Touchdown

Chapter 36

Birthday Boy

Zahirah

“Aaron birthday. I big boy. Happy birthday, me. Yay,” Aaron squeals and claps as his eyes light up with joy.

He has frosting on his face from his first cupcake ever that his grandmothers fought for him to have. I only caved because Bentley joined in with puppy eyes to help the moms and his son to win me over.

Since it’s his birthday and Bentley promised to deal with the fallout of the sugar rush, I figured I’d let him have it.

As I watch my son sitting in his high chair, happy as ever, surrounded by all the people who love him, I can’t imagine my life without him.

He’s safe and happy and he brings more joy to my life with each day.

“Now this is the smile your father would want to see on your face every day,” my mother whispers in my ear.

I turn to look at her, my smile faltering just a little. I would have loved for my father to be here for this. Aaron’s party has turned out so cute and there’s so much love here.

The entire Coswell family is here, my mom, and a few of the moms from the playgroup I joined for Aaron to have some little friends. My home is filled with more laughter and happiness than I can take.

I glance back at my son, and my smile returns as I watch him and his father interact. Bentley is whispering something in Aaron’s ear as he tickles him, pulling that adorable squeal from our boy’s lips.

“I have a lot to smile about these days,” I reply.

“That you do. It’s good to see you both happy. That’s all I ever truly wanted.”

I turn to look at her again and pull her into a hug. I hold on a little longer than necessary. I’ve learned to cherish moments like this, not knowing when I won’t be able to have them any longer.

“You do know they are both here, don’t you? You might not be able to see them, but I can feel them. Your father and Bill will always be here to look over him,” she says as she gives me a tight squeeze.

“Yeah, I know,” I choke out.

“I’m so proud of you. You, my baby, are lemonade personified. All you have accomplished has left me in awe.”

“Thanks, Mom. Although I do need to figure out what’s going to be next.”

“You’ll figure it out. How much time do you still have using your savings?”

“If I live frugally, I can stretch out five or six more years, but I don’t want to wait until it’s all gone.”

It’s actually more than that, but I like to aim low and reach higher. I honestly could probably hold off until Aaron goes off to college. However, that’s not my style. Even with all my travels, I still have some of my trust left, but I’m not going to rely solely on that or get complacent.

“If you need anything, you know you can ask me.”

“I’m a long way off from needing help, Mom. Aaron and I will be just fine.”

“I’m just saying. You don’t have to deny yourself or my grandson anything.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Should we get started on his gifts?” Bentley croons into my ear as he comes up behind me and wraps me in his arms.

I crane my neck to look up at him. His hazel eyes are sparkling back at me. Dipping his head, he pecks my lips and then my nose.

“Sure, if we get started now, we might get to all of them,” I tease.

“I’ll admit, I might have gone overboard. We can start with all the ones from the guests.” He laughs and kisses me again.

I can’t help but laugh. Overboard would be an understatement. Bentley purchased every learning game he could find and the toys … Oh my God, Aaron doesn’t have enough time in a day to play with everything his father bought him.

He could play with a toy a day for a year and still not play with them all. Mind you, I’m only speaking of the things he allowed me to see. I get it.

Bentley is still trying to make up for the time he lost with our son. I’m still working through a bit of my guilt about that. However, I do believe Bentley would have spoiled Aaron either way.

“Uncle Eddy,” Aaron squeals and laughs.

I turn to find Eddy tossing Aaron in the air, causing his little nephew to laugh with joy. Garret is standing nearby with a smile on his face. Erica and Lauren have their phones out, taking pictures and recording.

Tara is standing by the gift table with her hands on her hips as if she’s trying to figure out how to tackle the mountain that is our son’s birthday gifts.

“I think I’m winning life,” I murmur.

“What’s that?” Bentley asks.

“Nothing. Come on, we can help him open them together. It looks like Tara is coming up with a plan for the order,” I chuckle.

“I bet she has a clipboard and checklist somewhere,” he grumbles and shakes his head.

Yup, I’m winning at life. I couldn’t ask for better family and friends. All it takes is a single moment to change everything.

The moment Bentley appeared at my rehearsal dinner and my mother fainted will forever be the moment that changed my life for the better.

Now that Aaron’s birthday party is out of the way, I can lock in and get some other things in my life on track to ensure that change continues to bring joy like this.

Gilbert

That fucking bitch. I didn’t even get an invite to her brat’s birthday party. I should be there.

I can’t believe how everything changed in the blink of an eye. One minute, I was engaged and about to get married to the one woman I’ve obsessed over since high school. The next, I’m left holding my dick, wondering how the fuck I got here.

No wife, no family fortune, no fucking empire, no revenge. Instead, it’s like that son of a bitch broke my jaw all over again. He’s back here in Arizona, living with my woman, being idolized by the entire state like some immortal hero.

I fucking loathe Coswell. However, killing him would be so unsatisfying. I want him to suffer.

Coswell is going to pay. Zahirah will too. I’ve been patient before. I can do it again.

The only thing getting in my way is Hamilton and those fucking partners of his. They are rushing me to do something I can’t right now. I need time to think and come up with a plan B.

“You’re running out of time,” Hamilton says as if I don’t already know this.

“Aren’t you getting tired of telling me things I already know?”

“Honest? Yeah, I am. However, I like my life. If I don’t make sure you keep your word, I’m fucked. Bro, what are you going to do?”

I sigh and drag a hand down my face. Words aren’t going to fix this. I resent him thinking if he keeps talking, it’s going to change something.

“I need some time to think without everyone in my ear. If it’s not you, it’s my grandmother,” I bite out.

“Is she considering giving you the money without the marriage?”

“No, she’s still trying to figure out how I fucked things up with Zahirah. She wants her grandson back. She’s been talking about counseling and lawyers.”

“Dude, the moment your lawyers try to serve Zah to take her son, she and Coswell are going to blow all your shit up.”

“No fucking duh, Captain Obvious.”

“Listen, maybe it’s time to come up with another plan. These people mean business and when they find out we’ve been bullshitting, they’re going to come to collect whether we have it or not.”

“We weren’t going to have anything from the beginning. You were just the middleman. It’s always been my money, my investment.”

“Bro, this isn’t just about you. Yeah, you were putting up the majority of the funds, but this is my name and reputation on the line. Don’t be an asshole.”

I glare at him, tired of hearing his voice. My grandmother, for now, isn’t a voice I can silence. She won’t tell me if I’ll inherit everything upon her demise.

I’m not ready to take that risk. I need to acquire the money while she’s still alive and I’m in her good graces. However, Hamilton is a buzzing I can do without.

“Listen, Gilbert, I’m your friend. I want this to work out for you as much as I want to be clear of getting my head chopped off.”

“I have a question for you. Do your partners know anything about me?”

“No, not much. Remember, I’m vouching for you, so my name and head are on the—”

I don’t give him a chance to finish. I’ve heard all I want to hear from him. Standing from my seat with the smoking gun still in my hand, I mutter to myself about having to clean up this mess.

“At least now there’s silence, and the deal dies with you. If they don’t know me, they won’t be looking for me. One problem solved.

“Plan B is already working in my favor. Now, to get you cleaned up, or should I leave you for your housekeeper to find? Yes, I’ll wipe all your cams and leave. That sounds best,” I croon.

With that, I get to erasing all traces of my visit tonight. My phone pings in my pocket. I take it out and smile when I see the notification to let me know my gift for Aaron will arrive first thing in the morning.

I’m not going to punish the brat for his mother not inviting me to the party. She can’t erase me from the boy’s life. I was there from the beginning, no matter how hard Zah tried to make that.

“Don’t worry, son. Daddy isn’t going to let them take you from me. We’ll be together.”

Bentley

I lean in the entryway of the living room with a smile on my face and my arms folded across my chest, watching my little family. Zahirah and Aaron are knocked out. They’re on the couch, fast asleep, Aaron resting on his mother’s chest.

I guess the party wore them both out. My heart swells from the perfect picture they make. I’ve been in my feelings all day.

Watching my son’s happiness brought me a kind of joy I can’t even explain. Seeing all our friends and family who love him celebrating with him was another level of joy.

“That has to feel good,” Garret murmurs as he appears at my side and nods his head toward my girl and my son.

“Yeah, it does,” I say then gesture with my head for him to follow me.

Aaron might not wake, but we could wake Zah. I don’t want to disturb them. Zah deserves the rest. That was one hell of a kiddie party.

“This all looks good on you. Are you ready for this new team?”

“Yeah, I’m going to dig into this new playbook first thing tomorrow. How’s the house hunting going?”

“I’ll have a few lots for you to check out this week. A new build seems like your best option. I know you want to be settled before the season starts, but nothing out there fits the checklist you gave me.

“Between me and Sarah, we’ll make sure the house is done. I mean, it will give Zah a chance to give her input and put her stamp on it since you are technically buying it for her.”

“Fair point. Speaking of Sarah—”

“She arrives in the morning. The movers already took care of her place. She just has to turn the key and enter. She’ll be back to work by Tuesday.”

“Thanks for all you do, man. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

“Are you kidding me? My big brother is Bentley Coswell. Bro, I have the best job in the world and got a degree out of it.”

I breathe a quick chuckle. “But I still want to say thanks. I appreciate you.”

“I appreciate you more. You know, I didn’t want to go to college because I had no idea what I wanted to do. Enlisting seemed like I wouldn’t have to make a choice.

“Losing Dad and seeing that you needed me changed all that. It gave me purpose. I’m meant to have your back.

“You don’t need to thank me. There’s nowhere else and nothing else I’d rather be doing,” he says and pats me on the back.

“I love you, man.”

“I love you too. I’m glad I showed up when I did. I needed you as much as you needed me.”

“Yeah.” I nod my head as I think on that. “You want a beer?”

“Sure. You want me to help you get them to bed first?”

“Yeah, that would be cool. Thanks.”

“Anytime. I’ve got you.”