Chapter Forty-One
Thomas
“Smile,” Katie yells in her sweet little voice as we smile at her camera, knowing she’s likely to cut off our heads. She’s been taking photos for twenty minutes, and when she’s done, she thanks us for our time and moves on to the next group, bossing them around until they line up in position.
“The sass…” Wes begins, and I know what’s coming next.
“Like mother, like daughter?” I ask, laughing when he groans out a yes.
Wes Johnson is an ex San Francisco football player and soon to be engaged to Dylan’s older sister, Lucy, the sassy mother in question, and her five-year-old-going-on-sixteen is the wonderful Katie. I call Wes soon to be engaged because we all know it’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of when.
I knew Wes back when he played, and something about his mostly calm, protective nature had us instantly connecting when Lucy officially introduced us. Most likely because we were both outsiders at the time, but that’s no longer the case for Wes.
I learned pretty quickly that once you’re a part of the “Friendsgiving crew”—as someone once named Summer, Dylan and their friends—you’re in it. It’s like one big happy family, and they’re all there for each other. All there to call you out on your shit or support you when it’s needed. And for me, that was difficult to get used to. Hell, I’m still trying to figure out where I fit into it all.
Because I was once the reason one of them needed that support.
I’m not going to lie; I don’t make it easy on myself. I’m the only one that lives outside of San Francisco, and when it’s the football season, I’m a ghost. For those four to five months, the only thing I allow myself to focus on is my game. I fucked up my first season, and I vowed not to let anything get in the way again. It keeps my head in a good space…for part of the year, anyway.
But when it’s not football season…
“Uncle Thomas,” Katie calls out as she rushes over, linking her fingers through mine before dragging me away. “Will you play with me?” She’s not giving me a choice, but she doesn’t have to. She knows the answer.
It’s always a yes.
If I was ever asked to name the three most important females in my life, Katie would be one of them. Summer would be another. And the third—the third keeps me awake at night.
“Katie,” Lucy admonishes as she steps in front of us, stopping Katie in her path to take me God knows where. “I told you that today was Thomas’s special day. You’ll have plenty of time to play with him when he moves here in a couple of months.”
“Luce, you know I don’t mind. I actually love it.” That’s not a lie. I always struggle at these get-togethers, and the fact that this one is about me makes it harder.
“I know you do, and so does Katie. But you’re the man of the hour.”
The man of the hour. Newly traded, Thomas Kelly. Official starting quarterback for the San Francisco Storm.
It happened. San Francisco needed a quarterback, and I needed a change. It was a win-win. They couldn’t deny that, in the last few years, after permanently taking over the Seattle quarterback position from Colton, I’d become one of the best, and I couldn’t give up the chance of moving closer to Summer. Being here for her if she needed me. Making up for lost time.
It may have been six years since we reconnected, but I still feel behind the eight ball, and I haven’t figured out how to change that yet. But being closer can’t hurt.
“How about I play with you for ten minutes, Katie Bug, and then I’ll get back to being the center of attention.”
Katie’s face lights up and she turns to her mom, popping her hands on her hips as she grins in a “ha-ha” kind of way. And when she’s satisfied that she’s sassed Lucy enough, she drags me away.
I glance back at Lucy as I leave, guilty for taking Katie’s side, but when it comes down to it, being with Katie is the only thing allowing me to relax.
Abeer gets placed in my hand as we sit down for lunch, and I accept it happily, but when Lucy taps her bottle and stands up to make a speech, I groan.
“The day is finally here—our boy is coming home,” she begins and I roll my eyes, flashing her a smirk. Here we go. After Summer and I reconnected, I spent a bit of time with her “found family” if you will. That included Dylan and Lucy, and later Wes, along with Logan—much to my annoyance—and his partner, actually his wife, Dani. I hate to admit it, but Summer’s childhood bestie is not as bad as I first thought. Then there’s Joel and his partner, Delilah, and even Cory and Nate are part of the “Friendsgiving crew.” Like I said, one big happy family.
Then there’s me.
“Though I’ve really only known Thomas for the past five years, it honestly feels like a lifetime,” Lucy adds, her hands clasped together as she smiles warmly.
“You can say that again,” Logan calls out, being his usual smart-ass self until Lucy glares his way.
“For you it has been a lifetime,” she says with her eyes narrowed on Logan. “But I mean lifetime in a good way. Thomas—”
“Is the speech really necessary?” Dylan asks, before peering around Summer to see me. “No offense, but—”
“I’m with you on this one,” I cut in. I probably want this least of all. “Lucy, please sit down. We love you, but this isn’t a monumental moment.”
“Of course it is.” Summer stands. “You’re playing for the team you’ve always dreamed of. You’re playing for your home. It may not feel the same as it once did. But there are so many people here today, and in this city, that have been praying for this moment. Thomas Kelly is coming home. And he’s leading the charge for us to win. It’s been years since we made the playoffs, and for the first time, people are talking as though it’s a very real possibility. I, for one, am glad to have you home, and it’s got nothing to do with football.”
My chest tightens with emotion, and I almost cough to get air. Lucy thought I needed a speech, and that was a damn good one.
“Thank you, Sum.” I smile. “And thank you, Lucy. You know this all means a lot to me. I just—”
“Hate the spotlight unless it’s during the season,” Lucy finishes for me, and she’s not wrong.
I huff out a laugh. “That’d be it.”
I’ve become a bit of a media whore in the past few years—smiling, flirting with the interviewers, making them laugh. Projecting the cockiness I feel when I’m on the field. I know I’m a great player; I turned that all around the moment I pushed Lainey out of my life. I stepped up. Got my shit together—for that part of my life—and I’m stronger than ever. Give me a spotlight and I’ll stand in it.
But once they switch off the arena lights and I clean out my locker, all of that changes, and I’m messed up again. It’s a vicious cycle and one that I can’t seem to break.
“I’ll happily take the limelight for a second,” Joel announces, standing up while keeping his hand firmly in Delilah’s grasp, making her awkwardly reach up. “We’ve got some news.”
Lucy’s hands fly to her mouth, and she gasps as she sits, making Wes chuckle as he pulls her into his arms. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess she already knows.
Joel locks eyes with the adults at the table before his gaze flashes to Chloe, the little girl they’re currently fostering, the love in his eyes clear as day.
“We’ve officially filed the paperwork to adopt Chloe,” he announces as gasps, cheers, and congratulations ring out.
It’s great news, but after doing my bit to show I care, I sneak away. I’m excited for Joel and Delilah. They’ve been through a lot, and I’m happy he took the attention away from me. But while I love kids—Katie, for one, and Summer and Dylan’s four-month-old, Josh, another—talking about kids from an emotional standpoint always makes me uncomfortable. I don’t know why. I’ve never really tried to unpack that information, but it does. So, I’m taking the moment to myself.
After going to the bathroom and grabbing another drink, I’ve just walked back into the yard when Joel jogs over. “I hope you know I only made my announcement because I could tell you needed a break. I had planned to wait. I never would have—”
“I know and I appreciate it.”
While I probably spend the least amount of time with Joel, he seems to be the most observant, followed closely by Nate, and they both check in on me on a regular basis, even though it’s not necessary.
I know I’m fucked up. I know I have a lot to do before I dig my way out of the mess. But it’s that awareness that tells me I’m handling it. It’s just something that takes time.
“I’m really happy for you both,” I say honestly. “Parenthood is a big deal.”
“It is. But we’re not taking it lightly—we both want this, and we’re willing to work to make it happen.”
“That’s awesome, man. You and Delilah will be amazing parents.”
They’re all amazing parents. When you run your eyes over this group, Summer and I aren’t the only ones to have been dealt a shitty card when it comes to our family. And they’ve all used that to their advantage, learning from those mistakes, making sure they do better.
And the kids are all loved.
When Joel and I reach the group, Logan eyes me curiously before his gaze alights with something comical. “Is this the first time you’ve come solo to one of these get-togethers?” he asks as he wraps his arm around Dani.
While I always hated teenage Logan, it turns out, adult Logan isn’t so bad. At least he wasn’t before that comment.
I put on a smile before answering. “Guess I ran out of options.” I shrug while Joel and Logan laugh.
The truth is that I couldn’t keep up anymore. I’ve been bringing dates to the “Friendsgiving crew” events because it puts me on a more even playing field. Instead of feeling like I’m the only outsider, I have someone with me that I can talk to when the group launches into their moments of reminiscing. Yes, I enjoy listening to their stories, but sometimes it can get a bit much, especially when they talk about things that happened while I was being a jerk to Summer.
I always told the girls I brought with me that they were there as friends, but the group didn’t need to know that. It was easier that way.
“You expect us to believe you don’t have San Francisco’s hottest singles lining up now that you’re moving here?” Summer laughs while I shake my head.
I don’t know about lining up, but I’ve had some contact from women I used to know. Not that I answered them. “Maybe the news hasn’t spread yet.” I shrug again.
Nate eyes me curiously while the others laugh. I’m sure he’s trying to see if there’s a deeper meaning to that. And he’d be right.
“Anyway, I know what you’re all trying to do. I’m the only single one now, and I’m here to tell you—specifically you, Lucy, wherever you are—I do not want to be set up.”
Joel throws his hands in the air, pleading his innocence, but Wes gives me a sympathetic grin. “I’m not going to lie; I’ve heard Lucy mention it.”
“Wes!” Delilah cuts in, shaking her head with a laugh. “You’re not supposed to spill Lucy’s secrets.”
“He’s twenty-eight and a professional football player. He does not need to be set up. And before you say anything, I told Lucy the same thing.”
I huff out a laugh. “Thanks for having my back.”
“Anytime. But Luce can be like a dog with a bone. You know that.”
“Yep. I’m aware. That’s why I knew this was coming.”
“Maybe you need to start bringing dates again. It might hold her off.”
I laugh with the group, but my heart isn’t in it. It’s one thing to bring a date when visiting a couple of times a year, but it’s another thing entirely to be living in the same city and bringing dates on the regular. I’m over it. I’ll have to find another way.
“Speak of the devil and she shall appear,” Dylan announces, and I burst out laughing for real this time.
“You better not let Lucy hear you saying that.” I chuckle as she approaches. “Unless you have a death wish.”
“She knows I love her, but what happens in this circle stays in this circle. Right?”
The attention moves away from me again, and I start to enjoy myself. This is my life now. I wanted to move closer to Summer so I could be a part of her family. And this is her family.
I just have to get used to the change.
When most of the kids are in bed, and the celebrations feel like they’re coming to a natural end, I book an Uber and try to sneak away. But before I’ve reached the front door, Summer’s there, pulling me to a stop.
“Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay?” she says, moving to stand in front of me, a sleepy Josh in her arms, refusing to miss out on the fun. “It seems silly for you to go to a hotel when we’ve got a spare room. Or the pool house—you know you can take the pool house.”
I can’t help but laugh as I tickle Josh’s stomach. “The pool house is nice…”
“But you’d prefer your privacy?”
“No, it’s not that.” I laugh. “But don’t you?”
She’s quick to say no, and it’s easy to see that she means it. She’d probably let me live here indefinitely if I asked.
“I’ve already booked for tonight and my stuff is there. But if I still haven’t found a place before I make the permanent move, consider me your new roomie.” I grin comically, and she laughs again.
“Good. Dylan will love it. There’s only so much I can talk about football.” I raise an eyebrow, finding that hard to believe, and she bites back a smile. “Anyway, here. I made you a set of keys. You’re welcome any time.” I stare at her outstretched hand, hesitating until she laughs, shaking the keys in my face. “It’s just a set of keys, douchebag,” she jokes. “Take them before I throw them at you.”
I burst out laughing and take her offering, shaking my head with a smirk. “Thanks, Sum. I appreciate it. But when you’re begging me to leave, remember…you started this.”
She pulls me into an awkward side hug before punching my shoulder and saying goodbye, and for a split second, I love how it is between us. We have these easy moments that feel so natural, and then something big happens in her life, and I’m not there. I’m not a part of that.
But maybe that will change once I’m closer.
At least, I can hope. Because I don’t know what else to do.