“Easy morning access.” He undoes the buttons, his lips finding my nipples, and I tip my head back as pleasure rips through my chest. “Just so you know, the bra goes on the moment you leave.”
He smiles as he sucks and tweaks my breasts. “Because they’remine.”
“I’m yours, Brandon. All yours.”
He stops kissing me and looks deep into my eyes. “I know.”
Hand in hand,Brandon and I walk into Byron and Giana’s home. The family has gathered to welcome baby Adelaide.
“Hey.” Byron greets us at the door. “Come in and see my angel.” He kisses my cheek and shakes Brandon’s hand.
“Congratulations, mate,” Brandon says sincerely.
I’m smiling at how friendly these two are again. We walk into the main living room, where Byron’s huge glass doors are open to the views of LA. Brandon looks around as though he’d forgotten what it was like.
Giana is in a large chair, surrounded by my family. I head over, and my mother steps aside for me to see. I kiss her cheek. “Congratulations, Gigi.”
She smiles up at me. Little Adelaide is swaddled in her arms, her tiny face peeking out. “She is perfect,” Giana purrs. “Thank you for the gifts. We waited until you were here to unwrap them.”
“I get to do the honors.” Byron begins to unwrap the gifts—Brandon and mine is first. He grins at the soft pink bunny, and then he unwraps the Dolce and Gabbana tiny dress. “Oh, it’s adorable.” He holds it up, and the room echoes,aww. When he pulls out the Christian Louboutin sneakers, he laughs. “I can’t imagine her in these yet.” Finally, there is a kangaroo stuffed toy. It doesn’t look cuddly, but Brandon was adamant Adelaide needed a kangaroo in her room. Byron unwraps and looks at Brandon and me. “Thank you both.” He shakes his head and grins at the kangaroo as though there is a hidden joke.
Brandon lightly elbows me. “Told you he’d love it.”
Byron nods slowly. “We both appreciate it.”
While he continues to open Penny and Franklin’s gift, Jobe comes to stand beside Brandon. They are talking quietly together, yet I hear them mention Malibu. Curiosity piques, though I know now is not the time to ask. Then later in the afternoon, I see Franklin talking quietly to Brandon.
What the hell is going on?
37
CHARLOTTE
We are onlytwo hours into the journey on a flight to Philadelphia, but I check my watch every five minutes.
We lost both home games of the playoffs.
A wake-up call to the players.
It was never going to be easy.
Now we are heading to Philadelphia for the first of three games to their advantage. After losing at home, I don’t think my heart can take it if we lose another.
I look over at Brandon’s parents, and his mom looks weary. All the travel has taken its toll. Every time I ask if she’s okay, she tells me there is nothing to worry about. It’s what people say when thereissomething to worry about.
“Excuse me, Heidi,” I say to our private flight attendant. “Could you please check on Mrs. Johns? Offer her some refreshments. Perhaps she would like to take a nap in the bedroom?”
“Of course. I’ll see to it immediately.”
My mother slides into the lounge chair beside me. “What’s wrong?”
“Brandon’s mom doesn’t look well to me. I know the travel is tiring, but she looks pale, don’t you think?”
Mom peeps without making it obvious. “She does rather, but she isn’t wearing makeup, and I look just as pale without color on my face.”
I nod, hoping that is all it is.
38
