Chapter 53
FIFTY-THREE
NOAH
Today is supposed to be a good day. A great one, even. A day I’ve been anxiously anticipating for a long, long time. Today I get to tell the world that Sienna Langfield is mine.
Okay, the world might be a stretch. But I get to tell her brothers. And Ollie. So yeah, I get to tell our whole world.
We planned to wait a few weeks, but then, like it always does, fate intervened.
It isn’t often that the Revs and Bolts have days off that coincide, but when it happens, the entire organization tends to get together to celebrate.
So even though we wanted to wait a couple more weeks before we hard launched our relationship, the way things fell into place for today was too serendipitous to ignore.
Since I pitched the idea to Sienna yesterday, she’s been quiet. And that’s got an uneasy feeling creeping through me. To be honest, she’s been quiet all week.
But she swears everything is fine and that she’s happy, so I have to trust that she’ll tell me if that changes.
She’s had a lot on her plate with contract negotiations and her other responsibilities as CEO.
Plus, she’s still considering what she wants to do from here.
I don’t think she’ll stay on at Langfield Corp, but I’ll support her no matter what she chooses.
Though we can’t talk about contract negotiations, it’s obvious they’ve been rough.
Ezra has made it clear he’s interested in drafting Huey Davis, but there’s no guarantee they’ll get him.
And if they don’t, and they haven’t agreed to my extension, they’ll be putting their chances of success next season at serious risk.
My agent is hounding me about alternative options. He’s itching to get the deal done.
I’m just itching to get my hands on my girl again. And I’m dying to get our relationship out in the open.
The rest can wait.
“So she’s, like, your girlfriend?”
My son peers down at me, wearing a thoughtful expression as I kneel in front of him and tie his shoe.
We’re picking Sienna up in ten minutes, but I wanted to tell Ollie on my own. It’s best if it comes from me alone, and this way, he won’t be caught off guard. Although he adores Sienna, I never quite know what will come out of his mouth.
Chest tightening, I remove my glasses and use the hem of my shirt to clean them. “Yes,” I say, sliding them back on and looking him in the eye. “How do you feel about that?”
He breaks into a giant grin. “I knew it.”
A combination of surprise and relief rushes through me. “In a good way?”
He scoffs. “Of course. Sienna’s the best.”
Now I’m the one grinning. “You’re not wrong.”
“You’re not going to kiss her, though, right?” He scrunches up his face in disgust.
He often complains about how Ted is always kissing Jen in front of him. I actually think it’s a good thing that he’s growing up surrounded by people in healthy, loving relationships. But I won’t push it on him regularly if it makes him uncomfortable.
“If it bothers you, we’ll do our best not to do it in front of you. How about that?”
He presses his lips together and squints, like he’s really considering the suggestion. “I guess I can handle a little bit. But one or two kisses tops.”
With a laugh, I hold out my hand. “You got a deal.”
As we’re gathering our things to head out, he tugs on my hand. “Hey, Dad?”
“Yeah?”
He gives me one of those wise-beyond-his-years expressions. “You seem happier.”
Chest expanding, I ruffle his hair. “Ya know what? I am. I have you and Sienna, and I love our life here in Boston.”
“Me too,” he chirps, spinning in a circle. “Can I tell Sienna I know the secret?”
I chuckle. “It’s not a secret anymore. I wanted you to know first, but after today, everyone will know.”
He perks up, standing taller upon hearing that.
While I lock up, he rushes to Sienna’s door and knocks. I’m still striding over when she opens the door and he lunges at her, hugging her legs. “Dad told me you’re gonna be our girlfriend.”
I practically swallow my tongue, but Sienna only giggles. “Did he?” She eyes me, silently asking me how the hell she’s supposed to respond to that.
For as adorably bewildered as she is, she still looks damn sexy in a pair of distressed denim shorts and a black tank top.
The weather has turned warm, and since we’re planning to spend the day at the park across the street from Beckett’s house, grilling with the team and her brothers and about a thousand kids, she’s dressed perfectly.
But just looking at her has me wondering if I can cash in on one of those kisses I warned Ollie about.
“She’s my girlfriend,” I say, my tone a little less possessive than I feel.
Sienna ducks, hiding a smile.
“But Dad, you always said sharing is caring,” he reminds me.
Damn, the kid is trolling me, but I take the bait anyway.
“Not when it comes to her,” I tell him.
Sienna steps out and hugs Ollie to her side. “So I take it you’re okay with me dating your dad.”
He strokes his chin like he’s really thinking about it. Then he smiles. “Of course. Best news ever. Welcome to the fam, Sienna.” He hugs her again. “We’re going to have a great time.”
She turns misty eyes to me as she rubs his back.
Fuck. My kid is the best. And he’s right. She’s already part of the fam.
Nervous energy pours off Sienna as we park on the street.
I shut the car off and snag her hand before she can get out. “We can wait,” I offer as I peek at Ollie in the rearview mirror.
He’s conked out, his head tilted to one side and his mouth ajar. My heart pangs. He really is perfect.
She bites her lip. “I don’t want to wait.
I just—” She sighs, picking at the hem of her shorts.
“I have to tell you something, but I don’t want it to overshadow our day.
I want my brothers to know about us. I want to have fun with you.
Out in the open.” She shifts in her seat, surveying my little guy. “I want Ollie to have a good day.”
I don’t love that she still seems uneasy, but I respect her enough to give her whatever time she needs. So without another word, I rest my elbow on the console and press a kiss to her lips. “Then we’ll have a good day.”
“Thank you.” Her tone is so full of pain and gratefulness. Clearly, whatever has her worried is serious. Still, I don’t push.
“Anything for you, baby. I love you.”
She closes her eyes like she’s soaking in the words. “I love you too.”
We rouse Ollie, then give him a couple of minutes to really blink away the sleep before we drag him into the chaos. As expected, the moment we hit the playground, where a dozen or so kids are running around and screaming, he takes off with a burst of renewed energy.
The lawn around the pink carousel is littered with blankets. Lennox is sprawled out on one while Aiden serenades his wife obnoxiously from the stage he’s created among the colorful horses.
War stands in front of a grill, shaking his head and flipping burgers.
When he sees me, he grins, and when his attention drifts to Sienna and our entwined hands, the look turns downright devilish.
“I fu—” He slams his mouth shut and pounds his chest, then points an accusatory finger at us. “I ducking knew it.”
Sienna lets out a light laugh. “Not you with the ducking too.”
Aiden launches himself off the carousel. “Holy duck, they’re holding hands!”
I lift our joined hands so everyone can see, and the women all whoop and holler.
Sara, of course, is the loudest. “Get it, Harry! Those glasses scream BDE.”
Ava covers her mouth, her eyes dancing, while my sister lets out a loud laugh, rivaling Sara’s volume.
“Happy for you,” she mouths as she snatches a block from Maverick’s hand a second before he sends it sailing toward Beckham. “Naughty boy,” she chides lightly. “You’re just like Daddy.”
Daniel jogs our way. “Happy for you, man. This is what I think it is, right?”
Brooks is right behind him. Even with his tiny daughter in his arms, he’s scary as fuck.
His expression is wary and he looks extra huge as he scrutinizes me.
He may be a gentle giant, but he’s still a giant.
He’s been one of my best friends for years, and here I am, showing up hand in hand with his little sister. “And what exactly is it?”
My girl steps in front of me. “We’re dating. You can thank Beckett for that. He’s got the Midas touch or something.”
Beckett himself watches from afar, pushing one of his youngest daughters on the swings, his lips tipping up in what I take as approval.
A thread of relief works its way through me. Though when Brooks clears his throat, it vanishes. “So this is serious?”
I nod, keeping my head high. “Yes.”
With a subtle dip of his chin, he holds out a hand. His grip is a little too tight, but I tolerate it. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction from him. Once he releases me, he wraps his sister in a hug. “He’s a good one.”
She smiles over at me. “Don’t I know it.”
As he steps away from her, he zeroes in on me, his expression hardening. “And she’s the best one of us all. Be good to her.”
My heart warms at the warning. “Always.”
Gavin gives me a similar lecture after we eat, but Aiden is all smiles, hugging me and welcoming me into the chaotic world of the Langfields.
A game of softball is suggested, and teams form, and when Ollie gets a hit off War’s easy pitch, I throw him onto my shoulders and run the bases while all the guys “struggle” to tag us out.
It’s easily one of the best days I’ve had in a long time.
As the sun starts to descend, Liv, Sara, Millie, and Ava take the kids over to Liv’s to put on a movie, and the rest of us settle around a small fire pit in Adirondack chairs.
While Gavin works on getting a fire started, Beckett hands out cigars.
Lennox and Aiden share one, and Hannah snuggles on Daniel’s lap while he lights his. Sienna is quiet, sticking by my side.
The longer she goes without speaking, the more the unease that’s been simmering on low since her confession in the car amps up.