I've Been Waiting All Along (Book 2 - Rock Canyon Series)

Chapter 11 - Tyrell (He/Him/His)

Chapter 11 - Tyrell (He/Him/His)

"This is all you've ever talked about since you were 7. You didn't even have front teeth and you knew you were going to USC. You mean to tell me you won't sign these papers? Why?"

My mom leered at me from across our living room. I kept avoiding her eyes, making annoyed noises with my lips. This conversation was becoming more frequent as the Holiday season grew closer.

"Look, mom-"

"Don't you look mom, me, boy! I've fed these men three times at this house. Each time they want you to commit. You know all the details. Why in God's name I have to repeat them to you I don't know but I'm going to anyway."

"Mom-"

"FREE ride to college, all expenses paid," she started, one fake-nailed finger shooting in the air and cutting off all arguments and protestations. "The privilege of playing football in Hollywood on a national stage," a second finger flashed into existence next to the first one, while a third was curled, waiting its turn. And then right on cue, it exploded skyward. "And, you get to prove your dad wrong. Remember the last thing he said before he left?"

"Son, I know you think you're good. But you're no better than anyone else. There are millions of kids out there. What makes you think you're the one? Little Ty you're just dreamin'."

I remembered what that asshole said. She didn't have to tell me. In fact, I thought it was wrong for her to tell me, but I understood why she was doing it. Unlike dad, mom had always believed in me. She knew I was going to the NFL someday. She had never once spoken about the money, or what any of it meant for her. So don't get the wrong idea about mom– she was and is and always will be my hero. She raised us and herself at the same time, maintaining our house and keeping everything in order. She slaved for me and Reece so we could have it good. Mom came up with nothing but she hardly ever reminded us of the fact, instead keeping her focus on making sure us kids were in the honors programs and getting good grades. So, you can bet your ass I'm going to take care of her if I can climb my way into the primetime. She's earned it. She loves us with all her heart and I know that's why she was riding me about USC.

"Mom, I'm going to tell you what I told them. I'll make my decision in the winter. I'm not ready yet. I need a little more time, okay? That's all."

She threw her hands up. "Why the hell aren't you ready? What is there left to wait for? Where else is there to go? This is your dream and they've showed up here like the two bearded wizards from the west and made it a reality. Your job is to open your mouth, say 'yes,' and sign the damn papers. It's easy, Tyrell. Shoot. For all your straight As you've got no sense."

I shook my head, growing increasing furious. "I'll do it when I'm ready."

She pulled her cheek up on one side as Reece slid in from the kitchen like a snake finding a warm rock. "It's that girl you've been hanging out with. That girl with the pretty blonde braid. Got your mind all messed up," her saccharine voice slithered from across the room. I could almost feel it coiling around me before it joyfully constricted away my life.

"First of all, Charlie isn't a girl. They're non-binary. Second of all, that's just my friend. They have nothing to do with it."

Reece laughed, the sound of artificial sweetness cascading like a mudslide in the spring mountains. "Uh huh, right. I'm sure all you see is their non-binaryness when they saunter in front of you in those skintight yoga pants."

My sister was finding and pushing the right buttons this morning. That is, the right buttons if she wanted a war. "You know, just cause you look like Candace Owens doesn't mean you need to act like her."