“Have a good day, Andy,” I reply before hanging up the call and tossing my phone to the side.
A yawn escapes me as I stretch my arms. Days off are rare and far off in between. So as much as I’d love to fall back into the sheetsand rest some more, it’s my niece’s birthday today, and I should get going before I spend my day in bed.
With a resigned sigh, I slide out of bed and hop in the shower. After, I down some scrambled eggs and toast with a coffee, then make my way over to my sister’s place, which is a mere two-minute walk from mine.
We live in a quiet, private neighborhood outside of Detroit, where many professional athletes and their families do. I’ve been here since I started with Panthers twelve years ago, and it’s become my safe haven from the frenzy of the media.
I use my spare key that my sister gave me when they moved in years ago and unlock the front door. The smell of coffee and the sound of my niece running down the stairs instantly hit me.
“Uncle Q!” she shouts happily as her long, dark hair bounces around.
“Hey, Liv, or should I say, the birthday girl. How old are you today?” I ask as I crouch down and wrap her in a hug.
She giggles against my shoulder before pulling back and holding up six fingers.
“I’m six years old today,” she says proudly.
“Phew, six already? You’re getting old there, kid,” I say.
“Me? Dad saysyou’reold,” she sasses, clearly having inherited her father’s attitude.
“Your dad is lucky he’s married to my sister. Otherwise—”
“Otherwise what?” Ryker chimes in as he walks into the room and crosses his arms against his chest.
“I would kick your A-S-S,” I spell out.
I’ve known Ryker ever since he met my sister in college, and although he’s a pain in my ass, both as a teammate and brother-in-law, he and Camille couldn’t be more perfect for each other.
Oliva’s mouth pops open, my attempt at ensuring she didn’t understand the curse word clearly failing. “I know how to spell, and that wasn’t very nice, Uncle Q.”
The three of us burst into laughter at that, and she takes off toward the kitchen, where my sister likely is.
“Can you believe she’s already six?” I say as I clap Ryker on the shoulder.
“It feels like it wasn’t long ago that Camille was telling me she was pregnant.”
I still remember the exact day it happened. We had just won our first World Series and the entire team was celebrating on the field when she blurted it out. They’d been trying for so long and she couldn’t keep the news from us any longer. I knew how important it was for my sister to start her own family and I couldn’t have been happier to see her get everything she’s ever dreamed of.
“Time flies,” I comment, wishing I had the power to slow it down.
We head toward the grand kitchen space and find my sister hunched over, making latte art like she always does.
“Hey,” she says, looking up.
I march to her side and wrap my arm around her shoulder, planting a kiss over her head. “Hey, little sis.Ca va?”
“C’est l’anniversaire de ma fille, alors je ne peux pas me plaindre,” Camille responds as she flits her gaze to her daughter, who’s perched on the stool, watching her intently.
“Do you need help with anything for today?” I offer as I back away and lean against the kitchen island.
“Ryker couldn’t sleep after the game, so he prepped the food last night. So now we can relax and enjoy the day together.” She stands up straight, having finished with her art of what looks to be balloons likely for Olivia’s birthday, her eyes on her husband standing next to me.
“Although, we might need your help next weekend when our friends and their kids make the trip here to celebrate her birthday. Their schedules could only make it work next weekend, seeing as everyone’s so busy, but I don’t mind either way. I’ll just be happy to see them,” Camille says, giving me a bright smile.
“We have a string of home games next weekend before we hit the road for a week, so I’ll be around to help out,” I say with a nod and turn to Olivia, who’s been sitting rather quietly. “So, birthday girl, what’s the plan today?”
“Swim, eat, and laugh,” she says excitedly.
