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“I hear you on that,” Jermaine agreed, and when Taran turned toward him, he added, “Youngest of six.”
“We bonded over that,” Clayton explained.
“Maybe we can too,” she said and tried to refocus. The point of “In Case You Didn’t Know” was finding something the press didn’t know. Something that humanized the person. Something that made them relatable to the public. And her inability to choose an athlete this month gave her a very short deadline to get to know Clayton.
“Babies of the family always bond,” he agreed. “But we have like nine hours for that.”
She had flown out to California last night, only to have to fly back today. It might have seemed ridiculous, but she wanted the time with Clayton, and she knew she wouldn’t get much one-on-one time when he was back in his hometown.
“Can I help you with any of your stuff?” she asked.
Clayton scoffed. “My sister and Will would kill me if I let you carry my bag.” He rolled his eyes, grabbed a small duffel, told Jermaine not to enjoy his absence too much, and held the door for her.
She walked out thinking that so far, Clayton seemed like the most normal, down-to-earth, professional athlete she’d ever interviewed.
A few more hours with Clayton didn’t change her mind in the least.
“How are we getting home?” she asked as they walked down the terminal at the Newark Airport. “Uber? Car service?
He looked at her like she was nuts. “Were you ever allowed to Uber home from school?”
Taran didn’t want to admit that Uber hadn’t existed when she went to school. But then he continued.
“My sister will be here waiting. Along with a few others, I’m sure.”
Although Clayton tried to make it sound like a nuisance that his family would be here, she saw how much he really loved it. And after security, there was a party waiting for them. Beth, Marc, and their four kids were all there, along with Danny, Will, and their other brother Joey. The welcome home hugs and high fives began at once.
It reminded her of her family. She remembered coming home from college and finding her two siblings, their spouses, their kids, and her parents waiting just past security. Jeremy, her high school sweetheart, always stood a little apart from them. The only child unable to really understand her big overly loving family. As a kid, she always thought her family was a bit too much. It was always a weird feeling remembering things from back then. To Taran, it felt like remembering a movie she’d watched rather than a life she was a part of.
“Taran.” Danny was the first to notice her standing just out of the way.
“Yo, I told you she’s not here; she’s only my shadow. She wants you guys to ignore her and be normal.” Clayton frowned at Danny. “And for the record, she and Corey aren’t a thing.”
Will looked surprised, but Danny asked, “So, why’d he have that hurt you so good look going on?”
“I don’t know. She seems chill, but it sounds like he blew her off,” Clayton said.
Taran shook her head. How had Clayton gotten that from their conversation?
Beth sighed. “It’s amazing the amount of time I spend apologizing for my brothers’ idiocy. How was your flight?”
“It was fine, but seriously, Clayton’s right. I’m not really here. Pretend I’m one of them,” Taran said, pointing to one of three men in dark suits—and earpieces—fanned out around the Demoda family.
“Wow, Clay, you’re so pathetic you need a pint-sized bodyguard?” Danny teased, earning smirks from a few of the brothers.
“I’ll send you the signed cover of Sports Illustrated, asshole,” Clayton shot back.
“Language,” Beth grumbled.
Clayton dipped his head in remorse. “Sorry.” Then he turned to the eleven-year-old boy Taran knew was Marc and Beth’s son. “Don’t cuss. It makes your mom nuts.”
The way the kid smiled said he’d heard this spiel a few too many times.
“Dude, it took you until you were twenty-two to get on a magazine cover. That’s pathetic in this family. Marc, Corey, Beth, and Nick all beat you,” Danny teased.
“What exactly did you do that was so special?” Clayton demanded.
Danny came toward Taran, pointed to the bag on her shoulder and gestured for her to hand it over—which she did.
