A Heart Not Easily Broken Read online

  Chapter 11

  Today had been a long day. With thirty minutes until Ebony was supposed to call, I checked the volume of the ringer on my cell phone for the tenth time. A driver’s blaring horn alerted me that the traffic light had turned green. I grimaced and sat my cell phone in the cup holder.

  Dealing with Peter and Dylan put me behind schedule. I’d promised Aunt Gina I’d mentor them as much as possible. They were nineteen and seventeen; the age where impressing girls was their number one priority.

  My cousins worked for me during the summer in order to earn money for school. Peter started college in the fall. I knew from experience how hard it would be for him to make ends meet. Scholarships didn’t pay for everything. He planned to work during the summer and save his money. When school started, he’d join me on the weekends to keep money in his pocket.

  Dylan was a senior in high school. Varsity baseball expenses were draining his mother. Aunt Gina became a single parent when Uncle Wyatt left her five years ago. The child support checks she received never came on time.

  Now they were anxious to impress some girls they’d just met. Not wanting to disrupt their savings, they hit me up for money. I didn’t have a problem helping out if there were a dire need. However, after hearing their plans, I refused to give in. Both wanted fifty dollars. They were crazy.

  When the dust settled, I’d given them twenty-five dollars apiece along with suggestions on how to go out without spending a lot of cash and still have fun. ‘Be creative,’ I’d said. ‘Do something most guys wouldn’t do. If they really like you, it won’t matter how much money you spend. If not, chalk it up to a lesson learned.’ They didn’t like hearing it, but I knew from experience.

  On the highway heading for home, I winced while rolling my shoulders. My back still ached from the tumble onto the concrete with Ebony. The memory of our afternoon at the beach and the kiss we shared put a smile on my face. That opportunity was worth falling on my ass. When the evening ended, we walked to her car and kissed again. She’d been a willing participant, exploring my mouth as eagerly as I’d explored hers. We promised to talk the next day.

  That had been a week ago.

  The start of the week found us both busy. Ebony’s schedule at the zoo changed to longer work hours and interfered with her part-time job.

  After being unable to work for two days and getting behind on my customers, my phone rang off the hook. On top of that, I had practice. Diverse Nation played three nights a week, and every show was different.

  The minute traffic stopped again, I grabbed my phone. We were playing phone tag, leaving voicemails or sending text messages when we found the time. I listened to the last message she’d left again. Her sexiness even came through the phone.

  She said she’d call after seven. Come hell or high water I would be available.

  My phone rang. A check of the caller ID made me smile.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Are you home yet?”

  “No, and before you ask, I haven’t eaten dinner yet, but…” I glanced at the restaurants on the strip. “I’m pulling in for some barbeque now.” No matter how old I got, she would always view me as her little boy. Then again, out of five kids, I was the youngest and the only boy.

  “That’s better than eating a hamburger. What you need to do is find a young woman to take care of you. When do you plan on settling down? I want more grandkids running around my house.”

  “Whoa.” I laughed. “First of all, I’ve got some things to accomplish before I’m ready for commitment. Second, you’ve already got five grandkids.”

  “And I love all of them. But you and Bridget owe me. I don’t know what your sister’s problem is. But you, my son, need a wife. You should come home from a hard day at work and have dinner on the table, not driving through a fast-food restaurant.”

  “Mom, I’m capable of taking care of myself. Besides,” I put the truck in park and climbed out. “I can’t afford a wife or kids right now. That’s a long way off.”

  She sighed, her disappointment obvious through the phone. “Well, at least you need someone to keep you happy. I hate it things didn’t work out with you and the last young lady you were seeing.”

  “Yeah, well…life goes on.”

  “Are you seeing someone now?”

  Damn, she was in full nosey-mom mode.

  “I’m working on it,” I mumbled, while studying the restaurant menu. “Look, Mom, I’ve got to go, it’s almost my turn to place my order.”

  “Okay. Don’t forget about the Fourth of July barbecue at the house. What can you bring?”

  “Beer as always.” She knew not to ask me to cook.

  “Don’t forget, soda, juice boxes for the kids─”

  “And ice,” we said in unison.

  “I got it, Mom. Gotta go.”

  “Okay. Why don’t you bring the young lady you’re seeing?”

  “Who said I was seeing anybody?”

  “I know my son. You’re too handsome to be sitting around all alone. If she’s important, you will. Don’t forget, next Saturday. Your dad’s firing up the grill at twelve. Everyone should start arriving no later than two.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  My mother always seemed to know what went on in my life. Sometimes I wondered if she were psychic.

  I placed my order and then sat at a vacant table to wait. Inviting Ebony to go with me to meet my family wasn’t such a bad idea. My family would welcome her with open arms. Race had never been an issue in the Young household. Besides, Ebony wouldn’t be the first black woman to come home with me.

  Soon, I was back in my truck and heading for my house. The delicious aroma of my meal made my mouth water. I’d reached my driveway when my phone rang. It was seven o’clock on the dot.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  “Brian, I was beginning to believe we’d never talk again,” Ebony said.

  “Me, too. I’m all yours.” I climbed out of the truck, dinner in hand.

  “And you’ve got me.”

  Hearing her voice made me want to kiss her again. “How was your day?”

  “Same old thing, sick dogs and picky cats. Personally, I prefer the zoo. The animals there are more interesting.”

  “I bet.” I pictured her scraping goat dung with a shovel.

  “How was yours?” she asked.

  “Long, hot─” Her laugh made me pause. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, just…never mind. Go ahead. Long and…” She continued to giggle.

  “Tiring.” Then it dawned on me. “Where is your head at?”

  Another round of sexy laughter bubbled through the phone. After putting my key in the front door, I paused. The urge to see her again made me consider climbing back in my truck with my plate and going over to her place.

  “You don’t want to know.”

  It was too late. It’s amazing how a few kisses could push your thoughts, wants, and desires to a whole new level.

  “All right, change of subject. What are you doing right now?” She stopped laughing, but I could hear the smile in her voice.

  “I just got home with a steaming plate of ribs.”

  “Ribs?”

  “Yeah, collard greens and mac-n-cheese, too.”

  “Soul food? You’re eating soul food?” She laughed her disbelief.

  “The minute I get inside I am. Why?”

  “That’s like me saying I’m eating a big bowl of mac-n-cheese for dinner. The only people I know who do are white.”

  I shook my head. “There you go with the race thing again.”

  “Come on, Brian, you know I’m right. Do you see black people in Kraft commercials eating bowls of mac-n-cheese as the main course? Of course not, because we eat it as a side dish with ribs.”

  Her laugh was contagious. She had a point.

  All too soon, the laughter slowed. “I miss you, Brian.”

  “What?”

  Ebony hesitated. “I miss you.” The wo
rds were no longer a whisper.

  I stopped in the foyer of my house. If I drove fast enough, I could be at her place in twenty minutes.

  “I miss you, too.”

  “Are you busy Friday? I mean, do you have plans? I don’t have to work either job, so I figured, you know if you’re free, maybe we could…” She paused. “I know you’ve got to go to the club Friday night. I would love to come see you play, but I’ve got to report to the zoo early in the morning, so I can’t stay out late. What I’m saying is I want to see you.”

  She’d finally stopped rambling.

  “Did you just ask me out on an actual date?”

  Nervous laughter came through the phone. “Yes.”

  “Friday’s good, although I have mandatory practice from three to six─”

  “Oh.”

  “We don’t go on until eleven. Why don’t I pick you up around two? You can go with me. Afterward we could grab something to eat and do whatever you want. I’ll be yours until ten.”

  “I’d like that.”