Chapter Twenty-One
Dylan
“GO TEAM!” I yell as the Neverland Pirates take the court for their first game against the New Hope Rivals. They begin warming up, as the game doesn’t start for a while. “Remind me again why we are here?” I ask Vada.
We’re currently sitting in the grandstand at Neverland University, watching Roman, Grayson, and Taylor play basketball. Neither Vada nor I are into sports, so this is not how I wanted to spend my Saturday morning.
“Because Roman has been super supportive recently, and I wanted to show my appreciation,” Vada responds. She’s wearing a Pirates jersey with Kelly written on the back.
She showed up on my doorstep this morning with a jersey for me as well. Mine doesn’t have Roman’s last name on it, thankfully. Pretty sure Brad wouldn’t have let me out of the house if I was wearing something with someone else’s name on it.
“He’s banging you, not me. I don’t need to show my appreciation by being here at the ass crack of dawn to watch a sport I don’t understand,” I mumble, while taking a sip of my coffee. At least Vada bought me caffeine to coax me out of bed.
Vada blushes and it has me chuckling.
“Sex still good?” I ask her. She hasn’t been giving me all the details, but I know she and Roman have been making the most of me not being at the apartment and Logan working extra shifts at Grumpy’s.
“Yup,” she says, popping the “p” while shifting her noise-cancelling headphones on her head. She’s still wearing the purple ones that Roman bought her for formal last year.
That boy really does have it bad for her.
“How’s it been now that you live with Brad?” she asks me.
My jaw drops. It’s common for me to ask Vada personal questions, but she never really asks me anything in return.
“Uh, it’s definitely better now. We’ve been crossing things off and adding new things to my sex list. It’s been fun trying some new things, but between you and me, I like plain old vanilla sex the most. I love being able to look into his eyes as he falls apart on top of me.”
Vada smacks me in the shoulder while looking around to see who is within earshot.
“Dylan—” she starts, but I cut her off.
“Relax, no one can hear us,” I say just as Roman pops up on the other side of the stand.
We’re sitting at ground level behind where the team sits. Perks of Vada being the girlfriend of one of the players. We are here super early, though, so the court is mostly empty. Apparently Vada wanted to get here early and watch them train.
“Never would have picked you to like plain old vanilla,” Roman jokes as he leans over and waits for Vada to meet him halfway. She gives him a quick peck on the lips, and he taps her headphones. “Make sure you switch them to noise cancelling when the crowd comes in. It’ll get loud in here.”
Vada nods before settling back into her chair.
“Get her out of here if it gets too much,” Roman directs at me.
Aha! Now it makes sense why I’m here. Roman would never make Vada do something she’s uncomfortable with, but he knows she’ll do anything to make him happy, so there is no way she will leave on her own if all this becomes overwhelming. She loves Roman too much to not support him.
“Can we leave now?” I ask Roman, and he laughs at me.
“No. Isabelle and the girls should be here soon. Megan and Taylah wanted to watch us play, so they convinced Isabelle to come.” Roman gives Vada another quick kiss before the coach calls him over to join the rest of the team.
Just as Roman leaves, the tornado otherwise known as my future niece comes running over to me. “Aunty Dylan, where is your teddy bear?” Megan asks as she flings her tiny body into my open arms. She’s wearing a hot pink tutu and a Pirates jersey that swims on her small frame.
“It’s nice to see you too,” I joke while hugging her back. “He has to work today, so you are stuck with me.” I place her in the seat beside me and she pokes her head around me to speak to Vada.
“Hi, Vada. You look really pwetty today,” she says with her cute little lisp.
“Not as pretty as you. I love your tutu,” Vada replies with a smile. She’s always been good with the kids.
“Granny Win made it for me. Maybe she can make one for you too,” Megan says, while bouncing up and down in her seat.
“Of course I can make one for Vada,” Winnie says as she walks up to us. I stand to give her a hug.
“I didn’t think this was your thing,” I aim at Winnie. I’m surprised to see her here.
“It’s not, but when my sweet grandbabies asked me to come, I couldn’t say no,” Winnie says after she leans down to give me a hug. “Plus, I think Isabelle could use the help. She had a rough night, so I told Minnie that I’d look out for her today.”
Winnie’s hugs are magical. I miss them now that I don’t live with her. She’s the mother I always wished I had. I love that she treats Isabelle’s sisters like they are her own grandkids. They are lucky to have her. That woman will protect them till her last breath.
Isabelle comes into the row with Taylah following behind, and at a glance, she really doesn’t look great. I know she’s mostly got her POTS handled, but Minnie says some days are still rough on her.
She gives us all a hug before sitting down at the end of the row.
“How’s the wedding planning going?” Winnie asks me with a chuckle. She knows the planning is not my thing.
“I’m thankful for Ella. She is a miracle worker and knows how to get shit done.”
“Dylan said a bad word,” Megan chirps from beside me. “That will be one dollar for the swear jar.” She holds out her hand, waiting for me to pay up.
“Seriously?” I ask as I pull out my purse and drop a coin in her hand. She’s lucky I even have any cash on me.
“Yep, it started a few weeks ago, and between Dom and Arden, the jar is getting quite full,” Isabelle explains. “Although she charges Arden ten bucks, so consider yourself lucky.” The colour drops from her face, and she puts her head in her hands.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I get up to stand in front of her.
She nods her head, but it’s not very reassuring. Grayson and Taylor come running over. Grayson jumps the rail and moves me to the side so he can crouch in front of Isabelle. He whispers something in her ear at the same time my phone rings. It’s Dom.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Is Isabelle with you?” his worried voice asks.
“She is, and Grayson and Taylor are now here with her as well,” I say, trying to calm his nerves. All the boys have their fitness watches synced with Isabelle’s, so they know when her heart rate rapidly increases. Which is why the boys were here so quickly.
“Good, they’ll get her sorted. I knew she should have stayed home today,” Dom says. “The girls really wanted to watch the game, though, so she didn’t want to let them down.”
An idea hits me. “Give me a sec, Dom. I’ll call you back.” I don’t wait for him to answer.
Heading over to Vada again, I sit beside her.
“Do you think you’d be okay helping me with the girls if I get Winnie to take Isabelle home? Dom’s worried, but the girls won’t want to go home.”
It’s probably a crazy idea. But I love my brother and Isabelle, and the girls are family. Surely, I can keep them alive for a few hours.
Vada offers me a small smile. “Of course, I’m happy to help.”
I love my best friend. This is way out of her comfort zone, but like me, she’s come a long way the past few months and it’s been nice to see her grow.
I call Dom back and tell him the plan. He isn’t sure at first, but once Grayson takes the phone and reassures him that the team will help with the girls if needed, he finally agrees.
Megan and Taylah are excited they get to stay, and Isabelle offers her thanks before Winnie drags her out of the grandstand just before the crowd starts to come in.
Once we’re all settled in, and the team takes the court to start the game, I shoot Brad a message to let him know what’s going on.
Dylan
Isabelle is sick so Winnie has taken her home. Vada and I are on babysitting duties.
I make the girls pose for a group photo and attach it to the message.
At half time, after the girls are loaded with sugar and dagwood dogs, Brad finally replies.
Brad
I’ve spoken to Dom, we’ve switched cars. I’ll pick you girls up when the game finishes and we can go to the park and get ice cream.
The butterflies come back, and I try not to swoon. Brad’s messaging has come a long way, but that isn’t what has me swooning. It’s the fact that he has changed his plans to spend the afternoon with me and the girls.
“Hey, Megan. Guess what?” I say, breaking out into a silly grin.
She looks up at me with tomato sauce all over her face. “What?”
“Teddy bear is going to pick us up after the game to go to the park.”
Her excited squeal is deafening, and I can’t help the giggle that escapes me at her over-the-top enthusiasm.
How is this my life now?