Jake fell asleep almost the instant he sat in his seat on the plane. Ginny looked down at him, envying his peace of mind. He'd insisted on sitting next to her and was drooling on her arm. She didn't mind. It gave her something else to think about besides the stupid stories the media was spinning about her and Tommy.
"He really is Mini Miller." Mike said, pausing in the aisle next to them and looking down at the sleeping Jake. Ginny nodded. Mike hesitated before lowering his voice. "How are you holding up, Rookie?"
She sighed, leaning back in her seat. "I'm good." She shrugged. "I'll be the center of attention for a few more days then Kanye will get jealous. Go on another mid concert rant and the world will focus on something else."
Mike snorted. "I think you rate more than a Kanye rant, Baker."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah." Mike said, looking up at the ceiling dramatically. "It'll take at least ...hhmmmm...a surprise Beyonce album to get them to back off you."
Ginny chuckled. "I'm shocked you know who that is, old man."
"She's one of them destiny's children, right?" He said, causing her to stifle another laugh, trying not to wake Jake. Mike grimaced, looking at her for a moment before saying. "You okay?"
She looked down at Jake, trying to gather her thoughts. "I guess..." She sighed. "I always figured it would get easier, but...I should have realized I wouldn't get a private life anymore." She waved him away. Mike looked like he was going to protest, but Jake stirred, mumbling softly in his sleep. Mike gave her a jerky nod before going back to his seat. Ginny ran her fingers through Jake's hair, wondering what he was dreaming of.
Sadie threw her arms around her the second she walked out of the airport. Ginny went rigid, unsure how to react. "Are you okay?" Sadie asked, looking her over. Ginny nodded. "Are you lying to me?" Ginny gulped and shifted the weight of her bag on her shoulder. Sadie nodded. "Okay, Evelyn's having all of us over for dinner. We can talk there." She grabbed Jake's hand and through her arm around Ginny and tugged her forwards, showing remarkable strength and determination for someone in 3 inch heels. Ginny stumbled trying to keep up. Jake was talking excitedly about having spent time in Chicago with Tommy. He managed to carry the entire conversation by himself through the entire ride over to Blip and Evelyn's house.
When Evelyn opened the door, she grabbed Ginny's arm and pulled her inside. "Dinner's going to be ready in 5. The boys are in front of the TV; Blip, watch them."
Blip blinked at her before walking into the house. "In my first season it would be hey, baby. You're home. I love you, but now it's watch the kids. Not even a damn hello." He muttered as he walked into the living room with Jake behind him. Evelyn pulled Ginny outside into the back. There were a few mosquito candles burning and three glasses of wine.
"Okay." She sat her down. "From the beginning."
Ginny looked between her and Sadie, unsure what to say. "Well, I started pitching when I was 2-"
Evelyn groaned as Sadie snorted. "Is she joking with us?" Evelyn growled. "This is serious." She grabbed the bottle and poured herself a glass.
"I had no idea." Ginny muttered, frowning at Evelyn. Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "It was okay in the beginning...then..." She frowned "I don't know. He was upset about something and I left the apartment and when I got back to the hotel the internet had exploded." She shrugged.
"But nothing happened between you two." Evelyn prompted.
Ginny shook her head. Sadie frowned. "Why the hell not?" She said. Ginny and Evelyn turned to look at her. "What? I have a bias here. You make my brother happy." She winced. "I just...don't need to know how you make him happy." She grabbed the bottle and poured herself a glass.
Evelyn smirked. "I do." She shrugged as Sadie glared at her. "What? It's not my fault if your brother is cute." She turned back to Ginny. "When you guys shared a locker room..." She wagged her eyebrows.
"Evi." Sadie hissed.
"Did you see the junk?" Evelyn said. "Because Blip has and he won't tell me."
"Why are you asking Blip about Tommy's junk?" Ginny said.
"Because as your friend, I need to know what you're getting in to...or what's getting into you."
Sadie retched while Ginny laughed. "I haven't seen it." She said, leaning back in the pool chair, accepting the glass of wine Evelyn poured for her. "The guys turned into Puritans after I showed up. They started wearing clothes in the shower." Sadie laughed. Evelyn sighed.
"Sadie, you're his sister." Evelyn began.
"No." Sadie replied.
"But-"
"No." Sadie grabbed the bottle and topped off her glass. "I'm going to need more of this."
Ginny laughed, taking a sip of the wine. "I have seen Livan's."
Sadie's eyes lit up and Evelyn leaned in. "Really?" The two of them said. Ginny ignored them, looking at her wine.
"Don't leave us hanging." Evelyn said.
"You're married." Sadie said, nudging her shoulder. "You don't need this information like I do."
"Just because I'm not allowed to order doesn't mean I lost the right to know what was added to the menu." Evelyn shook her head. She reached over and shook Ginny's leg. "Come on." She prompted. "Tell mama everything about Livan's bat."
"You had better be talking about his sports equipment." Blip had walked out of the house and was frowned at the three of them. "Because last time I checked, the only bat you're legally allowed to be curious about is mine."
Evelyn glared at him. "This is girl talk. Get your y chromosome back in the house." she waved him off.
"So I guess the three of you don't want to know that dinner's ready." Blip said. Ginny shot to her feet and rushed to the house.
"Hey." Evelyn shouted after her.
"I'm hungry." Ginny said, throwing an apologetic smile over her shoulder.
"You're always hungry." Sadie mumbled, getting to her feet and following her. She sat next to Ginny and leaned in as the boys crowded around the table. "I know my brother's an idiot, but I wasn't lying; he hasn't been this happy since Tessa."