A Touch of Fate (BWWM)

25 | Embrace What Lies Ahead

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Garrett

Dylan was a beast at basketball.

Garrett had not seen a game since joining the FBI, so Dylan and his teammates impressed him. The boys won after defeating Evan, the opposing team's main defender. A small but significant victory.

He knew Imani was uncomfortable with him being there because of the community and their gossip routine, but it reminded him of playing basketball, so he was glad he came. He sat alone in the stands to watch the game after parking his truck. If he sat with Imani, hoping she would allow it, everyone would gossip about their relationship. She had opened up to him and moved on from their turbulent past, but their relationship was still vulnerable, and he didn't want to ruin it.

Garrett grew tired of the audience staring at him in the center's main foyer. He approached a large glass display case honoring his younger brother, Gavin. Gavin's massive photo collection, which began at four years old, expanded with a framed basketball picture.

He smiled. During his childhood, his brothers lived in this center. Sweets, crisps, and cleaning scents lingered.

"You're here!"

Garrett turned and saw Dylan with his gym bag and a basketball a few feet away.

"I didn't see you anywhere."

"That's because I was watching from the top, my man." Garrett gently placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "You boys did fantastic."

Dylan dropped his stuff and looked in the display case. Garrett acknowledged the realization. It was simple not to miss it. "You have to be kidding me!" the boy exclaimed, staring wide.

"What?" Garrett asked, smirking, knowing what he was looking at.

"That can't be..." Dylan looked priceless as he pointed to the pictures, mouth open. "That's Gavin Beaumont."

"Indeed. We're brothers."

"Wow! That must be so cool!" He almost bounced. "Mom never said anything." Dylan's mouth opened. "My mom is dating my favorite athlete's brother. Holy smokes!"

Garrett chuckled as he noticed Imani chatting with a few people near the water fountain. She nodded at Dylan and continued her conversation without looking at Garrett. She didn't make eye contact, but he didn't let that bother him.

"Gavin Beaumont is incredible. He's like a superhero who takes down the bad guys on the court." Dylan stood in awe of Garrett. "And that's your brother! Wow!"

Garrett turned to look at the photo. "You could call him a legend. My brother is a huge fan of hockey, basketball, and tennis. He even enjoys swimming."

A sharp sensation slithered down Garrett's spine. An unrelenting, merciless force. Gavin's photos brought back everything he had lost. Garrett grew up in a close-knit family but later drifted apart from his brothers, reflecting on his father's decision to isolate himself from society out of shame and pain, as well as their mother's tragically short life. Their grandfather raised the three boys his way. They once were a family until their secrets tore them apart.

At his age, Garrett saw only failure when others saw success. He was distant from his family, and he had no wife or children. Did he enjoy his job, even though he was excellent at it?