Page 84 of The Trophy

“Really?” Lakyn asks.

“Really. Mommy said so.”

As if summoned by her daughter’s words, Mom steps onto the deck, carrying a plate with my favorite food in the world; I have never tasted anything more delicious than her potato and onion omelette.

“We need to be very careful with this one,” Mom smiles. “She heard me saying that when I enrolled them in preschool, and now she’ll tell anyone she meets.”

Lakyn giggles, amused by my little sister’s antics. “That’s very interesting,” she says. “Did you know that I have a twin sister too?”

It’s Carolina’s turn to ask, “really?”

“Really,” Lake confirms. “Her name is Bay and she’s seven minutes older than me.”

Carolina’s eyes widen like saucers. “Is she here?”

“No,” Lake smiles, standing up and setting Carolina down on the chair next to mine. “Let me show you. Here, this is me and Bay.” She takes her cell phone out of a small pocket on her black leggings and shows her a picture of her and Bay at our last home game.

“You look the same!” Carolina gasps. “Conor and I don’t.”

What did I say? She’s not your average three years old, her preschool has already approached Mom to test her IQ because apparently, she’s been completing the pre-writing exercises given to the four and five-year-olds.

“This is because Bay and I are both girls and we’re identical twins. You have a twin brother,” Lake explains. “So you can’t look identical.”

“Aww,” my sister sulks, but it’s short lived. “Mommy,” she immediately smiles. “Can we swap Conor for a sister? So we can look the same.”

We all burst into laughter at the notion, but it takes us a good five minutes to explain to Carolina that siblings can’t be exchanged. You’re pretty much stuck with what you get.

Lunch is a fun affair, there’s never a lull in the conversation and it hits me that Lakyn fits right in with us.

I’m glad she forgave me for not opening up to her, because I know I risked losing her and just the thought takes away my appetite.

We’re cunningly talked into a game of Candy Land, Carolina’s current favorite.

I wouldn’t be able to tell you who has more fun, if my little sister or my girlfriend.

“Cash, Cash, swim!” Conor says, grabbing my hand.

I’ve been teaching the twins how to swim and they both love being in the water. “I’m sorry, bud,” I sigh. “I would love to take you all swimming, but I have to go back to work.”

“Noooo.” The twins both complain.

“Actually,” Mom says. “I called Frank to check how things were looking this afternoon and he said you don’t need to go back. There were only two people for the aqua aerobics class and he’d rather cancel it and give them a voucher for a free fifteen minute session with the personal trainer.”

I’m glad that I can spend the afternoon with Lakyn, but canceling classes won’t pay the bills. I can’t fucking wait to go pro and put all these money worries behind me.

But that’s a problem for future Cash, right now all I can think about is that I might have a chance to see Lakyn in a bathing suit.

I mean, fuck. I know I’ve seen her naked, but it’s not like I can do that with my family around.

“What do you say, Lake?” I smile. “Fancy swimming with me and my two future Olympic champions?”

LAKYN

“Yes, yes!” Carolina jumps up and down, clapping her hands. “Come swimming with us.”

“I would love to,” I say. “But I’m afraid I didn’t bring my bathing suit with me.”

“Aww,” she deflates, clearly disappointed.

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