“Thanks, Kitten.” Noah frowns at her, holding up a large closed-up cake box in his hands that does not look light.
“I mean, she kind of does have a point. Look at this place?” Gabriel laughs at Noah’s side. “That’s the difference between the rich and the wealthy.” He whistles looking up at our home before coming in to hug me. “Happy birthday, Coach.”
“Happy birthday,” Noah says next.
“Thank you, thank you.” I smile gratefully.
“Please, head inside. We’ll be there soon,” Aubrey tells them as the Hayes family reach the landing.
“Hi, Coach. Happy birthday.” Cecilia releases her son’s hand as she hugs me with a peck on my cheek, then goes over to Aubrey.
Silas steps up next with a wide grin on his face as he hugs me and slaps my back. “Damn, Coach. Doesn’t it feel nice to get old?” he jokes.
“I’m not entirely sure about that.” I chuckle.
“Well, at least we have a little beauty at our side to keep us young.” His smile turns to his wife who blushes slightly as she heads in with Dante.
“That I can agree to.” I look over at Aubrey who bites her lip as she turns red.
Next are Aubrey’s parents, who step out of Emma’s SUV. Andrew rounds the car to the back passenger seat and unstraps Gracie from her car seat. Silas steps aside as they join us at the entrance.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Thank you for coming,” Aubrey says as she hugs each, then looks behind them like she’s expecting someone else, and I know exactly who she’s looking for. “They’re not coming… are they?”
Nancy gives her daughter a mournful smile as she places her hand on her arm and squeezes. “I’m sorry, baby. Emma really tried. We all did.”
Aubrey’s eyes fill with tears as she takes deep breaths, trying to keep it together when she desperately wants to break down.I’ve seen her like this more times than I’d like over the last two weeks. I’ll find her staring out the window with tears in her eyes, completely lost in thought, or crying over some batter as she creates new recipes.
“Oh, sweetie…” Her mother steps closer to take her in her arms, but Aubrey steps back, lifting her palms to her.
“No, it’s fine. I’m fine… I don’t know why I expected… I’m fine.” Her voice cracks at the end, and I pull her to my chest, cradling the back of her head as she cries softly against my shirt. Her skin is prickled with shivers and cold to the touch from the frigid February air.
I freaking hate this for her—she shouldn’t be punished when she did nothing wrong but fall for me. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. And I’m sorry to say this, but your brother is being a self-centered ass.”
“Oh, and he knows it. We’ve told him as much,” Andrew says, placing a hand on his daughter’s back. “But we brought the little princess instead, hoping that might compensate a bit.”
Aubrey pulls back, wiping her eyes as she reaches out for Gracie, cuddling her in her arms. “Hi, princess. I’ve missed you so much.”
“An Bey.” Gracie wraps her little arms around Aubrey’s neck.
Morgan and Clay arrive next on the steps, with a baby carrier each. Their twins are soundly asleep in the little seats. It reminds me that I’ll need to start stocking up on everything baby related. I know we still have time, but I want to be prepared in advance and give Aubrey fewer reasons to stress.
“Why don’t you all head in with the kids and get out of the cold?” I tell Aubrey, rubbing up and down her back. “We’ll help Burkley bring in the rest of the things,” I say as I notice his trunk wide open, probably filled with baby gear for the twins.
“Okay,” she says, turning to face me and kissing my cheek before they go inside.
Silas, Clay, and I make our way down the steps and over to the car. “How are things going with Ford on your end?” I ask as I take a folded-up playpen from Clay’s hands.
Silas sighs. “It’s… going. He’s no longer giving us the silent treatment, so that’s a start.”
“But he’s still being a jerk and reminding us constantly how he’s still mad, so it’s hard to tell,” Clay finishes for him.
This time it’s my turn to sigh. “I’m sorry for causing you all this trouble. It wasn’t my intention. I knew getting with Aubrey would stir up some friction, I just didn’t think he would take it this far, to the point where he won’t even speak to her. He doesn’t realize how much he’s hurting her.”
“Yeah, well, that’s Greyson for you. The man can be fucking blind at times and doesn’t always think with his head before acting out.” Silas gives me a knowing look.
“I mean, he is the only one who didn’t pick up on your attraction to Aubrey, which by the way, was not subtle at all.” Clay chuckles.
“It’s true. Jesus, even our parents all picked up on it. My mother had practically made it her mission to get you together.” Silas laughs with a head shake.
