“Is Wyatt Boone going to retire?”
I ignored every single one. If you gave one of them any sort of attention, they turned into flies on shit and would never stop. I learned to keep my head down and ignore it.
I straightened the sleeves of my dark green button-up shirt before I stepped through the doors of the high-endhotel my family was staying at. The sounds from outside dulled as soon as the doors shut behind me.
Tucking one hand into the front pocket of my black slacks, I walked through the foyer, my dress shoes tapping against the marble stone beneath. Bright chandeliers hung overhead, bathing the foyer in a warm, honeyed glow that sharpened the edges of marble and glass.
Up ahead, a sweeping staircase curved along the far wall, the iron railing showcasing intricate details that clearly had taken hours upon hours to perfect. Huge hand-painted artworks lined the walls in fancy frames, luxurious wallpaper beside it. Even the air smelled amazing as white lilies spilled from oversized arrangements throughout the place. High-end, indeed.
Muted conversations, the quiet chime of the elevator, and the clink of glassware from the restaurant tucked beyond the wide archway to the left met my ears. A few guests walked past me, but they paid me no heed. Not in a place like this where most of the guests themselves were important.
I didn’t bother checking in at the front desk since I knew where I was going. This hotel was the same one my brothers usually stayed at whenever they came to visit. It was known for privacy and security, which was a must when it came to the kids.
Taking the stairs, I climbed the steps to the next level where a separate area was for exclusive parties. Another perk to this place was having a private space where the entire family could be without any prying eyes.
I followed the cream-colored carpet, not a speck of dirt anywhere to be seen, down the hallway. I passed a few conference rooms on either side before familiar voices came through a cracked door off to my right. The tension in my shoulders seeped away.
I stood outside the door for a moment. The deep voicesof the guys talking, followed by little giggles from kids, filling my ears. Josie’s laugh made me smile. It really hadn’t been that long since I last saw everyone, but I still felt a small wave of melancholy. It wasn’t as strong of a feeling as usual, but it was there. I wondered if it had something to do with a beautiful redhead taking up most of my headspace.
I gently pushed open the door and stepped inside, letting it slowly shut behind me. It took a moment for them to notice I was there, which granted me a second to take everyone in.
Tasha and Trevor laughed at something Mila said before flashing each other a grin. They’d been together seven years and still looked as smitten as the day I found them in my mom’s bathroom making out.
Bryton walked up behind his wife, hand on her waist, and whispered something to her. The love between them never faded. Instead, they just melded together effortlessly.
My eyes were then drawn to the little figures running around the private room, their giggles overtaking the conversations, but no one seemed to mind. How could they when my nieces and nephew were the cutest things on the planet?
“My baby!” It took a second for it to register before my mom, Evelyn Boone, was hurtling in my direction. Arms wrapping around my shoulders and a hard yank pulling me in had me bending at the waist. My mom’s small but strong frame held me to her.
I let out an inaudible sigh and embraced her back, soaking in the hugs only my mom could give. It'd been even longer since I last saw my mom thanks to their cruise, so I held onto her a second longer before I pulled back.
“Hey, Ma.”
“How are you? Have you been eating? You look a little thinner.” My mom looked me up and down, clicking hertongue. Her brown hair was more gray and a little bit longer than this past summer, but her skin was bronzed and glowy.
“I promise I’ve been eating,” I reassured her. I was an adult, but I’d forever be a little kid in her eyes.
“Want me to come by and make some food after the game tomorrow?” she offered. As sweet as that’d be, it was unnecessary.
Before I could respond, someone else did it for me. Well, more likesomeones.
“Uncle Maty!”
“Maty!”
Three little bodies came right for me. Mom barely stepped aside before she was mowed over as six arms wrapped around my legs. The three cutest kids I’d ever laid eyes on stared up at me with pure adoration.
“Well, if it isn’t the three hooligans.” I squatted down, not caring that I could rip my slacks, so I could be at their level. Almost instantly, their hands circled my neck.
I glanced up, trying to fight the fact that they were close to choking me out, as the others made their way toward us. I smirked. “Clearly, I’m their favorite person ever.”
“Oh, please. They also like dirt and mud,” Landon deadpanned.
“You’re just jealous.” I looked at Kai, Wrenley, and Jayden. “I’m your favorite, aren’t I?” I gave them my biggest grin, which they returned, albeit theirs with less teeth.
“YES!”
I shot my older brother a told-you-solook. Landon just rolled his eyes.
