While out there, Demi and I had a long talk one night as we sat in the bed of a truck on the side of a mountain. I was terrified we were going to be eaten by mountain lions, but she assured me she’d protect me if the situation arose.
I told her how free I’ve felt lately. How my life has felt so hopeful and exciting. After my contract was extended, I received a text from my father about how long it took for them to “want to keep me”—his words. And it was like the final straw I didn’t realize he was on. My next session with Dana was one of the most emotional hours of my life. But I ended that afternoon blocking his phone number and deleting him from every social media app I have. Even going as far as sending text messages to my brother and my mom, letting them know how horribly our relationship had escalated and how I needed this break. My brother understood, no questions asked. My mom, not so much, but that didn’t surprise me.
I don’t know if I’ll ever have a relationship with him again. Never say never, right? But right now, I breathe better without him.
“I’m not waiting much longer, ladies.” I tap my watch as I wait for Summer and Abby to get on the boat.
“Liam Evans, if you would’ve left without us, I promise this would’ve been your last day on earth.” Summer narrows her eyes at me once she steps on the dock and hops into the boat.
We’re heading out to Bottle Island for the afternoon—finally, all eight of us are together again.
Demi’s sitting in the back of the boat between Chase and Abby as Ford stands next to me, beer in his hand. Summer takesthe tanning spot at the front, and, as usual, Nate and Mia are up ahead on the Jet Ski.
“Oh, shit,” Ford says as he’s glancing down at his phone. “Guess who just got traded?”
My brow creases as I shift my focus from the waves to him and back again. “On our team?”
He shakes his head and holds his phone screen up so I can see it.
“West?” I gasp, my jaw feeling slack as I stare at Ford wide eyed. “I’m fucking shocked.”
“Listen to these fucking details.” His head shakes again. “The Angels trade a lights-out pitcher for one first round, one fourth round pick, and centerfielder Danny Hule? That’s one of the worst deals I’ve ever seen. Angels’ front office fucked that up. They can’t afford to lose West.”
“Milwaukee won that trade, no contest. And teaming West up with Connor again is diabolical. I can’t wait to watch them win a series.”
Ford and I both shake our heads in disbelief over that lopsided trade.
As we pull up to Bottle Island, Chase and Ford hop out first to help pull the boat up to get situated on the sand. I do a quick scan of the perimeter, noticing only a handful of other boats out here, which is a nice surprise.
The girls head to the beach, blankets and bags in hand as Chase follows behind them with a small cooler to leave by their sides.
Days like today are extra special. I’m reminded just how fucking lucky I am. Six months ago, everything about my future felt unsure. My job, my relationship—if I could’ve even called it that back then. But now, looking at everything I have, I don’t think I could’ve written it better. I’m so damn thankful for this group of people. I may not have come from the most supportivefamily, but the family I found—the one I chose—they mean everything to me.
“Quick touch game?” Nate tosses me the ball, and I put my beer down on Demi’s blanket, bending down to plant a kiss on her forehead as I do.
She sure knows how to wear the fuck out of that swimsuit. I might need to borrow Nate’s Jet Ski at some point for some alone time with her and that white one-piece.
“Oh, how was your appointment?” Chase turns to Ford as the four of us are now huddled up in the sand.
Ford shrugs, glancing at Abby, and I don’t miss how he swallows before clearing his throat to answer.
“We’re not going to keep trying right now. Not like that anyway.” His voice has a low rasp to it, and I feel my shoulders fall a little. “It’s been really hard on her. Emotionally, physically. When we met with the specialist after the fifth failed round I could see how drained she was. It kills me that I can’t give her what she wants so badly. It fuckingkillsme. We had a long talk, and she just said she needs a break from fertility treatments. I think all the failed rounds are really becoming too much—and who the fuck am I to question any of that? She’s a damn warrior for what she’s been putting herself through. I’m in awe of her every fucking day, and if she says she needs a break, she’s getting a break. We both want to have a baby so badly, you know, but we talked about it—we’ve been talking about it for a while now, and if it’s not part of our story then we’ll have each other to help cope with that.”
God, I’ve hated seeing them go through this for the last few years. They’d be the best parents.
“I’m holding hope for you guys,” I say, extending my hand to his but pulling him into a hug at the last minute.
“Ah, thanks.” He wipes his forehead, and I don’t miss the redness forming in his watery eyes, but he blinks it away. “Let’splay a game.” He swats the ball from Nate’s grip and it lands in the sand near his feet.
“Can we play?”
“Holy shit, you snuck up on us.” Chase jerks back as Summer’s at his side, icy blue eyes pleading at him. “You want to play instead of just lying out and yapping?”
“Yeah,” Mia says as she snatches the ball from Nate after he just picked it up.
“Jesus,” he says in a huff. “Can I not hold onto a ball anymore, what the fuck is wrong with me?”
“Girls versus boys, it’ll be fun.” Summer shrugs and runs her fingers along Chase’s back. A distraction tactic I know they’re all going to use if we agree.
