Destiny (28 page)

“I
trust you. Do you really have no feelings for this woman?”

“None
at all. If I did, I wouldn’t invite her. It would be too painful to see her
with someone else. If you had asked that a few years ago, the answer would have
been totally different, but it’s been a long time, and I have you now. I’m
happy with my current life, and I’m pretty sure that she’s happy with hers.
This would just be me reuniting with Mike and Olivia.”

“Invite
her then.”

I
remembered that Olivia had a night class, so I texted her to see what time she
would be done.

“Hey,
I had an idea. How would you and Richard like to meet us and Mike for dinner
tonight at Dalen’s?” I texted.

“Are
you serious? What would make you think that was a good idea?” she asked.

“I
think we should be friends or at least some part of each other’s lives. I’m
going to apologize to Richard tonight if you come, so that will probably smooth
things over between us. Him seeing that I’m with someone else will make him
know that I’m not a threat anymore, too.”

“What
about Chastity? I thought she was a little jealous of me.”

“We
already talked about that. She’s fine with it. Are you in?”

“What
the hell? I get out of here at eight. We’ll drop Phillip off at my mom’s and be
there right after. I’ve got to warn you, though, there’s a chance that Richard
won’t be happy with you no matter what you say.”

“It’s
going to be fine. Just trust me,” I texted and called Mike.

He
and Kelly were in. We drove over to the pub and waited. At first, Chastity looked
a little odd about eating at a pub, but I quickly explained that the food they
served was as good as anything you would get at a restaurant. About the time we
were going to order, Mike and Kelly walked in.

“Hey,
long time no see,” Mike said and shook my hand.

“I’m
sorry I didn’t make it to the wedding. You two look happy, though,” I said.

“We’re
very happy. I suppose I should be asking for your autograph instead of shaking
your hand.”

“What
are you talking about?”

“You
know exactly what I’m saying. We saw you on television. You’re pretty much a
celebrity now,” he joked.

“No,
I just represent famous people. I’m still a nobody.”

“I
don’t think most people here would agree. You’ve been the talk of the town,”
Kelly said.

“Well,
thanks for saying so. This is my girlfriend, Chastity,” I said before realizing
that I had called her my girlfriend. She didn’t seem to be put off by the
label, though. In fact, she looked happy about it.

That
settles it. You’re in a relationship, I thought. That wasn’t a bad thing, but I
had been going back and forth in my head about what I was doing for the last
couple of days. Now I knew.

“It’s
nice to meet you, Chastity. How did you guys meet?” Kelly asked.

While
they were talking, I noticed Olivia and Richard walking in. Olivia looked
stunning. I don’t know what it was, but in that moment, I felt like I did when
I was fourteen. If Richard weren’t beside her, I would have blindly ran to her.
I quickly snapped out of it. I was there to talk to Richard so I could secure a
friendship with her. I couldn’t blow it by staring at her the whole time.

“What
are they doing here?” Mike asked.

“I
invited them. It’s time I made some things right,” I said and stood.

I walked
straight to Richard and asked if we could talk privately. He agreed to do so,
and we took a seat at the bar.

“Let
me start us out here. I don’t like you. I’m only here because of Olivia. What
do you want with us?” Richard asked.

“I
know you don’t like me, and I don’t blame you. I want to apologize. I was wrong
back in high school. I shouldn’t have stolen someone’s girlfriend, and worse
than that, I never should have hit you. I don’t expect you to forgive me or
even believe that I’m being genuine, but I hope we can be civil. I want to be
friends with Olivia again. I have a beautiful girlfriend who I’m very happy
with, so my intentions are simple. I miss my old friends. Mike and Olivia were
the best people I knew here. I want that part of my life back, and I hope some
day we can even be friends.”

“I
don’t know what to say. Every part of me just wants to punch you in the face
for what you did before, but we’re grown now. I can’t do that, and I don’t
think you’re lying. Even if you were, I trust Olivia, so I know nothing will
happen.”

“Good.
Then are you okay with us being friends?”

“I
will be. I just need to ask you one question. When Olivia and I split up in high
school, she told me that you weren’t with her before we broke up. Was that
true?”

I
knew what I needed to say there. I had to tell him what he wanted to hear. Otherwise,
this whole thing could end ugly. I told him that nothing but a kiss ever
happened between us while they were together, but I felt bad as I did. I had
kissed Olivia many times the night before they broke up, and she had even come
to visit one summer while they were together. We did a lot more than kiss then.
It was a strange feeling. I wouldn’t have changed any of those things if I
could, but I still felt bad about lying to his face.

“Good.
Let’s join the others then,” he said, and we took our seats beside our friends.

It
was a good night. I would have never thought that I could sit anywhere near
Richard and say that, but against all odds, Olivia and I were going to get to
be friends. What was even stranger was that I might end up being friends with
Richard before it was all over. It was a good feeling, but it was also one that
felt wrong on some level. I knew in my heart that I belonged where he was. He
was sitting beside my destiny, and there was nothing I could do about it. For
now, all I could do was be friends with a woman who still held my heart.

Chapter 28

When It
All Catches Up To You

Four
Years Later

Over
the next four years, I stayed in touch with Olivia. We actually got to talk on
the phone and text from time to time. It was nice, but it was also at a
distance. After my uncle recovered from surgery, we went back home. I was back
in Miami with Chastity. After dating for a couple of months, we got an
apartment together. I managed to pick up seven more clients over the next four
years, too. We were doing well. What was even better was that my parents were
getting out of jail on that day. My sister had gotten engaged to a man named
Ross a few months before, and they planned the wedding around our parents’
release. It was going to be in two weeks. That wasn’t the only thing going on,
though. Over the last two years, Chastity had been hinting about marriage. I wasn’t
ready back then. I was still holding out hope that something would change with
Olivia. It never did, though, and I had decided that I couldn’t make Chastity
wait any longer. She deserved for me to commit to her permanently. I didn’t
want to take any of the attention away from Catherine’s wedding, though. We
were having dinner with my mom and dad that night for the first time in years,
and I asked her if it would be okay if I proposed to Chastity there. Not only
did she say yes,
but
she was ecstatic for me. It
seemed like everything in my life was falling into place. Sure, it hadn’t all
gone according to plan, but I was in a really good spot. Why ruin that with
thoughts of the past?

“It’s
going to be nice to see your parents again,” Chastity commented as we got into
the car.

“Yeah,
it is. I think tonight is going to be really great. You know I love you,
right?” I asked.

“Of
course.”

“No,
I mean it. You make me happier than I thought I could be. The last four years
have been everything I imagined and more.”

“I
feel that way, too. There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about
along those lines,” Chastity said nervously.

“What
is it?”

“I’ve
been dropping hints like crazy, so I’m sure you already know, but I want our
life together to be permanent. Why haven’t you asked me to marry you yet? It’s
been four years.”

“I
love you, but I’m just not ready.”

“When
are
you going to be ready?”

“I
don’t know. Can we not talk about this tonight, though? My parents just got
out, and I want to focus on that right now. I promise we’ll discuss this
seriously soon.”

She
agreed to drop it. It was almost too perfect. The last thing she expected was
for me to ask her to marry her that night. Sure, she was mad then, but I
couldn’t wait to see her face when I put the ring on her finger.

When
we got to the restaurant, I saw my mom and dad first. My sister and her fiancée
had picked them up earlier. It was the first time I had seen them in regular
clothes in years. It was strange, but we were a family again. It might have
been odd, but the first thing I thought about was Uncle Gary and Aunt Kristen.
Wouldn’t they love to be there? I just knew it would make them happy to see
this. I hugged my parents immediately, and we sat down. After we had ordered, I
asked my father a question.

“So
what are you looking forward to now that you guys are out?”

“Everything.
For starters, the food.
I’m definitely not looking
forward to finding a job, though. When I was younger, I thought I would be
retired by now. I actually thought that we would get away with what we were
doing and be done with it after another five years. We got caught too soon,
though. I don’t know how to start over,” he said.

“We
don’t need to talk about that right now. What we need to concentrate on is
Catherine’s engagement,” my mom said.

“I
agree, but neither of you should worry. I made over two million just this year
alone. I’ll help you get back on your feet,” I said.

“You
don’t need to do that.”

“I
don’t mind. Now, let’s talk about this wedding,” I said and smiled.

We
talked for almost an hour and ate some of the best food in town. When it was
almost time to go, my mom asked everyone a question that gave me the perfect
opening.

“Well,
it looks like it’s just about time to go. We’ve talked about the wedding, life
outside a cell, and Eric’s recent success. Is there anything else big that we
can celebrate?”

“There
is
one big thing,” I said and turned
toward Chastity.

I
got down on one knee and pulled the ring out of my pocket. Before I could even
say a word, she blurted out yes. I put the ring on her finger and then rose up
to meet her with a kiss. Everyone at the table seemed happy for us but my
mother. I didn’t understand why. She had smiled blankly all through dinner. I
couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew something was wrong. Before we left, I
pulled her to the side in the lobby.

“What’s
going on with you? You look sad,” I said.

“It’s
nothing. This is a happy day. Your father and I are free, and both of our children
have found happiness. That’s all we’re going to concentrate on for now.”

“For
now? You can’t say something like that and not tell me what’s going on. I want
to know, Mom.”

“Your
father and I stayed married while we were incarcerated. We barely saw each
other, but it made sense to see how we felt when we got out. There’s nothing
there, Eric. Nine years is a long time to be away from someone, and we talked
about it. Neither of us wants to stay married. It’s time for us to start fresh.
That’s a good thing, but it’s new. It scares both of us. We’ve got to find
careers and finalize a divorce. After that, we’ve got to put together some type
of life.”

“Mom,
are you sure? Shouldn’t you give it more than a day before you make a decision
like this?”

“I
made this decision a long time ago. I changed in prison. I’m a better person.
Your father is the same, for the most part. I want my life to be different, and
he needs his to be, too. When we look at each other, all we see is our pasts.
That’s not healthy. A clean break is the only way for us to truly turn over a
new leaf.”

“I
can’t say that I’m happy about this, but I understand. Don’t worry about a
career right now, though. I’ve got a good job, and I can help both of you as
much as you need.”

“That’s
all right. We’ll be fine.”

“Where
are you staying?”

“At
a motel downtown. I’m going apartment hunting tomorrow.”

“No,
you’ll stay with us.”

“I’m
fine with a motel, Eric. You’re my son. I’m supposed to be taking care of you
and not the other way around. I’ll call if I need anything,” she said and
hugged me.

As
we left the restaurant, I had mixed feelings. It had been a great night, but at
the same time, it was also terrible. No one ever likes to hear that their
parents are separating, even if it
is
for
the best. Chastity noticed that I looked down when I got into the car. She put
her hand in mine and spoke.

“What
could possibly be wrong on a night like this?” she asked.

“It’s
nothing. Our engagement is way more important.”

“I’m
going to be your wife. You can tell me anything. Your happiness is mine, too,
now, but I also want to share your sadness.”

“My
parents are getting a divorce. They didn’t say anything at dinner because they
wanted it to be a happy time. It’s probably for the best, but the little boy in
me doesn’t think so.”

“I’m
sorry. Did they say why?”

“My
mom said they needed to change, and when they look at each other, they only see
who they used to be.”

“I
can understand that. It’s going to be a good thing if they do change. They
should be more like you. You’re the most honest man I know.”

“I’m
really not. Let me ask you something. If you found out I was a fraud, would you
still love me?”

“Where
is this coming from?”

“I
just need to know. If I were like my mom and dad, would you still marry me?”

“I
love you, and it doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past. Eric, I want to
be with you forever, and nothing you say or do can change that.”

That
settled it. I had found the perfect woman. I still wasn’t going to tell her
about my past, but it was nice to know that when I did, she would still love me
for everything I was.

When
we walked into the apartment, Chastity immediately kissed me and pulled me
toward the bedroom. Before we could properly celebrate our engagement, I got a
call from Emmitt.

“Just
let it ring,” she said in frustration.

“It
might be about the contract we’ve been negotiating. It’ll only take a second,
and then all of my focus will be on you. I promise,” I said and answered the
phone.

“Hey,
what’s up?” I asked.

“Have
you turned on the news lately?” Emmitt asked.

“No.
Why?”

“You
need to.”

I
turned on the news, and the first thing I saw was a story involving Emmitt,
William, and me. Someone at the university had squealed about what players and
boosters were doing. I sighed and turned away. I saw Chastity standing there and
looking at me with disappointment.

“This
is bad,” I said to Emmitt.

“Do
you think?” he asked sarcastically.

“We
just need to lay low. This will hurt your image and mine, but I’m sure it’ll
blow over. It’s not like they can charge us with anything criminal. The NCAA’s
rules aren’t law.”

“I’m
in the middle of a contract negotiation. The last thing I need is image
problems, Eric!”

“I
know that. What can I do about it, though?”

“I’m
going to have to do what’s best for me here, man. I’m sorry.”

“What
does that even mean?”

“It
means that I’m letting you go and doing what I can to save my image.”

“What
are you talking about? I’m the one who pulled your sorry ass out of every bar
and club in Miami for years, and I got you to the exact team you wanted to go
to when no one wanted you. I’m a good agent, and I’m an even better friend. Are
you really going to throw that away?”

“I
don’t have a choice. It’s not personal. I’ll see you around, Eric,” he said and
hung up.

“Do
you want to tell me what this is about?” Chastity asked.

“It’s
a long story. I’m guilty of taking the money, though. I was offered an
opportunity to funnel money to Emmitt through a booster. As a perk, I would be
given money and access to a lot of athletes. That’s how I got my start. I’m a
liar, but I didn’t do anything that everyone at that university doesn’t do.”

“You
can’t
be serious right now! I’m
engaged to a criminal.”

“No,
you’re not. Nothing we did was actually illegal. It was just against NCAA
rules.”

“You’re
no better than your parents.”

“What
happened to you loving me no matter what I did?”

“I
need some time.”

“So
that’s it? You’re just going to leave me when I need you most?” I asked while
following her into the bedroom.

“I
need to think about what I’m doing here, Eric,” she said as she put her clothes
into a bag.

“You
know what? No. You’re not going to walk out that door and come back later on.
You either stand with me now, or we don’t need to get married. A good partner
would be there, and if you can’t be, then that tells me everything I need to
know.”

“Then
I guess we’re not getting married,” she said just before she started to cry. Then
she zipped her bag shut and walked toward the door.

“I’m
sorry, Chastity. I didn’t mean that. Please, don’t go,” I pleaded.

It
did no good. She was determined to leave. I was about to be left alone to sift
through the biggest mess of my life. Throughout the evening, I got calls and
texts from several clients. All of them were dropping me except Marcus. I
expected his call to come soon. I couldn’t sit in that apartment for one more
minute and watch the news. I walked across the street to a bar. This was a
place I hadn’t been in a long time. Back in college, I made a lot of bad
decisions that started with alcohol, so I had distanced myself from it. Right
then, all I wanted was relief, though. As I drank, my parents and my sister
tried to call. Even my aunt and uncle tried to get in touch with me. I didn’t
answer any of the calls, though. I didn’t need to hear from anyone. I just
needed to drown my feelings. It didn’t help that a familiar person came into
the bar that night. William walked in. He sat down and proceeded to mock me.

“If
it isn’t the big time agent. I remember when I made you who you are, kid. It’s
too bad that you’re less than no one now,” he said.

“You’re
in the same situation as me,” I said.