I’d been debating on exactly how I wanted to break the news. I could do it without Nola, simply to avoid overstimulating my girlfriend with my little sister’s screeches and interrogations. But I also loved the idea of having her stand next to me while I told the people I loved most in the world.
As if they spoke to each other via telepathy, Colette and Celeste rolled off the foot of my bed and toward the suitcases I made them lug up themselves. We’d all be staying in a mansion Amir was “borrowing from a friend” for the long weekend after the home opener tomorrow, but tonight the C-Team would be staying at the townhouse.
By the time everyone was decent and ready to go, I heard the front door open and close, and before I could get a grasp on how to handle everything, the C-Team went running downstairs with me quickly on their tails.
“Well, if it isn’t the infamous Nola Young.” Celeste started off.
“Infamous?” Nola asked with a smile, dropping the groceries and another fancier looking bag on the countertops.
“You’re a frequent topic of discussion in the Lee household,” Colette finished.
“That is literally not true.” I passed my sisters and went over to hug Nola like she’d been lost at sea. She kissed my temple and the room filled with three separate gasps. Amir, Colette, Celeste all stared, jaws practically on the floor.
“I fucking knew it!” Colette whispered.
“Did Bee-sting just… engage in voluntary PDA?” Celeste looked like she just tasted something sour.
“It took you two long enough.” Amir slow clapped.
“Nola, you know Amir. But curly bangs is Celeste, and the anime one is Colette.” I pointed the C-Team out as if Nola hadn’t seen pictures of them already.
“If I have to explain My Hero Academia one more time…” Colette rolled her eyes.
“Everyone, this is my girlfriend, Nola.” I smiled and looked at her as I leaned my body into hers, the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The word no longer felt foreign on my tongue. The need to get up and run from the feelings no longer scared me. Nola was my person. One of the few people outside of my family who saw me for me. She accepted my big emotions and loved my obnoxious laugh. I was finally ready for her to be loved by my family too.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Aaliyah stood at the top of the stairs, her face almost as cold as her voice.
“And here comes the fun police,” Colette muttered.
“Colette,” I warned, desperate to keep the peace.
“The fun police? Can someone let me know what’s fun about our sister choosing to give up her life in Jersey to ‘follow her gut’ to Miami? What’s more irresponsible than fucking your teammate, on the team youjustgot traded to?” Aaliyah snapped.
“Maybe we cool it, Aaliyah.” Amir stood up for me.
“You’re okay with this? Maybe you’ll be fine getting her another contract, but when this shit implodes, but I won’t be there to help.”
“Is everything to you about business, Liyah? Can you be happy for me?” I asked in shock, her tone unsettling me.
“Not when you’re making a huge mistake.”
“Nola isn’t a mistake.” I steeled my voice. “You don’t think we know what’s at stake by being together?”
“Is that why you’ve been bread crumbing her all throughout your socials? Because you’ve been fucking this whole time? You thought it would go down easier?”
“That is very far from the truth.” Nola interjected, her hand moving to my waist.
“No offense, but this is a family discussion.” Aaliyah raised her hand to silence Nola.
“This isn’t a discussion actually,” I retorted, knocking Aaliyah’s hand away. “This is the opposite of an impulsive decision, and we’re not even going public because we’reveryaware of the stakes. But thank you for the reminder. It’s not like I spend every second of every day worrying about optics and everyone’s opinions.”
Aaliyah started to open her mouth like she had more to say but honestly I didn’t want to hear it.
“Now if you guys can grab your shit, leave our townhouse, and go to the beach that would be great. I would like to have fun with my girlfriendandmy family.”
“You don’t have to tell us twice.” Colette spoke for her and her twin. Amir pointed a glare at Aaliyah before leading the group out the door. And I fought the urge to cry at my sister’s disapproval.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
