Black and Blue (13 page)

He shrugged. “Don’t be. It’s how she came into this world.”

“Genetically blind?” my father asked. “That’s quite rare these days.”

“Some of us are born lucky, and some of us aren’t.”

No one was even looking at the food, anymore. Sean took a deep breath and launched into the story of his past. He started with his father and mentioned his mother’s abandonment, but unlike what he had told me, the focus of this story was the sister he had raised from kid to adult.

It was not a story of loss and low beginnings, but one of love and how far you could rise out of the darkness.

“That’s what I think of when I fight,” Sean said, finally. “I’m not gonna lie. I like the sport itself. I like the lights and the people roaring my name. But that’s not what’s brought me up so fast. The reason I push myself is so that I can help set her free from the place I escaped.”

My eyes were misty. Even my Dad had a beleaguered look on him.

“That’s impressive,” he said.

“I’ll do anything for the people I care about,” Sean said. “That’s all I came to tell you today, Mr. Williams. I care about Gabi, and I’ll do what’s right by her. I’m not asking for her hand. Just don’t call a knockout just yet. I think you get that I’m not shooting for the lowest branch on the tree.”

Dad nodded. “I get it.”

“I might not be that educated. Not yet, at least. But I’m dating Gabi right? I’m smart enough to know a good thing when I see it.”

My dad’s grim expression broke into a smile. Mom had to clap her hand over a laugh.

I realized then, way too late, that I was an idiot for thinking any of this mattered. Sean would do anything for me. He had proved it the moment he accepted to be here. We were all just too blind to see, and I was the worst of all.

The meal ended in light chit chat. Regina was very interested in Sean’s match career, and he was happy to go over it in detail. He and my dad had a drink as we cleaned up. I heard them discussing about forces and stresses. Cars and bodies, it was all the same.

My dad left Sean in the living room and came back to the kitchen. All three of us glanced at him as he gripped me by the shoulders.

“That’s a fascinating young man you have there. We shall be watching his career with great interest.”

Dad beamed a thin smile, and I rolled my eyes as I hugged him. “Stars Wars reference? Really?”

Maybe it was simpler than class. Maybe it was simpler than race. Maybe my dad was just a nerd who was annoyed that his daughter was dating a jock.

Sean came up, checking his phone. “Hey, I want to apologize, but I have to go talk with my manager about something.”

“Troy?” I asked.

He nodded and looked past at my family. “It was a very lovely meal, thank you so much.”

“Oh, you’re welcome dear,” my mom said, wrapping him in a tight hug.

“Let us know if you’re in the mood to do it again,” Dad said, holding out a hand.

The two men shook, eye to eye. Sean tossed Gina a wink that withered her, then ticked his head down the hall.

“Walk me out?” he asked.

“Why, it would be my honor,” I said.

I led him out the front door and down the lit walkway to the street.

“That went well, huh?” he said.

“You played your cards right.”

“Yeah, good thing I had that blind sister one up my sleeve.”

“Oh, Sean. No, I didn’t-“

He scooped me into the air for a kiss. “Just kidding, Cadbury.”

I crossed the street with him, still dazed. He climbed into his car and rolled down the window.

“By the way,” he said. “There’s no meeting. I just thought I’d leave and give you some time to simmer over the night.”

“I don’t need time to simmer,” I said. “I never should have, but I’m in a full boil now.”

His hard face lit up with a different sort of hunger. “So…”

“I’m so into you,” I said. “And I’m a hundred percent into this.”

I tipped myself up and planted my lips firmly on his. They pressed back, soft yet unyielding. He was full of strength, curved with lust and possession, but warm with something that promised at a lot more than just a physical connection.

When we pulled away, his eyes were half-lidded like he was dreaming.

“I’m a hundred percent into this too, Cadbury,” he said. “So if you’re ready…”

“I’ll be stopping by later,” I said. “Once I let my parents know that Jada invited me over for the night.”

He grinned and pecked me once more.

“Don’t keep me waiting.”

The window rolled up and he set off into the night. Soon, I would follow. I’d be the one giving chase.

It felt dangerous and exhilarating and wild.

It felt like a future worth heading into.

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