The Realest Ever

Chapter FOURTEEN

HOMECOMING

The following Friday Donovan’s Mad Stallions faced the North Side Steers for their homecoming game. Donovan’s team was on a surprising three game win streak, bringing their record to 3-3. There was magic in the air that night. Many of the fans who were praying to end the season with an even record were now wondering if Western Hills could pull off a winning season.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. North Side’s blitz package completely overwhelmed Donovan’s offense on a few crucial plays that led to two interceptions and a fumble. Donovan’s team lost 26-17. It was a bitter defeat, but the festivities of the homecoming celebration took a little of the sting out of it.

Donovan called Kyra later that night, a little before midnight. She was still awake, eager to hear about tonight’s game. She would’ve gone herself, but Kat was under the weather.

“Hey,” she said. She went to the living room and got comfortable on the sofa. “Sorry about the loss.”

“Oh, you heard already?” Donovan sighed. He sounded exhausted.

“Yeah. I was keeping up with it on the radio. It was close, for a minute there.”

Donovan smiled. “You listened to my game on the radio?”

“Yeah, I’m surprised, too,” Kyra said. “That announcer was boring as hell.”

Donovan laughed. “How’s Kat?”

“She’s actually better now,” Kyra said with a trace of irritation. “She’s eating and everything. I hate that I missed your game.”

“It’s cool,” Donovan said. He yawned. “It’s been a long night.”

“Are you tired? Want me to let you go?”

“No, I’m alright.” Donovan stretched out on his bed. “I’m laying down now. I’m cool.”

Kyra nibbled her thumbnail. She longed to crawl into bed with him.

“So what’s up with your defense there, coach?”

Donovan chuckled. “You realize it wasn’t me out there playing, right?”

“That’s no excuse,” Kyra said. Her smile lit up the darkness. “Your offensive line was playing like they’d never seen a blitz before.”

“Whoa,” Donovan said. “That’s a little harsh.”

“I’m just kidding. That’s what the man on the radio said.”

“The boring guy?”

“Yeah, him.”

“It was still a great night,” Donovan said, closing his eyes. “Everybody was all dressed up. They had the halftime presentations, the homecoming king and queen.”

“I know,” Kyra said. “That’s the main reason I wanted to go. I never went to a homecoming game before.”

“If I wasn’t coaching, I would’ve loved to take you,” Donovan said.

Kyra’s heart danced at the thought of it. Homecoming games had a romantic feel to them – well, that’s what she gathered from the pictures they put in her senior yearbook in Little Rock. The boys and girls got dressed up, and the boys bought their sweetheart a mum with both their names on it. During the game, students would disappear under the bleachers for flirting and smooching and sometimes a little more.

“How have things been going at work?” Donovan asked. “I still feel bad about interfering with your, um, relationship.”

Kyra giggled. “Relationship? Donovan, I was not in a relationship.”

“That was your boyfriend,” he insisted.

“No it wasn’t.”

“You kissed him.”

Kyra’s grin was devilish. “Jealous?”

Donovan felt the heat rising between his legs again. “Yeah. Kinda.”

Kyra sat up straight. Her pulse began to race. He was jealous? Really? What did that mean? They never got this close to talking about how they felt about each other.

“How is it at work with Roland,” Donovan asked. “Does he treat you any different?”

No, don’t change the subject! “He treats me fine,” Kyra said. “I don’t be thinking about him. Um, you were jealous?”

Donovan grinned. “What do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know. But I do think that’s worth talking about, don’t you?”

“Do you think I got mad when you told me about that jerk, because I want you all to myself?”

Kyra’s mouth went dry. Her eyes were wide and anxious. “Did, do, do you?”

“I think we should talk about it,” Donovan said. “But I’d rather do it in person. Hey, I just had a great idea!”

Kyra didn’t think things could get any better. She was on the edge of her seat. “What?”

“Guess who’s having their homecoming game tomorrow night?”

Kyra had no idea. Her brain was still stuck on I think we should talk about it. “Who?”

“Finley High!” Donovan said. “Do you want to go?”

Kyra thought she might pass out from an awesomeness-overload. A homecoming game at Finley High School with Donovan and he wanted to talk about whether he was jealous and wanted her all to himself or not? She couldn’t get her answer out fast enough. “Yes, I want to go! Hell yes!”

“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty. Can you get your aunt to watch the kids?”

“Will this be like, a real date?” Kyra dared to ask.

“I reckon so,” Donovan said. “Wouldn’t be right if I ran your boyfriend off and didn’t offer to take you out myself.”



≈≈≈≈≈≈≈



Donovan showed up the next evening wearing dark pants with a royal blue button down that matched his Finley High School baseball cap. His shirt was short-sleeved, and it was tucked in, showing off his remarkable upper body and slim waist.

Kyra wore a fuchsia dress that dipped low in the back and in the front. The dress wasn’t form fitting, but Kyra’s curves shined through anyway. Her breasts were nice and perky. Her lipstick matched her dress. She grinned at Donovan and blushed when he smiled at her. She felt like a school girl.

“Here, this is for you,” Donovan said, and it was only then that Kyra noticed he had one arm behind his back. He produced a blue and white mum with four-foot streamers that were decorated with little footballs and bells and school specific lettering.

Kyra squealed as she took it from him. This was her very first mum! It was fifteen years late, but she was happier now than she would’ve been if she received it in high school. One of the streamers read, “GO GRIZZLIES!” Another said, “FINLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2013.” The best one read, “KYRA + DONOVAN.” Kyra’s eyes were glossy as she looked up at him.

“They, um, they asked if it was for a girl, and I told them you were my date.”

Yeah, whatever, Kyra thought. She knew that whoever designed the mum would only put their names together like that if Donovan told them it was for his girlfriend. He didn’t have to admit it, if he didn’t want to.

“Put it on me,” she said. She gave Donovan the mum and thrust her chest in his direction.

Wow. He tried to keep his eyes on the work at hand rather than get lost in Kyra’s cleavage. “I’m not sure if I know how to do this…”

He reached and fumbled with her dress. Kyra giggled at him as he tried to attach the mum without touching her skin.

“Try a little harder,” she teased. “Don’t be afraid to get up in there.”

A few beads of sweat blossomed on Donovan’s forehead. “I haven’t had my hands near these babies in fifteen years,” he muttered.

Kyra’s heart stopped. She looked into his eyes. Donovan winked at her and smiled.

He did remember!

“Got it.” Donovan withdrew his hands, and the mum remained firmly attached. He reached for Kyra’s hand. “Shall we go?”

Kyra bypassed his hand and gave him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I’d be delighted,” she said and led the way outside.



≈≈≈≈≈≈≈



Donovan drove her to Milton Stadium, the host of Finley High’s homecoming game. It was an impressive structure, built in the late seventies. Nostalgia was in the air from the moment they entered the parking lot and saw the school buses lined up. Nearly every car and truck had Finley High’s colors and fight slogans painted on the windshield.

The parking lot was filled with teenagers who were dressed to impress. The boys wore their shiny shoes. All of the girls had beautiful mums, the bigger the better. There were also a good number of older fans who had been coming to Finley’s homecoming games since their graduation.

Kyra heard the band warming up when Donovan helped her out of his truck. Her heart knocked at the same pace as the bass drums. She hadn’t heard Finley High’s class song in so long, she had forgotten the words. But she never forgot the melody.

The game started with a kickoff that was returned all the way for a touchdown by the opposing team. But Kyra couldn’t have been happier. Sitting on the bleachers with Donovan with Finley High students and banners all around them made her feel like she was in a time portal. Her mind was flooded with memories; bells ringing, fights after school, science projects gone horribly wrong. Donovan was there through all of it.

The BFF’s watched the sun set as the home team miraculously tied the score at 20 to 20 by the end of the second quarter. The stadium went crazy at halftime with the battle of the bands and the presentation of the Homecoming Court. Everyone hustled to get snacks and refreshments after that. Donovan wanted to get some popcorn and candy, too, but he suggested they wait until the beginning of the third quarter, when the lines wouldn’t be long.

“I can’t thank you enough for tonight,” Kyra told him. She half turned on the bleacher so she could look him in the eyes. “I used to dream about things like this; a homecoming game, my mum.” She couldn’t stop smiling. “You make me so happy.”

“It’s the least I could do,” Donovan said. He took his cap off and brushed his hair forward with his hand. Kyra loved his haircut. The waves on top were a work of art.

“Why do you say that?” she asked.

“Because I told you to break up with your boyfriend.” Donovan shook his head. “I still don’t think that was right.”

“Stop saying that,” Kyra said. “He wasn’t my boyfriend, for one.”

“Were you gonna go out with him again?” Donovan asked. “Tell me that.”

“I don’t know,” Kyra said. “Probably not. The bottom line is he’s gone now, and you don’t have to be jealous anymore.” She smirked at him.

Donovan grinned. “Who said I was jealous?”

“You did.”

“You really want to talk about that, huh?”

“It’s the closet you ever came to saying you like me,” Kyra noted. “So, yeah, I think it’s kinda important.”

Donovan looked up at the sky. He stared up there for so long, Kyra looked, too, wondering what she was missing.

“Do you remember when we kissed?” he asked abruptly.

Kyra’s heart jumped all the way to the back of her throat. Oh my God! Finally! She swallowed and exhaled slowly. “Yes.”

Donovan wasn’t smiling now. There were a lot of people moving around them, but Kyra had tunnel vision. She only saw one person.

“Do you remember the song?” he asked.

Kyra nodded. “We Can’t be Friends, by R.L. and Deborah Cox.”

Donovan grinned slightly. It was a cheerless smile. “I remember, too. I’ll never forget that song.”

“Me neither,” Kyra said. She hung on each one of his words, as if Donovan was about to reveal the secret of life.

“I cry every time I hear that song,” he said.

Kyra gasped. “I do, too.”

“I used to try to avoid it,” Donovan said. “I’d change the station and listen to something else. But once I heard even a little piece of that song, I couldn’t help but think about that day. I end up changing to the station back, so I can hear the rest of it. After a while, I stopped trying to avoid it. That song always reminds me of you, and I liked thinking about you, even though it hurt.”

Kyra’s eyes filled with tears. She wiped them quickly so she could maintain focus on Donovan’s eyes.

“That song scares me,” he said. “That’s why I’ve been acting the way I have. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you how I feel.”

“How, how do you feel?”

Donovan looked puzzled. “I love you, Kyra. I always have. You know that.”

If Kyra discovered a drug that could give her the surge of euphoria she felt at that moment, she would destroy it. It was too powerful. All of her anxiety and pent up frustration and longing spun together like a tornado in her chest. There was a great explosion, leaving the purest form of joy and love and peace in its wake. It was so wonderful, Kyra thought she might pass out.

Again her eyes squirted tears. Donovan reached to wipe them this time. His touch was soft yet electrifying. Kyra was unaware that she leaned her face into his strong hand.

“I love you, too,” she whispered.

Donovan smiled and nodded. “I know.”

So where do we go from here? Kyra’s heart yearned for an answer, but she didn’t ask. She knew Donovan was about to tell her. He had always been the rock in her life, ever since she was a child. She trusted him 100%, knowing he would never do anything to harm her.

“I did get jealous when you went out with Roland.”

“I didn’t want to make you jealous,” Kyra said.

“I know. I told you to go out with him, even though I knew you wanted to go out with me instead.”

Kyra grinned. So you could tell?

“The reason for that goes back to that song and our kiss,” Donovan stated. “I lost you for fifteen years, and I never want to lose you again. I’m afraid that if we have a relationship, and something goes wrong, we won’t be friends anymore, like last time.”

The mere thought of it brought Donovan a fresh wave of the heartache he felt when his mother kicked Kyra out of their home. His eyes glistened. He brushed the moisture away with his shoulder.

Kyra’s heart bled for him. No one had ever loved her as much as Donovan did. It was the most amazing feeling in the world.

“That’s why I feel bad about telling you not to see Roland,” he said. “Because I still don’t know if you and I should get in a relationship like that. I shouldn’t have interfered with your love life unless I was sure.”

Kyra felt a tinge of disappointment. He wasn’t sure. She was ready to give herself to him in all capacities, but Donovan wasn’t sure. Maybe he was right. Was their fairytale love affair meant to be, or was it their eternal friendship that was destined. There was no way to know for sure. Kyra knew Donovan would complete her life in either scenario. She smiled.

“I’m ready for whatever you decide. You don’t have to make a decision right now. I’m not going anywhere.”

Donovan returned her smile, though he knew it was wrong to hold Kyra’s heart hostage indefinitely. She was a beautiful woman, and she deserved to fly. Donovan let her go two weeks ago, but he pulled the string tied to her leg when she flew too far away from him. That was something he could never do again, regardless of what their future held.

The referee blew his whistle, signaling the beginning of the third quarter. Donovan noticed the seats around them were filled again.

“You wanna get some snacks?” he asked Kyra.

She nodded. Donovan stood and took her hand and helped her up. He looked her up and down, the bright stadium lights twinkling in his eyes.

“You know you’re wearing the hell out of that dress, don’t you?”

“Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. You are one handsome devil yourself.”



≈≈≈≈≈≈≈



Donovan got popcorn and soft drinks for both of them. Kyra got a pack of cherry Now & Later’s and a pickle, or as Donovan called it, The Hood Chick Special. They took a leisurely stroll around the stadium on the way back to their seats, and Donovan was delighted to run into his former football coach.

Coach Jackson was no longer molding bright minds and strong bodies at Finley High, but he never missed their games. He congratulated Donovan for everything from his game winning sack against Rosemont in 1997 to his current coaching success at Western Hills. It took Donovan nearly ten minutes to end the conversation.

“Sorry about that,” he said, chuckling, as he and Kyra continued their moonlit promenade.

“That man loves you to death,” she said. She was just as proud of him. Donovan was proof that you don’t have to make a million dollars or invent the next iPhone to have an impact on people’s lives. He was a hometown hero.

“It was hard for me to keep my mind on what Coach Jackson was saying, with you over there popping those Now & Later’s,” he told her.

Kyra gave him a curious look. Donovan grinned at her as he sipped his soda.

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean what do I mean. You know good and well what I mean.”

Kyra laughed. “Boy, you’re talking in riddles. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t remember the cherry Now & Later’s?”

Kyra shook her head. “I always used to eat these. They’re my favorite. I haven’t had any in over a year.”

“I’m talking about that day,” Donovan said. “Our kiss. You were eating cherry Now & Later’s.”

Kyra thought she remembered every second of that day, but she didn’t remember that. “I used to eat them all the time,” she said. “What about it?”

“I tasted it,” Donovan said. “When I kissed you.”

Kyra grinned mischievously as she realized what he was saying. Oh. “You remember what my tongue tastes like?”

Donovan stared at her beautiful lips as she spoke. Her tongue was completely red because of the candy.

“Kyra, I’ve dreamt of that taste, of your mouth, those red lips. You shouldn’t have ate that candy. I’m having all kinds of flashbacks. You don’t know what it’s doing to me.”

Damn. And Donovan didn’t know what he was doing to Kyra! The look in his eyes had her heart racing again. But they already talked about this. Donovan said he didn’t want to cross the threshold. She didn’t think a pack of candy could change that.

“Come on,” he said. Donovan dropped one of the sodas he was carrying and grabbed her hand. He began to move so fast Kyra lost hold of her pickle. She looked back at it as it rolled into the ice from Donovan’s spilled soda.

“What’s wrong? Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

Donovan’s pace increased as he moved deftly around the pillars and concession stands at the stadium. Kyra thought he was in a rush to get back to their seats, but Donovan hurried past the corridor that led to the stairway. He stopped when they reached a locked gate. But it wasn’t locked. The chains were draped through both sides to make it appear impassible, but Donovan pulled the chains free, and the gate swung open.

Kyra couldn’t have been more perplexed. “What are you doing?”

“Come on,” he urged. He tossed his other soda and their popcorn in a nearby receptacle before he slipped inside the gate.

Kyra followed with butterflies flittering in her stomach. What in the world?

Once inside, Donovan draped the chains over the lock, like it was when they found it. He took Kyra’s hand again and led her deeper into the underbelly of the stadium.

Kyra noticed the bright lights above didn’t fully permeate this secluded area. But the noise from the crowd was just as loud. In fact, it sounded like they were right in the midst of it. Soon there was grass and gravel beneath their feet rather than concrete. There were discarded cups and food wrappers almost everywhere. Kyra looked up and saw slits of light shining through long metal planks. She looked closer and saw an assortment of shoes that still had legs attached to them. A lot of the feet were moving.

Oh my God, he took me under the bleachers!

Donovan finally came to a stop when he reached a large pillar. He turned and faced Kyra. He took her by the shoulders and turned her around. He backed her against the pillar and let her go. The bells on Kyra’s mum jingled in the darkness. Her breaths were hurried.

“What are we doing here?”

“Are you scared?” Donovan asked.

“No. Not with you.” Kyra’s eyes were wide. Her breasts rose and fell. It was hypnotizing, that lush caramel colored cleavage. Donovan took a step towards her.

“What do kids do under the bleachers?” he asked. Kyra saw the glimpse of a smile teasing his lips.

“They, they make out?”

Donovan nodded. “That’s how I know how to get in here. I found quite a few students under these bleachers over the years.”

“Okay,” Kyra managed. “But why are we here, together?”

“Because of you and your Now & Later’s,” Donovan said. “You have no idea how bad I want to taste you.” He took another step.

Kyra was nearly trembling. “But, but I thought you said–”

“I know what I said. And I decided what I want. I want you. I want those red lips. Right now.”

Kyra nearly swallowed the candy in her mouth as Donovan closed the distance between them. He put his hands on her hips, and Kyra’s whole body was electrified.

Oh yes. Oh my God!

Donovan closed his eyes a moment before his lips met hers. Kyra shuddered and moaned involuntarily. Donovan sucked her bottom lip. She was so sweet! Kyra kissed him back. Her heart was like a locomotive. Cymbals clashed overhead as the band celebrated a Finley High touchdown. And then came the drums. It was so loud!

The crowd cheered. They stomped their feet. Donovan was a demanding lover. He gripped her tightly. His tongue slipped inside her mouth, and he quickly claimed the space as his own.

“Oh, Kyra!” He pulled her hips, hard, until she could feel his wanting. His hands slipped to the back of her dress, and he squeezed her ass. The material was so thin. And Kyra felt so good. Donovan was blind with passion. Kyra felt the muscles between her legs clenching, over and over again. The sliver of candy in her mouth slipped into Donovan’s. He quickly swallowed it and sucked Kyra’s tongue in search of more.

The throbbing in his boxers was as fierce as it was fifteen years ago, but there was no hesitance this time. No fear that they would be found. No fear that they would have to stop before this kiss reached its conclusion. His hands skated up and down Kyra’s frame. His chest thundered. He knew it would be like this! He always knew.

Kyra gasped for air when Donovan left her mouth and sucked the flesh beneath her ear. She threw her head back and moaned her approval. Donovan greedily licked the hot skin she exposed to him. His tongue was on fire. And Kyra was, too. She felt the slickness in her panties. She wanted Donovan to touch her there. She grinded against his body. The friction against her *oris made her shout out in ecstasy.

“Oh!” She was so loud. She couldn’t help it.

Donovan had her backed up against the pillar. He grinded his hips between her legs. He was rock hard. Kyra could feel every inch of it.

“I want you so bad!” he moaned.

“I want you, too,” she panted. “I love you.”

Donovan pulled back so he could look into her eyes. “I love you, too. I always have.”

He kissed her again. Kyra ran her hands up his sides. Donovan was ripped! She raked her hands over his abs, up to his chest. She squeezed his pectorals. Oh wow.

“Come home with me,” Donovan said.

Kyra couldn’t hear much beyond the blood rushing past her ears. “I love you,” she muttered. “I love you, Donovan.”

“I want to take you home,” he said. “Can you stay with me?”

“Yes,” Kyra whispered. “Forever.”