“We did. We saw and did a lot. Your mom hasn’t stopped raving about it.” Even after all these years, seeing Steven Barnum smile was a shock to the system. A completely different man than you’d see coaching the Toronto Knights, that was for sure.
“I’m glad you guys were able to go.” They had talked about going on a cruise for ages, so it was nice they finally went.
“There was something the two of us wanted to talk to you all about,” Steven said, shifting on his feet beside me, eyes darting to the others in the room. Before I could prod into what he wanted to talk about, a sudden cry interrupted.
I turned to see Jayden a few feet away, head thrown back as he let out a loud wail. It took me four strides to reach him. I scooped him up into my arms, balancing him on my right hip.
“What’s wrong, little Jay?” I peered at his tear-stained cheeks, his brown eyes so similar to Josie’s. I rubbed his back as I softly bounced him.
“I wanted to play.” He cried even louder, making me wince. A quick look showed Wren playing with what looked like Legos scattered on the floor.
“We can all play,” I tried to soothe him. “How about I sit with you and you can teach me how to build stuff?”
The tears dried as fast as they came. Jayden gave me a swift nod. Using my thumb, I gently wiped the tears off his chubby cheeks before I sat him down. I took a seat beside him and Wren, facing everyone before reaching for the pile of Legos.
“Are you okay to sit on the floor in your clothes?” Josie asked, as if I cared if my clothes got ruined or not.
“Yeah, it's fine.”
“Big man with money now,” Trevor teased, gesturing to my expensive clothes I thought everyone else would be wearing but weren’t.
“Says the man in a ten-thousand-dollar watch.” I looked at the sparkly piece on his wrist.
“First off, it was a gift from my sponsors. And second, thanks for noticing.”
“Tasha.” I sent her a look. “You picked him over me, really?”
She gave me a helpless shrug. “If only you had been a few years older at the time.”
I stayed on the ground, playing with Legos. Kai joined while the grown-ups,something the guys kept teasing me about, stood around talking. I joined in on the conversation here and there while playing with the kids. When I built a Lego man, Jayden clapped his hands at me with a wide grin. It made me feel like I had just scored a touchdown.
When a waiter from the restaurant in the hotel dropped off a huge cart of drinks and asked for everyone's order, I took that as my moment to get up, leaving the kids to their fun. I rattled off my usual steak order before I made my way to the drinks.
With the first game of the season starting tomorrow, I opted for a glass of apple juice, likely meant for the kids but tasted delicious.
I stood off to the side, sipping my drink as I looked out ateveryone. I couldn’t help my thoughts from wandering to Emmie. I could have brought her with me tonight. I did ask if she wanted to come, but she pointed out that tonight was about family. I appreciated it, but part of me wished she was here.
Maybe it was too soon for her to meet my entire family, but they were a part of who I was. My family came first, then football. I wanted Emmie to see that, and maybe if she wanted to, become a part of it.
I knew for an absolute fact Josie and the girls would welcome her with open arms. My mom would take her under her wing and treat her like a daughter she never had. There was no way Emmie wouldn’t be welcome in this family, even if, god forbid, things between us went nowhere, she’d still have a spot in the group.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to see her nickname on my screen—Firecracker.
Firecracker: Hope you’re having a good dinner with your family. Call me later if you want.
I grinned like a lunatic at her message. I went to reply when a voice beside me made me jump in surprise.
“What has you smiling at your phone like that?” Josie questioned.
“Jesus, when did you learn to sneak up on people?” I raised an eyebrow at her.
“Since you looked so engrossed in your phone.” Her brown eyes looked down at the device then back up at me. “Is it about the game tomorrow?”
I hesitated a second too long as curiosity grew on Josie’s face. I could try and lie, but I knew her. She would ask until I answered. I wasn’t strong enough when she gave me her puppy dog eyes.
“I…” I wasn’t sure where to start or what to say exactly.
“Are things okay?” Josie lowered her voice to a whisper,shifting closer so only the two of us would hear what was said, curiosity quickly turning to concern.
