Chapter 25
CHARLOTTE
As I walk through the front door of my parents’ home, the aroma of cinnamon and pumpkin spice fills my senses.
I head straight into the kitchen, where the magic is being created.
Lola is stacking dishes on the serving cart, and she turns to look at me. “Charlotte. What a nice surprise.” I hug the lady who has cared for us for as long as I can remember. “Your mother and Byron are on the patio. You should join them.”
“What is Sergio cooking?”
“Not food. Pumpkin spice latte and a chai tea at Byron’s request.”
He has a game in a matter of hours, so I’m surprised he’s here. I head outside, and my mother smiles as soon as she sees me. I go to her and hug her before hugging Byron. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
He looks at Mom. “Our sitter is unwell, so Mom offered to have Leo as Gigi is working on some commissions at the studio. I’m surprised you’re not at the pregame function since Dad, Franklin, and Jobe are already there.”
“I’ll be leaving soon. Thought I’d call in and see Mom after she texted she wasn’t going to the game.” The reality is that pleasing corporate snobs will undo my happy mood, so I decided not to go.
Lola appears with the cart, and Mom immediately stands. “Thank you, Lola. We can serve ourselves.”
“Where is Leo?”
“Upstairs, sleeping for now.” Mom smiles. “You look different, darling. Happier.”
Out of the corner of my eye, Byron turns to look at me. I don’t meet his gaze because Mom is right. A huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and while I feel like I’m floating on a cloud of bliss, it’s too early to say anything or trust fate.
“Everything has run smoothly this morning. No emails I need to act on or magically fix before the game in a couple of hours. So, I am happy.” I look at my brother, who has a curious look on his face as he pours a chai tea while Mom drinks her pumpkin spice.
“Chai tea? Since when has that been part of your pre-game meal?”
“Since the past three weeks. I’m trying something new.”
“Is your nutritionist okay with it?”
He frowns at me. “I’m okay with it. It works so…”
“Well, I’ll find out soon enough, right?”
He grins and pulls out the chair beside him. “Take a seat, sis.”
I do so, then look around my parents’ poolside garden. The garden is pretty even at this time of year. “This is new.” I point to a colorful nearby garden bed.
“It is. The violas and pansies brighten the space near the vines.” She smiles proudly.
“It’s always been relaxing sitting out here,” Byron adds.
“Not when you invited all your friends around,” I remark.
“You’re now at an age to enjoy the simpler things.” Mom looks lovingly at Byron. “How is your edible garden coming along?”
“It’s great. Gigi has planted more vegetables and herbs. I hope to get out there on the weekend and help her dad with it.”
My mouth gapes. “You’re tending to your garden? With Gigi’s father?”
“Yeah. It’s therapeutic. Highly recommend it.”
“Mom. Have you ever gardened?” I grin at her.
“Darling, I design the garden and research the plants, but I have never placed my hand in a green glove.”
I raise my eyes at Byron. “Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?” Knowing he is content and his wife is good for him, I still raise an eyebrow in question because this is what we do. We taunt each other with nothing but sibling love.
Byron has always been the brother I relied on.
Franklin had moved out to go to college when I was ten.
Jobe was at an age when he was too cool to spend time with me.
Byron and I were always close until those months when he didn’t speak to me because he found out about Brandon and my relationship.
It wasn’t the fact I was dating his best friend.
More the fact we both lied to him, the two people he trusted most. Then heartbreak brought us closer. Now, I sense he is annoyed with me.
“I could say the same to you.”
I glance at the time on my phone. “What time are you heading to the game?”
He downs the last of his tea, then stands. “Now.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. “See you there.” He then kisses Mom on the cheek.
I smile at him. “Good luck.”
“Don’t need it,” he shouts over his shoulder.
“Sometimes I’d like an inch of his confidence.”
“Take him off the basketball court, dear, and he’s a different person. We all gain courage in different ways. Yours is behind a desk, and not any desk, I might add. You’re like your older brothers there. Byron, well, he is more like my grandfather.”
“What if I don’t want to be that person anymore?”
She gives me a long look. “I knew there was something different about you.” I look away for a moment before our eyes meet again. “There is a glimmer about you that I haven’t seen in years.”
I smile, liking the word glimmer. “I’m happy, Mom.”
“Hmm.” She reaches for my hand and turns it over, running a finger along the timeline of my palm. “What is this path if we’re not happy?”
“I tried,” I croak out. Tried not to want him so bad.
She pats my hand. “You give one hundred percent in whatever you do. Persist until it’s perfect.
Only sometimes what you’re giving your energy to isn’t the thing that makes you happy.
It’s a distraction from what you crave. Other people see you as a successful businesswoman with the world at your feet.
You took the reins of this team and made it better.
You achieved what you wanted to do but not what your soul needs. What your heart desires.”
I take a quick breath and compose myself before her kind words undo me.
Mom shifts the pearls around her neck as though they’re choking her. “I always knew what you needed, and it was a matter of when it would happen.” She smiles at me, tilting her head in understanding. “When he’d return… because I knew he was the one for you.”
I squeeze her hand back. “I’m scared.”
“Naturally.”
“Not just for me…”
“Is he worth the risk?”
The bliss had settled under my skin, and now, knowing the past and trying to foresee the future, I couldn’t answer her.
“Darling.” She pats my hand. “I’ll have a quiet word with Byron.”
Before walking through the private VIP door, I stop to open the emails on my phone.
I scroll the screen, ignoring the unread emails unless a subject looks important.
Hundreds of staff are employed, and someone can attend to the problems if I’m unavailable.
I’ve never had this attitude, but today, I just want to go to the game and support my team and my guy without interference or distraction.
I want to be a fan with nothing else to worry about but to enjoy the game and cheer.
By the time I reach the hallway, I have staff on either side of me, walking at my pace, asking questions, and shoving phones in front of me. “Not today,” I say loudly. “There is someone else who can deal with this.”
Before I reach my office, Donna, my assistant, steps out of her office. “Charlotte.”
“Hold all my calls, Donna. I’ll deal with everything tomorrow.”
“Charlotte,” she says in a firm voice. “I need to show you something.”
For the love of God. Why can’t I have some peace for once? “Make it quick.” I dart into her office, and she closes the door behind me.
Her young face screws up with concern. “You haven’t responded to my messages.”
“No.” I fold my arms. “I had my cell switched off.”
“I thought you’d want to know,” she says quickly.
“Can someone else deal with it?” I snap.
“His parents are here.”
What? My brain catches up. “BJ’s parents?” I murmur.
She steps closer and shows me the special ticket requests. “We allocated seats near other players’ parents as they didn’t want the corporate box.” Her eyes dance over my face, gauging if she did the right thing.
“You did good,” I say softly, my heart pounding in my chest, my thoughts darting everywhere.
Do they hate me?
“Please ensure they are given special treatment today and passes to the locker room after the game and to the corporate function post-game.”
“Already done.”
“Thank you,” I murmur. “Is there anything else I need to know?”
Donna shakes her head, her dark waves bouncing. “Enjoy the game, Charlotte.”
“Thank you. Let’s hope we get the win for his parents.” I head out and rush into my office, closing the door behind me. Leaning against it, take a few deep breaths and count to ten.
Why didn’t he tell me?
Retrieving my cell, I scroll through the messages and emails as I walk toward the glass wall of my office, dividing me and the court. Not a single message from him.
I lean on the glass and stare at the VIP guest seats, finding his mom and dad.
The other parents are talking with them, their heads are turning, and they’re laughing.
I let out a long breath. BJ’s mom turns, and she looks around the arena, the flashing light catching her attention.
She follows the crowd until she is looking toward the side where I stand.
When her head lifts, I step away from the window.
I’m not ready for the judgment, and even though I can’t see her eyes from here, I can feel them.
Byron and Brandon played the game of their life, combining their talent and securing the win. We are guaranteed to make the West Coast playoffs, and the joy of success fills the arena.
I avoid the locker room and head directly to the function room to celebrate with our sponsors and answer any questions.
While it’s all part of my job, I’m not ready to speak to Brandon’s parents.
He needs time with them, allowing them to experience the celebrations of a victorious elite sports team behind closed doors, where the fans can only imagine what happens and would give anything to be part of.
Brandon has a flourishing basketball career, and they deserve to experience it with him and the team. I only hope it’s not awkward for Byron, although Jobe is also in the locker room to support him.