Chapter 58
DANI
Tyrell and I have been solid for a year now.
One full year!
And now we’re sitting at the airport, surrounded by our friends and waiting to board a flight to London.
We’ve decided to start our journey in the UK, and we’ll see where life takes us from there.
We’ve been saving our asses off for the last year, both working full-time in Dallas and squirreling away as many pennies as we can.
We both took on second jobs, so we’ve been working constantly, but it’s been worth it.
Our budget is going to be tight, but thanks to Tyrell’s parents, who let us live in their house for free, and a bunch of family handouts on both sides, we’re leaving with a fair chunk of savings and will make this adventure last for as long as we possibly can.
We’ve mapped out a potential route, but we’re not setting anything in stone.
We’re living in the now.
In the what is.
And it’s working great for us.
I check the flight board, then my phone, biting my lips together and giggling at the jittery anticipation jumping in my stomach.
We’re going to have to go through security soon, but we’re making this farewell with our friends last for as long as possible. Jed and Tobin have already caught their flight back to New York. Tobin cried, and I had to fight my tears as we hugged it out in the domestic terminal.
“Stay in touch, okay?” I patted his back.
“I’m expecting regular posts and texts.” He sniffled while Jed drew me into a hug.
“Proud of you,” he murmured against my ear before shaking Tyrell’s hand.
Nix and Darian took off after that goodbye, and now we’re down to the Football Frat crew, who all wanted to stay until the bitter end.
By the time this is over, I will be done with goodbyes, that’s for sure.
We said goodbye to my family last month when we stayed with them for a long weekend, then said goodbye to Tyrell’s family a few days ago before flying to Denver and meeting up with the entire Football Frat clan, plus my old roomies, in Nolan. It was the best reunion…
I look around at them all, marveling at the changes that have happened in this short year.
Jed and Tobin got married at the beginning of the summer.
Tyrell and I attended their flash New York wedding.
It was such a swanky affair… and I loved every second of it.
Jed’s uncle funded the event, and Tobin took advantage of his very kind offer.
He really has a flair for big events like that, and I felt like a first-class lady stepping into the expensive hotel for a rooftop ceremony.
The view was stunning. But all I could really focus on was the loved-up looks on my friends’ faces.
When Jed said, “I do,” Tobin’s eyes glassed with tears, and he totally lost it when he was trying to say his vows. Jed squeezed his hand, his expression glowing when he whispered, “You can do it, baby. I love you.”
“And I love you,” Tobin blubbered. “I never thought I could get so lucky to meet such an amazing man.”
I leaned my head against Tyrell’s shoulder, thinking exactly the same thing.
I am the luckiest lady alive.
Although, I’m pretty sure Satch would argue that point.
Wily proposed to her at Christmas, and she’s now sporting this whopping great diamond, which is seriously jaw-dropping.
They’re not getting married until after she graduates, which is still one more year away, but I can imagine it will be a huge event.
The media has been all over it. People love a feel-good story, and the rise of Wily Wilson in the NFL has been a thing of beauty.
He worked his ass off last year and is all set to start next season.
He’s pumped, and I’m happy for him. And Satch has been coping with the publicity really well, as far as I’m aware.
Wily’s a king in front of the camera, all smiles and flirty banter.
Satch stands with the other football wives in the team suite, blushing every time a camera swings her way.
You can tell she’s nervous, but then she’ll spot Wily waving at her and her face will light up.
People love, love, love their cute vibe.
My eyes dart to Blake, who’s sitting beside her brother.
She’s on Grady’s knee, her leg swinging back and forth as she looks at something on her phone.
Grady’s talking to her, pointing at the screen and grinning.
She laughs, curling into him before reaching up to press a kiss to his jawline.
He just graduated from Nolan U, and I’m pretty sure he’s about to start an internship at some environmental place.
I can’t remember, but it’s got to do with saving trees or forests or something.
Blake’s still got three years left at college, and they’ve found a little apartment together.
I’m pretty sure Grady’s job is mostly online with site visits scattered throughout, so he’ll probably be away a lot, but at least he gets to come home to her after each trip.
“No!” Zoey puts her hands on her hips, then wags her little finger up at her father, who’s giving her a very dry, unimpressed frown.
Leaning forward, he takes her little hand and replies, “Yes, lil’ bug, you will, because if you’re really that hungry, you’ll eat the snack food Mommy made for you.”
Zoey’s expression buckles. “But chocolate,” she whines, pointing to the shop just next to the chairs we’re waiting in.
“But carrot sticks,” Zander replies, forcing enthusiasm as he pulls them out of Zoey’s bright pink backpack.
She huffs, scowling at her father before turning around to eye up the rest of the group. Her gaze lands on Wily, who’s fighting a grin… and she starts to move toward him.
“Don’t you dare,” Zander warns him. “If you buy her chocolate, I will end you, man. I am not kidding.”
I bite my lips together, sharing a quick look with Tyrell as we fight our laughter.
Poor Zander is exhausted. I’m guessing having six-month-old twins will do that to you. Cole and Logan were born right at the end of Zander’s first season with the LA Chargers. They arrived a month earlier than expected, and he nearly missed the birth but managed to fly home in the nick of time.
Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of diaper changes and late-night feedings, plus looking after a precocious Zoey, who’s getting more ballsy by the day.
Seriously, that girl has got herself personality to spare, and as she puts on her best smile and swans toward Uncle Wily, you can see it in full effect.
“Come on, man,” Wily whines. “Look at those baby blues. How am I supposed to—”
“Find a way,” Zander growls.
Carson stands up with a snicker, snatching Zoey into his arms and walking away with her before Wily can fold like a deck of cards. She yells out a few protests until he says something quietly in her ear, and then she giggles.
Leaning back with a sigh, Wily blows out a breath and shakes his head. “That was close.”
Zander ignores him, eyeing up Carson with a suspicious glare.
“Don’t worry.” Nylah touches his shoulder. “He’s just taking her over to the mechanical helicopter thing.”
Closing his eyes with a relieved sigh, Zander nods.
“Okay. Thanks.” He looks around the group.
“She’s been going crazy for sugar the last few months.
And with us so distracted by the twins, she’s getting away with everything.
We’re trying to rein her in.” Scrubbing a hand over his forehead, he leans forward with a big yawn.
“When does she start kindergarten?” I ask.
“Not for another year, but she’ll be going to preschool four days a week as soon as the summer’s over, so that’ll be good. She’s so ready for more days.”
“How’s Sienna doing?” Nylah settles down beside him, rubbing his back like a mother hen.
“Yeah, she’s amazing. Such a good mom.” He glances across at us. “Sorry she couldn’t make it. We had a really shitty night. Cole just wouldn’t settle, and then he woke up Logan. We finally managed to get them both down around four, and Zoey was up, bright and bouncy, at six.”
“Ouch,” Satch softly whispers, wincing and giving Wily a worried frown.
“It’s going to be okay, baby.” He brushes his lips across her forehead, and she gives him a doubtful look.
I perk up in my chair and point at her. “Are you…?”
She presses her finger to her lips, cringing and giving away the fact that yes, she’s pregnant, and no, this was seriously not planned.
She still has her senior year to get through.
“I know,” she mouths at my pained frown, shaking her head but then fighting a smile.
Oh my gosh.
I rise to my feet, quickly scuttling across to her and crouching down by her chair so we can have a whispered conversation.
“How far along are you?”
She leans into me, keeping her voice as low as possible. “Only six weeks, so we don’t want to say anything yet.”
“What are you going to do about school?”
“I’m going to do as much as I can. I’ve already scheduled a meeting with an academic adviser so we can figure out the best way forward. I seriously never expected this to happen. I thought we were being so careful.”
Resting my hand over hers, I give her a reassuring smile. “You’re going to be great, and Wily will be such a good dad. I’m really happy for you guys.”
She grins. “I hope I can do this.”
“You totally can. You’re amazing.”
Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. “My parents said they’ll move to Arizona for a few months to help out after the birth, so that’ll be cool.”
“At least the baby’s due after the football season.”
“Yeah.” Satch blows out a breath. “And about two months before finals.”
“You’ll get through. Especially if your parents are around to help. You’re super smart. You’ve got this.”
“Thanks.” She smiles at me. “Only you and Sienna know, which means Zander probably knows, but I really want to keep it quiet for now. As soon as the media finds out, they’ll be all over it.” She makes a face.
I give her a sympathetic laugh. “The joys of being engaged to a celebrity, huh?”