Martha Kennerson - An Unexpected Holiday Gift

“Thank you.” Mia wrapped her arms around her waist. It was either a protective gesture or a nervous habit that she’d given up trying to break a long time ago. Keylan’s kind words and the excitement radiating from his body at playing with the kids had her heart doing flips. Not to mention the way the rest of her body was responding to his nearness. “You were supposed to be helping with the older kids.”

“I know, but when I passed by this gym and saw these guys, something drew me in.”

“They can have that effect on people,” she said, smiling.

Keylan gave Mia a half smile. “Do you mind if I—?”

“Key...lan,” Colby sang. “Key...lan.”

“Looks like I’m being summoned. Can we pick this up later when I’m done?”

“Key...lan,” Colby yelled, jumping up and down.

Mia’s eyes widened. She had never seen her son respond to anything or anyone in such a way.

“Demanding little dude. I guess he gets it from you,” he said with a sneer.

“He’s usually shy around strangers. Loud noises, inanimate objects that move or too much commotion makes him nervous...freaks him out.” Mia wondered if she looked as confused as she felt.

“Maybe it’s just me. Until later,” Keylan called over his shoulder, returning to Colby and the other children.

“Looks like Colby’s made a big new friend,” Sandra said, coming to stand next to Mia.

“Yeah, and that’s what I’m afraid of,” Mia replied, her forehead creased.

* * *

Keylan had showered, changed into his street clothes and was sitting on the bench in front of his locker, flipping through his phone messages, but found his ability to concentrate fleeting. He was still flying high from all the fun he’d had hanging with all those kids today, especially Colby. The way Colby seemed to come alive around him made his heart swell. His brilliant and very beautiful mother was making him crazy in ways no other woman had and that scared the hell out of him. All he could think about was Mia’s short but athletic legs, her small waist and ample breasts. Keylan had been so deep in thought that he didn’t hear his name being called. “KJ,” a raised baritone voice said before a quick punch landed on Keylan’s right shoulder. He looked up to find his cousin Travis smiling down at him.

Travis Kingsley looked like a fairer-skinned version of Keylan. A wildly successful cattle rancher, he was the only son of Keylan’s aunt Elizabeth. Travis served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the family’s foundation.

“You don’t want none of this, son,” Keylan replied, laughing, placing his phone down on the bench before the two men bumped fists.

“What are you doing here and what has you so engrossed in thought that you didn’t hear me coming? You know what Aunt Victoria always says,” Travis prompted.

“Always be aware of your surroundings,” they said in unison.

Keylan nodded. “How can I forget? She only drilled it in our heads for years.” The two men were more like brothers than cousins. After all, they’d all been raised together.

“So what’s going on? I hear you were working with our Down’s kids,” Travis asked. “I know how special that group is to you.”

“Yeah, they’re a really great bunch of kids. I had no idea we’d doubled our initial admission numbers.”

“I know, and while I appreciate you finally making time to stop by, I can’t help but wonder what prompted this visit, especially while you’re in the middle of your rehab.” Travis leaned against the locker, crossed his arms at his chest and his feet at the ankles.

“I can’t believe the story hasn’t been picked up by the media yet.” Keylan grabbed his phone and searched his name online. “Yep, it’s there.”

“What’s there?”

Keylan handed Travis his phone. He preferred for his cousin to read the articles for himself. “Man, that’s BS. Z’s reaction to that play was a flop. Everyone knows he made that fall look worse than it really was. Now you get suspended for three games, along with having to pay a fine and perform community service because of his punk-ass move.”

“I really don’t mind doing the service or paying the fine. Hell, I’ll even accept the three-game suspension, although I do find it excessive, especially since it won’t be imposed until next season. It’s being labeled a selfish bully on the court. I may be aggressive when I play, but I’m no selfish bully.”

“Since when do you give a damn about what people think?”

“Since now,” Keylan said, accepting his phone back from Travis.

“Now I see why you were so deep in thought when I came up. But there’s no better place to get your hours completed than in a place you help build and financially support.”

“Tell that to our activities director.” Keylan sat his phone on the bench next to his keys.

“Mia?” Travis’s eyes widened and he stood straight.

“She thinks I’m a rich and overprivileged playboy.”

Travis grimaced. “Well...”

“Okay, but she also thinks I’m only here going through the motions.”

“That’s because she doesn’t know your history here or the fact that you paid for that massive gym with your NBA money. I guess you failed to mention those facts.” Travis smiled. “She’s good people. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

Keylan rose from the bench and placed his hands in his pockets. “Why the defense...she yours or something?”

A smile crawled across Travis’s face as he stood in silence for a moment. “Why? You interested or something?”

Keylan and his cousin had always been competitive when it came to sports and sometimes business, but never when it came to women. Blood was blood. As much as it bothered Keylan to lie to his cousin, if Travis had a thing for Mia, he would never know how much Keylan was attracted to her, too.

“You know she’s not my type...too short. Plus, she has a kid. I don’t date women with kids, although Colby really is cute and could use some KJs or at least some Jordans in his life. Those Velcro things she’s got on his feet are ridiculous.”

Travis gave Keylan a lopsided grin. “What?”

“You do like her.” Travis burst out laughing, slowly clapping his hands.

Keylan reached down and picked up his phone and keys. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“Well...” Keylan said, trying but failing to look disinterested.

“Well, what?” Travis teased. Keylan glared at him. “No man, Mia is great, but she’s my friend and our employee. That’s all.”

“Really?”

“Really. But heed my warning—Mia’s not one to be toyed with,” Travis warned.

“I’m not looking to toy with anyone. Besides, she’s not—”

“Your type, so you’ve said. I’m not buying it.”

“If she’s so great, why didn’t you asked her out? Or have you? What, she turn you down?” Keylan laughed.

“She’s our employee, so no, I haven’t asked her out. If you’re not interested, why all the questions?”

Good question.

While Mia wasn’t the type of woman Keylan usually went for—tall, agreeable and strictly fun—the idea of Mia and Travis together annoyed the hell out of him. Keylan’s phone beeped and he was relieved by the interruption. He read his text. “What’s up with my mom? She’s texted me like ten times within the last thirty minutes.”

“She’s trying to confirm that you’ll be at the dinner meeting she scheduled tonight.”

“Why, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, but it must be something big, because she sent James to give me a personal invite since I didn’t answer her twenty text messages.”

Keylan shook his head. “Man, my mother is something else. I’m surprised James hasn’t quit with all the crazy errands she makes him run.”