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I hug my sister Andy as she walks in the door. "Thank you so much for this, Andy." I called in a favor when we found out it would be today. The kids don't need to see the interview.
"It's all good. Had the afternoon off, so what better way to spend it than with my favorite niece and nephew. In this crazy place," she says, looking around likes she's in a museum.
"You won't be able to play favorites for long." I laugh, knowing before too long, Jasmine will pop, and my kids will finally have a cousin to play with.
"True. Still can't believe Jassy’s having a baby. Her life has changed so much in the last couple of years. I'm so happy for her."
"All your lives have. Look at you, Mrs. Swift. And Cassie living with Brandon in New York. It's crazy."
She links arms with me as I take her through the house toward where the kids are playing with Heath. "Looks like you’re next then, hey? It's a bit cute you all stayed at Heath’s place last night." She gives me a look like she wants all the gossip.
"Yeah, things are moving along quickly," I admit.
"Too fast?" she asks, worried.
"No, just differently to how I expected. I knew once I told him about Connor, he would want to be in his life, but I didn't expect the way he would accept all of us. He already adores Ruby, and..." I glance over at my sister, not sure how much I should admit to her. Heath and I only had this chat yesterday, and I'm still processing everything he said. But maybe she can help me as well.
"And what? Don't hold out on me now, Sis, what's going on with the two of you?"
I sigh. "He's all-in, Andy, he says he wants everything with me, a relationship, the whole thing. He even said he wants to marry me."
Her grip on my arm tightens, and her eyes go wide, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who had that reaction. "W-what?" she stutters out.
"He feels like he missed out on enough over the last ten years, and he wants it all as soon as I'm ready. It all sounds lovely, but after what I went through with Declan, I might never be ready for marriage again. I love the fantasy of it, of course I do, but I don't know if I can ever really invest that much in one person again. How could I trust he wouldn't hurt me the way Declan did?" I try to explain my logic to her, hoping it makes sense, because after last night I'm not even sure anymore. He made me feel so special, so adored, and like I am truly his. That I couldn't ever imagine he would do anything to hurt me.
"Because he's not him." She gives me that look, the one all of us sisters save for moments just like this, when we know better than the sister who is being stupid. And I know she is one hundred percent right. I'm overthinking it all.
"That's what he said, but you know what I mean. How on earth do you trust Brad? He's a sports star, so girls must throw themselves at him. Heath would have to be the same."
"Honestly, I don't even think about it. Every day he shows me what I mean to him. I don't have to worry because I know I'm his everything. If some other girl tries something with him, I know he will shut her down, there is no question in my mind." She says it with absolute confidence.
"That's good," I agree, happy for her.
"Millie, I know where you're coming from. I had trust issues from my past as well after what my first boyfriend did to me, you remember. But Brad is not him, and Heath isn't Declan. You need to just go slow with him, give him time to show you who he is. You don't have to make any life-changing decisions this week, like getting married. Just take the journey with him and see what happens." She smiles a knowing smile. "And enjoy yourself a little for once. He's a rock god, I bet he knows a thing or two." She smirks that sassy smile of hers, the one that used to get her in so much trouble.
I can't help but match it, but that's because I have spent the night with him and know exactly what he's like, and I'm not saying a word. Yes, he's ridiculously good in every way. Maybe that's what scares me the most, that I'm going to get too used to all of this, comfortable and happy again, and then it will be taken from me. I know she's right, Heath isn't Declan, nothing like him. I need to have a little faith that this is all going to work out, or there is no point in even trying.
We make it to the games room where the kids and Heath are playing table tennis. Or from the looks of it, he's trying to teach the kids to play each other at it.
"Are you worried about the interview?"
I look at my sister with panic. "Should I be? I think she's just going to be talking to Heath. I'll just be there for support."
"What if she wants to ask you questions as well?" she suggests, and I wish she hadn't, because now that churning is back in my tummy. I'm not cut out for this shit.
I've been trying not to think about it, but maybe Andy is right. She's done her share of pre- and post-match interviews and would have a better idea of what to expect. I really have no idea. "I answer them? I don't think it's too much of big deal," I say, but my shaky voice gives me away. Maybe I am more worked up about this than I want to be. "What if she paints me as the bad guy?"
She takes my hand, giving it a squeeze for support. "We all know you're not. And I'm sure Heath won't let that happen."
"That's what he says."
She watches him with the kids. "Then you need to trust him. I know it's hard, but he really seems to have your and the kids’ best interests at heart, Sis. Give him the benefit of the doubt and trust him to look after the three of you."
"I think you’re right, I need to trust him. In the past, he never gave me any reason not to. He can't be that different now, can he?"
She gives me a definite nod of the head. "I bet he's not."
I'm sure she’s right. I don't know what I have been so worried about. I know him. It might have been a while since we were this close, but I knew him for so long. He can’t have changed all that much, even with the fame. He's still the same good guy under it all. And this is too important not to give it my all.
