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“Born and raised,” I say proudly. Most pro-league players move around a lot, so I feel fortunate to live in the same city where my family lives. Who knows, I could get traded in the future, and if I do, I’ll probably end up moving my entire family along with me. Valerie would throw a shit fit at leaving her friends, but whatever.
“This is so great. So homey.” Ryleigh smiles again, shifting Ella’s sleeping weight in her arms. I can tell she’s truly impressed, and it makes my gut twist, wondering about her own family home life.
Two of my sisters appear from the hall, both with questioning looks as they take in Ryleigh and Ella standing there.
Yeah, this is going to be even more awkward than I realized.
I take a deep breath and try to smile in an attempt to reassure Ryleigh. “Tracey, this is Ryleigh.” I nod to Ryleigh. “And you remember Valerie?”
Ryleigh reaches out a hand. “Yes, of course. Nice to meet you. And good to see you again, Valerie.”
My sisters each shake her offered hand and take a moment to admire Ella just like Mom did. But their confusion and uncertainty are obvious. They want to know what the fuck is going on, and I can’t blame them. Are we dating? Is she living with me? These are all good questions. Who does Ella belong to? Too bad I’m fresh out of answers.
It isn’t like me to bring a woman home. And it’s not like I called them and talked about Ryleigh, or even told them I was seeing someone. This is all coming as a complete shock. And to be honest, if one of my sisters brought some random new guy around, I’d probably act like an asshole to the dude. It’s practically my job as a brother, especially since I’m the oldest.
“Where’s Jase tonight? The kids?” I ask Tracey. It’s way too quiet for her two- and three-year-olds to be here.
“He took them to pick up ice cream for dessert. They’ll be back in a little bit.”
I nod. So Ryleigh will really get thrown into the crazy tonight. I swear it’s like my sister gives those kids caffeine. Or Ritalin.
“So, Ryleigh, do you want something to drink?” Tracey asks, her voice a little louder than necessary.
Ryleigh’s eyes meet mine, and I give her a slight nod. “Go ahead. I’ll take Ella.”
Ryleigh places her into my arms and goes with my sister to the kitchen. Valerie follows them, leaving me alone with my mother.
Ma’s face contorts as she stalks closer to press a finger into my chest. “Is she yours, Alexei? So help me God . . .”
This has been my mom’s biggest fear since I was in high school. She always preached safe sex, and warned me about women who would want to trap me into parenthood and child support once I hit it big.
I shake my head. “She’s not mine.”
My mother physically sags with relief.
Some weird part of me wants to add, But I wish she were.
“Ryleigh is a woman I’ve started seeing. She’s amazing, Ma. And Ella’s mom split, so Ryleigh stepped up. It’s complicated, but it’s also not.”
My mother’s eyes widen, and she nods. “Come on. Your sisters are probably roasting her over an open flame right about now.”
I grin. Mom doesn’t know Ryleigh. She may look sweet and innocent, but trust me, she can hold her own. Even against my sisters.
Chapter Sixteen
Ryleigh
Alexei’s sisters are trying to figure me out. I can feel it.
Tracey hands me a glass of red wine with a smile that’s warm but calculated—the kind where someone’s being friendly and also taking your measurements at the same time. Valerie leans against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching me like I’m a puzzle she hasn’t decided if she wants to solve.
“So,” Tracey says, pulling a cutting board from the cabinet. “How long have you and Alexei been…”
She lets the sentence hang, which is a power move. Make the other person fill in the blank so you can judge which word they choose.
“About a week and a half,” I say, because I’m not going to lie, and also because there’s no word that fits. Dating? Living together? Co-parenting a baby that belongs to neither of us while sleeping in the same bed and pretending we have any idea what we’re doing?
“A week and a half.” Tracey nods slowly, slicing a tomato.
