Chapter 11
"El I swear if you don't quit getting taller, I'm forever scaring your friends away. That's it. No more," Drew said messing up his sister's hair just as we left the arcade.
I noticed Ellie roll her eyes, "I'm about to be 13 in a few months, the time where girls my age change. Get used to it." She stated surprising us both. I couldn't help but laugh.
The girl had sass and I loved it.
"Oh god. This isn't happening," He said in horror.
"What?" Ellie and I both asked at once.
"I've been gone so much these last few months my baby sister was kidnapped and some psycho teenage Tiger wannabee took her place," He said causing the both of us to slap him on some part of his body.
"I say we ditch Superstar here and finish the rest of the night to ourselves. What do you think El?" I asked crossing my arms and stopping just as we reached the car.
Ellie looked at her brother to make sure he was paying attention, "I've always wanted you as a sister, why couldn't you and him have switched spots? I'm good with that!" Ellie replied causing me to bob my head back and laugh.
Drew would for sure be hating on this right now.
"Yeah yeah, good thing you're stuck with both huh smart mouth?" He asked picking Ellie up and throwing her across his shoulders.
"Down Drew! I'm too tall for you to be doing this!" Ellie squealed.
He set her down after a few seconds of running around the parking lot with her in that position.
"You'll never be too tall for me to do that. Now get your ass in the car before I leave you and your wish-I-had-sister in this lot," He said opening the back seat door for her.
"One day, I'll end up getting both. The brother, I have, just the sister part," She stated before winking at him.
This girl seriously grew not only physically, yet so much more mentally over these last few months and Drew was finally noticing.
I noticed Drew smiling as he shut the door and winked at me.
I shot him a smile back before getting into the passenger seat.
***************************************************
"When do you go back to work?" I ask Drew as I plopped on the bed beside him.
He turns over so that he could face me as we talked.
"Our last pre-season game was yesterday so the season starts next week. I need to be with the team on Wednesday in preparation for Sunday' game." He stated ushering me to get closer to him.
"Ah, the dreaded season is upon us." I stated with comical theatrics.
He chuckled at my response, "It'll go by, and before you know it, it will be round two."
"It's a good thing I'll be seeing you more than I would've this season. When is the children's charity event again?" I asked as my head rested on his chest, his fingers combing my hair.
"Mid-October. You'll be with us that Tuesday 'til the rest of the week for sporadic meetings with the hospitals as well as coordinating the auction and what not." He replied softly.
"Maybe we can auction you off, see who can handle the Superstar and all of his madness." I stated before laughing.
That caused him to lift my chin up and kiss my lips softly. "Not a damn person could handle my ass. Only a fool could ever."
"I must be the biggest damn fool then." I replied kissing him back just as soft.
"I've tried telling you this Tiger." He stated wrapping his arms around my body as we lay on our bed watching Netflix.
"Sexiest damn fool there ever was.
*************************************
"And what are my favorite girls doing? Better be keeping that fancy house of mine intact I hope," Drew responded via FaceTime.
"Us girls here decided that a much needed sleepover was in order. We wanted to watch your big game tomorrow." I responded just as I finished putting the chips and snacks on the bar top in the movie room.
"Not so much a girls night babe with Bradley over there about to devour the food you just put out." He responded.
"Well I didn't invite him did I now?" I asked raising an eyebrow via the call.
He smirked and ran his fingers through his hair, "So what if I did tell him last minute to crash this party? You guys should be there with someone who can protect you. After all, El's guy friends might come to the house and god knows what would happen.
"I heard that Drew! And for your information, I don't have any still thanks to you!" She yelled across the room causing him to laugh.
"And why would I be threatened over a bunch of 13 year olds? Your confidence in me is thinning and I'm not sure if I'm going to stick around to handle it much longer," I replied licking the spoon of the dip I was mixing.
"Damn what I'd do to be that spoon right now," He replied looking at me intently.
"Easy boy, you have a big day tomorrow. Need as much testosterone on that field tomorrow," I said causing him to laugh.
"I would much rather be with you guys right now than to be cooped up in this hotel room." He stated.
I grabbed my phone and went to sit on one of the pull out beds in the movie room.
"You will be soon. As soon as tomorrow is over you'll be on your way back home for the next 6 days. Just make sure to kick ass tomorrow, let this whole separation thing be worth it." I said winking at him.
"I'm going to try my best. Just do me a favor and don't snuggle with Clay tonight. Already jealous that little man has you every day I'm gone."
"Ahhh, no can do. I can't resist a good cuddler. Just hurry your ass and get back to me. I miss you." I said.
"I miss you more. I'll text you first thing in the morning." He stated before flashing me a smile.
"You better. Kick ass tomorrow."
"Take care of my girls Bradley!" He said just loud enough for Ethan to hear.
"Yeah yeah, win that game tomorrow or don't come home." He replied.
Drew laughed, "Goodnight." He stated before I hung up the phone.
"You think we'll win tomorrow?" El asked Ethan as she played with Clay and his toy cars on the sofa.
"I sure hope so Ellie." Ethan responded just as Blake came in the room.
"Alright familia, what to watch tonight? I'm thinking Grown Ups. What do you say?" She asked walking in with the pizza we ordered.
"Yes I love that movie!" Ellie squealed as Ethan chuckled.
"Grown Ups it is." I replied.
Nights like these with them made being alone a lot less lonely and I was grateful for Blake coming up with the idea. There was no better way than to bring in Drew's season as Quarterback with a pre-game slumber party.
"So why exactly aren't you going to be there tomorrow, don't you have the post-game press conference to manage?" Blake asked each putting slices of pizza on different plates.
"Yes and no. I should be there, especially at tomorrows since it's the first game but I'm having my team go. I couldn't watch the first game from the stands alone and not have a support system with me to help me from passing out," I stated honestly.
That caused Ethan to laugh, "You ladies need to gain some faith in your men. He will be fine, don't think otherwise."
I nodded but couldn't shake my anxiety off.
"Who exactly is coming to watch the game?" Blake asked as she searched for the movie.
"I know that Mitch is since he's in town, as well as Jack. Isn't Ava coming?" Ethan asked.
"I texted her today and she said she was going to try." I stated.
"Oh also Drew's mom and Dad are. I think we may need to keep an eye out on them with the alcohol though. They can be bingers when enjoying their time with us." I stated laughing.
"You have no idea how Mom and Dad can be. Especially when Drew's on TV." El responded rolling her eyes.
"Ethan you make sure that they don't get too tipsy now." Blake said laughing.
"Always the damn babysitter. When did I ever sign up for this?" He stated shaking his head.
**********************************************
"TOUCHDOWN!!!!" Everyone screamed at once.
The score was 32-7 and we were up with only a minute left in the game.
I was wearing my Ravens jersey as was basically the entire fam watching the game. We all were practically losing our voice from excitement and I could finally calm my heartrate as I had been nervous and anxious all of last night and morning about the game.
My babe was killing it and he knew it.
"Cocky bastard!" Ethan shouted at the TV.
"I can finally breathe!" Blake squealed as she plopped beside me on the couch.
"You?! My god I felt like my chest was about to implode. I don't know how I'm going to survive the rest of this season." I stated fanning myself with the empty paper plate in my hand.
"You're like this every season. Even when he didn't play. You need to be at peace with the fact on whether he were to lose or win. It's bound to happen and you can't fret over it." Blake said giving me a sly smile.
"I could care less about the wings B. Now that he's playing QB I can't help but be on edge every time a play happens. I can't bear the thought of him getting hurt." I stated fanning myself even faster.
"Sweetheart, that was my fear his entire 24 years of existence. You have to learn to accept that what is meant to happen is meant to happen. You can't live in fear," Rae, Drew's mother interrupted.
She placed her hand on my shoulder and I placed mine over it, "I know, you're right. I just can't shake that nervous feeling."
"Well dance it off then! No life is a life worth living when living it in fear." She stated and started to dance to absolutely no music, just the sports commentators in the background.
We were all gathered in the movie room of Drew's home watching the game. It felt right with everyone here.
"Ethan what did I tell you!" Blake shouted at her husband.
He shrugged and laughed at Rae, "The woman is too sweet to deny her what she wants."
"Ugh, I told you guys! They are like kids!" El said as her dad started to dance with his wife.
I smiled at the two of them.
"They are exactly who I aspire to be," I told El as I walked up to her and gave her a side hug.
I watched her parents closely and saw the love and carefree life they were exhibiting. Their boy was on TV living his dream, practically being tackled, and the two of them showed no care in the world.
"Hopefully we'll get that one day El," I said looking at her.
"You're crazy!" She said before running off to play with Clay who had just woken up from his nap from our cheers.