“You don’t know that for sure, and if you are traded, that means Rylee is affected. If you’re bounced around, she’s bounced around.”
“I’m not getting traded,”I signed with quick harsh movements and my face tight.
Fuck, was that what she wanted? Me getting traded so she had leverage. She was a teacher, Deaf, and could relate to my sister a hell of a lot better than me, or at least that was what people would see. The courts would see. She also wanted to keep Rylee with her.
“But if you are then?—”
My hands moved swiftly, cutting her off.“If I am, then I’ll make it work. Rylee will be fine. She will be with me no matter where I am, so if you think trade talk makes you a better candidate, you’re wrong. She’s not staying with you. I’m her family. Rylee belongs with me.”
Our eyes clashed and her browns swirled with agitation. She lifted from the seat and quickly signed,“Good to know.”
Somee left me and I immediately missed her presence and the scent of coconut mango forever branded in my mind as distinctly hers. She filled the seat next to Rylee, who smiled when Somee dropped her arm around her shoulders. Rylee leaned into her side, as if things with Somee just made sense. In her eyes, they did, and then there was me. The person forcing her away from what made sense in her life when I couldn’t even make sense of my own right now. I had to get my shit together fast or this was going to be a disaster.
Somee and Ididn’t talk for the rest of the flight. Our communication after we landed was minimal and only when absolutely necessary. She stuck to engaging with Rylee, and as long as Rylee had Somee, she didn’t need me. At the moment, I didn’t let that bother me because I had too much on my mind. Talks of being traded was seriously fucking with my head. I’d given the Sharks years. Sure, I had a few bad moments but thatwas personal shit. On the field, I did my job. Even on my worst days, I was still fucking good and the team benefited from my skills.
I hated team politics and the fact that Karl was allowing a personal relationship to affect my career didn’t help. I’d left my GWagon at the airport. So once we landed and had our bags off the jet, I loaded them into the back… barely. As expensive as these trucks were, they were shit on space, but I made it work. At least Somee sat up front with me. I half-expected her to stay in the back with Rylee after our little argument on the plane.
Once we were moving, I decided to try to fix my fuck up. While we waited in line to leave the airport, I smoothed things over.
I turned the radio down and signed,“Sorry about earlier. The trade thing has me frustrated.”
She nodded and her eyes darted toward the radio when she smiled.“You didn’t have to turn that down. Deaf, remember?”
I chuckled.“Sorry, habit.”
“Apology accepted for both.”
“Thank you.”
We were moving again when she signed,“I hope you get it figured out.”
“Me too.”
The rest of the drive Somee spent either watching the city or on her phone. I wanted her attention but driving I couldn’t hold it with the lack of using my hands. I focused on the drive, getting us there as quickly as possible. The season was over, so instead of taking us to my place in the city, I made the drive out to my house. Omiri and I had purchased homes in Chandler Heights months apart after winning our first Super Bowl.
Omiri, however, had never lived in his until he found out about his daughter Avianna. The home had originally been purchased for him and his brother Orion, but after Omiri losthim, the move never happened. Needing a place off the grid to ride out a media scandal that surfaced with Makari, they ended up out here and eventually made his spot in Chandler Heights their home.
I hated that our season ended but was glad to be back home. Unlike Omiri, my house out here was my preferred residence. I only spent time at the apartment in the city during the season. I loved my house and no one came here. I valued my privacy.
The reminder of how selective I was with my personal space had my mind circling back to Somee being the only woman besides my mother who would sleep under this roof. I also didn’t hate the idea of Somee being the only one granted the privilege.
When I pulled up to the six-car garage on the left of my house and parked inside, Somee turned to me and arched a brow.“You live here alone?”
“Yeah, why?”
She looked around then back to me.“This is a lot of house. You’re expecting me to be here. I just want to make sure there’s no one inside who isn’t expecting me to be here.”
“I’m not dating anyone,”I signed, watching her pretty face to see her reaction.
“Based on what I know about you, dating should be used loosely when it comes to your reputation with women.”
I laughed because what the hell.“Was my sex life part of your vetting process to see if I meet your standards to qualify as a suitable guardian for my sister?”
“Yes, and you should understand why. Kids are impressionable. Having a rotating door of women in your life is not really a great parenting practice.”
“I would agree, which is why you can relax. I never bring women home.”
“At some point you will.”