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“Want a pop?” She passes it to me, and I hand it to Erin as she nods. I take the other can and open it up. The orange liquid is cool and refreshing. It’s scorching today, and I feel bad for the players sweating in the sun.
I also feel like summers in Vancouver are trying to tell me I should change my personality to something less dark. My black shirt, skirt, and shoes absorb every ounce of heat, made worse by the south wind.
The breeze is nice until you realize it’s also warm.
Daniel steps up to the plate.
He looks strange in runners. Other than during softball, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in anything other than steel-toe boots. His shirt stretches across his muscles as he winds the bat up behind him and prepares for Olivia to throw the ball. I see her wink at him, and I laugh.
Olivia and Daniel have a strange relationship. Liv, as everyone calls her, is Sam and James’ younger sister, and they’re very protective of her. I’ve seen James clench his fist several times when his baby sis got too close to the towering leather man. But from what I’ve seen, they’re only interested in pissing off James rather than becoming a couple. Daniel doesn’t do relationships, and Olivia is waiting for the one, from what I’ve heard. Or maybe she says that to make her brothers feel better.
They’re super close. After their parents split, they took care of each other, with James taking on most of the responsibilities. But as they’ve gotten older, they’ve become their own people for the most part.
Daniel swings the bat after Liv throws the ball, and he hits it. The ball goes over the outfield wall, and he dashes from plate to plate. We all stand up and cheer as he scores a home run.
The game goes on for twenty minutes before it’s over. The Tigers, that’s Sam and Daniels’ team, won. Olivia cocks her hip and pouts at Daniel as he blows her a kiss. She looks pissed. All the Doyles’ are super competitive except for James. He doesn’t seem to ever give a shit about anything.
After hugging and cheering, Daniel, Sam, and Olivia make their way over to us. They take a seat, and Daisy hands them a pop when James comes up from behind in his grey suit and leather loafers, looking like a CEO in the wrong place. James is more of the watching sports rather than playing them kind of guy.
“Who won?” he asks.
“We did!” Sam cheers, and Olivia rolls her eyes.
“By one point,” she sneers.
Daniel smirks, “You’re just mad because you’re a shit loser.”
Olivia doesn’t like Daniel’s comeback and pours her pop over Daniel’s head.
“Bite me,” she says as she stalks off, leaving Daniel sticky and wet.
“The fuck did you do to her?” James accuses.
“Nothing, man. Your sister is crazy.”
Liv and Daniel get along for the most part, except when sports are involved.
Daisy’s motherly instincts kick in, and she gets some water to help wash him off.
After cleaning up, we decide to go to Cafe Nola for lunch. As we leave, Sam realizes there’s an extra gal in the group.
“Oh, hey. I know you,” he says. “You’re the new neighbour.”
Erin grins. “Yeah, I’m Erin.” She shakes his hand, and we introduce her to everyone.
Before we go into the cafe, I pull Erin to the side and push her against the wall. I press my lips against hers, tasting her until she’s putty in my hands.
“What was that?” she asks when I pull back and readjust her hat.
“Nothing. I just love you, that’s all.”
Her jaw falls to the ground before she starts smiling.
“You love me?” her cheeks blush, and tears spring to her eyes.
“Oh, baby.” I cup her face and kiss her nose and each eyelid. “Don’t cry. And yes, I do love you. You’re my forever.”
Erin hiccups then wraps her arms around my neck.
