Braeden let out a wounded sound, laying his hand on his heart. “BBFL betrayal. How could you, sis?”
“That is a good idea.” Ivy seconded.
“It’s like they pretend I’m not even here,” Braeden put in.
I finished off my plate of food. Frankly, this breakfast was like dinner and a show.
“You’d really let him onto the compound?” Nova asked.
We didn’t let many people onto our family compound, mostly just family and a few friends of the kids who had been around for many years. We liked to keep this place private—a safe space for the family to be themselves. We’d had too many run-ins with the press and people selling information about us. It seemed like every time we stepped out in public, there was a camera somewhere. It was hard on the kids at first because they couldn’t just have people over whenever they wanted. All their playdates were off the compound. Sometimes they still got mad about it, but we held our ground because you didn’t realize how important safety and privacy were until they were taken away.
“It would be a great chance for us to meet him,” she said, glancing at Braeden.
“And then after the party, you can go to the movies,” Ivy added.
“He’s not going to want to come here.” She glanced at me and Drew. “Not with all my dads here.”
“Well, he was brave enough to ask you out. He must really like you.” Ivy encouraged her.
Nova said, “You think so?”
“One way to find out.”
Nova turned to Travis. “Is it okay if I invite Jordan to your party?”
Travis shrugged. “Whatever.”
“Travis,” Drew admonished.
Travis sighed. “Sure, Nova. It’s cool.”
Nova got up and rushed around the table to throw her arms around his shoulders and hug him. “Thanks, Trav. I’m going to go text him,” she called, running out of the room.
“Where’s my hug?” Braeden yelled after her.
“Later!” she yelled back.
“Do you think he will come?” Rimmel asked.
“I hope not,” Braeden grumbled. “How’d she get his number anyway? Better not have got it off my roster. Gonna have to start locking it up.”
“If he comes, his phone stays at the door,” Romeo said, and we all nodded.
“Can we go play Xbox now?” Asher asked.
“Put your dishes in the sink,” Rimmel said.
Asher, Blue, and Jax all stood to gather their plates.
“You coming?” Blue asked Travis.
“Yeah,” he replied and stood.
“Hey,” Drew said, and Travis looked up from gathering his dishes.
“Me and your dad are going to dinner tonight. Can you hang with Andi?”
“Sure.”
