Chapter 22
The next week includes classes, two term papers, the MMA meeting, and a meeting with my financial advisor.
I’m finally making time to see Alex’s money man.
I’ll be transferring everything to South Carolina, which has better tax rates, and taking over my house in Virginia from Ray.
I’m not ready to see the house, but I will handle any issues with the property through the management company.
“He is very reasonable, and it is not a set rate. There is a sliding scale. He takes a percentage of the profits from the investments. For wealthier families, that number is larger, while you will pay him very little. He is not out to gouge anyone, coming from a wealthy family himself. He is fair.”
Nodding as the elevator stops on the top floor, Alex checks in with the receptionist, who greets us as we step off.
We take seats in the waiting area but have barely settled in when a jolly older gentleman comes down the hall greeting Alex.
He could be Santa Claus without the beard.
Shaking Alex’s hand with a smile, Alex steps aside to introduce us.
Once the introductions are out of the way, Mr. Stanfield leads us to a bright, spacious office.
Tinted floor to ceiling windows with an expansive view of the Battery provide a distracting scene.
Dad taps my shoulder with a smile, bringing me back into focus.
I take a seat beside him in front of the modern desk.
The meeting ends up being straightforward.
Mr. Stanfield reviewed all my statements before the meeting and makes some smart suggestions about how to invest my money.
I’m not a big risk taker, which he takes into consideration.
He’s barely charging me anything for his services, giving me a year free because of how I came into my money. What a pleasant surprise!
I bump Alex’s shoulder on the way back down the elevator. “He’s great. Thanks.”
“Told you.” Alex winks as Dad chuckles at my skepticism. Another rich, but very nice person. Despite the several unpleasant experiences with rich folks down here, there are quality ones too.
Friday is the first diving meet of the season for Alex and Bay. Jake pushed himself too hard today attempting to walk further, so he won’t be joining us. It’s taking Will and his physiotherapist to rein him in now that he’s had a taste of true mobility again.
The meet is at our school today, so E brought power salads for Alex and Bay. Seb, E, Gabby, and I sit in the stands to do homework and eat the muffins I baked, waiting for the meet to start. I casually watch the single divers as I finish up my statistics questions.
Steven, David, and Olivia join us a few minutes before the doubles diving begins.
Alex will be so pleased to see his dad here.
Olivia, as usual, wiggles her butt to sit between Gabby and me.
She wants a French braid for her sleepover tonight, so Gabby works her magic.
Olivia screams Bay’s name as they enter from the locker room.
That girl has a set of lungs on her. He and Alex wave, and Alex’s smile increases when he sees Steven sitting with us.
Those damn speedos. Phew! Is it just me, or did the guys get more ripped?
Knowing there’s a flush to my cheeks, I try to look around casually but, of course, Seb catches it, giving me an eyebrow wiggle.
Geez. I’m only human; I can appreciate the male form.
The spectacular, too perfect to be high school boys’ forms. I’ll get used to seeing them in speedos again soon.
Once Gabby finishes with Olivia’s hair, she tells us all about her slumber party tonight.
It’s at her house, and Ellie's going. He’ll be the only boy there, and she promised him she wouldn’t let anybody tease him about it.
We know every activity, game, movie, and food they’ll be eating by the time she’s done.
She stops talking only when Alex and Bay are on the platform.
She goes from talking fast with hand gestures to silence and stillness from one heartbeat to the next.
Chuckling to myself, I focus on our guys’ last dive.
They’re performing the dive they had trouble with last season.
A forward 2 ⒈／⒉ somersault 1 twist pike.
Seconds later, they hit the water with barely a splash.
To my untrained eye, they were perfectly in sync, and we jump up and cheer for them as they surface.
I can see smiles on their faces as they exit the water. That dive clinches the win tonight.
Olivia and David leave as the rest of us wait for the guys. I was wondering where Penny was tonight, but I see her near the bottom of the stands with her friends. I’m glad she made it.
When Alex and Bay come back out, we gather our belongings to leave.
Penny steps up to Bay for a hug and kiss as I look away, and Seb slings his arm over my shoulder for support.
“I still believe it’ll happen, Sunshine,” he murmurs in my ear.
Leaning my head on his shoulder, I wonder which would be better.
Bay is set on having a one-on-one relationship, so that is what he should have.
Someday it won’t bother me to see him with another.
We’re going to the movies, except for Bay, this evening, so I text Jake to check in before I drive behind Alex to the cinema.
Holly, Jaxon, and Adam are standing together outside the building when we arrive.
As I’m waiting in line behind Alex for snacks, he buys me a bag of chocolate candy.
I quirk an eyebrow and thank him, and he gives me a smile in return.
Seb insists Gabby and Adam sit in front again as he settles between me and E, with Alex on my right.
We seem like such a small group without Bay and Nick.
At least one of them is safe and happy. A frown tries to form on my face, but I mentally shake it off.
Whatever Nick is up to, he’d want me happy, and I’m soon distracted by the great movie and Seb playing with my fingers.
I drive home after getting hugs goodbye from my guys.