Chapter 27 - Reece
“It’s my birthday and it’s my gift, so…” Natalie stated matter of factly and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
“But Reece is famous now, we have to be careful about his image,” Phoebe insisted, her brow furrowed and her lips drawn in a tight line just like their mother when she was worried. “Dragging him to a club might not be the best idea.”
“Just because he’s famous doesn’t mean he can’t have fun!
” Natalie wrapped her arms around Reece who had been sitting beside her silently, letting his sisters talk about him as if he wasn’t even there.
“I want to take him out and let him meet some of our friends so when I brag about him they can be twice as jealous.”
They had been going back and forth for almost twenty minutes now, talking over Reece and ignoring him every time he tried to interject, so he had given up and simply surrendered.
They were supposed to be having a nice lunch together, but as per usual, Natalie had ulterior motives.
The nightclub was only part of it. She wanted Nick to come to her birthday party too and their bickering had started while they were waiting for Daphne and Nick to get there.
He was running a little late because of some private practice with Declan, but he was on his way and hopefully would be there soon.
Daphne had a problem at work she needed to handle first so it was just the three of them at the moment.
Phoebe sighed and rubbed her temple, a tell tale sign that she would give in. “Well… it is your special day and Reece might like it… I guess it’s alright, but we can’t be careless. It’s not just about our little bro, Nick can’t afford to have a scandal either. That baby is going pro.”
“I know, I’m so proud of him and the other boys,” Natalie cooed. “They’re all grown up now… and stupidly tall,” she huffed and held onto Reece tighter. “I miss being able to squish you!”
Reece chuckled and let her have her way. “You don’t seem to be having any trouble with it,” he mused but shook her off him as soon as he saw Nick approaching. “Nicky! Hey, how was practice?”
“Good. Hey Natalie. Phoebe.” Nick smiled at both of them and took the open seat on Reece’s other side. He made himself comfortable, lounging in the seat like it was his sofa at home, legs spread so wide Reece crossed his own at the knee to give him more room.
Phoebe grinned at Nick, her expression bright and no longer stressed.
“I swear, you get more handsome every time we see you! The whole family is ready for the day you make your pro debut. We’ve got plenty of merchandise and magazines with you in them, all the brand deals and special edition stuff, you know. ”
“But what we need is some more clothing and shoes,” Natatlie said while waving her finger in the air. “If I’m going to fashionably support our pro basketball boys, I need more to work with. Preferably in spring colors.”
“There’s always something new in the works,” Nick said with a shrug and Reece hummed, nodding his agreement.
“Natalie wants us to go to her birthday party,” Reece explained.
Smiling smugly, Natalie flipped her dirty blond bangs out of her face and examined her perfectly painted nails. “It’s nonnegotiable.”
Phoebe rolled her green eyes, but couldn’t hide the warmth in them. “You just want to show off our babies is all.”
“As I should! My girlfriends are dying to meet them, especially Reece,” Natalie reminded.
“Me?!” He blinked, surprised to hear it. “Why?”
Nick clicked his tongue. “Isn’t it obvious, pretty boy?”
“Hey. Don’t call me that. It’s bad enough that Dec does.”
“He does what now?” Nick scowled.
Daphne suddenly appeared like a saving grace and frowned as she looked around. “Oh no, I’m the last one here? I hope I didn’t keep you all waiting too long.” She softly patted Reece’s head on her way past him and gave Nick a small cuddle hug before sitting between him and Phoebe. “What did I miss?”
“Natalie’s bringing us to her birthday party. Nightclub shenanigans and whatnot.” Reece waved a hand around before resting it on Nick’s thigh.
“That sounds fun,” Daphne said as she hung her purse on the back of her chair. “You two deserve a little break. You’re both always working so hard, I’m sure it’ll be nice and Natalie will love having you there more than any present.”
Natalie blushed at her words, but didn’t deny it while Phoebe raised her brows in surprise. “You’re not the least bit worried, Daphne?”
“Not at all. Our boys are all fine adults now and Nick is very responsible.”
“Hey, what about me?” Reece huffed with a pout, but she wasn’t wrong. Nick was responsible and he was always looking out for his friends.
Daphne smiled, laughing softly and full of fondness. “You’re the sensible and spoiled one.”
“I’m not spoiled,” he argued, brows pulling together.
“Not enough, clearly,” Nick grumbled and Reece smacked him.
They talked more about the birthday party and who’d be invited, Natalie quick to spill the beans on Daphne’s new boyfriend. It wasn’t Reece’s party, but he’d invite all his friends anyway and was looking forward to it.
It had been a while since they all went out.