Page 67 of Playing to Win
Chapter 21
Kyle took a deep breath as Callie smoothed down the lapels of his suit jacket. “You sure do look handsome, Dimples. If I had known how well you filled out a suit, I might have agreed to go out with you before now.” She grinned, straightening his sky blue tie she insisted he wear because it matched his eyes perfectly.
“Now, I know that’s a lie, Curly. You didn’t even like me. You had to lose a bet to even consider hanging out with me.”
“And look how far we’ve come,” she said, planting a kiss on his cheek. “I even like you a little bit. Now, calm down before you get pit stains on this beautiful suit.”
“Oh, my, my. I knew I made pretty babies, but honey, your daddy and I had a good day when we created you.” His mom came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder, looking at him in the mirror.
“Mom, seriously? I could go without hearing that for, well, forever,” he groaned.
“What? Would you rather I say you were delivered by the stork?”
“I’d rather you not bring up an image of you and Dad procreating!”
Kyle’s mom chuckled. “Fine. Your dad and I have never had sex. Ever.”
Kyle rolled his eyes at Callie. “This is what happens when you have doctors for parents. They never get embarrassed or stressed talking about sex with their children. I got the sex talk when I was ten. By my mom. She even let me know about the ins and outs of masturbation and how it was a completely natural process. Try explaining that to your friends.”
Callie laughed at his obvious discomfort. “Always the over-reactor, my boy,” his mom said, patting him on the cheek.
An anchorman for ESPN walked into the room. “Kyle, we’re ready when you are.” Kyle gave him a nod.
“It’s show time, pretty boy,” Callie said, squeezing his hand. “You got this. Besides, if you mess up, they’ll be too busy staring at these craters God gifted you with to even notice you stuttered,” she said, pointing to his dimples.
“I’m looking to you if I get nervous, just so you know, Callie my girl.”
“And I’ll make a heart for you with my hands,” she said, batting her eyes. Kyle laughed. Leave it to Callie make him forget his nervousness. Jeez, he loved this girl.
Loved? Where in the world did that come from? But the more the thought about it, the more he realized it was true. Taking in the woman standing in front of him, dressed in a skin tight black skirt that hit right at her knees, the same heels she had on the night before, and a bright blue lacy tank top, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He not only loved the fact that she took his breath away, but he loved her strength, her quick wit, her fierce protection for those she cared about. Now, if he could just totally break through that final wall of hers. And he had a feeling getting her to tell him about the jackass who left her so jaded was the first step.
Right now, though, he had this speech to think of. Taking a deep breath, Kyle walked on stage and watched his mom and girl go sit down in the front row. He took a look around at the people he cared about most, squared his shoulders, and stepped up to the microphones.
Callie resistedthe urge to chew on her thumbs. She didn’t know who was more nervous, her or Kyle. She just thanked the Lord that her hives had held off until she left the room. She looked down at her chest now, which was covered in red splotches.
“I could give you some cream for those, if you would like,” Kyle’s mom leaned over and tapped Callie’s chest.
Callie let out a sigh. “It’s a curse of the fair-skinned. I get them all the time when I get nervous. You usually can’t see them because I’m always wearing t-shirts. Or sweatshirts. Something comfortable other than…this.”
“Well, I think you look very beautiful. And for these, I’ll write you a prescription,” Kathy winked. Callie grinned. She really liked Kyle’s family.
“Would you two decide to bond some other time?” Kyle’s sister, Kacia, asked. “My brother is about to get his MVP award. I’d like to hear his speech.”
The room got quiet as Kyle stepped up to the microphone. “First off, I would like to say that I am honored that this award was given to me this year. Of all the players in the NBA, I felt like there were so many more deserving than me, so that the voters thought enough of me to give me this award is so humbling. And now that I feel like I can talk without my voice shaking, I’ll start in on the rest of the stuff I want to say.”
Callie could see Kyle take a breath as the roomful of people laughed. “Before I get to the speech part, I want to say thanks to Kia, who was nice enough to gift me with a 2015 Kia Sedona. It’s not that I’m not incredibly honored to have it, but I would like to donate it to a family I know. Tanner was diagnosed with leukemia when he was six years old. His mom, Sophia, is a single mom who worked as a waitress at a restaurant in downtown Oklahoma City I often frequented and was a favorite of mine. When I quit seeing her, I asked the manager where she was and was told about Tanner’s illness. Sophia had quit working to take care of him. I went to see him the other day at OU Children’s Hospital, and that kid…well, that kid has the most amazing spirit. I didn’t know his mom has a junker of a car that’s on its last legs. I wish I could find a cure for his disease, but I can’t. I just hope this car makes it easier for his momma to get around.”
Kyle waited as the thunderous applause subsided before continuing. “Growing up in North Carolina, we were in church every Sunday. As a young, hyperactive kid, it was torture for me to sit still in a pew for an hour and a half each week. But as I grew older, I began to find peace and substance in what I was taught. God and His Son and what He did for me on the cross became real to me. The Bible and its teachings are what I’ve tried to base my life on daily, whether it’s on the court or in everyday life. I hope people can see that in me. So I’d like to thank my Heavenly Father for the gift He’s given me to play the game I love so much.”
“Amen, son,” Callie heard Kyle’s father whisper. “You be a witness.”
“He also gave me my family. I’m the youngest out of five kids and the only boy. To say I was picked on would be an understatement. You don’t know how many tea parties I had to sit through or games of Barbie I had to play. But my parents taught me manners. My sisters taught me patience. My meemaw taught me the value of hard work, and everyone I call family has taught me what true, unconditional love and support really means. Even though my sister Kacia and I are the only ones with any athletic ability to speak of, my parents and sisters all tried their best to learn the lingo, even though my sister Kylee thought this award was called the Very Best Player award until last night.”
Callie smiled as the room again erupted into laughter. Kyle was doing great.
“Even so, they never missed a game for either one of us. They have been my support when I thought I had none, they’ve taught me to persevere when I wanted to quit, they’ve loved me when I’ve been unlovable. So K-clan, thanks for putting up with me.”
Callie watched as Kyle’s family and Kyle himself all held up the sign language symbol for the letter K to their chest. This was probably the most loving family she had ever seen. No doubt that was going to be a highlight on Sports Center tonight.
