Chapter 5
5
Bishop
Loud squeals fill the air followed by the sound of large splashing. I shade my eyes and look up to see a shock of red hair breach the surface of the water. Vivian bursts up like the little mermaid, except this mermaid is not a happy one.
“Godammit, Phoenix!” she shouts, sluicing through the water to get to him. “I told you not to get this swimsuit wet.”
Vivian reaches the shallow end, walking up the beach style entrance to where Nix stands with his hands braced on his quads, laughing like a madman.
“Why the fuck can’t you get that swimsuit wet? Isn’t the whole point of a swimsuit…to get wet?” he asks through tears of laughter.
Red hair hangs heavy with water dripping from the ends and down Viv’s body, puddling at her feet. “Because this is Balmain, and you do not swim in Balmain. You wear Balmain.”
The laughter that had wracked Nix a second ago stops and he asks, “What the hell are you talking about? You wear a swimsuit so that you can swim in it. I don’t understand a damn word of what you just said.”
“Errrr,” she screeches and stomps her little foot. “This swimsuit cost six hundred dollars. You don’t just throw six hundred dollars in saltwater.”
“Uh oh. Better watch it, Nix. Ariel’s got her human legs and it looks like she’s about to use them to kick you in the balls,” I call out from my chair on the deck.
“Shut up, Bishop,” Viv shouts, fumes pouring from her ears and nose.
Everyone else snorts at my comment except for Vivian and Nix.
“Six hundr-you know what. The price doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re wearing a swimsuit that you’re pissed got wet. From the pool. Which is where you need a swimsuit. To swim.”
“This was my ‘for show’ swimsuit! My actual swimsuit is coming later! You big, giant jerk!” Tiny fists pound on Nix’s large, chiseled chest.
It’s like a fly trying to break through a cinderblock wall. A gust of wind could do more damage.
“Aw, Peaches. I’m sorry. Why don’t I come help you change? Will that make you feel better?” Phoenix asks with a calm, soothing voice.
The kind one may use to stop a rabid dog from attacking.
“No. Only you at the bottom of the pool will make me feel better.”
“Tink. You know how your threats of violence turn me on,” he smirks and this time, I let out a boisterous laugh.
Viv’s porcelain skin turns red like a ripe tomato and the hands that were pounding away at Nix drop to her sides and curl into white knuckled fists. Her jaw clenches and I see her cock her arm back, and with a strength I didn’t know that tiny human possessed, rams it straight into Phoenix’s gut, causing him to fold in half and let out a short, hard cough.
“Quit calling me Tink. You’re lucky you’re a good lay with a big dick or I would’ve kicked your ass to the curb.”
“Jesus Christ, Vivian,” CeCe says, walking up beside them.
“For the love of Dolly. There are kids here.” Those words come from the ever worrier slash figurative mom of the group, Cami .
Although, I guess now she really is going to be a mommy.
“I did not want to hear that about my uncle. Thanks Viv. I’m going to go bleach my brain now.” I look over my shoulder to see Anais standing halfway out the patio doors.
I inhale a deep breath and hold it as I try to suffocate these feelings that seem to strike me every time I look at her. Today is no different. Maybe even worse.
She stands with that long, beautiful hair that is usually flowing down her back pulled into two braids. The ends hang over her shoulders and they’re like directional bullets to her plump breasts. Firm breasts that are scantily clad in a lavender bikini top, two small triangles barely covering what should definitely be hidden away.
Her smile shines and the sun dims when she’s near. And that fucking dimple. Jesus it’s hard to look away from her. But then my mind wanders to my best friend and I suddenly feel sick to my stomach.
“My future daughter-in-law, ladies and gentlemen.” The voice of Phoenix’s mom rings out from where she lounges next to the pool, a large brimmed hat on her head and cocktail in hand.
“Sorry, mama West. But your son,” Vivian walks over, shaking her head and places a kiss on her cheek. “Let me freshen your drink when I go change.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. And yes, I know my son. I was surprised you said yes to that scoundrel.” She pats Viv’s hand and smiles.
“I’ll be back in a few. Let me go pry my body out of my ruined hostess outfit.” Viv throws Nix one last heated look, then slides past Anais and into the house.
All eyes turn to Phoenix who still stands near the pool with his hands on his stomach and the remnants of a smile on his face.
“What?” he finally asks.
“You better sleep with one eye open tonight, buddy,” CeCe tells him. “And if I were you, I’d also wrap that head of yours in a kerchief unless you were planning on shaving your hair sometime soon.”
Nix’s face goes from light and laughter, to dread and sheer panic .
“She wouldn’t do that,” he says, his voice shaking just the smallest bit.
“You’re right. She probably wouldn’t. She’s more likely to shave the words Viv’s Bitch over shaving it bald. She likes to make a statement.” Cat smiles over the rim of her margarita and the rest of us choke back our laughter.
Phoenix’s face grows slightly pale and he pushes out a quiet, “I’ll be right back,” as he shuffles quickly past us.
“Lord, I never thought I’d see the day my son would meet his match. But that wild thing bested him and put him right in his place.” Mama West cackles from her seat and everyone else goes back to enjoying the day.
With school about to start, we decided to spend another year together celebrating Dagen’s thirteenth birthday. She’ll have a party with her friends another weekend, but today is for family. And we’re all here.
Vaughan and Cami’s parents are here as they both now claim Dagen as their grand-daughter, along with Cami’s brother Drè, his wife Lisette and their two year old daughter, Madeliene. CeCe and Luca sit together on a lounge seat, her belly now protruding from her bikini. Luca smiles at her like she’s his world, and rubs his hand over where his son lays tucked safely.
Two weeks ago, Vivian bugged CeCe and Luca to their wits end about finding out if they were having a boy or girl despite them wanting to keep it a surprise. Viv also reminded Luca that he destroyed all their little girl dreams by marrying in secret, so he relented and caved to her demands. That’s how we came to know we’ll have a nephew in just a few short months.
Hayes is in the pool with Dagen, taking turns dunking each other. Cat whips up batch after batch of her famous margaritas, and Phoenix’s mom and Anais round out the guests. His sister, Sierra, went home to Slidell earlier in the week since she had to work.
I wasn’t here to witness the goodbye, but I heard it was a soggy mess when she left Anais. Phoenix said they acted as if they weren’t going to see each other in two weeks for his game, which is exactly what they’re doing.
Anais has been staying with Nix and Viv for the past few weeks, waiting to move into her dorm on campus. Viv offered up her condo that is currently serving as a rental, but Anais insisted she wanted the full college experience by living on campus. I’m sure she’ll change her mind once she realizes just how small her new living quarters are and the fact that she has to share it.
I have been lucky that I’ve been busy with my seniors and juniors workouts as we get ready for the school year to begin. It’s allowed me to stay away from Nix’s house as much as possible where normally we’d be spending every free moment all together. We’ve seen each other at Nix’s home games, but luckily there has been too much excitement to notice her.
That’s a bullshit lie. I notice her. All the time. But being around all our friends makes it a bit easier to focus on them and not how badly I want to feel her skin underneath my palm. Or how desperately I ache to taste her lips. How I wonder what it would be like to have that thick mane of hers, wrapped around my fist while I–
“Bishop,” I hear my name and snap out of my mental haze.
I look over to see the man who is more than just my best friend, holding a beer out to me.
“Where’d you go, man? I was calling your name,” Vaughan asks as I take the frosty bottle from his hands.
“Sorry, man. Just thinking about the babies that’ll be around when we celebrate Day’s birthday next year.”
Vaughan’s boyish crooked grin flashes and his eyes sparkle with joy. “Yeah. I can’t wait. All I’ve ever wanted was a family with Cami and now we have it. Cami, Day, me and one on the way. It’s wild.”
“Not to mention CeCe and Luca’s little boy, and I’m sure Viv and Nix won’t be too far behind.” A heaviness suddenly weighs on my heart when I think about my friends getting married and having their own families.
They’re moving on to the next stage of their life while I’m over here daydreaming about a girl who can never be mine .
“Yup. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you pull up the rear right behind them with your own baseball team.” Vaughan winks and taps his bottle on the lip of mine, causing the foam to rise and making me suck it down for dear life.
“Fucker,” I growl, which only makes him laugh. “Vaughan, I don’t even have a woman in my life. How the hell will I be having babies soon after y’all?”
“Aww, don’t be such a Debbie Downer. Your little lady is out there, just waiting for you to find her. Ya just gotta look.” He quirks a brow at me with a smile, but I don’t share his optimism.
“I don’t know about that. But I like your glass half full attitude.” I throw back my beer and when it comes away, my eyes land on the curves of a woman walking towards me.
Vaughan leans in and whispers, “That girl is going to be trouble. Phoenix is going to have his hands full with that one.”
I gulp hard and nod my head. Phoenix isn’t the only one who’s sure to have a hard time with Anais.
“Hey guys,” Anais sings as she steps up to where we sit. “Just wondering if either of you need anything. Uncle Nix said if I helped play hostess with Viv, that I could have a couple of Cat’s famous margaritas.”
“You know why he’s having you do that, don’tcha darlin’?” Vaughan asks, his southern twang thicker than just a moment ago.
Anais bites her plump bottom lip and shakes her head. “Because he wants me to earn my keep?”
“Nope. ‘Cause when Viv is stressed over making sure everyone has what they need, he tends to get in trouble a lot more. Your helping Viv allows Nix to stay on Little Red’s good side. I’d say if you do that, you’ve earned more than just a couple of margs.” Vaughan smiles and it’s infectious.
I watch Anais’ smile outshine the world around her. Her big round eyes sparkle, and she plays with the end of her braids, drawing attention to how close they are to her breasts.
“I’m all set. Thanks for checking, Anais,” I say quickly, and cross my leg over the other, hiding the fact that my body is reacting like a teenager to her presence.
“Well, if you need anything, just call my name and I’ll come running,” she says, her eyelashes waving at me as they bat.
She spins on her heel and makes her way over to the edge of the pool where Dagen swims up to the edge. I watch her laugh when Day gets close enough to splash her and Jesus Christ. If I thought looking at her in a swimsuit was difficult, trying to divert my eyes while she wears a wet swimsuit is the worst kind of torture.
“I think someone has a little crush.”
“What? Who? What do yo–what are you talking about?” I stutter.
Vaughan elbows me in the side and juts his chin out towards the pool. “Anais. I think she has a little crush on big ole teddy bear Bish.”
I roll my eyes and take another long pull of my beer to give me a moment to gather my wits.
“Nah,” I finally say after my brain comes up blank. “She’s just a baby. The last thing she’s looking at is an old, washed up baller who is twelve years older than her.”
“You gotta give yourself more credit, Bish. You’re a damn handsome dude and I see how women throw themselves at you. It isn’t out of reach to think a beautiful young lady would find you the same.”
“Does Cami know you’re flirting with me?” I tease. “Well that girl is a hell no. She’s too young and more importantly, she’s Nix’s niece. That’s the biggest no go if I’ve ever seen one.”
“Good. ‘Cause Nix would skin you alive if you ever laid a hand on Anais. Actually, he’ll probably do that to whomever she brings home. But at least it won’t be his best friend,” Vaughan tells me and takes another swig of his beer.
I laugh nervously and agree, “You got that right.”
I can keep my hands to myself. My thoughts-those are fair game. And that’s just where Anais will stay. In my thoughts and nothing more.
As the day turns into night, the music pouring from the speakers goes from light and fun pop, to harder beats that make everyone dance.
Anais has continued to torture me with strutting around, happy and laughing with everyone here. She’s danced with Day, lighting up that little girl's life, and has done a good job at helping Viv which in turn helps Nix.
She’s kind and caring and full of vibrance, and I’m here in the corner being a black cloud on everyone’s day. Pouting because I want something I can’t have, and kicking myself for wanting her.
Looking at her is sweet torture and I just can’t help myself. Thank God she has put on some clothes that cover her body because I was about to drop myself to the bottom of the pool and stay there until she either left or I lost the will to fight off these feelings, anymore.
A blare of horns sounds from the speakers and Anais’ face turns from happy to over the top elated. She runs off to grab the hands of all the women –and Day– then finds a spot they can all fit.
Reggaeton music –a song I recognize as Daddy Yankee because I’m old– plays and Anais begins swirling her hips in a sexy dance. Fuck my life. As if this day couldn’t get any worse.
She starts showing the ladies some moves that Cami is quick to pick up.
“Sweetheart. You’ve never been to a Villalobos family party. This is a cakewalk,” Cami tells her.
Vivian’s little body mirrors Anais’ and CeCe, with her small belly, follows suit. Dagen laughs as she tries to keep up with fast foot movements, and all of the ladies look as if they’re having the time of their lives.
Meanwhile, all the men look to be in pain. Vaughan’s eyes watch every small shake, roll, and bend his wife makes, and I can tell he wants to be anywhere but here. Nix is watching Viv with a smirk that says he’s about two minutes from throwing us all out on our asses. Then there’s Luca. The man who is king of masking his emotions, is clenching and unclenching his hands into fists like he’s about to slam them through a wall.
CeCe turns to him and curls her fingers, beckoning him closer. He wastes no time, eating up the distance between them in a few long strides, and pulls CeCe into his arms. The guy begins to move with his wife, matching her movements step for step.
Vaughan decides that is an open invitation for the men to join, and hurries over to Camille. Nix growls and scoops Viv up, smacking her ass, then placing her back on her feet to continue dancing. Cat looks to Hayes and I, and we both shake our heads. Unfortunately, that does not deter her.
“C’mon you two party poopers. I need a dance partner,” Cat says, walking up to us.
“Then Hayes should go. I don’t think my old man body can move that way,” I joke.
Cat reaches out and squeezes one of mine and Hayes’ hands in each of hers, and begins tugging us while shuffling backwards.
“Nope. That’s a lame excuse and untrue. I’ve seen your moves, Bish. Old men don’t move the way you do. Now let’s dance.”
We begrudgingly drag our feet, walking behind her, and Hayes immediately takes her hand in his and yanks her so that they are chest to chest. She smiles and begins swaying to the music.
The beat is fast and fun and everyone is smiling. Everyone but me. I stand stiff between them all with a scowl on my face and tension in my shoulder. I spin on my heels to return to my seat, but my hand is grabbed from someone behind me.
“Nuh uh. You’re not getting out of this. Dagen and I need a partner.” Anais looks at me with bright eyes, the effect of one too many margaritas.
“Yeah, Uncle Bishop. Me and Anais want to dance with you.” Of course Dagen asks and I can’t deny that girl a damn thing.
She knows I’d give her the moon if she wanted it badly enough.
“You’re a stinker, Dagen Rayne,” I joke, and pull her up into my arms.
She’s getting bigger every day, and I may not be able to do this for much longer. She wraps an arm around my neck then holds out her other for Anais who steps into her hold .
“Okay, Uncle Bish. You hold on to one side of Anais and I’ll hold the other and we can all dance together.”
I close my eyes in so much pain, because the thought of having to touch her skin brings physical agony to my body. Anais doesn’t wait for a second invitations and slides her arms around my waist then takes Dagen’s hand.
They begin laughing and swinging their arms.
“You gotta move those hips, Bishop. I know you can.” Anais issues a challenge with an arched brow and cheeky smile.
Left without any other choice, I dance with the girls and pray for the song to be over.
Fuck. I pray for this entire night to be over because I need to be alone when I fuck my hand with thoughts of Anais on my mind and her vision in my eyes. Then afterwards I can punish myself for being a goddamn sick bastard.