Chapter 16

I had been dating both Bree and Steven for a few weeks. And I was having a blast doing so. Sometimes I would go out with just one of them or the other and I would even go on an occasional date with both of them. I cared about both of them and I was finding it really hard to make a decision on which one of them I wanted to make dating a permanent thing with. I was about to go on a shopping spree with Erin that day that changed everything.

“This isn’t something I ever thought I’d do with you again. We haven’t gone shopping together in years. But it’s important,” I told Erin.

“You seem nervous. What exactly are we going shopping for?” Erin asked.

“I um, I uh, I’m getting something for Bree’s birthday. I just hope she likes what I get her,” I placed my hand over my heart. “Why do I feel so nervous?”

Erin looked at me for a long time before she answered, “Let me ask you this. Steven’s birthday is next month. Do you know what you’d get him?”

“That’s easy. I’d get him an autographed copy of his favorite book from his favorite author,” I answered her question.

One of her eyebrows rose, “How was that easy?”

I smiled and went to my closet and pulled out the book, “It was a little difficult to figure out. But I say it’s easy because she was in town last week and I got her to sign this copy.”

Erin looked through the book and smiled as she said, “I see. I think you have your answer.”

I was confused, “I’m not really sure what you’re saying. I still don’t know why this is so difficult. What’s the answer? You did this when we were kids. You’d figure something out and make me figure it out. Grr. So frustrating.”

“There is one difference from when we were kids. This time I’m not giving you a bunch of clues,” Erin laughed.

She stopped laughing when she saw the blank look on my face. She turned in the direction I was looking. The tv was on but on mute. The closed captioning said that due to the compelling argument from one Mr. Summers the school I had been kicked out of has decided not to convert to an all-boys school and would accept more female students the following school year.

After Erin turned off the tv I placed my hand over my mouth and said, “I think I’m going to be sick.”

After throwing up and brushing my teeth and taking a breath mint Erin asked, “Why did that news report affect you so much? I thought you had gotten over your childhood dream about going there a long time ago.”

I took a deep breath, “I think I’ll let you figure that out. For now, we need to go shopping.”

While shopping Erin and I talked. We discussed how it was nice how both Steven and Bree were out looking for jobs and going to the gym. It gave us a chance to go shopping. At one point Erin excused herself for a bit to do her own thing.

I was looking at some shoes when a boy from my high school came by, “Kyla is that you?”

“Jim? What are you doing here? I thought you joined the military or something,” I nervously said.

Jim had been a boy I had a little crush on in my junior year. He had the long surfer guy hair and the tanned skin to prove he enjoyed the great outdoors. But I’d be surprised if he had ever said twenty words to me. Most of what he said to me was because we were partners once for a project in science class.

He gave a smile that used to make my knees feel weak. Then he said, “I almost didn’t recognize you because you seemed so different. Happier even. And yeah I did join the military but I was honorably discharged for losing my leg.” I quickly looked down at his leg and looked back up when he laughed. “Sorry, I couldn’t help that. I’ve actually used that joke a few times since I got back. I actually didn’t make it past basic training. Seriously now I had to quit when my old man died. I had to help around the house and take care of the family business.”

“I heard about your Dad. I’m so sorry,” I gave him a hug and continued, “If there’s anything I could do to help let me know.”

“Thanks, I will. But your Mom and Step-Dad have done enough for us for now,” Jim said.

“He’s not my Step-Dad. Yeah, as it turns out Carter is actually my biological Dad. I was surprised when I found out,” I informed Jim. I was very proud of the fact I could say Carter wasn’t Dad.

Jim was twitching in a weird way then said, “I wanted to ask this when we were in school but never got the chance due to that witch Erin would you like to go out with me sometime?”

I didn’t get the chance to answer. Erin tapped his shoulder and when he turned around she said, “Hi. The witch here. My friend Kyla here is already seeing my cousin. So sorry she’s already taken.” She made a gesture for him to go away.

“I’d like to say thanks but I may be too scared to do it properly. If looks could kill he’d be dead. Yikes,” I said teasingly.

“I’ve got to say I don’t like being mean anymore but in this case, it was really nice letting my inner Bitch out.” Erin laughed. “He’s one of the possibilities of being the father.”