Poser by Cambria Hebert Page A

my account and not tell me. I never said anything and neither did she, but I think she knew I was grateful.
    I glanced at the antique-white cabinets and stone tiled backsplash before stepping up to the black granite countertop and looking out the window over the sink into the backyard. The trees outside would soon be full of color; they were just now starting to turn. The outside didn’t hold my attention long, just like the interior hadn’t.
    My attention once again turned inward.
    I thought getting out of bed early would allow me to escape from my thoughts, but the soundless morning only encouraged them.
    Instead of thinking about my father, or Ivy and all the things I didn’t say, I thought about my future. Here I was a junior in college, almost graduated, but I had no idea where I’d be in two years.
    I wasn’t like Romeo. I wasn’t intent on the NFL. I certainly wouldn’t turn down an offer, but I guess a voice in the back of my head always told me that was Rome’s dream, his goal… It wasn’t mine.
    It never bothered me before that I wasn’t sure what I’d do. But now it did.
    Now everything seemed to weigh ten pounds more than it had before.
    Maybe I couldn’t see past the right now because so much was unsettled. I needed to get my shit together, not just for me, but for Ivy. Because even if I had no idea where I’d be in a few years, I knew without a doubt I wanted her right there with me.
    I turned from the window and glanced at the coffee pot on the counter. I looked under the lid and smiled. Rim had it set already. All I had to do was press start.
    Damn, I loved that girl.
    Seconds ticked by, and then the thick scent of brewing coffee filled the room. I breathed deep, enjoying it.
    I heard a key in the lock at the front of the house, then the opening and closing of a door. Seconds later, Rimmel walked around the corner carrying a big box of donuts with a brown paper sack on top.
    Her steps faltered when she saw me standing there, but then she smiled. “Is the house on fire?”
    “Yes, Rim. Thought I’d stand here half dressed and watch everything burn,” I retorted.
    She snorted, the action making a strand of thick, dark hair fall over her glasses and shield one eye. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you get up this early when you didn’t have to be up. I figured there had to be an emergency.”
    I shrugged and pushed off the counter to take the stuff out of her hands and put it nearby on the island. “Must have donut radar.” I joked and opened the box to snag a glazed donut.
    I shoved half of it in my mouth. Then I paused. “These for me?”
    She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You have terrible manners.”
    I grinned so she could see the pastry in my teeth. “Thanks, sis.”
    “Romeo told me donuts and coffee was your tradition with him before classes started every semester.”
    The mention of Rome and the shit we always did made the donut a little harder to swallow. I missed him, and it made me realize maybe his absence was also one of the reasons I felt so conflicted about everything. We didn’t talk heavy shit too much, but he was still my sounding board and I was his.
    “Yeah, we pretty much eat everything after training camp and before the semester starts. Once it does, I’m gonna have to really cut my diet for the season.”
    Rimmel leaned against the counter and smiled. “Well, I know Romeo isn’t here, but I’ll eat donuts with ya.”
    I shoved the rest in my mouth and licked my fingers. “I guess you’ll do.”
    “Gee, thanks.” She poked me in the stomach.
    “Bring it in,” I said and opened up one arm while I reached for another donut with the other. Rim stepped into my embrace and wrapped her arms around my waist. She hugged me a little longer—maybe just one second more—than usual. I tossed the food down and pulled her back in, wrapping both my arms around her.
    “How you doing, sis?” I said over her head.
    “I’m good.”
    I pulled her back and