Chapter Sixteen

Indya

The Legends wins the game against Minneapolis, though it was a very close call. They won by one run, the other team, I can't remember who they were, were winning by two at the start of the ninth inning. The Legends were up to bat and the bases were loaded. Their jerseys say Ortiz is on second, Simmons is on first, and Layne is on third. The Legends have two outs by the time Atlas walks up to take his turn at bat.

Again, Haven has her face squished against the window, fogging it up, and pissing her off because she can't see her best friend. I pull her back just a bit and remind her of the fog that happens on windows when you are breathing on them. At this point I think she could care less about anything I have to say to her.

I turn to say something to Amara, but her hand is over her mouth, while she is trying to cover a laugh, and she is looking at Haven. I turn back around, and where is my daughter, standing on the ledge of the window, fogging the glass higher up than where she was. I swear this girl will be the death of me one day.

She starts pounding on the window, and clapping her hands. I turn to see what she keeps pointing to and I can't help the smile that takes over my face.

On the jumbotron is Haven, pounding away on the window, smiling and clapping her hands. I look down to the field, and Atlas has stepped out of the batter's box, to look our way. He then signals to someone, and Haven is so excited she almost falls from the windowsill and I almost lose my grip on her little body.

Haven is bouncing on her toes, smacking the window, I look again, Atlas is now on the jumbotron, signing, this for you, Princess Haven. I love you. I don't think I have ever been this emotional in my entire life. I have cried more tears of joy over the past two months, than ever. I honestly don't think this would have happened to me before I met Atlas.

Haven is beaming, both her little hands high above her head giving the I love you sign right back to Atlas. Once again, my daughter is up on the big screen again so everyone can see she is replying to her best friend. I love how happy this man makes her. She seems like a completely different child since we have met him, in a great way.

Atlas steps back into the batter's box, twists something on arm, probably his glove, and waits for the pitch. The first pitch comes low and to the outside, but Atlas doesn't swing. Ball one. The catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, and Atlas takes some practice swings and twists, what I am assuming is his glove, again. This pitch is fast and right down the middle. The crack is thunderous, the crowd is going wild, Haven and Amara are going wild. He hit another home run.

I can't look away from him as he is running the bases. I think he called this a Grand Slam, when the bases are loaded, and someone hits a homer. My breath catches as he goes back up to the big screen, he is running, with his hands showing the I love sign. He is showing Haven, she is never far from his thoughts, even when he is on the field.

I look to my little girl, just as a tear falls down her little cherub cheek. But that tear does not worry me one bit, because the smile that has brightened up the entire Target Field is coming from her face.

After the game we all head to dinner, before heading to the airport to catch our flight back home. We eat at a family-owned dinner, with plastic checkered tablecloths and wooden chairs that have seen better days. I love it. It is warm and welcoming, and the food is great. We all get burgers, fries, and shakes and chat about our time here.

After we eat, Atlas and Zander drive us to the airport. We all say our goodbyes, Haven is in tears as she doesn't want to leave the guys. I cry because I am going to miss Atlas, even though I know I will talk to him daily. I kiss him so hard, I am sure my lips are bruised, but I just need enough of him to hold me over until he gets home.

We have been back home for a couple of days, leaving Atlas was horrible for Haven and me, and Atlas. We had a great time visiting him though. We just finished dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and chips, I needed a crockpot dinner today, I am exhausted. I was called in last minute to interpret at a court hearing, which is not my favorite thing to do to begin with. It was the parents of twin boys trying to get custody back from their aunt and uncle. They have lived with them for three years, and now the parents wanted to uproot them and take them home with them.

No matter how bad it was, I am glad the judge sided with the aunt and uncle, because I had a feeling things would not have worked out for those boys had they gone with their parents.

Amara went out for a drink with some people from work, and Haven is passed out in her bed. I am laying on the part of the sectional that curves, because it feels like I am being held. I know it sounds silly, but when you stop getting affection from people at the age of seven, you will do what you need to do to be held. Even if it is the sofa.

My phone dings, and I see I have a message from my brother.

Silas: Hey, sis. How's it going? The girls and I were hoping we could come by next weekend, maybe have dinner? We miss you and Haven. All three of us have Friday off, so we figured we could spend the weekend with you all.

I jump from the couch, dropping my phone in the process. I pull up the game schedule and Atlas only has one game next week and it's on Tuesday. He can finally meet the other part of my family.

Indya: Of course I would love to see you all. I feel like the facetimes are just not enough, I miss you all so much. Haven is going to be thrilled you are coming. Emerson can sleep with me in my room, Asia can stay with Amara in her room, and you can either use the pull out in the sectional, or I can have Haven in the room with me or Amara, and you can sleep in her bed. We just upgraded her bed; she is now on a full-size mattress.

I am so giddy about my brother and sisters coming to visit, I almost can't stop myself, from the little dance I am doing when the door opens and Amara walks in.

"What are we celebrating?" she asks.

"Silas, Emerson, and Asia are coming to stay with us next weekend. Are you okay with Asia sleeping in your room with you?"

"Are you fucking kidding me?! We are going to have so much fun. I can't wait to see them all again, it has been too long. Usually when we visit or they visit, it is only for a couple of hours, but we get them for the entire weekend! Whoo! I have to start planning things to do." Amara runs past me into her room, closing the door. I guarantee she is making what she calls a "pre-list," then she will move on to the "actual list." After that list, she will complete her "finalized list" which is what the plans will be.

I go to message Silas back, letting him know Amara is already planning a busy weekend, when I see I have a message from Atlas. I must have missed the sound the phone makes when I get texts while I was talking to Amara, or it could have been while I was doing my celebration dance, or even Amara's excitement, who knows. I open the text and smile.

Atlas: 2 more days. u n me. u ready?

I really need to say something to him about the way he texts. Amara says he texts like the teenagers do these days. I keep planning to say something, but by the time I remember to say something, we are making out, or we are not in the same state. Maybe I should just say something now, while I am thinking about it.

Indya: I am counting the minutes. I miss you and can't wait to see you, of course I am ready. What are you doing right now? It's late, you are usually in bed already.

It takes him fifteen minutes to respond. Which makes the knot in my stomach tighten. He usually responds right away unless he is at a game. He even wakes up to respond he is asleep and will call me first thing the next morning. I am holding my breath, until finally it comes through.

Atlas: fone wouldnt stop, i didnt want 2 put it on dnd n case u need me. mom likes 2 call nonstop if i dont answer, but she refuses to txt me and nvr leaves vm. after the 20th call, i answer. parents, bro and sis r coming 2 the game n Portland. Idky she needs 2 call 4 that. i think its gr8 they r coming, but y not just show up. annoying, now im wide awake wondering wht she is cooking up n that brain of hers.

Yep, I am definitely going to say something now about his texting. I had to read his message a couple times to understand it.

Indya: That's awesome they are coming to see you play. I'm not sure your mother thinks too highly of me, so I don't really know what to say about her calling, or if she is up to no good. But can I ask you a question that is off subject and then maybe a request?

His response is much quicker this time.

Atlas: fuk yes i will have fone sx with u. ft?

Oh my god, did he really think I was about to ask him that over text message. I am laughing so hard I can barely type. I should just call him, but I know Atlas rooms with Zander, and I don't want to wake him.

Indya: No, that is not what I am going to ask or request, you horndog. I wanted to know why you text like you do. You shorthand most of the words. Lol, it kind of drives me crazy, to be honest. Perhaps we can work on texting at the same time we work on your ASL?

I push send, still giggling then I remember my brother and sisters are staying with me next weekend and need to see if he has other plans, since there is no game that weekend.

Indya: Before I forget, Silas, Emerson, and Asia are coming to spend the weekend with us next weekend, I was wondering if you had plans, or if you would be able to meet them while they are here. We could have a cookout at the park or something, if you want.

This time it takes him even longer to respond. I go to the kitchen, making sure I pulled the frozen chicken from the freezer for dinner tomorrow, and make myself some tea. The warmth of the cup in my hands is comforting, but a lingering sense of unease settles in my chest, but deep down, I know it won't be that easy.

Atlas: I'm sorry about the texting style. I guess I am just used to messaging the guys on the team all the time, and it is faster. Just so you know, every Legends player and the coaches type the same way. LOL. I would love to meet the other part of your family, and yes, I think a cookout would be fun, let me see if my buddy is using his house in town, maybe we can have it there. He has a huge backyard with a play set, sandbox, pool, hot tub, grill, anything you can think of, my boy has. Also, if I had plans already, you would be included in them. Okay, I am going to go back to sleep. Goodnight. I love you.

I send back a quick, Sounds good. Night. I love you.

I finish my tea, and head to bed myself, hoping not only the next two days, but next weekend gets here fast.

***

It is finally the day my siblings arrive. They don't live extremely far away, about an hour and a half outside of town. But with all our schedules, it is hard to get them to line up so we can spend quality time together.

Emerson and Asia are college students at Oregon State, Emerson is just about finished. She is actually going to become an athletic trainer for professional athletes. Asia is just in her freshman year, and she is majoring in Music studies. She says she doesn't know what she wants to do, all she knows is she wants to have a career in music.

I do love our visits though, because I barely get to see my sisters and I love them something fierce. Hopefully, once they are done with school, they stay close by and we get to spend more time together.

Silas and my sisters pile into my apartment around ten a.m. Emerson said they wanted to spend every moment possible with us they could. I was perfect with that. I miss them so much.

We all just finished eating lunch and Amara walks in the door.

"You're home early, Amara. Were you too excited to work?" I ask, as she runs to her room to change. When she comes back out in a pair of sweats and a tee, sporting her gray house shoes, she looks less frazzled than when she walked in the door.

"I told the bossman, I had shit to do and needed to be home and not here. I thought he was going to fire me because of all the time I have been taking off. He said, ‘go take care of your shit and be back Monday,' so I ran the fuck out of there as fast as I could before he could change his mind," she laughs. "He said he can't afford to lose me as an employee, because I am more dependable than most people on the payroll."

Haven hugged everyone at the table, then told Silas they were going to her room for teatime. He let her lead him by the hand without argument. Apparently, the rest of us were not invited for tea and biscuits. It is like no one else exists when Silas is around.

"So, when do we get to meet Atlas?" Asia asks.

"Yeah, I want to see if he is as hot as Amara says he is or if she was just exaggerating when she described him," Emerson throws in.

"All I said was Atlas was a sexy piece of man-meat. I don't remember describing him at all, actually. Plus, there is no way you haven't seen him before, he is an athlete for Pete's sake, and you are about to be an athletic trainer. I feel as though you should already know who Atlas Kensington is," Amara tells Emerson.

As if he knew we were talking about him, the buzzer sounds, letting us know we have a visitor. "Yes?" I say, pushing the button on the wall.

"Hey, Indy, it's me, can I come up?" Atlas voice says coming through the intercom. I press the button to let him in, then go into the hall to wait for him.

He kisses me gently as a greeting and we both walk into the apartment. When we walk in, five pairs of eyes meet ours.

"Teatime over so soon, Silas?" I ask.

"I heard a man. So, we came to check it out." As he says this, Haven realizes Atlas is here, breaking free from Silas's hand, running toward Atlas.

Atlas squats down and catches her, tossing her in the air, the same way they always greet each other.

I missed you, Atlas. You staying?

Everyone is quiet, watching the exchange between Atlas and Haven. I take a glimpse at Silas, and he looks confused, almost hurt, but I can still see the happiness as well. Haven has never ran from him to someone else before, so this may be shocking to him.

I miss you, princess. Yes, I stay.

Emerson and Asia giggle, and begin whispering to each other. Probably about the way he signs. But he is getting better, and I remember not too long ago, they were signing exactly the same way.

After introductions are made between my siblings and Atlas, we are all in the living room sitting on the sectional. Haven is in Atlas's lap, which makes Silas have his grumpy face on, but he is still holding a conversation with Atlas, so I guess that is a win. Asia and Amara are at one end talking about anything and everything, Emerson is on the other side of me, and she is telling me about the applications she has submitted.

"Wow, Emerson, that's a lot of applications. You have all the sports covered," I laugh.

"I know, I just wanted to make sure I was available if an opportunity was waiting. What if I only applied for football and none of the teams needed a trainer, but baseball was in desperate need of them, I feel like that is a missed opportunity of my own doing," Emerson replies.

Atlas and Silas halt their conversation about the plans for tomorrow at his buddies' house for the cookout, and he gently nudges my thigh. I turn to look at him and get a face full of curls. Haven is passed out, her head burrowed in his neck, the hand I can see is gripping the short sleeve of his shirt, it is the cutest thing.

"Want me to take her and put her in her bed?" I ask him, preparing to stand and take her from his arms.

"Nah, I got her. I don't want her to wake and not see me, thinking I left without saying goodbye," he whispers, as if he speaks too loudly, he will wake her.

"If you hold her the entire time, she is asleep, she will be grumpy when she wakes up, come on I will help you put her down in her room," I tell him as I stand and head toward Haven's room, he follows.

After Atlas left for the night, letting me know he will be over after practice tomorrow and we can head to his friend's house for the cookout together, my siblings and I are at the dining room table just catching up.

Haven was exhausted, she ran and played with Silas and Atlas most of the day and was bathed, and in bed by eight-thirty. Amara said she wanted to be well rested for tomorrow, and went to bed about an hour ago.

It's eleven p.m. and we are still talking. We talk about how Haven is settling in here, how work is going, if I am building my clientele, just life in general. I ask the girls how school is going, if Emerson is ready to be finished, and ask Silas how his cooking for all these big-time famous people is going, and just mundane things.

Silas tells us stories of things he has seen at some of the homes he cooks for. He never tells who it is, but we know they are famous. Asia tells me about the different music courses she gets to take, and Emerson said she is just ready to be done. All in all, it was a great night.

The house we are at for the cookout is beautiful. It has a wraparound porch, white siding, blue shutters that match the blue door, which you would think would be tacky, but it looks extremely homey, and warm. The house is gated, which goes completely around the property. There is so much greenery, flowers, and plants I have no clue what they are. They have a garden with vegetables which are doing great from what I can tell.

The backyard has a pool, hot tub, play set, sandbox, and about anything you can think of to do while spending time with friends and family.

The inside is stunning, with hardwood running through the entire house, area rugs and runners in various places. The kitchen would make a chef weep it's gorgeous. I didn't think Silas would leave the kitchen once he started checking things out.

"Who is your friend who owns this house? I don't think you ever mentioned their name," Silas asks Atlas. I think he is trying to network, even though the owner isn't here.

"Oh, uh, one of my teammates owns it." Atlas's eyes are darting around to see where everyone is and who is nearby. When he sees it is just Silas and I in the room with him, he relaxes a little.

"His name is Zander. He is the pitcher for my team. He doesn't like a lot of people knowing he owns this house, because he is currently sharing a condo with his best friend Bailey. He doesn't stay here because he is saving it for when he has a family, his words not mine," Atlas whispers, so no one else can overhear him.

"That's sweet," I coo.

"Do you think he will ever need a private chef? When he does get his family and moves in here, I mean. I would love to get my hands dirty in that kitchen," Silas says dreamily.

Atlas laughs, "I will pass the message along, Si."

How cute, my boyfriend gave my brother a nickname. Now that warms me from the inside out, I love that they are getting along so well. Atlas gets along well with all three of my siblings, which is great.

Everyone is having a great time, we eat, we swim, we all just hang out. We get everything cleaned up and packed into Atlas and Silas's trucks, since they drove everyone over, and head back home.

Once we are back home, I get Haven ready for bed, my siblings and Amara are getting a movie set up, and Atlas had to head home because he has to be up early for training and practice.

As I am coming from Haven's room, Emerson and Asia are standing in front of the bathroom door, heads together, whisper-arguing.

"What's going on? Why are you arguing in front of the bathroom?" I joke.

"Can we talk to you, somewhere private?" Asia nervously asks.

We all go into my room and Emerson shuts the door behind her. They both look sad, nervous, and pissed off all at the same time, which is unusual.

"I want you to know we are here for you, okay?" Emerson starts as Asia grabs my hand and holds it.

"You are starting to worry me, what happened, is something wrong?" I question.

Then Emerson begins a long-winded speech about how guys suck, and there really aren't any good ones left in the world, and she should probably start collecting cats now.

"Get to the point, Emerson," I snap.

"Okay, well, I was researching the Legends to see if they were looking for trainers, because I didn't put an application in with them, I just typed Riverside Legends into my search bar. Well, more than just the league came up. Some articles about Atlas popped up," she says while pulling it back up on her phone to show me.

I am shocked right now, because what she is showing me is the last game when his family went to watch him play. There right in front of my eyes, is a picture of Atlas and his parents, his brother and sister aren't in the picture, so I don't know if they were there. But the part that has me shocked is the picture freezes the moment when Atlas is walking out the door, and none other than Mallory is by his side. All four of them are smiling, maybe laughing, all I know is, my heart is completely shattered. I don't think there is a way it will ever heal.

"Can you girls give me a moment alone, please?" I want them to leave the room so I can break down without any witnesses. They nod, solemnly, saying sorry before closing the door. As the door clicks, the first tear falls, and I pick up my phone to text Atlas. I would call but I don't think I can speak to him at the moment.

Indya: I saw the photos of you with your parents and Mallory after the game. You looked so happy. You told me Van and Lyra would be there with your mom and dad. Why didn't you mention Mallory? If you still have feelings for her, you could have told me. I would have understood. But instead, you let me fall in love with you. You let my daughter fall in love with you. And now, you've shattered our hearts. Do you have any idea what this will do to Haven? She adores you. Please, don't call, text, or come by. I can't bear to see you. We need time to heal from this betrayal. I hope you find happiness with Mallory. I'm sure your mother is thrilled. Goodbye, Atlas.