Xo Novel
The Role Model
Chapter 23 The Role Model
BOWLING ALLEY, LOS ANGELES.
“You have definitely lost your damn mind!” Aaron bickered, rolling the ball to knock down the arranged woods but he missed. “Shit! Why do I always miss when I am such a good shooter!” He kissed his teeth in frustration.
Leo laughed at him, bending down to roll his. “That is because you are too impatient and overconfident. Just because you dunk balls on the court doesn’t mean you can roll a ball.”
“Ah! Ah! Ah! Funny…I hear you. Show me what you have got.” He scoffed.
Rolling the ball expertly, every of the woods fell apart. Leo dusted an invincible dirt from his shoulder proudly. “What did I tell you again? Call me the boss.” He howled.
Aaron sneered at him. “That’s all you can do. Can we take a break now.”
Leo breathed heavily. “Sure, I am quite tired as it is.”
Sitting by a table with their can of energy drinks in hand, they both moaned in relief as their back hit the chair. The both of them have been bowling for close to twenty minutes nonstop.
“So what did the almighty madam do to you?” Aaron mused taking a sip of his drink.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
Leo squinted his eyes. “Can you quit coming at my wife to be, please. What did she do so wrong? I already told you to stop blaming her for my predicament.”
“Wake up and smell the fucking coffee, Leo. If Chloe didn’t turn herself to some kind of handbag for you, your mother wouldn’t have thought of bringing you both together and you won’t have been subjected to fulfilling her wishes all because of the guilt you carry. Haven’t you done enough for everyone of them? You need to live too before you have regrets.”
“Enough, Aaron! Why are you being so persistent? I had a choice to not respond, but I did it anyway. I should carry my cross responsibly.”
“Do you know how hurt I feel knowing you aren’t happy and there is nothing I can do about it?” Aaron questioned, his face creased in worry.
Sighing in resolve, Leo smacked his lips. “I know you mean well, man. I promise, I will be fine. At least here I am spending my weekend with you.”
“You only spend weekends with me when your weekdays have been crazy.” He accused.
“I feel hurt. You are the one who is always choked with matches to play. I only get to see you when you are taking a break. Don’t try to come at me at all.”
“Fine! We are both guilty then. I miss you so much, man. Only you know me too well and there is this girl…” Aaron began excitedly
“Arrrgh!” Leo hollered in pain. “Please don’t, whenever you start with the line, there is this girl…it’s nothing but disastrous in the end.”
He did the tsk tsk sound. “I hate you.”
His friend laughed, “the feeling is mutual, only I can count the number of ladies who tickled you fancy and in two weeks you all are strangers again.”
Squaring his shoulder, Aaron grinned. “It’s the perks of being a popular athlete. I make the girls feel good, the least they can do is pay pappy back beautifully.”
“You are nothing to write home about.”
“I guess I did well touring in your footsteps.”
“Tch, I am nothing like you man. If anything you should consider me a role model. I will make you a responsible young man.”
“That’s the funniest lie I have heard this year.” Aaron cackled.
Showing him a middle finger, Leo gulped down his drink. “I am going to meet with Darby again.”
Aaron looked like he would cry. “Please don’t say that. Why are you so hellbent on embarrassing yourself?”
“Because she is lying to me. I had someone find out about her life in San Francisco and she was pregnant at the time she was working for the said guy she claimed to be the boy’s father.”
“I thought you didn’t want the pregnancy at first. Why are you suddenly so keen on it?”
Leo stayed quiet. “There is something I didn’t tell you, Aaron. Back in high school, I was aware of Darby before we eventually met that night. I knew she had a crush on me and has been following me around school with her eyes. But there was something that amused me, she never came up to me despite the longing in her eyes. She didn’t throw caution to the wind and lay flat at my feet like every other girls would then. I began to like her for real, but I was too proud to approach her. It felt like the heavens heard my hidden wishes that night when she came to Derrick’s party. I had asked him to instigate the truth and dare game, so no one would suspect that I had caught interest for the unpopular nerd amongst us.”
“Wow, I feel betrayed. I can’t believe I was left in the dark. But you know no one would have come at you if you showed your true intentions, why did you let her go?”
“The rumors got me and that was my very first heartbreak. It was hard for me to talk about. When I found out later that it was just a plot against her, I was disappointed in myself. Even went as far as her house to find her. However, she was long gone then with my child in her belly. Her mother said Darby ran off to avoid aborting the child. I am sure she wouldn’t have let me in on the truth, if she knew I was responsible for the pregnancy. I think I sealed off my heart since then.”
Aaron sighed, staring at his friend pitifully. “Did your feelings return when you found her?”
“I must say I was glad and almost couldn’t sleep. However, when I saw her I practically flinched. The cold look in her eyes pulled me back, I was about to let it go. Until I saw him. I felt an immediate tug in my heart that I have never felt before. I see myself staring at the picture he took with his mother in the magazine and I swear on my life I have never been so connected to someone like I am towards that young boy. He didn’t even talk to me. Do you think I am crazy?” Leo asked, searching his friend’s eyes.
He nodded, scratching his hair. “Maybe a little. But then, I am not in the right place to judge you. I have never seen you this passionate about anything before. Not even when you lost your virginity.” Aaron said with all feigned seriousness.
Leo glared at him. “Why does everything have to be a joke to you?”
“It’s funny, thats all.” He blurted, laughing hard.
A chuckle escaped Leo’s lips. “Ever now and then, I regret having you as a friend. Rather than console me, all you do is make fun of me. How annoying is that?”
“This is why it’s important that you live a little.” Raising his can at him, Aaron winked. “Cheers to life, brother.”
“You are hopeless.” Leo shook his head, staring at his ringing phone on the table. “Excuse me, please.” He said, answering the call. ‘Hey, babe.’
‘Honey.’ Chloe muttered on the other line causing Aaron to snort.
Leo gave him the middle finger, before turning his side at him. ‘What’s wrong, Chloe? Why do you sound weak?”‘
She sneezed. ‘I think I caught the cold.’
He grinned. ‘Do you need me to be your duvet? I could do a whole lot being your cover.’ He teased, nodding his head at something she said. ‘Okay, baby. I will be home soon.’
Aaron kissed his teeth, “I guess you are leaving me right?”
Leo reached out to pat his cheek. “Don’t be such a baby. I will catch up with you tomorrow. My wife is under the weather.” He said.
“I hope you catch a cold too.” Aaron called out at his receding back. “Don’t ever call me again!”
“I love you too, man.” Leo retorted, laughing as he stepped out of the building.