“What did I say about swearing in front of Jagger?” Ariella snaps at Jaxon.
“Ari, he can’t even say TT, you think he’s going to say fuck?”
“See?” I say, pointing to Jaxon. “Step one is admitting there is a problem.”
“And that is why you are sleeping at a hotel tonight,” he declares and I laugh as I make my way up to the spare bedroom I’ve been staying in for the last couple of days. After my long hot shower, I put on a pair of black jeans with a black sweater. It has the same Warriors logo in the middle of it like Ariella’s T-shirt.
When I walk down the stairs, I hear Ariella singing “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider.…the spout again,” she sings, her voice animated as Jagger claps his hands.
“Yay,” I say, walking in and seeing Jagger in front of Ariella. He is wearing the same pants but now has on his baby hockey jersey. The logo is in the middle of his chest and has Jaxon’s number thirteen on the back with the name Daddy above it. I know this because I bought it for him when he was first born. I knew it would be too big for him, but he’s been slowly growing into it.
“Look at how snazzy you look.” I smile at him. “Who is your favorite auntie?” I ask him and he looks at me and smiles, scrunching his nose. “No, not what is that stinky smell.” I shake my head. “Auntie TT.” I point to myself and he copies, pointing to me and I take his finger, kissing it. “TT.”
“Okay, let’s go,” Ariella urges. “You can teach him to say your name on the way to the game.” She grabs her big bag as she puts in a sweater and a pair of pjs for Jagger before we step into the garage, and I put him in his car seat. I get into the front seat next to Ariella as we chat about going to the farmers market tomorrow.
We drive into the underground parking reserved for families and she gets out, smiling at the valet there. “How is our big man?” he asks her as I walk around the SUV.
“He’s doing good, Clive,” she replies. “This is Jaxon’s sister, Victoria.” She points to me.
“Hi.” I reach out my hand. “Nice to meet you.” I smile at him, and he takes my hand as Ariella grabs Jagger out of his car seat. We walk over to the elevator, making our way up to the suites.
Ariella steps into the suite before me and I swear I think I hear my name as I look around.
My eyes go to Lexi. “Is that Victoria?” I hear Lexi ask.
Ariella gets to Lexi before I do, Jagger throwing himself out of her arms to get to Lexi. “It is I.” I point to myself as I try to give her a hug, but I’m pushed away by Jagger. “Dude, you literally slept with me last night. Have you no loyalty?” I ask him and he just lays his head on her shoulder, and I think the bugger even takes a huge sigh.
“It’s Lexi or no one,” Ariella huffs out. “Which means I can relax and enjoy myself for a bit before he wants me again.” She smiles and the girls are all around us. “Guys, this is Jaxon’s sister, Victoria, she is visiting us for a week.”
“Oh, that sounds like so much fun. Hi, I’m Kylie, Lexi’s soon to be sister-in-law extraordinaire, and also Kirby’s favorite sister.” The girl beside Lexi extends her hand as Lexi laughs at her introduction.
“You’re his only sister,” she points out to Kylie, who just shrugs.
“I’m still the favorite. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Thank you.” I extend my hand to her. “Coming to visit was a graduation present to myself.” I smile big. “I just graduated less than two weeks ago and, sadly, the first thing I decided to do was come to California to see my brother.”
“Fun,” Kylie says. “I backpacked in Europe for mine and Kirby paid for it.” She mentions her brother who is Jaxon’s teammate.
“I wish!” I shriek. “I freaking wish.” I look at Ariella, who is talking to one of the girls. “Think Jaxon will pay for me to go backpacking in Europe?”
“Yeah, sure,” she nods her head, “and he’ll hire five guys to go with you.”
“Yeah, I’m afraid of that.” I look up at the ceiling. “He’s such a buzzkill ever since he became a father.” I fold my arms over my chest. “Thanks for that.” I side-eye Ariella.
“You’re welcome, I think.” She sounds confused.
“Look at her shirt,” Lexi urges Ariella. Kylie proudly turns around to show her the back of her shirt. All I can see is the number and a glimpse of the name.
Her gasp out loud is very similar to Lexi’s. “That’s bold.”
“It is not bold,” Kylie defends. “There are literally other girls out there,” she points to the seats, “who are wearing his name too.”
“Yes, but you wearing it means”—Ariella holds up her hands—“like you’re taken by him.”
“Well, I am,” she admits and everyone’s eyes go big, except mine.
“We’re dating,” she announces and I guess this must be a big deal, but I don’t really get it.
