Page 78 of Until Nalia
“Billie mentioned that you’ve all had dinner together every night this week.”
“We have.” I pick up my duffel and hook it over my shoulder.
“And Kristy said that she had dinner with you guys.”
“She did.”
“She was a little upset that the kids have been so open to spending time with Nalia.”
I grab the bucket off the ground as my jaw gets tight. “She told you that?”
“Not in so many words, but yes.” She steps out of the dugout ahead of me. “She doesn’t understand why the kids are so against spending time with Aaron but okay with spending time with Nalia.”
“She’s going to have to figure that out, Ma,” I mutter, and the truth is, I don’t give a fuck.
“I know.” She sighs. “I just feel bad for her, and I don’t understand what happened. I thought that the kids liked Aaron when they first started dating.”
“I thought so too,” I mutter. The truth is, the kids did seem okay with Aaron in the beginning, but not long after Kristy moved him in, something changed. Neither of the kids have told me if something happened that changed their opinion about him, not even when I’ve asked, so I’ve made my own assumptions. But with how cool they both are with Nalia, I wonder if those assumptions were wrong. And if it’s not about them wanting their mom and me to get back together, but that something happened they aren’t telling me about.
“Maybe you could talk to them.”
“I’ve spoken with them about spending time with Kristy.”
“And?”
“And they’ve been spending time with her without Aaron. I’m not sure if that’s their choice or if Kristy has been avoiding having all of them together.”
“I guess it will all come out in the wash eventually,” she tells me as we reach her car in the parking lot.
“Yep.” I agree dropping the bucket of balls I’m carrying so I can give her a hug. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.” She hugs me tight. “Ask Nalia if she’d like to come for dinner this next week with you and the kids.”
“I’ll ask her.” I agree, then let her go. After telling her goodbye, I head for my Jeep and dump my shit in the back.
Twenty minutes later, as I’m pulling into the soccer complex, I search the fields until I find the one that Nalia told me her and Zuri would be at and park. As I’m walking through the parking lot, I say hi to a few people I know, then make my way to the field. It only takes me a few minutes to find Nalia standing on the sidelines with her dad, mom, and her brother Bax, and another guy who looks a lot like Nalia. I’m pretty sure it’s her brother, Sage, but I’m not sure.
Lifting my chin to her brothers and dad as I approach, she turns to me and her whole face lights up with a beautiful fucking smile that takes my breath away.
“You made it.” She hugs me, then leans up on her tiptoes, pressing her mouth to mine, catching me by surprise. It must surprise her, too, because her cheeks get pink. “Zuri is going to be so happy.”
“How's she doing?” I glance out to the field.
“The game hasn’t started. They have just been practicing,” she tells me as I turn my attention to her mom and kiss her cheek, then shake her dad’s hand and pull Bax in for a one-arm hug.
“You and my sister,” Bax mutters, and I chuckle.
“Sorry.”
“It’s all good.” He pats my back. “She could do worse.” I smile at that, then turn when Nalia says.
“I don’t think you’ve met Sage.”
“I haven’t. What’s up?” I shake his hand he holds out towards me.
“Good to meet you, man.”
“You too.” I let his hand go.
