Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CONFIRMATION
SADIE
I don’t know if I’m a glutton for punishment or what, but when Weston goes to practice a few days later, I pull out the journal again. My anger has dwindled, as it always did with Sasha, and when I read the passage following the birthday, I’m reminded why.
Sadie’s not mad at me anymore. THANK GOD. I hate it when I disappoint her. But even when I do, she loves me no matter what. We’re so different from one another, but she’s the one person I trust more than anyone. I know she’ll never let me down. I’ll let her down plenty, but she will always have my back.
I haven’t decided if I’ll tell her about the party I’m going to on Friday night. Claire said she heard that after the Nuggets games, the players go to this one bar downtown, and I think we’re gonna go see if that’s true. Sadie would try to talk me out of it, or she’d want to go to look out for me, and that would be fine except…Sadie doesn’t realize how hot she is. All those basketball players would take one look at her and those long legs and forget about me. Lol I can’t let that happen!
Anyway, Claire’s loaning me a dress and I’ll get ready over there. I’ll report back if I land a sexy player.
I’m almost scared to keep reading, but I read enough to know that she does indeed land a sexy player and she probably never told me about this one because they had sex in the men’s bathroom at the club. I put my head in my hands, the sister worry I carried with me from as early as I can remember stirred back up. Part of me was always in awe of her impulsiveness, while it also made me a nervous wreck.
I think about how she changed when Caleb was born. It surprised both of us that she didn’t mind being pregnant, and by the time he came, she’d settled some. Well, I thought she had. I’ve thought a lot about my mom saying Sasha would drop Caleb off with her all the time when I wasn’t around to help, and I wonder for the hundredth time since she’s been gone, how well I really knew my sister. Or maybe more accurately, I did know her, but I just always made excuses for her.
I close the journal and tuck it away. That’s enough for today.
On Saturday morning, Weston and I have a lazy morning in bed and a big breakfast once Caleb’s awake. We go to his parents’ house for lunch, taking separate cars, and I kiss him goodbye before I walk out of their house. He still comes outside to put Caleb in the car, and when he leans in to kiss me again, I put my hand on his chest, looking around.
“Seriously?” He laughs.
“I didn’t know photographers were around the other times. What if they’re lurking in the bushes?”
“I don’t think they are,” he says, smirking. “The security is great in this neighborhood. I think we’d be safe to kiss.”
“You would,” I snort. “We’re not kissing in public until I come back cuted up…and maybe not then.” I point at him and get in the car.
He leans down, his muscled arms distracting me when he leans them against the roof of my car. “If you get any cuter, we won’t be coming up for air.”
“We barely do now,” I whisper and he laughs. “I’ll miss you, but I might need a night to recover from last night.”
He smirks, his eyes heated. “I’m going to be replaying last night in my head for a long time to come.”
I grin. “Me too.”
“Are you sure I can’t kiss you out here?”
“I’m sure. But I’ll make it up to you when you get back.”
“I’m counting on that. Love you, Chapman.”
“I love you, Shaw.”
He looks back at Caleb in his car seat and grins, closing my door. I watch from the rearview mirror as he nuzzles Caleb’s neck until they’re both laughing.
He meets my eyes in the mirror. “Have fun. Let me know how you’re doing. I don’t want to bug you when you’re with the girls, but call me anytime.”
I nod. “Have a good trip. Stay safe.”
“I will.”
I miss him the second I drive away, but the excitement over my weekend with the girls helps. I drive back to the house and make sure Caleb and I have everything we’ll need for our overnight. Ed lets me know when Felicity pulls up to the gate, and everyone piles out of the SUV. After hugs all around, they go to the bathroom and meet back in the kitchen to refill their water bottles.
Felicity takes Caleb from me and covers his face with kisses until he’s laughing. He loves her so much.
I lift the bags of snacks from the island. “Okay, how is this? I’ve got Reese’s popcorn, Mmeme of Steve Carell shouting, NOOOO! GOD! No, God, please no!
You know you wish you were here too.
Weston
You’re so right about that, Chapman. I’d much rather be with you. I’m surrounded by a bunch of grumpy-ass dudes who are pouting because there’s no caffeine on this flight.
Ooo, harsh.
Hey. I can’t believe you sent your fancy card with Felicity.
Weston
You deserve this and so much more.
My eyes gloss over and I stare at the screen.
Thank you. You didn’t have to do this, but it’s really sweet.
Weston
I only wish I was there seeing you try everything on like they do in all those movies my sisters made me watch growing up.
I bite my lip to keep from laughing, imagining teenage Weston enduring rom-coms.
Caleb gets a short nap in while we drive to Boulder and wakes up as we’re checking out our Airbnb. It’s a gorgeous house, and there’s even a full-size crib for Caleb. The place is massive and each room is stunning. The kitchen and living room are perfect for a group, and once we’ve all put our things away and met back in the kitchen, Scarlett pulls out a page that she’s printed out with places for us to go.
“Sofie and I have been to Boulder the most, but Ruby had heard of great places too, so we put this list together. Should we start with what’s closest and see how many shops we can hit before they close?” She points at the two at the top. “These two are closed tomorrow, so we should definitely hit those today.”
Everyone looks at me, and I hold up both thumbs.
“I am just along for the ride,” I say, laughing.
We get back in the SUV and I try a couple of things on at the first place, but don’t love anything, so we move on to the next shop. I find so much there that I have a hard time choosing. While I try things on, Caleb is being passed around to everyone and in his element. Felicity insists that I step out of the dressing room to show off each new outfit.
“My brother is going to die when he sees you in that,” she whispers after the salesperson walks away. “Just so you know, I have neither confirmed nor denied about you and Weston with them.” She tilts her head back to the girls. “I thought I’d leave that to you, but believe me, they all have plenty of thoughts about it.” She laughs and I do too, my cheeks flaming.
“Let’s see this one,” Ruby calls. “Oh, you have to get that. All of it.”
I nod. “I think so too.” The jeans fit perfectly and the light sweater is the perfect amount of sexy without being too revealing.
There’s a dress that I almost don’t try on, but they insist on it, and I can’t resist it. It’s cute in the front, but the back amps up the look with the low V and the material beneath that ties into a big bow.
“I wouldn’t have thought I like this, but I love it,” I say.
I get a few cute blouses from there too, and then we hit one more shop. This place has the best loungewear I’ve ever seen. The sweats and sweatshirts have cute detailing and I get comfortable sizes that still aren’t over-the-top baggy.
“One more thing for you to try,” Scarlett says, tossing some leggings and tanks my way. “Your butt will thank you for wearing those.” She laughs when she sees my expression. “Trust me.”
I try them on and when I turn, I gasp. “Holy hell,” I say, looking at my backside in the mirror.
“Let’s see!” Felicity says.
I step out and my cheeks are red, but I turn around and they clap. I face them quickly, laughing, my hands reaching up to cool my face.
“I want them in every color,” I say.
They crack up at that, and I think we all leave the place with at least three pairs of the peach-lift leggings.
We go out to dinner and never struggle for things to talk about. When we get back to the house, Scarlett’s the one who brings up Weston and me first.
“So, am I right to have picked up on a vibe between the two of you?” she asks, lifting an eyebrow.
“You’re not wrong,” I say, grinning. “His agent thinks we should keep quiet about it because of my sister, and I agree with her. Weston doesn’t love it, but I don’t know…me being on those covers might convince him she’s right.”
“I get that it’s a complicated situation, but no one knows the details like you do,” Marlow says. “You’re not doing anything wrong, and it’s no one else’s business anyway.”
“Those articles were harsh,” Sofie says, shooting me an apologetic expression. “I’d probably be doing the same thing as you to avoid more of that…”
“But they’re not openly dating and it still happened,” Felicity says. “I say you live your life openly and let the chips fall where they may.”
“That’s easy for us to say, but I agree,” Ruby says. “Hopefully, it’ll die down soon. I hate the idea of you and Weston avoiding being out together. This is such an incredible time when you’re first falling for each other.” She covers her mouth. “That is what’s happening, right?”
“My brother is so gone over her,” Felicity says, grinning at me. “And I could not be happier about it.”
“And judging by that spark in your eyes every time you talk about him, I think it’s safe to say you feel the same,” Marlow says.
I nod and they all chatter excitedly about it for the next half hour. Felicity and Ruby make cocktails, while I put Caleb to bed. We stay up talking until late, and before we go to bed, I thank them again for this trip.
“I haven’t laughed like this since…my sister. Maybe ever, honestly,” I add. “You’re all incredible and have made me feel so special.”
“You’re one of us now,” Felicity says. “And we’re here for you, Sadie. This whole paparazzi thing feels huge, but the important thing is you and Weston. Don’t let them, or Weston’s agent, or anything else detract from what’s happening with the two of you.”
I nod, thinking about what she’s saying and wishing I could just take the leap.