“You have to fix it, Connie.”
“I will.”
I unlock the phone and reply to Piper’s message, declining her offer. I never really liked LA anyway.
Then I pull up Julius’s number.
Me
Are you home? Can I see you?
Julius
I’m visiting my sister today.
No other messages follow, and I’m gutted that he hasn’t acknowledged my second question. If he’s with his sister, I’m not going to hunt him down, but I will see him today.
Julius is mine, and I’m his, and by the time I’m finished with him, there will be zero doubts of that.
“How do you feel about going to the Academy for brunch? We haven’t done anything together in a while,” I say.
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“Great. Then you can tell me all about your sleepover.”
“Not a chance.”
“Remember who’s paying the food bill.”
“Ugh. You’re the worst.”
“Nah. I just love you too much. And I can be as nosy as you.”
“Fine. But I want to know all about Julius.”
I laugh. “Fair trade.”
14
JULIUS
“Again!”
I throw the ball, and Kellie tries her best to catch it but fails.
“She’s never going to get a spot in the Women’s Football Alliance,” Hella says, leaning against the door to Kellie’s bedroom. “Also, what did I say about throwing balls inside?”
“Mommy, it’s cold outside. I get sick.”
“She does have a point,” I say.
Hella crouches and Kellie goes straight to her. “Huggle.”
“Hey, sweetie, how about you make a picture for Uncle Julius to take home?”
“Okay, Mommy. Uncle Julius, what’s your favorite color?”
“Pink,” I say, and she scrunches her nose. “Yellow?”
