“I am. I promise. Just been a long couple of days. I need to wrap my head around all this and find my footing.”
“The team is not going to trade you. I will not let that happen,” she asserted, like she really had a say. I smiled, amused by her confidence. In reality, I wouldn’t doubt that she would fly out here and give everyone in that front office hell.
“We’ll see. My team’s working on some things.”
“I just don’t understand. You’ve given them so much. Could you be better with your personal affairs, sure, but that has nothing to do with you showing up on the field. It’s not fair.”
“It’s politics, Ma. Not much I can do about it.”
I wouldn’t dare tell her the real reason behind all this.
“Well, I don’t like it.”
Shit, neither do I.
“Me either but I’ll deal with it.”
“How’s Rylee and Somee? They getting settled?”
“They are. She loves her room.”
“Oh good. I knew she would.”
My mother made me video call when it was done so I could show her. She was almost in tears. Hell, she probably cried after we ended the call. She was proud of me for stepping up with Rylee. Initially, it’d hurt her feelings that I denied her the ability to care for Rylee but she understood why I needed my sister with me and made peace with my decision.
“I was thinking maybe your father and I would fly out for a visit.”
I sighed and yanked a hand down my face. “Yeah, you can do that, but not right now. I think it’s best if she gets used to her life here without being reminded of her life there.”
“Right, you’re right.”
She sounded so damn disappointed that I almost told her I’d buy tickets for them to come out but I needed to do this my way.
“But soon though, okay?”
“Soon,” she repeated, sounding happier.
“I’m about to crash though. I barely got any sleep last night and my body is cursing me for it. I’ll call you in a few days.”
“Okay, sweetheart. I love you and I’m so proud of you. Rylee may not understand all that you’re doing for her now but one day she will.”
I sent up a silent prayer because I damn sure hoped so. I needed my sister to know she would always have me. Same as I could count on always having Miranda and Orlando.
“I got her, just like I know y’all got me.”
“We do. Get some rest.”
“Aight, love you.”
“Love you more.”
I ended the call and lifted from the sofa. Maybe I had been too occupied to think about it, but right at that moment, I realized my body was aching. My muscles were tight and tired and my mind started shutting down. I needed sleep, in my bed.
I dragged myself up the stairs and was about to head to my room when I decided to make two stops. The first was at the opposite end of the hall where I peeked in on Rylee. She had one arm thrown above her head and one leg kicked out, the covers hanging off the side. I grinned at Somee saying she slept like a Tasmanian devil when I asked what size bed I should get.
I pulled the door closed, but made sure it wasn’t completely, then headed to Somee’s room. The door was partially open and I frowned, knowing I couldn’t knock to announce myself. I took a risk and pushed the door open, sticking my head in. Somee stood in the center of the room, wrapped in a towel with the TV remote in hand. She looked frustrated so I entered the room fully, waving to get her attention.
Her eyes scanned me before she tugged at the towel, checking to make sure it was secure. I was hoping it wasn’t and the thought of it dropping to the floor made my dick swell.
