The Personal Trainer's Bride {Interracial Curvy Romance}

My Brother Kevin

Kehlani

My jaw drops. My eyes widen in disbelief as I'm frozen to my place while the uncomfortable twist forms in my stomach and a hand flies over my mouth. Kevin's in jail? For what?

"Honey, are you there?" My mom speaks on the other line, snapping me out.

"Y-yeah. Yeah, mom. I'm still here." I stammer thirty seconds after my mom broke the news. "What do you mean Kevin got arrested? What happened?"

"Kevin got arrested for driving while he was under the influence." Mom answers.

"Driving under the influence?"

"Yes, sweetie. It was terrible. He and Savon had a big fight and then he decided to drive off in that state last night." My mom tells me. Wait, Kevin and Savon had a big argument? I really hope they didn't argue in front of Holden because he should not be exposed to his parents arguing along with the fact that Holden is a toddler. And what was the reason for them to argue about? Because I never saw or hear both of them arguing at each other, so this is new to me and surprise to me because I know Savon loves Kevin and Kevin loves her too.

"My goodness, that's..." I pause briefly. "That's just so unlike him. Is he okay, now?"

"He's out of jail now, but barely. The police had to release due to this whole stay at home order situation." 

"I can't believe this is happening," I query and I pinch the bridge of my nose in small circular motions. Just as Blake and I are planning our wedding, this Coronavirus is taking place out of nowhere, and now my mom is calling to let me know that my brother Kevin was is jail. Why would he do something so reckless?

"Savon told me that she wants to separate, and he was really devastated. He didn't know how to handle it." Separation? Savon is separating from Kevin? All of this new information regarding Kevin and Savon's marriage being on the rocks is really like putting those words in my mind.  

"Separation? I had no idea things were that bad between them. Poor Kevin."

"I know, sweetheart. We need to be there for him now more than ever. He's going through a tough time." Mom advises.

"Yeah. I'll call him. I need to talk to him. Thank you for letting me know, mom. I love you and you guys be safe." I promise.

"I love you too, sweetie and be safe as well. Whenever you and Blake and the kids want to talk, don't hesitate to call us."

"We'll call you." I assure before my mom hangs up. I can't believe this is happening to me and my family, especially Kevin. I have lived in the same house with my brothers along with our parents for twenty one years of my life before moving to Farmingville that took seventeen minutes to get to my parents' old residence and I have never in my life seen Kevin get into trouble. From elementary to high school, Kevin was a straight A and B student who graduated with a 4.1 GPA in 2007. He even had a scholarship to play basketball because that's one of his favorite activities in school. I don't get it-- I really just don't get it.

"Honey, what's the matter?" Blake queries concernedly.

"Babe," I begin and stare at Blake in his gunmetal blue eyes that can calm my nerves down. "I just got off the phone with my mom. It's about Kevin."

"What is it?" Blake inquiries.

"He got arrested for a DUI last and got released from jail today because of the virus."

"Oh, no. Is he okay?" Blake wraps his arm around me as my fingers intertwine with his.

"I don't think he's doing okay. He got released from jail this morning."

"What happened?" Blake asks.

"Mom told me he and his wife Savon had a huge argument after Savon wanted to separate from him and he just drove off. He was drunk, so he got pulled over and arrested." I elucidate.

"That's awful. I'm so sorry, sweetheart." Blake apologizes sympathetically.  

"Me too. I just feel so bad for him. He's going through a tough time, and now this." I sigh deeply.

"We'll be there for him. Whatever he needs." Blake vows.

"Thank you. I know he'll appreciate it." I smile softly as Blake leans forward to place a soft, gentle peck on my temple. I am so blessed to have a good fiance like Blake because he understands what I'm feeling as I understand his feelings.

"I gotta call Kevin." I mutter as I scroll through the contacts on my phone and find Kevin's name as well as his phone number. My finger taps on the call icon and I put my phone to my ear while I listen to the first four rings. "Kehlani?" A low, gravelly male voice answers on the other line.

A huge breath escapes from my mouth before the corners of my mouth turn upwards, slowly forming a smile and my shoulders slump in Blake's embrace. My hand flies over my mouth around the same time, my eyes blink rapidly as the bottom of my eyes are brimmed with tears.  

"Kevin?" I choked up while Blake is rubbing my shoulder soothingly. My hand drops to my side.

"Ahh, Kehlani Armani. How are you?" Kevin queries lowly, sounding pacific.

"How am I? How are you?" I interrogate. 

"I fucked up, little sis. Savon wants to separate from me and she took Holden with her to be with her family in Brentwood. I don't know, I went out of control." Kevin tells me.

"Kevin, we're all worried sick about you. I haven't heard from you in a month!" I exclaim.

"I know. I've been going through rough shit with my marriage with Savon being on the rocks, Kehlani." Kevin replies groggily.

"What problems are you and Savon having?" I ask and a pause cuts through.

"Put Blake on the phone. I want to speak with my future brother in law," Kevin says. I move the phone from my ear and look at the caller ID with Kevin's name as puzzlement is written on my face. Is my mind playing tricks on me, my mind wonders. Kevin wants to talk to Blake? He can't stand Blake and he'll be all up Blake's face as he goes off like a firecracker. I guess feeling skeptical gets the best of me because on the other line Kevin pleads peacefully, "Please, Kehlani. I want to speak to him."

Blake

"Kevin wants to speak to you." Key informs me. When she tells me that her brother Kevin wants to talk to me, I'm taken aback as I froze. For years, Kevin has disliked me and his hate towards me is as deep as an ocean. It's an endless hatred towards me from him. She hands me her phone and my trembling hand accepts the phone. I place the phone over my ear. "Err... h-he-hello, Kevin?" 

"If it isn't my future brother in law." Kevin chuckles rather cheery? My forehead scrunches up as this moment is whether pragmatic or a dream. "There's something I want you to remember."

"What is it?" I query apprehensively because I don't know what Kevin is gonna say.

"When this pandemic is winding down, meet me at my apartment at the Fairfield Creekside in Patchogue. I want to tell you something." Kevin tells.

"Okay." I respond.

"It's nothing bad," Kevin guarantees with a brief chuckle. "It's something to anticipate when the day comes. I'll see you then, Blake."

"The same to you too, Kevin." I reply as the other line hangs up. I hand Key her phone back and look up to her wide eyes staring back at me after she wipes her tears with the sleeve of her shirt while her eyebrows draw together. "What did he say?" Key places her hand on my shoulder.

"He wants me to meet him at his apartment when the restriction guidelines are lifted." I notify. Her eyes soften. "Are you gonna meet him then and there?"

"He said he wants to tell me something. I'll be present and listen to what he has to say to me." I inform. Whatever Kevin wants to say to me, I'll listen to what he has to say. If I don't like it, I'm out. Until then, I'll be prepared.