvert and like to keep my cards close to my vest. But my older brother is the definition of a golden retriever. He’s always laughing, making friends wherever he goes. He’s also attentive and the sweetest man I know. He shows his love and care with both his words and actions.
He always looked out for me when I was younger, backing me up whenever I needed. And that’s precisely why I needed to leave Seattle, my home city. I knew that if I wanted to do something on my own, I had to leave and not use my brother’s influence to build the life I desired.
No one knows that the Roman Reed is related to me. And as proud as I am of my brother and his achievements, I prefer it that way.
“I’m your only sister, big brother,” I remind him with a laugh.
“Semantics.” I shake my head at him fondly, even though he can’t see it.
“Why’d you call?” Curiosity gets the best of me as I take a turn to head home.
He must’ve heard my labored breathing because he questions, “Are you running?”
“Yeah, I’m on a jog. Needed a change of scenery.
” My apartment feels too empty, and it keeps reminding me how lonely I am with no friends or a partner.
And even though I miss you and our parents, I can’t live under your shadow and do something on my own.
I don’t say any of it, knowing it’ll hurt him, and he’s not at fault.
“I see.” I can picture him nodding. “How’s the prep going?”
My brows furrow at his question. “What do you mean? What prep?”
“The Boston Bandits are organizing a community event this weekend, no?” He clarifies.
“You’re keeping tabs on me, big brother? Not cool.” I try to sound stern but fail miserably.
“Hell yeah, I am. How else would I know what’s going on in your life?” At his words, a wave of guilt rolls over my body. I know he’s right. I’ve basically stopped updating my family on what’s going on in my life.
Still, I make a flimsy excuse. “I’ve been busy.”
“Uh-huh,” he says, indicating he doesn’t believe my bullshit for a second.
Roman and I have always been close. I used to tell him almost everything.
He was both my brother and sister. If I needed any advice, I went to him instead of our mom.
So, I understand that my radio silence must be hard on him.
“We just met up when I was in Seattle with the team, Roman,” I remind him, hoping that he’ll let it go.
“Yes, we did. All night we talked about me, and you barely told me anything about you,” he points out. It’s clear my behavior has bothered him. He’s sensitive. He tries not to hurt anyone’s feelings, but that’s because he feels deeply.
I heave a sigh, knowing I’m in the wrong. “I’m sorry. I’ll make more effort, I promise.”
“That’s all I want,” his voice crackles through the earphones.
Keeping in line with my promise, I tell him, “The prep for the event is going great. The kids will have a lot of fun with what the staff and management have planned. I’m also working on this amazing social media content project for Ezra Moore–”
My brother interrupts me at the mention of his name, “Is this the same Ezra who was burning holes through the back of my skull that time at Holly’s?”
“Yep.”
I remember that day very clearly. The last time the team was in Seattle and scored a win, the team and the staff headed over to Holly’s. And since I was in the city, I called Roman, as usual.
But Ezra’s glare had me too aware of my surroundings; no amount of Roman talking could distract me from his eyes on me. I was worried that he might break the glass of IPA in his hand. But thankfully, Noah leaned in and said something to him to stop him from glaring at us.
Roman’s voice cackles in my ears. “God, what’s the dude’s problem? Does he have a crush on you or something? Because I swear, I would’ve turned to dust a hundred times over if looks could kill.” I roll my eyes at his over-dramatic response.
Even the thought that Ezra might like me is so absurd that I scoff. “With the way he looks at me like he’d rather I didn’t exist, it doesn’t exactly scream that he likes me. So, no. Your theory is absolute rubbish. He hates me, and I hate him.”
“You sure?” he probes in such a Roman fashion.
Suddenly, Ezra’s very thick thighs and hard muscles flicker through my mind. I’m glad Roman is not in front of me, or he would’ve easily spotted my flushed skin. I shake my head to rid myself of thoughts of a certain man’s certain body parts.
“Yep,” I add with a little extra chipper voice.
We talk for the time it takes me to reach home, and then I head over for a shower to get ready to leave for the arena.
By the time I reach the Bandits’ arena, people are buzzing around.
No one stands by idly. The community event is a big deal not only for the team but also for the people who will attend it, especially children.
Keeping that in mind, I get to work instantly and create content to post, and add a note to get some great photos and clips of all the scheduled activities at the event.
The next few days pass by in a blur of meetings upon meetings and jotting down ideas for all the content we can shoot and post. And soon it’s D-day.
* * *
My gaze flicks to the wall clock hanging in my bedroom as I give myself a final touch-up for today by applying the deep red lipstick, before I leave the confines of my home. Though it’s more of a place where I come to sleep since I’m the only one here.
Even the plant I have is of a cactus variety because I know I’m not home much and have no one to take care of it in my absence or when I’m away with the team for their games.
At the thought of it, I glance at the small pink bucket holding the succulent through the mirror. I kept the plant on my window ledge, hoping that at least it would have the sunlight it needed to grow.
This plant was actually a gift from Stacy. I still remember that day clearly. It was on the third day of my job with the Bandits when I found this by my locker because I still didn’t have an office yet.
There was also a handwritten note with the plant.
It brought a smile to my face, hoping that this might be the start of a new friendship.
The note said, ‘Congratulations on getting the internship. ’ And though there was no name mentioned, I knew it was from Stacy because I saw her leave the locker room with a smile as I entered.
That small gesture was enough to make my entire week. I haven’t really had girlfriends or even friends for that matter who made any effort for me or gave a damn about me. I’ve only ever had selfish relationships and people around me.
The ringing of my phone snaps me out of my fond memory. I spy its screen lighting with an incoming call from the mirror. Sitting up straight, I give myself one last look in the reflective surface as I straighten out my suit and head over to where the phone is on my bed.
Seeing that it’s Jodi calling, I look at the time. “Shit,” I curse out loud when I see that if I don’t leave within the next minute, I’ll be late.
Accepting the call, I hold the phone between my shoulder and ear as I pick up my black purse and check it for my Bandits’ ID and essentials, including a lipstick and bandages. A woman’s purse is like a Mary Poppins bag. You’ll find most things you might need in it, no matter the size.
“Hey, Jodi,” I say as I close the purse and sling it over my shoulder by the strap.
Her nervous voice comes through the other end, “Hello, ma’am. So sorry to bother you, and I know I shouldn’t have called. You could’ve been driving, but–this was a bad idea. I’m sorry. Nevermi–”
My tone softens when I realize that she’s freaking out right now. That’s how Jodi is. Talented but unsure of herself. I want her to realize her own potential and believe in herself. And one of these days, I’ll get her to do so.
“Jodi. Jodi, listen to me. Stop rambling. It’s okay, now breathe with me,” I instruct her as I slide my feet into my red-bottom heels and scurry to the door.
Picking up the keys to my car from the bowl on the entrance table, I ask once she has calmed down and taken a breather, “Now, tell me. What happened?”
“Ma’am, the singer you asked me to arrange for today’s event, Sonia,” Jodi hesitates.
Locking the front door, I’m in my red Subaru brZ in seconds as I key the ignition for the car. “Yes, what about her?” I ask, not understanding what she’s getting at.
She takes a deep breath as if to muster courage and spills, “I mixed up the schedule, and now she’s booked for a week later.”
Fuck, I’m screwed.