Chapter 37 Octavia
Thirty-Seven
Octavia
Rossi’s was a sports bar in Atlanta with way too many screens and a long line of liquor on the wall behind the counter.
Davina and Deke were already in Atlanta together, and after speaking to her, I insisted that we all needed to hang out. I figured Javier needed the break, and I hadn’t seen my sister in weeks.
It’d been two weeks since Javier’s meeting with his lawyer. He said he was okay, but I could tell this situation was weighing heavily on him and disrupting his days.
Paola had returned to Argentina but had made plans to come back whenever the hearing happened.
Catalina was still in town and was currently watching Aleesa so I could take a “break.” I told her I didn’t need a break and that taking care of Aleesa was no issue at all, but she insisted and said she wanted to spend some quality time with her niece.
“I think that’s some bullshit.” EJ McCoy slammed his glass of beer down on the table as he locked his eyes on Javier.
I’d only met EJ once, and that was after one of the Ravens games. He was the starting point guard for the team and the kind of guy who didn’t take life seriously. He was definitely a playboy, and it was men like him that I avoided like the plague.
He seemed nice enough, though. If Javier and Deke hung around him often, he had to be a good person beneath all that cockiness. Even more so since Deke had invited him to join us tonight.
“You’ve been her dad since the beginning, man,” EJ went on. “I swear the system is fucked up. No one should just come onto the scene trying to claim kids unless the current parent is trash or something.”
“Seriously,” Davina chimed in. “I don’t understand how he can waltz in and demand this. Does he not realize how hard this will be for you and Aleesa?”
“Oh, he realizes,” Deke muttered, head shaking. “He just doesn’t care. Dude sounds like a true piece of shit.”
“My lawyer believes he will not get custody, so that is good.” Javier sighed. “But she does think visitation may be a possibility.”
“Stupid,” Deke grumbled. This news seemed to really be bothering my future brother-in-law. Part of the reason could have been that he, Javier, and Aleesa were very close.
But another could be that the subject of dads was triggering for Deke. Davina had told me a few things about Deke’s childhood in confidence, and after hearing about it, I couldn’t blame him for being upset. Hell, I was upset for him. He didn’t deserve what he’d gone through.
“I don’t like this for you at all, man,” Deke said as Davina held his arm, rubbing soothing circles on it with her thumb. “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
“It’s all right. Somehow, I am staying motivated and keeping my head clear.” Javier took a swig of beer. “It is best for Aleesa that I do.”
“So when’s the hearing?” Davina asked.
“Well, my lawyer requested an expedited hearing because we want this settled before the season starts, if possible. I should hear from her in a few days.”
“I really think you have a strong case.” I took Javier’s hand and squeezed it. He met my eyes, and a soft smile swept across his lips. “You’ll get through it. I’m sure of that.”
“With you by my side, I definitely will.” Javier smiled, squeezing my hand back.
I felt all mushy and warm from that smile and couldn’t suppress my own. Our eyes lingered on each other’s, and it wasn’t until billiard balls clashed in the distance and a group of people cheered in a far corner of the bar that we snapped out of it.
I took my hand away, and Javier cleared his throat, then picked up his beer and sipped again. I collected my tequila-and-pineapple drink and took a swig myself. I didn’t miss Davina’s grin or the way Deke wiggled his eyebrows.
“Told you so,” Deke said.
“Do not start, Bishop.” Javier fought a smile.
“So you two are a thing now?” EJ pointed between me and Javier.
“Do not worry about it,” Javier answered.
“Nah, I’m gonna worry about it.” EJ sat up in his chair with a grin. “’Cause I’ll be honest, I didn’t think you’d ever get with a woman again with that stick up your ass.”
Deke reached over to slap EJ on the back of the head. “Shut up, EJ.”
“Bruh, slapping me on the head is getting old. You know that, right?”
“Obviously not if it shuts you up.”
“Exactly. And why are you even here?” Javier questioned. “I am surprised you are not sleeping around with one of your fans.”
“I’m becoming a changed man, you feel me?
” EJ dusted imaginary lint off his T-shirt.
“These women are getting too dramatic. Y’all didn’t hear about that one girl who tried to trap Javeon in her apartment with him?
The police had to get involved. Nah.” EJ’s head shook.
“It might be time for me to settle down before I end up trapped too.”
Davina laughed as she sipped her margarita, then she turned her attention to me when Deke asked EJ, “How the hell did Javeon get caught up in that?”
“You okay, sis?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said. “It’s just a lot for everyone. I keep thinking if that guy gets visitation or even custody, I probably won’t be able to see Aleesa as much anymore.”
I glanced at Javier, who was still going back and forth with EJ and Deke. EJ said something that made Javier and Deke howl with laughter. I smiled.
“But at least he’s smiling,” I murmured.
“It’s a good thing he is. You guys definitely needed this. How are things between you two?”
“We’re doing just what you said. Going with the flow, letting it happen naturally.”
A warm smile claimed her lips as she cut a glance at Javier again.
“He’s going through this battle, but I have to tell you, sis, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile like this before.
He seems so content, even with all that’s going on.
I don’t know what you’re doing to him, but it’s making him very happy.
And you . . .” She reached across the table to hold my hand.
“Your eyes are so bright, and you looked so confident when you walked into this place. I love seeing you like this. I love that you’re embracing life again. ”
“I love that we both are.” I held her hand tighter. “You and me, sis.”
“Still a little scary, though, right?” she said in a low, playful voice.
“Um, hell yes it’s scary.” I bubbled up a laugh. “I mean, this guy apologizes right away for his mistakes and holds himself accountable. I didn’t think men still did that.”
My sister laughed. “The good men do.”
“So it’s getting serious, huh?” Deke asked. He was looking between me and Javier. Javier wrapped an arm around me as he gave me his attention, waiting for my response.
“We’re not putting any titles on it,” I said, holding his gaze a few seconds before focusing on Deke. “But it seems to be getting there.”
“Well, don’t get any ideas about proposing to her at my wedding, Valdez,” Deke said.
Javier scoffed. “Why would I do something like that?”
“I’m just saying.” Deke tossed his hands into the air. “Some people do it and think it’s a romantic gesture. That shit is selfish—unless you ask the bride and groom, of course. Can’t just take away from their big day like that.”
“Can I hook up with somebody at your wedding?” EJ asked, smirking.
“Absolutely not,” Davina countered. “Keep it in your pants.”
Deke snorted. “Get the fuck outta here.”
EJ threw his hands into the air. “I swear I can’t win, man. Next time we do this, I’m bringing a girl. I feel like a third wheel right now.”
“What girl?” Davina asked. “Is there someone in particular?”
EJ seemed to hesitate. “No. Just whoever.”
I looked at Davina at the same time as she looked at me. We both knew he was lying.
A group of women shrilled in the distance, and EJ examined them over his shoulder. Three women eyed him right back, smiling and batting their lashes.
“I think that’s my cue, ladies and gents.” EJ rose from his chair. “A foursome sounds about right, doesn’t it?”
“You are terrible,” Javier groused with a slow and exhausted roll of his eyes.
“What happened to not getting yourself trapped?” Deke watched EJ push his chair in. “’Cause that, my guy, looks like a huge trap.”
“One more night of living won’t kill me.” EJ took off just as quickly as he spoke, ducking under the velvet ropes to leave the VIP section.
A waitress appeared and set down a new round of drinks. I had no idea when someone had put another order in but was grateful for it.
“Let’s make a toast,” I said, raising my glass.
“Okay.” Javier picked up his drink with his free hand. “To what?”
“To amazing futures. To happiness . . . and hope.”
Javier looked at me for so long I thought I’d said something wrong. Then a smile tugged at one corner of his mouth, and he lifted his glass. “I like that.”
“To amazing futures, happiness, and hope.” Deke lifted his glass too. Davina followed suit, and we all met in the middle with a clink, then sipped right after.
Being around my sister and Deke made me feel a whole lot better.
Seeing them together made me realize just how powerful love and hope could be.
Those two things were what fueled them, what had created their bond, and what had placed them exactly where they were now. Committed and 100 percent in love.
As Javier pulled me deeper under his arm and I rested my head on his chest, I thought for once that I could have it too.
Hope. Happiness. And eventually love.
Once we made it through this battle, we’d be stronger and better.
Nothing would be able to stop us.
And I was very much looking forward to that.