Endgame (The Atlanta Boys)

44. Dakota

44

DAKOTA

“Mr. Hayes, this steak is incredible.”

“Why, thank you, Dakota. Let me know if you ever want me to show you the ropes behind the grill. There’s a craft to it, but I’m willing to pass on my tips.”

A yelp leaves Delilah’s mouth. “I’ll have you know; I am the grill master in this house. Scott does his best work from the couch recliner.”

Thankfully, Mr. Hayes doesn’t seem offended in the slightest, leaning back in his chair and laughing in hysterics. His soft belly is jiggling slightly, shaking the dining room table.

“And that’s how that thing became attached to him.” She’s pointing at the evidence of his belly, and I have to do my best not to laugh out loud, risking being targeted for teaming up against him.

“Delilah baby, we all know my belly is made from Senor Coors. Come on. If you’re going to rag on me, make sure your facts are straight first.”

The entire table erupts into obnoxious laughter; Navy’s snorting beside me sends me into uncontrollable delirium .

I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard.

Navy shouts across the table with tears running down her face, “Dad, you’re not supposed to admit that out loud. Jesus Christ.”

My best friend has always adored her dad, and seeing them together again after so long makes me grateful she still has him in her life. Not an ounce of me is jealous, while my new and improved self proves I’m strong. It’s clear how loved she and Callaway are; they deserve it all.

“Scott Michael Hayes, at least let us get to dessert before you show your ass.” I can no longer fight it. The giggles have a mind of their own as I watch this play out.

“But honey, you love my ass. Unless you’d rather have it for the mai?—”

“Ah! Not another word, mister.” She’s reaching across the table to hit him as we speak.

“Fuck, Pops. You’re getting too old for table sex.”

The laughter never ends.

Navy makes a puking sound that causes my cheeks to blush. I know instantly where she’s taking this. “Please, for the love of God, tell me you and Kodi do not have table sex?”

She’s speaking to Callaway, but that doesn’t stop me. I will no longer remain silent. That, or I hide under this table.

“Oh my God, no!” I’m embarrassed, and my sudden decision to sneak a word in leads to all heads turning in my direction, likely surprised by my outburst.

Four pairs of dark eyebrows raise at me in question.

Callaway places his hand on my thigh under the table, and I fight my body's dramatic attempt to squirm. He’s caressing my leg and moving higher by the second, no doubt doing his best to get me flustered.

It’s working.

“Do tell us, angel. ”

I’ll castrate his beautiful balls on the spot. I haven't seen them yet; therefore, I won't miss them.

You can’t miss what you’ve never had.

The man gives blue vagina like it’s his goddamn job.

“I…I…am a woman of high class. I would never do such a thing.

Navy snorts. You can’t bullshit a bullshitter. She knows me better than that.

“Right. Remind me to bleach my ears when I get home. This conversation is a reminder of why men inherently suck.” She’s laughing, but I know her better than that. It looks like my best friend and I are also due for a chat.

My guess is that she kicked Luke to the curb.

Or maybe that’s my hope for her.

“Alright, children, that’s enough. I’m glad to see everyone is enjoying each other’s company. Dakota, sweetie, we are so happy to have you here.”

I couldn’t love her more if I tried.

“Thank you, Mrs. Hayes. I know I never got to say it, but thank you for being there—at the funeral. It means more than you know.”

Her support was what helped me get my helpless ass out of bed and keep going.

I was dead inside.

Mrs. Hayes and Navy ensured I cared for myself and never gave up.

I’ll never be able to repay them for their kindness, but I can at least tell them how appreciative I am.

Mr. Hayes speaks up instantly, “Sweetheart, you are family. That has and will never change. No matter the last name you decide to keep or gain.”

My eyes find Callaway’s baby blues; they’re steady set on a wall in the distance with a look of numbness crossing his features. He can’t be that interested in a canvas of a vintage Elvis Presley, so my guess is that his dad’s statement surprised him.

He’s lost in thought.

My brain is processing ways to respond that won’t throw Cal off even more. His behavior is clearly the result of our strained moment earlier, and I hate that I put him in this head space. Before I can thank Mr. Hayes, Delilah changes the subject swiftly.

“Dakota, honey, would you like to help me clean up in the kitchen?”

“I’d love to.”

Delilah and I gather the dirty dishes and carry them to the sink.

Her home is warm and inviting.

I remember all the times Navy and I would come home for the holidays during college and find her covered in flour and smelling like spices.

She was always baking something.

I wait patiently as Delilah fills the sink with soapy water and hands me a drying towel while she begins washing.

It feels good to spend time with her. She makes me miss my mom. Though, I know she’s not coming back, and that makes me even more grateful to have Mrs. Hayes here for the motherly perspective.

In fact, there are some things I’d really like to share with her.

I’m planning on laying it all out there to Callaway. I want him to know how I feel—how much I love him .

This is typically a time when I’d find myself calling my mom to ask for advice and to make sure I’m doing the right thing, which is probably why I feel comfortable enough to share with Delilah.

After all, Callaway is her son, and I want her to know how crazy I am about him.

Delilah’s humming calms my nerves, her quiet tune bringing a new warmth to an already charming home.

“Mrs. Hayes?”

Her eyes find mine as she adds more dish soap to her sponge before scrubbing. “Yes, sweetie?”

Over the years, time has begun to show on her beautiful face, and the wrinkles under her eyes are looking more pronounced. She’s still just as beautiful and reminds me of my best friend.

“There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

I’m trying not to make it seem bad, but my nerves are going haywire.

“Of course. You can always talk to me, Dakota. What’s going on? Oh hell, are you pregnant? I could kill Callaway.” She’s babbling on, causing a loud shriek and giggle to escape my mouth all at once.

“What! No! Oh God…I set myself up for that one, didn’t I?”

“Heaven help me. I almost fainted.” She looks like she’s having difficulty breathing and calming herself down from that workup she gave herself.

I rest my hand on her shoulder, hoping to calm her mind.

“I can assure you; I am not pregnant. But there is something I wanted to talk to you about, and it’s not bad, I promise.”

I send her a reassuring smile, which she returns with kindness .

“Well, let’s hear it then.”

Here goes nothing, Mama Hayes.

“I’m in love with your son.”

Forwardness is all I’ve ever known.

I can see tears immediately flood her eyes. I continue before she can react.

“I wasn’t looking for him if that’s what you’re wondering. He snuck up on me in the best way and gave me no choice but to fall for him. Callaway is slowly becoming my favorite person in the entire world. Don’t tell Navy that. I know how much you mean to him, and I felt like it was important for you to know. I know now that I can love him the way he deserves to be loved, and I hope that’s okay with you.”

She’s crying.

Delilah forgets the dishes, dropping them into the sink of hot water, and she wraps her arms tightly around my neck. Her hands begin rubbing the back of my head, a gesture I find most mothers do when nurturing their children.

She cares about me, and I feel it more than ever right now.

She whispers gently in my ear, “We’ve been waiting for you, sweet girl.”

A whimper leaves my lips before I draw back and catch her stare.

“Thank you for raising him to be such a wonderful man. I can’t wait to tell him how I feel.”

I don’t need her to clarify what she means by her comment.

Navy and I have talked at length about how much her family has always longed for Callaway to find someone who loves him wholeheartedly.

He deserves someone to choose him .

He deserves someone to give him all the things his heart could ever want.

I’m going to be that someone.

Her small hands find my cheeks. I watch as tears, once again, flood her bright blue eyes, looking so much like the man I love.

“Callaway’s heart has always been too big for this world. I’ve seen that since the day he became my son. I’ve also seen that in you, Dakota. You both have conquered the odds and let your hearts find each other. That’s all a mother could ever hope for.”

Shoot. Now I’m crying.

Our sniffling sends both of us into a fit of giggles. Delilah grabs the dish towel and lightly swats me with it playfully, before returning to the sink.

“Enough of this sappy shit. We’ve established your love for my baby boy, but tell me, sweetie, what are your plans when your contract ends with the Strikers?”

That’s a great question, and one I don’t even know the answer to.

I grab the wet plate from her hand to dry before telling her my plans.

“To be honest, I’m not sure. I haven’t been offered anything official yet, but I love this team, and nothing could make me leave. If I have any say, staying here with Callaway is my only option. That’s why when I got a phone call from the Denver Devil Rays offering me a posit?—”

“You’re leaving?” Callaway.

My eyes dart up as shock takes over my face. “Oh, hey. I was just telling your mo?—”

The rolling of his eyes tells me something is wrong. He’s standing where the kitchen meets the dining room looking like he saw a ghost .

“Don’t, Dakota. I’ve heard enough. I can fill in the blanks from here.”

He must have just walked up because it seems like my last sentence is all he heard.

“Callaway.” That came from Mrs. Hayes.

I haven’t moved an inch. The glass plate and towel still rest in my shocked hold.

“I’ve got to go.” Wait, why?

He’s rushing off before I can register what’s happening.

I quickly lay the plate on the kitchen counter and send Delilah a look of apology, but she’s already encouraging me to go after him. I walk around the kitchen, heading to the front door where I know he’s probably headed to get some air.

Everything will be fine. I’m sure of it. As soon as I get outside, I’ll explain the conversation; he’ll see it’s not what he thinks, and we can go back to having a great night with his family.

The sound of the front door slamming breaks the worried bubble he’s placed me in. Deciding I need to move faster, I grab my things and chase after him.

He’s gone.

The moment I open the front door, the sound of screeching tires confirms my biggest insecurity of all—he left me.

He left me at his parents’ house without allowing me an explanation or a believable chance at talking through whatever it was that upset him so badly.

I would never intentionally hurt him .

I was only trying to tell his mom how much I love him. I know how much she means to him, and I wanted her to know before I poured my heart out to him.

Except that’s not what he heard.

Now, all I feel is hurt.

Like him, my biggest insecurity is people leaving. When you’re limited on loved ones, the ones still here mean more than most things in your life.

He’s a fraction of that small number.

I’ve never known Callaway to automatically assume the worst. It doesn’t change how I see him, but it makes me question how he sees me.

He didn’t give me the slightest bit of room to explain.

I was the villain right away—he had already decided the second he turned his head around the kitchen corner.

I think that’s what hurts the most.

I’m standing by the outdoor light casting an eerie glow on the front door. Maybe I’ll sit here and wait.

Don’t cry, don’t cry. It hurts so fucking bad.

Make it stop. Please.

He said he would never leave. He promised. Why do I have to love him so much that I’m justifying his actions in my head? His actions tonight don’t deserve my forgiveness, but I find myself wanting to give it to him anyway.

I know him and have a sinking feeling he fears the worst, so he assumed the worst—that I was leaving.

We share the same fear. Callaway knows that.

Yet, he still left.

And the tears threaten.