10. Avani
I smiled as I got ready to attend a family function with Akari.
He was due to pick me up soon, and I couldn't wait to lay eyes on him.
It had been a week since I saw him face-to-face.
We only Facetimed since he was on the road traveling for his games.
I was missing him like crazy. He made sure he called me no matter the time he got in from a game.
Akari had told me we were in a relationship now and had been doing everything a man in a relationship did for me.
He had been so caring since I had a nightmare when we were in Cali.
That was two weeks ago. He made sure I was taking my medication every day, too.
It was thoughtful of him. Then, this man bought me a teddy bear and sprayed it with cologne.
He told me if he wasn't there with me, to make sure I slept with the teddy bear.
That was his way of being close to me. Akari Gardner was making me fall in love with him.
I told my adopted family all about Akari, and my father was waiting on free tickets from him.
If Akari could get some, I was going to make sure I got him some, too.
Whenever he had a home game, he made sure I was there with him and his family.
He was always doing things to make sure others knew I was with him.
He sent me winks during the game. It was crazy, yet romantic.
A knock came at my door, followed by the doorbell ringing. Akari was here early. I hadn't expected him to be here until later. I rushed to let him in. He had a bag in one hand and flowers in the other. I happily beamed as I eyed the items in his hands.
I moved aside to let him in. "I told you plenty of times that you didn't have to get me anything every time you go out of town." I accepted the kiss he laid on my lips.
"Hey, to you, too. What did I tell you about making a big fuss about me buying you things? Just accept it and be happy."
I closed the door with a sigh. "I am happy, very much so, but what about me not giving you anything in return?"
Akari set the things down on the coffee table and looked at me. "But you do give me things in return. You give me your time and come to my games. Just by you being around me, spending quality time with me is all I need."
We took a seat on the couch, and he clasped my hand in his.
"I'm tired as hell." He yawned. "I came straight here from the airport."
"Well, you're going to be tired until we finish spending time with your family. What time do we have to be at your mother's house?"
He grunted, laying his head back on the couch. "In like three more hours. You're not dressed yet, so we can take a nap."
I rolled my eyes. "You mean, you take a nap? I'm not sleepy."
"Nah, you may not be, but you will be laying down with me. Also, did you take your medication today?"
I huffed. "Yes, I did it after we hung up with each other this morning."
"Word. Good." Akari stood up from the couch. "I'm going to take a nap. How about you come join me by putting me to sleep?" He wiggled his eyebrows, causing me to laugh.
With his help, I got up from the couch as well. We made our way upstairs and to my bedroom. He wasted no time getting us out of our clothes before I helped put him to sleep.
I loved Akari's family and enjoyed being around them.
His mother, Megan, gave me the biggest hug I had ever received.
Meanwhile, his father, Austin, told me, "Welcome to the family.
" From my understanding, he wasn't even in the family like that.
Somebody had some explaining to do. I didn't know the occasion, but Akari's siblings and parents were here.
It had me wondering if we were the only ones who would be at the house.
Akari left me to go talk to his brother, Antonio. It was a good thing I knew his family already. If not, it would have been awkward.
"Girl, we need to hang out sometimes," Aisha suggested.
I gazed over at her and smiled. "Yeah, we need to. We only talk at the games."
"We need to change that since it seems like my brother is serious about you."
I arched a brow, wondering where she was going with this. Should I see what she meant? Before I could ask any further questions, Akari and Antonio reentered the family room.
"What y'all think Mom and Dad are up to?" Aisha asked her brothers.
They shared looks that caused me to smile. It was quite obvious what they were up to. It seemed like the man had been around forever. That was what Akari told me. He wasn't ready to leave his wife alone.
"He wants that old thang back," I replied.
They all stared at me and screwed up their face. "Ewww!"
I laughed. "It's obvious, but I could be wrong."
They exchanged looks again. I didn't know what else to say, so I remained quiet. Their parents entered the family room with a smile on their faces.
"Oh shit, maybe she is right," Antonio whispered as if we couldn't hear him.
Akari's eyes widened as Aisha's hand went to her mouth. Their parents exchanged looks before they took their seats right next to each other.
"There is no need to say anything. We get it," Aisha voiced.
"My question is, how long has it been?" Akari quizzed, staring at his parents.
I felt like I shouldn't even be in here while they handled their family business. It would be rude of me to leave, too, so I stayed put and awaited the answer with the siblings.
"It just happened. Although your father has been around even with the divorce, it has been hard staying away from each other?—"
"Wait, wait. So, both of you were still together even when y'all weren't?" Aisha asked.
"We weren't together, as you put it, but we still satisfied each other's needs," their father responded.
"Ewww!" the siblings exclaimed. I chuckled with a shake of my head.
"So, when did you get together ?" Antonio asked the question.
"It's been over a year now. We were trying to find the perfect time to tell you all, but no time seemed to be the right time.
Still, I apologize to him for not believing in his love for me.
Even when I asked for the divorce, this man had been by my side.
So, we decided just to be together and see where it took us.
Neither of us had been in a relationship since we broke up. All we had was each other."
"Aww. That's so sweet," Aisha expressed with tears in her eyes. "As much as I want to be mad at both of you, I can't. I'm just happy you found your way back to one another. I'm happy for y'all."
Antonio and Akari hadn't said anything, only staring at their parents. I wondered if they were happy for them as well. They needed to be, but it was none of my business. No wonder Akari's father welcomed me into the family. Hell, he had never left it himself.
Later that night, Akari and I were on our way to his house for the night.
Once the shock of his parents being back together wore off, Akari and Antonio congratulated their parents on getting back together.
It was a joyous reunion, and I was glad to be there to witness it.
The close-knit relationship Akari and his family had was goals.
"Are you okay?" I asked him.
He glanced over at me. "Yeah, I'm straight. I'm happy to be with you."
I beamed. "I'm happy to be with you, too. Although I thought it would be foolish of me, I'm happy I gave you a chance."
"Foolish to be with me?"
I nodded and explained. "Akari, you know how famous you are. Everywhere we go, people want your autograph, and women push up on you like I’m not even around. I have ignored it because I know you are for me."
He reached out and squeezed my thigh. "Yeah, always remember I am for you and nobody else. You're the only one who matters in my life besides my family."
"I believe you. You matter to me as well.
Since we've reconnected, I have enjoyed being with you and around you.
I l..." I dropped my head to my chest. There was no way in hell I was about to tell this man I love him.
Hell no . How in the hell did I get out of this situation?
Hopefully, he didn't pay attention to what I was about to say.
Akari squeezed my thigh again. "The feeling is mutual, Avani." That was all he said, and the conversation ended.