“Please don’t jinx me.” I pick up my gym bag and throw the strap over my shoulder. I’ll have to shower when I get home. It won’t be weird for me to have the phone right outside of my shower there. I also don’t want to get shit from the guys for doing that. “Anyway, I’ll see y’all at practice tomorrow. I have to go get ready for dinner at my mom’s.”
“See you tomorrow,” Jordan and Ross say at the same time as I walk out of the locker room.
“See ya,” I call back. I hope she calls me before I have to go to my mom’s. I mean, I don’t technically have to go, but she likes to make sure I’m fed regularly because she doesn’t trust me to take care of myself. I don’t know how she thinks I made it through college. I didn’t go home nearly as much as I do now, and I went to school in the next few towns over.
I open the door to my car and throw my bag inside. Damn I need a shower. It’s been a while since Coach worked us so hard during practice but there are a couple of teams in the league that are catching up to us. We need to make sure we’re on our game so we secure a spot in the playoffs.
Feeling like a teenager constantly checking my phone is getting old. And kind of impossible right now since I’m in the car. Either way, I wish Jolene would hurry and call me. There’s no way her flight hasn’t landed yet. Unless, of course, takeoff was late. Then she’s stuck for a while.
I’m a little over five minutes from my mom’s house when the bluetooth on my car says I have an incoming call. I don’t wait for it to say who it is. Clicking the button on the steering wheel, I answer, “Hello?”
“Hey, sorry I didn’t call sooner.” I breathe a sigh of relief as the sound of her voice. “The flight was late, then a passenger got sick, and we had to get it cleaned up.”
“That sounds like a pretty rough day.” I definitely don’t envy her job. There’s no way I’d be able to handle someone else’s vomit. I can barely handle my own. Hell, I usually go to my mom’s when I’m sick so she can take care of me.
“Yeah,” she breathes out. “Definitely not one of my favorite days. I just hope whatever made the passenger sick wasn’t contagious.”
“I hope not.” I’m getting closer and closer to my mom’s house. I do not want to take the conversation inside. My mom will be lurking in corners trying to overhear the conversation. “So…have you figured out when you’ll be flying back into Austin for a few days? I’m not trying to bug, but my mom is driving me insane.”
Her laughter comes through the speakers loud and clear. “It looks like two weeks. Though, I’m not sure I’m ready to meet your mom. What if she doesn’t like me?”
I pull into Mom’s driveway and sit there. I’m not getting out of this car until I’m finished talking to Jolene. I see the curtains in the living room shift. It’s not like they didn’t know I was coming. This is the day I come over every week because it’s the only day I know for sure I’ll be in town while we’re in season. “She’ll like you.”
“How do you know?” I hear a car door close and Lana tell someone the address to drop them off at. “Most moms, at least those in the movies, aren’t crazy about their baby boys being taken from them by another woman.”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of my lips. “Are you kidding me right now? That’s the craziest shit I’ve heard all day.”
“I don’t know how this works. I haven’t met anyone’s parents in a really long time.”
Now the front door is cracking open. Gabby pokes her head through the tiny crack and then a hand motioning me to hurry up. I hold a finger up in response and she flips me off. Geez, love you too. “My mom has been asking me when I’m going to settle down for ages. You don’t have anything to worry about with her.” I pause for a second. “There is one thing, though.”
“What’s that?” There’s a hint of fear in her voice, and I find it a little funny she’s freaking out.
“She’s incredibly nosey. She’ll want your full life story and will feel no shame in prying it out of you.”
A giggle comes through the speakers. “That I can handle. You do realize who my best friend is, right?”
“She didn’t seem to question me too much when she was intent on setting us up.” All she saw from me was a desire to go on at least one date with Jolene.
“Lana is pretty good at trusting her gut. And if her gut said you are good people, then she goes with it.”
My sister opens the door all the way and starts down the sidewalk. Can’t she just chill? It’s not like the food is going anywhere. And Mom keeps everything warm when she’s waiting on me. “I think I need to go.”
“Was it something I said?”
I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “No. I’m at my mom’s for weekly dinner and my sister is marching to my car to tell me to hurry up.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because I haven’t talked to you all day, and they see me all the time. It wasn’t killing them to wait.” She’s silent for a few seconds, but I push on. “I’ll call you when I get home, though. Hopefully you’ll still be awake.”
“Yeah, I should be. The flight schedule I have tomorrow starts later in the day.”
“Okay. I’ll call you as soon as I get home. Maybe we can have little fun over the phone…”
“Men,” she says, exasperated. I’m almost certain she’s shaking her head at the same time.
“Bye, Jolene.”
She says her goodbye and I kill the engine, also ending the call. I barely have the door open and Gabby is standing right in front of the car. “It took you long enough.”
“Chill, sis,” I scold. “I haven’t talked to Jolene all day.”
“I’m sure you’ve talked to plenty of other girls, though.” She says it like it’s a fact. She doesn’t know shit. I’ve barely talked to her about anyone for a long time because this is the kind of judgement, I get from her.
“You don’t know shit, Gabby.” I close my door and stomp past her. I do not need this crap from her.
I walk through the still open door and don’t bother seeing if she’s following. Mom is in the kitchen, and the smell of dinner is divine. If Gabby doesn’t change her attitude, though, I’ll walk back through the door and leave. Delicious dinner be damned. I’m not going to have her being an ass over something she has no clue about.
My mom must have heard me because she whips around from the stove. “You’re here. You really need to come visit me more.” She acts like I’m not over here once a week. “Where’s your sister?”
I shrug. “I’m sure she’ll be in soon. She told me I needed to hurry up.” I peer over Mom and see the burners on the stove still going. “You aren’t even done with dinner.”
“You and your sister need to stop fighting, mi corazon. There will be a day when you are all you have.” I hate when she talks like this. It’s something she tells us every time we get into a disagreement. But we’re siblings. That’s what we do…we bicker and then make up.
“I know, Mom.” She turns away from me and stirs the meat in the skillet. Carne Asada is one of my favorite meals, and I love when she makes it. It always gives me the peace of being home. “Do you need any help?”
“No, it’s almost done.” She looks over at the table and rolls her eyes. “You can set the table since your sister didn’t.” We hear the door close harder than necessary and she shakes her head. As soon as she hears me get the plates down from the cupboard, she throws out her next question. “When will I get to meet this girl of yours?”
“In two weeks,” I grin. It’s hard not to. She’ll be coming into my world for a bit. Meeting my family, and getting to know them. “She’ll be in Austin for a couple of days. We can grab dinner after the game, or she can come over here the day after.”
“I’ll cook,” she nods. I’m not arguing with her. Her food is amazing, and Jolene won’t be able to eat Mexican food from a restaurant again. Not after she’s had the real thing. “Get the table set, I’ll bring the food over.”
/>
I do as I’m asked and soon Gabby is helping me. It’s a little late now since she only has to get the silverware. But I’m not going to fight with her. A peaceful dinner is what Mom wants, and it’s what I’ll give her.
Mom is in the living room watching her novellas while Gabby and I clean the kitchen. Even though I kept things peaceful, you could feel the tension rolling off of my sister. I don’t know what I did to piss her off, but I’m over it. She’s practically slamming the dishes into the dishwasher, and I worry she’s going to break something. “Dude, you need to chill. If you break one of those plates, Mom is going to freak the fuck out.” My voice is a harsh whisper because I try not to cuss when I’m around my mom.
“You can buy her a new set,” she snaps back.
“Not the point, Gabby,” I point to the dishes in question, “those are the ones she got from Abuelita. She will lose her shit.”
My sister takes a moment to think about that. Finally, something to calm her ass down. There are only a few more dishes to add to the load, and I’m done wiping everything down. This is the one time a week I really clean anything. I have a cleaning service come by my house. I’ve tried offering Mom the same thing, but she refuses and says she can clean her own house. Most days I wish she would let me take care of her and make her life easier, but others…I know exactly what she means. She needs to feel useful, and cleaning is her thing.
I ball up the rag in my hand and shoot it toward the sink. It goes in without ever touching the sides. “Do you always have to play around?”
“You mean have fun? Yes,” I nod. “I always have to have fun. I’ll be on the porch if you need anything else.” Turning my back to her, I walk down the small hallway leading to the laundry room and out the back door. Mom put a table out here years ago. It’s where she likes to drink her morning coffee.
I pull one of the chairs into the yard. Looking up, I study the sky. Wondering if Jolene is on any of the planes flying overhead. The stars are almost non-existent among the bright city lights. I wonder what it’s like to look at the night sky without any distractions.
Lost in my thoughts, I don’t realize that someone is joining me until I look over and see my sister has pulled a chair next to me. “You must really like this woman.”
Seriously, that’s how she wants to start this? “I wouldn’t be bringing her around if I didn’t. She’s different than anyone I’ve dated before.”
“You mean she doesn’t want you for your success? Like those other girls you’re photographed with?”
Honestly, I didn’t realize she knew about them. That’s beside the point. “She’s nothing like them. She’s smart, funny, and she isn’t scared to go toe-to-toe with me if she doesn’t like something I do or say.”
“You basically just described me,” my sister deadpans.
“Please don’t ever say that again,” I shudder at the thought. “Anyway. As much as I like her, I’m constantly worried she’s going to bail. Like something I say or do, is going to be the last straw for her and she’ll leave…just like Dad did.” I don’t mention that my feelings are more than just liking her. They are quickly approaching the “L” word, and I’m not sure how I feel about that either.
“I’m going to say this as lovingly as I can. Big sister to little brother.” She places her hand on my arm telling me she requires my full attention. “You have spent your entire life running from any sort of meaningful relationship. Denying yourself of any happiness because Dad left. That wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t mine or Mom’s either. He was a selfish asshole and he doesn’t deserve anymore of our thoughts or time.” I open my mouth to cut her off, but she shakes her head. “I’m not done. It’s time for you to grow up, and stop letting that hurt interfere with your relationships. If you keep living your life in fear of rejection, you’re never going to actually live.”
Huh. I’ve never had it put to me that way before. It makes sense, but it’s easier to say I’m going to do that than it is to actually do it. “It’s scary though, sis. This thing with her feels real. It feels bigger than anything I’ve felt before.”
“Then it’ll be worth the wait to see how far this goes.” She glances at the watch on her wrist. I don’t understand why she still wears one when we have cell phones, but whatever. “It’s almost time for me to get to bed. Work comes early in the morning.”
“It wouldn’t have to if you and Mom would let me take care of things,” I grumble.
“And we’d be miserable if you did that.” She leans over to give me a hug before standing. “I’m sorry I’ve been so bitchy to you. It just killed me to see you going from girl to girl, and I assumed she would be just like the rest.”
“She’s not. In any way, shape, or form. She’s just Jolene.”
“Gross,” she groans. “I don’t know how much I like you being all romantic and stuff. It’s weird.” She grabs the chair she pulled over and takes it back to the porch. “Goodnight, baby bro. I can’t wait to meet her.”
I stay outside for a few more minutes, mulling over everything my sister said. She’s right, even if I hate to admit it. I can’t keep living in fear. I can’t give myself over to her completely until I let go of everything I feel about my dad.
It’s getting late, and I know Mom needs to get up early as well. I move the chair back and head inside. “Bye, Mom.” I bend down and kiss the top of her head. “I’ll see you next week.”
“Bye, Mijo,” she replies. She’s called me that since I was a little boy. The only time it’s changed is when I’ve pissed her off. “I love you, and let me know when you get home.”
I roll my eyes. It’s not that far away, but I know it’ll do a lot to settle her piece of mind. “I will, I love you too.”
I lock the front door behind me as I walk to my car. My hand is already in my pocket, digging out my phone. I press Jolene’s number and the phone rings and rings. Then it goes to voicemail. I try again. Voicemail. Maybe her and Lana went to dinner. Or, she’s in the shower or something. I fire off a text and get in the car. She can call me back if she feels like it, but I know she’s exhausted.
Bentley: I tried calling, but didn’t get an answer. Goodnight, Beautiful. I hope your flight tomorrow goes well. Call me when you can.
The drive home is silent. I don’t even have music playing. All that occupies my thoughts is where things will go with Jolene. And how I can convince her to stick by my side
Twenty-Four
Jolene
The alarm on my phone jolts me awake. Add to that the hotel clock and there’s no going back to sleep. I don’t even know what city we’re in. The back to back flights have taken their toll on me.
I reach my hand over to turn both of the alarms off. It’s ridiculous I have to have so many alarms but I know myself. I’m also not relying on Lana to wake up. Peering over at her bed, she’s clearly still asleep. I could wake her up now. Or…I can use the time to take advantage of the shower and having first dibs. That seems like a better option. Lana has an issue with hogging all the hot water.
I tiptoe across the room to keep from disturbing my friend. The sentiment is almost fruitless because she did sleep through two alarms blaring. One day I aim to be like her. Or at least, go one night without weird dreams. I never had this problem before I started dating Bentley.
I turn the knob of the shower to hot and until steam fills the bathroom before adjusting the temperature. The dream from last night keeps mulling over in my mind. In it, I met a slew of girls who claimed to have been with Bentley before me. I remember breaking down into tears in the dream. But it seems as if the insecurities have followed me outside the subconscious. One day I won’t deal with these issues.
Stepping into the shower, I let the almost too hot water wash away the remains of the dream. I think a lot of it stems from not talking before bed last night. We’ve talked every night since we started dating. Or, at least, as close to bedtime as possible. Last night he must have forgotten. I reach for the shampoo, and squirt a
dollop in my hand before lathering it in my hair. Or, he may have tried calling after I went to bed. I didn’t even think to check my phone when I woke up.
My eyes pop open at the realization and I’m seconds away from jumping out of the shower to check the phone in question. Except…shampoo drips into my eyes and they are on fucking fire. Shower revelations are always a pain in the ass. I rush to rinse the shampoo out of my hair and quickly wash my body. I should shave my legs since we typically wear skirts, but that’s not important right now. As soon as my body is suds free, I step out of the shower, grab a towel from the rack and wrap it around my body. My hair is dripping down my back, but I don’t care. I need to squash any fears I have about us.
He mentioned he was having dinner with his mom and sister. If they said anything, it could sway our relationship. Not that Bentley is someone who is easily swayed, but those two mean everything to him. If anyone could sway our budding relationship, it’s them.
I march to the nightstand, ignore Lana’s stirring body on her bed, and pick up my phone. I can’t keep denying that I don’t feel more for him, and this is that fear crawling out. I swipe the screen open and see a red bubble over the phone icon. It’s from Bentley. He didn’t leave a message, so I close the app and open the text messages.
My heart soars at the sight of his name. He must be waiting for me to call him back. I press his name, and the phone rings until the voicemail picks up. I hang up instead of leaving a message. Glancing at the time, I calculate the time difference. I’m on the east coast, so he’s probably at practice right now. I know they start pretty early. I’ll text him back instead.
Jolene: Sorry, I fell asleep last night. I get on a flight in a little over two hours. I’ll call you after I land if I don’t hear from you before. Have a great day, Hot Stuff.
Oh my gosh. I slide my hand down my face. Did I seriously just write that? This is a time that message recall would be great. Who the hell calls someone that? He’s going to laugh so hard when he sees it. My insecurities are calmed down. For now. It’s amazing what seeing him reach out does for me.
Big Baller : A Hero Club Novel Page 17