Chapter 41
forty-one
Daisy’s acting off.
And it’s not because of her ex. I’ve made sure to let her know she can always talk to me about him without worrying about how I may feel or react. And I’m proud of myself for not coming out of my skin every time I’m reminded that the fucker is walking around going unchecked by me.
For now.
No, something else is going on with Daisy. But she seems to be in a great mood, enjoying having a home filled with the people who truly love and care about her.
“Man, you’ve got it bad.” Mateo chuckles beside me, handing me a cold beer.
I don’t bother taking my eyes off her as she chats with the moms at the dining table, soaking up their attention like a sponge. “Yeah. And?”
He taps the neck of his beer with mine, forcing me to look his way, worried he’ll spill it on Daisy’s new carpet.
“Trust me, I get it. Every morning I wake up with the desire to haul Isabella’s ass to the courthouse, but she wants her small ceremony in La Romana, at Altos de Chavón, and I can’t deny her anything she asks for.
” He sighs as he looks off to the side, watching Isa and his daughter Anna working hard at making friendship bracelets.
I was surprised earlier when Anna came up to me and offered me the first one she completed. And I was touched when I realized she spelled out BEST COACH EVER on it.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Mateo pulls two tickets out of his back pocket. “I got these a while back but won’t be able to attend. Figured you could make use of them and take Daisy with you.”
I take the tickets and stare down at them, my brows quickly lifting in surprise. “You had tickets to Bad Bunny’s sold-out concert in Madrid just lying around?”
He lifts his shoulders nonchalantly. “I know you listen to his music. Figured you guys could make a trip out of it. It’s during the offseason.
I’m sure you can handle covering the flight since your girl’s brother literally owns a private jet.
But I also have a suite booked at the Four Seasons that you guys are free to use.
I’ll email over the details. It’s booked in your name so you shouldn’t have any issues. ”
My jaw unhinges, confused beyond belief. I look up at Daisy in time to see her darting her gaze away from mine. Is she up to something? Before I can give it much thought, the doorbell rings. That must be Val back from her bodega run.
I move to stand, but Nick’s already at the door. “What are you two delinquents doing here?” Nick says with a laugh. I hear hard pats on the back and chuckles before Ace and Julian come into view.
“You didn’t.” Mateo laughs, then looks at me. “Ace texted, asking what I had planned today, and when I mentioned I was heading over here to hang with everyone, he practically threw a fit.”
“So you gave him a pity invite to Daisy’s housewarming?” I smirk at the idea of Ace having FOMO.
Ace breezes in, lifting Anna and spinning her in a circle, causing her to squeal before placing a big kiss on her cheek.
“There’s my favorite girl. Are you adding any new ones to my collection?
” He raises his left wrist, showing off the collection of friendship bracelets that are intertwined with his diamond bracelets and exorbitantly expensive watch.
“On it now!” Anna’s head tilts down, tongue poking out of her mouth in concentration as she doubles her speed.
I stand and meet him at the back of the couch to greet him but narrow my eyes at the massive Prada shopping bag in his hand. “That must be a large and expensive candle, because I know damn well you didn’t buy my woman a pricey handbag or shoes for a housewarming gift.”
Daisy slips into my side, laughing. “Ignore him, Ace. All gifts are welcome in this home.” She giggles at my pinched face.
“You knew he was coming?” I ask.
Ace cuts in. “Mateo and I share locations.” He winks at Mateo, then smiles at us.
Daisy shakes her head. “I got a call from security. He babbled about more Monarchs players waiting for access to my apartment before jumping into a cute spiel about how, even though these two are his favorite players, he still wouldn’t let them up unless I gave the green light.
” She looks back at Ace. “I actually felt bad about not inviting you guys but since almost everyone’s coupled up, I didn’t want you guys to feel left out. ”
Ace looks behind us and smiles salaciously. “Well, I see three fine ladies sitting by their lonely selves at that dining table. I’m sure Julian and I can keep them company.”
“Middlebrooks, you stay away from my mother,” Mateo warns.
“Yeah, ours too,” Luisa says as she comes to stand next to Isa.
“Speak for yourselves, youngins. Middlebrooks, Vega, get over here and serve us more coffee,” Luisa’s mother shouts.
“Your wish is my command.” Ace winks in their direction, and I actually have to laugh at the guy.
The playboy act never ends with this one, and I gotta say I appreciate the commitment to his craft, as outrageous as it may be.
Julian makes his way to the dining table, leaving coffee duty solely to Ace, who says, “And for the record, this is for you, not your girl. It’s a leather jacket so you can ditch the one that gives you lumberjack vibes.
” He chuckles. “And besides, I don’t have a death wish.
Why would I bring a gift for her to your birthday party? ”
The room goes quiet. No one moves, as if they’re all holding in a collective breath.
That is until Mateo breaks the silence. “You fucking idiot,” he whispers over the couch so his daughter can’t hear him curse.
Ace points at himself, then circles his finger around the room.
“I’m missing something here, aren’t I?” He smiles nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
“You know what? I have a coffee to deliver, so if you don’t mind…
” He gives us a wide berth as he walks over to the kitchen and tinkers with the coffee machine as if he’s been here countless times.
I feel Daisy shaking in my arms, and when I look down, I find her laughing silently. “Daze, what are you up to?”
She bites her lip. “Well.” She waves around the room, all eyes on us. “Surprise? This was supposed to be your extremely low-key birthday party. So low-key you weren’t even supposed to know it was happening.” She whispers the last part.
“That would have been a great detail to fill me in on, Martinez,” Ace yells from the kitchen as he glares at Mateo while stirring sugar into a comically small coffee cup.
“I would have, had you been invited,” Mateo yells back.
I look around the room with new eyes. The bracelet on my wrist, the tickets to the concert in Spain, the home-cooked meal being prepped in the kitchen.
“I’m sorry if you hate it. But last year when we threw you a party at the stadium, you looked so uncomfortable with all the attention on you, and you bolted as soon as we sang ‘Happy Birthday.’ I know you don’t like a big fuss being made over you, so I figured we’d celebrate it a week early and tell you it was my housewarming so you wouldn’t catch on,” she says all in one breath. “Are you mad?” She winces slightly.
My hands rest on her cheeks and I lean down until we’re eye to eye.
“Daisy fucking Stonehaven.” I shake my head, at a loss for words.
“I love you so much. This is perfect. You are perfect. Thank you so much for loving me like you do. This is the best birthday ever.” I close the distance and press my lips to hers.
Our friends whoop and holler around us.
This woman knows me so well. Loves me in a way I never knew could be possible with a past like mine.
The only reason I peel myself off her is because we are in the presence of nosy mothers and a child.
I’d love to send everyone packing, but that would mean all of Daisy’s efforts would be in vain.
So instead, I place one more chaste kiss on her lips and straighten.
“Does that mean that there’s Dominican cake somewhere in this house? ” I rub my hands together deviously.
Daisy rolls her eyes. “Of course there is. What kind of heathen do you think I am?”
I love her fucking snark. Not too long ago she would have shied away from this fun and sassy side of herself. But knowing she’s comfortable enough to push back has me grinning, and I don’t even try to stop myself from hauling her back into my arms for another kiss, this one much more salacious.
“Best.” Kiss. “Birthday.” Kiss. “Ever.” Kiss.
“Ew, can’t you guys at least wait until we’re all gone and talking about you behind your backs before you start mauling each other’s faces again?” Val says as she walks toward the kitchen counter.
Halfway there, she stops short, face going unnaturally pale.
A crashing noise comes from the kitchen. The coffee mug is no longer in Ace’s hand but in shattered pieces on the floor by his feet. His jeans and Timberland boots are splattered, but he doesn’t seem to notice as his shocked eyes remain fixed on my sister.
I’m about to ask what the fuck is going on when Ace speaks up first. “Val-Valentina? Um, wow.” He clears his throat, running a hand down his face before he points it at her. “It’s nice to see you. You haven’t changed at all. I-I mean y-you look, uh. You look well.”
Questions arise quicker than I can keep track. He knows my sister? Why the hell is he acting this way? He’s never been tongue-tied by a woman, and trust me, I’ve seen him with many.
And my sister and I verbally spar like it’s our day job, but it’s always in good fun, even when she’s running me up a wall.
So when the icy tone drips from her lips, I’m instantly on high alert. “And you look like you haven’t changed a bit either…” She looks down at the broken pieces of ceramic by his feet. “Leaving a mess wherever you go.”
His face falls, confusion marring his features until they turn tight.
Val looks our way. “Hey, Daisy, I got everything you need. Keep the chocolate. I’m sure you’ll love it.” Her eyes meet mine. “Happy birthday, bro. Sorry I can’t—.”
“Bro? Coach is your brother?” Ace asks, dumbfounded for some reason I’m not privy to.
“Sorry I can’t stay,” Val continues, ignoring his comment. “Let’s grab lunch this week and I’ll make it up to you.”
“What the hell is going—” I start before Ace interrupts.
He chuckles darkly. “Guess some things never change. Care to tell us where you’re running off to now, or you just gonna keep me in the dark again?”
Again?
Val’s mouth opens, a retort at the ready, when she suddenly looks like she’s at a loss for words.
The moms quietly approach Ace with a broom and pan in hand.
Their appearance seems to break whatever trance he and my sister were in, because he jumps into action, taking the broom from their hands and sweeping up the mess himself while one of the moms uses a large dish rag to wipe the spilled coffee from the lower cabinets and the floor.
And when Ace looks back up, his face falls again.
Because Valentina is gone.