December 14th #2
I turn the camera toward her as she places two flutes on the counter, fills them, and then says, “To my amazing brother. I’m so proud of you for the way you’ve always handled your life—focusing on love and family.”
“And football,” Ainsley adds.
“I suppose we shouldn’t forget about golf either,” I tease.
That makes Ainsley laugh. She raises an eyebrow and says, “Dani, were you aware of the fact that Damon can’t beat me at golf?”
“Really?” Dani says, sounding surprised. “Maybe you can give me some pointers. I’m playing in some celebrity tournaments this spring. I even have to get an official handicap! Dad is going to take me to Florida after Christmas so I can.”
“That’s so cool,” Ainsley says. “And I’d love to help. Golfing is so much fun.”
“Perfect,” Dani says, then lifts her glass into the air. “A toast. To my brother, his future wife, and their baby …”
The door to the place slams open, and Chase walks in.
“Shit,” I mutter.
But Dani continues regardless, and I have to hand it to her. She’s always been a strong woman. “And to me being the best aunt ever!”
We clink glasses, and I take a long drink.
Chase stands there, motionless, looking even more pissed. Like his wife just committed mutiny. And maybe she has.
Good for her.
There’s something about a woman who stands her ground that is quite attractive, I think as I look at Ainsley.
I mouth, I love you, to her.
Dani gets back on screen, takes another sip, and says, “Okay, Chase just got home. Guess I’m cooking for three instead of two.”
“I’m not hungry,” Chase says, then stomps to their condo and goes inside.
“How was your day?” I ask Ainsley.
“I turned in my projects and took my final. Sammy has one more tomorrow, and then we’ll be done with college. How did your final go?”
And I’m thankful she didn’t ask me how my day went. “It was good. I’m officially done too. I’m going to eat dinner and watch some film. Call me before you go to bed.”
She blows me a kiss, and we hang up.
“Do you need to go talk to him?” I ask my sister, nodding toward their door.
“I’m going to make dinner, and if Chase wants to join us, he’ll be welcome.” She studies me. “Right?”
“Of course.”
She smiles and turns toward the stove. She’s already defrosted some precooked hamburger, so she puts it in a pot, adds her homemade taco seasoning and water to it, and lets it simmer while she warms up tortillas and makes some guacamole.
“Can I do something to help?” I ask her.
“Yeah,” she says. “Talk to me. I usually cook alone. It’s fun to have you here.”
“You have a final tomorrow and one Wednesday morning, right?”
“Correct, and then I’m driving straight home.
Jennifer’s having a Christmas cookie-making party for our little sisters, and then next Monday …
well, don’t tell, but when Ainsley gets to work that day, we’re going to surprise her—me, Haley, Mom, Jennifer, Jadyn, Nicole, and Alexa—by taking her out for brunch and then nursery shopping.
It’s going to be fun. This baby is going to be spoiled, just saying. ”
“That’s amazing,” I say, feeling emotional again.
“He’ll get on board,” she says, patting my hand before sliding a tray of chips and salsa in front of me. “Have a few of those, but save room. I just decided I’m hungry for queso again tonight.”
“You’re going to be a good mom someday,” I tell her.
She grins. “Thank you. I told Ainsley, but I didn’t tell you. We had … well, I thought I was pregnant earlier this year. And even though we’d prefer to wait, I was a bit sad. And I’m really excited to be an aunt.”
“I’m sorry you were sad. Speaking of kids, once we choose which floor plan we want, the builder will start digging the basement on our lot.
Chase and I talked about both of us buying land out there so our kids could grow up together, like we did—for at least part of the year. Is that something you want?”
She stops stirring the queso and turns around, a big grin on her face. “I would love that. And I’m all for it. We will probably buy the land soon, but won’t build right away. I mean, we can stay with Mom and Van or Dad and Jennifer once their house is done until we’re ready.”
“Or you could stay with us,” I offer.
“That would be amazing,” she says with a grin.
“Do you really think he’s going to come around, or will he hate Ainsley and me forever?” I ask.
“It’s funny. Auntie J always says that even though Chase looks like her, he’s got Phillip’s personality. Which, for the most part, he does, except …”
“Jadyn is quick to react emotionally.”
“Yeah. He loves you, Damon. He’s worried about you. And he just wants you to understand that.” She puts the warm cheese dip on the bar, then sits down next to me. “It’ll work out.”
“Hopefully before our next game. Or our season will be over.”
“He wants to win as badly as you do.”
“True,” I say, dipping a chip in the cheese.
After we enjoy the appetizer, she lines up rice, meat, and all the fixings for our bowls on the counter. Then she walks to the door of their condo, opens it, calls out, “Dinner’s ready if you want some,” then closes the door.
I take a deep breath, wondering if Chase will have the guts to come out here and make things right.
A few moments later, as Dani and I are making our bowls, Chase does join us. Part of me wonders if he’s embarrassed because he was wrong or if he’s still mad. It’s hard to tell right now, and I know him well.
He makes a bowl and finally speaks. “Coach says I’m being an ass.”
“You are,” I agree.
“So, I shouldn’t care about you and the fact that she lied to you for months?” Chase states.
“She didn’t lie,” I counter.
“See, that’s what pisses me off. You act like it’s all okay!”
“Maybe I should walk you through how I found out. What Mom said. And what Ainsley said.”
“Mom?” Dani asks.
“Yeah, she was very helpful in this situation.
“So, I went to Ainsley’s graduation. Surprised her. She saw me, took off running, but when we hugged, this unmistakable baby bump hit me. And, I’ll be honest, my mind went to horrible places—mostly worried that she didn’t tell me because it wasn’t my baby.
“I was pissed. Hurt. She asked me to come talk at her place. We drove our own cars there, and while I was driving, I called Mom. I was in tears. Angry. I didn’t understand.
Mom gave me really good advice, actually.
She told me that as hard as it might be, to listen to what Ainsley had to say. And I did.
“She didn’t just not tell me. She didn’t tell anyone.
Her roommate, Sammy, had figured it out a few weeks earlier, and she had to tell her mom the day before, but no one else touched her stomach.
No one else saw the ultrasound photos. And she didn’t know the sex of the baby until we opened the results together.
“Sammy said it was utterly romantic in a warped sort of way, but when he had found out, he threatened to call me right away.
“She gave me a gift. Really, she gave you a gift too, Chase. A winning season with no distractions.”
I dip another chip in sauce and take a bite, needing to pull the rest of my thoughts together.
“I actually had a little tirade, told her I would sue her for custody. She shut me up completely when she said she wouldn’t expect anything else.”
“She said that?” Chase asks, looking shocked.