Chapter 23
23
LYL A
“Crew-bug, we need to go!”
“I’m ready, Lyly!”
Wren decided to work from home today rather than attend the Raptor’s last practice before the season opener this Thursday against New York, so Crew and I are heading over to play in their newly installed pool.
It’s been a few days since I met Aidan’s mom, and she’s been texting me every day about all kinds of things. She also officially invited me to join the monthly book club she’s in with Wren and Rhodes’s mom, Kaci.
Crew comes bounding down the stairs in his neon pink swim trunks and white rash guard, making me smile. I told Aidan he needed to buy Crew a neon swimsuit if we were going to be in water at all, just in case, and it looks like he took my words to heart.
“You look so handsome, Crew-bug! I love the new swimsuit.”
He giggles and does a little spin, showing off his trunks and the matching Crocs I didn’t notice earlier. “You said you like pink, so I got the pink ones! ”
My mouth opens in surprise, and my hand automatically comes up to hover over my chest. I made an offhand comment a few weeks ago that pink is one of my favorite colors, but I didn’t really think he was listening since we were also watching Tinker Bell at the time.
“Crew…” I can’t help the way my voice comes out all choked, and just like his father, Crew’s eyes widen in a panic.
“Lyly! Why are you sad? Did I do something wrong? I’m sorry!” His eyes start getting watery, and he barrels into my legs, holding on so tight I belatedly wonder if he’ll leave bruises.
I manage to dislodge him so I can drop to my knees and pull him into my arms. “I’m not sad, sweetie. I’m so happy that you picked my favorite color. You’re the sweetest kid I’ve ever met.”
When I pull back, he’s back to smiling. “Love you, Lyly!” he chirps happily.
My heart threatens to explode inside my chest, but I quickly respond. “I love you too, Crew!” Clearing my throat, I grab my large beach bag off the counter and guide him toward the door. “Alright, little raptor. Let’s go see Auntie Wren!”
His cheers are our soundtrack the whole way to their house, and Wren meets us at the car with their grey Newfoundland, Finnegan, trailing close behind. The dog is a massive sweetheart and never more than a few feet away from Wren whenever they’re at home.
“There’s my pumpkin butter! Gah, look at you! I think you’ve grown an entire foot since I last saw you,” Wren exclaims dramatically.
Crew screeches with laughter as she tickles him, and he manages to answer her between breaths. “That’s becaus e I’m growing up! Lyly said I had a…” He looks to me for confirmation, and I mouth the words so he can say them. “Grow spit!”
I snicker. “ Growth spurt , Crew-bug. But you were close!”
Making my way over to Wren, I pull her in for a tight hug. She stiffens slightly in surprise, but her smile is miles wide when she pulls back.
I think this might be the first time I’ve willingly initiated close contact like that with her, and I’m surprised at how much I liked it. I didn’t come from an affectionate upbringing, and though there have been casual touches with both Aidan and Crew, they’re really the only ones.
I’ve been friends with Wren for over a year now, but because I was still healing physically and emotionally from everything Sebastian put me through, I’ve always kept an intentional physical distance from Wren and Rhodes, especially Rhodes. He’s a big guy and made me incredibly nervous despite his obvious kindness.
Wren must see the change come over my face because her expression softens, and she’s quick to turn Crew towards the house. “Kaci is here, too, so we’ll get him a snack if you need a second."
Gratefulness washes over me at her kindness, so I nod and do what she said, taking a second to sit on the front porch swing and pet Finn when he plops his head in my lap.
“I really do love Crew, Finny. But if I’m honest… I think I might love his Dad, too.”
I know Aidan’s at practice, but I send him a text anyway just so he knows I’m thinking about him. A snort escapes me when I notice his contact name. He must have gotten my phone and changed it at some point.
Me:
Love Crew’s new swim trunks! :)
We really need to sit down and have that talk, but there just hasn’t been time. And now, with the season opener only two days away, there likely won’t be any time before then, either. I don’t want to distract him before their first game against their fiercest competition for the World Series this year.
Daddy
I’m glad. This really hot girl told me he needed to be wearing neon colors for safety reasons, and she seems like she knows what she’s talking about ??
Me
*eye roll* *middle finger emoji*
Daddy
I see you woke up and chose violence today, angel. Do I need to fuck the sass out of you when I get home?
Holy shit . It’s not that warm outside, but I’m suddenly flushed.
Me
You’re welcome to try ??
Daddy
Fucking hell, angel. Now I have to go back to practice and try to hide a raging hard-on. I want you in my bed when I get home tonight. Completely naked. Understand?
Me
Yes, Daddy.
Daddy
Goddammit.
Wren drops down next to me on the swing, making me squeak. “Jesus, Wren. You scared me,” I say with a hand to my chest over my racing heart.
She snickers. “Yeah, ‘cause you were so wrapped up in texting Aidannn.” The way she sings his name has me rolling my eyes slightly, but I smile guiltily back at her.
“Sorry for leaving you guys with Crew. I just wanted to check in with Aid and let him know where we were.”
Okay, so maybe I fibbed just a tiny bit. But Wren doesn’t need to know her friend just threatened to fuck the sass out of me later.
Her shoulders lift in a delicate shrug. “You know I love hanging out with him. And if you need a minute alone, that’s okay. Even better if it’s a second spent talking to your boyfriend.” She grins after the last word with a pointed glance at the cell phone still poised in my hand. She’s enjoying this turn of events far too much.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I grumble.
“Maybe not yet , but judging by the look on your face, it’s only a matter of time.”
A blush creeps up my cheeks, but she’s right. “I left Maryland so I could start a new life away from Sebastian and out from under the influence of my father’s fame. And that’s exactly what I did! I’ve been supporting myself. I’ve been healing. I did the work on my own and built a life for myself here. It might not have been much, but it’s mine.”
Tears fill my eyes, spilling over with each blink. “I’m scared that by starting a relationship with Aidan, I would essentially be put ting myself in the same position I was in with Sebastian, with no space or income of my own.”
I’m expecting some words of wisdom or a classic pep talk, but she simply shrugs. “That’s exactly what you’ll be doing.”
I stare at her blankly.
Wren rolls her eyes and takes my free hand in hers. “The biggest difference is you’ll be with Aidan . The same kind, patient man who agreed to give my friend an interview when she needed a job just because I asked him. The same man who always puts everyone else first, even if it hurts him to do it.”
Crew’s bright laughter reaches us from inside, making both of us smile even as I wipe away tears.
“There’s another very important difference this time, Ly,” She says. “ You aren’t the same twenty-year-old na?ve little girl anymore. You said it yourself! You went to therapy, did the work, and built a beautiful life with a brand new family that loves you unconditionally. You don’t have to be alone forever, Lyla. Don’t let the actions of one awful man make you doubt your judgment.”
Taking a deep breath, I squeeze her hand. “You should think about being an inspirational speaker, Wrenny. You’d be great at it.”
Crew must hear our laughter because he comes barreling out the front door and dives onto my lap, making the swing rock back against the house. “Woah there, little raptor! Let’s not break Aunty Wren’s swing, yeah?”
He giggles, settling himself on my lap with a proud grin. “Uncle Rho says it’s not fun unless something breaks.”
Wren cackles and Kaci’s laughter joins the fray as she exits the house. She joins our little group with a shake of her head. “That sounds like something Rhodes and his father would say.”
Her smile brightens when she notices me. “Hey, sweetie! You want to come join us in the pool? Crew here is ready and raring to dive in, and I set out snacks for all of us!”
I smile warmly at Rhodes’s mom and tickle Crew, my smile growing with his happy squeals. “Absolutely! What do you say, Crew-bug? You ready to swim?”
He hops off my lap, nearly elbowing me in the stomach in the process. “Yes!”
The three of us laugh as he sprints through the house. Looking at these two women who took me in last year without question, I know Wren is right, and I don’t have to be afraid to lose everything I’ve worked for. Dating Aidan will change things, but I have a feeling it will be for the better.