Page 35 of Closing the Distance

These guys are my family as much as my brothers are. Now that she’s become an important part of my life—arguably the most important part—I’m desperate for her to meet the group and see how great they are. I don’t know what I’ll do if they don’t get along. It’s not something I’ve planned for, and I hope it’s not something I need to worry about, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

I knock on the door, and a minute later it’s pulled open by a cute little toddler with the biggest mischievous grin on her face, a flustered Romel right on her heels. “Kay, what have I told you about answering the door?”

Her smile falls as guilt fills her light-brown eyes which look identical to Sydney’s. I wonder how hard it is for Romel to look at his daughter when she looks so much like her mother. “Sorry, Daddy,” she says softly.

He smiles gently as he crouches down in front of her. “I just want you to be safe, Princess. I know it’s Uncle Ty, but you still shouldn’t answer the door, okay?”

She nods, but her eyes still hold a shimmer of tears from his reproach. Romel lets out a heavy sigh and then lifts her into his arms, holding her tight. He offers me a small smile that doesn’t come anywhere near his eyes and then opens the door wider and gestures with his free hand for us to come inside. Once we’re in, he closes the door and extends his hand to Lexi, his smile growing. “So you’re the mystery woman. This guy doesn’t shut up about you.”

“Wow, thanks, man. What happened to bro code?”

His brows lift in surprise. “I thought bro code was just about not poaching each other’s women, which has never been our thing anyway.”

“Thank God for that. But you’re also supposed to keep my secrets.”

His smile grows like the Cheshire cat, and I brace myself for the embarrassment I’m sure he’s about to serve me. “Sorry, man, but she deserves to know you’re obsessed with her.” He looks at Lexi. “I’ve never seen a man more smitten, and that’s saying something considering how Gabe and Dom are with their ladies. But you’ve got yourself a keeper here.” He slaps me on the back. “He’ll go to the ends of the earth for the people he loves.”

I rub my free hand down my face. That wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been, but I’ve been trying not to pressure Lexi too much. She doesn’t need to know I talk about her all the time to anyone who will listen. When I glance down at her to see how she’s taking it, I find her already looking up at me, a thoughtful expression filling her eyes while the corners of her pink mouth tilt up in a sweet smile. My heart stutters because I know without a doubt I’ve fallen in love with her, and I have no idea if she feels the same way.

She looks back at Romel. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

Kay pulls her head from where she’s had it buried against his neck. “You’re pretty,” she says, her lilting voice soft.

Lexi’s cheeks flush, but her eyes brighten as she gives a friendly smile to Kay. It’s the same one she had when we were in her classroom—her teacher smile I called it at the time, designed to put the kids at ease and make them feel seen.

“You’re pretty too. I love your curls.”

Kay sits up in her dad’s arms, her smile wide, and it has the infectious effect of making all the adults around her smile.

If possible, I fall even harder for Lexi for making Kay light up like a firefly. I can’t wait to see her love on our kid when he or she arrives in May.

Romel starts walking toward the living room and we follow, Lexi’s hand still firmly in mine. Everyone stops talking when we enter the room, and four sets of eyes stare at us.

I clear my throat. “Everyone, this is Lexi,” I announce. “Lexi, this is Gabe and his wife, Danae. And that’s Dom and his wife, Alayna.”

“If you hear Dom say Laney, he’s talking about me,” Alayna adds with a smile at her husband.

“And that’s only my name to use,” Dom says before dropping a quick kiss to her lips.

Lexi waves at everyone, but whatever ease she found with Kaylee in the hallway has completely vanished. Her palm is now clammy in mine, and she can barely hold eye contact with anyone but the floor.

Everyone seems to snap out of whatever stupor they were in when we walked in and comes bustling over. Gabe and Dom start telling embarrassing stories about me from the locker room while Danae and Alayna roll their eyes at them. But I’m not sure Lexi hears a word. She’s got this slightly vacant look in her gaze I’ve never seen before, and her pulse flutters like crazy in her neck.

“Should we eat?” Romel asks. Everyone starts talking about the next home game as we walk to the dining room where Romel has a whole spread laid out.

“Lexi, you should come with us,” Alayna says, turning back to Lexi.

Lexi’s steps falter. “To the game?”

“Yeah.” Alayna’s brow quirks like that should’ve been obvious.

“Uh.” Lexi looks at me, and I can’t quite read her expression, but I can definitely pick up on her unease.

“That game is on Thursday. Lexi has work the next day.”

Alayna’s smile slowly fades from her face as she moves her quizzical expression my way. “We all do.”

“I’m not sure, but I’ll let you know,” Lexi says. Her voice carries an air of calm, but the tight-lipped smile she gives Alayna doesn’t come anywhere near her eyes.

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