Once Amelia was calm enough to talk, Cat heard her out.
"Did he and you", Amelia shook her head.
"No, not that far", Amelia said.
Cat nodded.
"Do you like him?", her sister asked.
"He's cute, but I don't like him. I love Ryder, I know I do.", Amelia said.
Cat nodded.
"So then why did you kiss him back? Why did you let it get that far?", Cat asked.
Amelia looked down at her hands.
"He was asking if I had ever done anything for myself. If I've ever done anything bad, ever. Then he said he thought I was a saint, a good girl", Amelia said.
Cat nodded. Amelia looked at her.
"He said everyone backstage talks about me like that. I guess I just wanted to prove them and myself wrong. I shouldn't have done it, I shouldn't have gone out tonight. Now I see why Ryder never does.", Amelia said.
"Or maybe because the people who invite him, he doesn't know very well. You two are all over the place with wrestling, you hardly have time to really get to know anyone.", Cat said.
Amelia nodded.
"And then suddenly dad's human and snake comment comes back", Amelia said.
Cat laughed softly.
But it's true. How well do you really know Rafa? What's his family like? His group of close friends?", Cat asked.
"I get it, Cat", Amelia sighed.
"I'm not saying don't make new friends, because I mean, look what happened to Gracie. She trusted Miles and he drugged her to rape her.", Cat said.
"That's why dad was freaking out", Amelia said.
"And because you're underage. You could have gotten into so much trouble, Lia. Rafa could have been a complete asshole, fucked you, and dumped you off somewhere alone. We wouldn't know, Lia", Cat said.
Amelia nodded.
"I understand you want dad to stop treating you like you're a child, but to him you are still a child. You don't think he fusses over me and Gracie? He worries, always. Just like mom does and that won't ever stop. I'm learning that now as a mom", Cat said.
Amelia smiled and placed her hand on her sister's bump.
"Dad has been here, in your wrestling shoes. How many friends did he take away from his time with any company? Not counting aunt Nikki and Brie, or uncle Bryan.", Cat said.
Amelia could only think of one, because in her mind, her uncle Colby didn't count since he was married to her aunt Nikki.
"Uncle Joe. Uncle Colby doesn't count since he's family", Amelia replied.
Cat smiled.
"See. Out of all those years.", Cat said.
"I get it", Amelia said.
Cat kissed her head.
"Now, I'm going to take this little lady to bed. We are both so exhausted from dad's worry", Cat said.
Amelia nodded.
It was early morning when Lexi heard the front door open. She grabbed her sweater and put it on before making her way out of her room. She checked on Camden and Elijah. Then Chloe, who had left her lamp on, a book had fallen beside her.
Lexi walked in and put the book away before turning off the light and walking out. Veronica had kicked off her blankets in her sleep. She covered her daughter back up and kissed her head. Luca and Lola each had their little bunnies tucked under their arms and bundled up tight. She left the door half way open, the way they liked it.
Making her way down, she spotted the office light on. Making her way in, Jon was behind the desk, the bottle of whiskey open and a cup beside it.
"What are you doing home?", she asked, walking in more.
He took a sip of his drink.
"She wants to be an adult, I'm going to let her be an adult", he mumbled, before pouring himself more.
"Slow down there", Lexi said, taking the bottle of whiskey.
He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands.
"What are you talking about? Who wants to be an adult?", Lexi asked.
"Your kid. She thinks she can do whatever the hell she wants. Staying out late. Coming home smelling of alcohol", Jon said.
"What? I knew she snuck out, but drinking? Chloe", she stopped when he quickly snapped his head towards her.
"What?", he asked.
"You weren't talking about Chloe", Lexi said, biting her lip.
"What about Chloe?", Jon asked.
Lexi handed him back the bottle.
"You'll need more of this", she said.
He took it and sat back.
"She snuck out a few nights ago. Met some of her friends at the skate park. Something about night skateboarding and glow sticks on the board, I don't know.", Lexi sighed.
"Did you ground her?", he asked.
"Of course I did. She hasn't done it since.", Lexi said.
He nodded.
"I'm still getting her in trouble. You should have told me about this.", he said.
"I should have and I'm sorry that I didn't. I handled it, and it's like I said, she hasn't done it again. If she would have then I would have told you", she said.
He nodded.
"Now, your turn", she said.
"Amelia told me she was going out of tacos. Turns out tacos was cover up for alcohol", he said.
"Oh Lia", Lexi sighed.
He nodded.
"She told me that I should let her make her own mistakes and learn from them. I told her fine, and I left. She wants to be an adult, by all means, be one", Jon said, finishing his drink.
Lexi stood and went to sit on his lap. He wrapped his arm around her waist.
"I just don't want her to fuck this up. I've been there. The drinking, the drugs, and the, women", he said the last part hesitantly.
Lexi kissed his cheek.
"But you learned from them, and you got me", Lexi said.
He laughed softly.
"I did get you, but that doesn't mean she will end up the same way. She has me to learn from them, she doesn't need to go out and live it to understand. None of my kids do", Jon said.
"Oh Jon, she is so much like you, that you don't even see it.", she said.
"I do see it, that's what scares me", he said softly.
"Our kids are going to be okay, and if for some reason they aren't. They know they can come home and catch their breath", she said.
"Yeah. I just wish I could stop anything or anyone from hurting them. I don't like to see them hurting", he said.
"I know baby", she said, kissing the side of his head.
The next morning, Gracie met up with Taylor for lunch before the show. She had texted Chris and Ryder that she was getting a ride from Taylor.
"I'm so glad we could get together like this. There are only a few of the girls backstage that I talk to", Taylor said.
"How long have you been working for the company?", Gracie asked.
"I would say, about six, seven years now", she answered.
Gracie nodded.
"Anyone waiting on you back home?", Gracie asked as she looked at the menu.
Taylor laughed softly.
"No. I mean, there was someone but we ended our relationship last year.", she said.
"Oh. Was he a wrestler too?", Gracie asked.
"Yes", Taylor said.
She hoped she didn't say Chris's name.
"But what about you? Anyone special? That ring on your finger tells me something", Taylor said.
Gracie looked down at her engagement ring.
"Yes, fiancé. Wyatt. High school sweethearts", Gracie said.
"Aw, how sweet", Taylor said.
"Yeah, he's amazing", Gracie said.
They ordered and Gracie took a sip of her water.
"So, no one new since your break up?", Gracie asked.
Taylor shrugged.
"Why so curious about my relationships?", she asked.
"Wyatt. He's a football player, in the NFL. I know there are a few single guys on the team", Gracie said.
"Thanks but no thanks. I'm not really a football kind of girl", Taylor said.
"Neither was I, but look at me now", Gracie said.
Taylor laughed with her.
"Actually, there is someone, but he's taken.", Taylor said.
Gracie raised a brow.
"Tea, spill", Gracie said.
Taylor laughed softly.
"You actually know him, Chris, or K.C.", Taylor said.
"So have you two", Gracie stopped.
She watched Taylor blush before nodding.
"Once or twice", she said.
"Wow", Gracie replied.
"I know, how can you do that, he's married. It just happened, and I fell in love with him. He's so sweet and kind", Taylor said.
Gracie could see Taylor was actually in love.
"Does he return those feelings?", Gracie asked.
Please say no. Gracie begged.
"He's hot and cold, you know", Taylor said.
"Sure", Gracie nodded.
"How do you know Chris?", Taylor asked.
Gracie cleared her throat.
"Ryder, his tag team partner", she answered.
"That's why you rode with them. Explains it all", Taylor said.
Gracie nodded. She needed to change the subject.
"So, let's get to work on those designs", Gracie said.