Chapter 1 – Introductions

Thursday, December 6th, 2018

Gabi's POV

"Gabi, sweetie, he would love if you went tonight." I wedged the phone between my ear and shoulder as I buried a case folder on my desk. I moved papers around while I listened to my mom on the other end of the phone. "I know mom, I get it, I just…" I cursed under my breath as I tried to find the piece of paper I was looking for before my meeting with my boss. My head throbbed as my mom began to speak again, "He is battling depression and,"

"Mom, I get it." I answered, the tone of my voice rose, and she went quiet, "Gabi," I closed my mouth, "I am sorry, I just have this big meeting in about ten minutes and I can't find what I am looking for. I will be at his game tonight okay?" she sighed, "Sweetie, you take that job of yours too serious and after everything that has happened over the past several months, I just wish…"

"If I want a shot at VP someday," I interrupted her because something had to matter at this point and that was about the only thing that did.

"Gabi," I breathed and stared out my office window into downtown Charleston, if I looked hard enough, I could make out the deep blue ocean in the backdrop. If I got too stressed out my eyes automatically went to the ocean and I longed for it between my toes, "And he isn't fighting depression mom, he is trying to find his way out of the nightmare he is living in okay? I'll be there." I confirmed as I watched a bird dip in the sky, "His first Christmas without his mom and," my gut tightened, and I felt my eyes close, "Mom," she sighed, "Okay, I am finished. I love you sweetie, I can't make it tonight, but I don't want him to be alone."

I nodded, "Okay, I promise, I'll be there. I just have to go." I hung up the phone and I dropped my iPhone on the table. "Gabi," I glanced up to see Brad leaning in the doorway, his eyes glanced over mine and I knew he was checking on how I was holding up today. "Yea?" I asked, my eyes taking in his black slacks and purple shirt with a plain tie. "They are about ready for the meeting. Do you have everything?" I looked at my desk again and confusion swept through me.

"No, I don't know have all of my papers. I don't know where they went, I was working on them late last night and I thought I put them in my top drawer," I slid the top drawer as Brad took a step into the room, his eyes surveyed my desk, my eyes boring into the empty drawer, "And it is not here," I glanced up and he and he bent over and picked up a pale folder off the floor.

ELI'S was written in my swirl handwriting across the top and I breathed in deeply it, "That's it, I can't believe it slid off my desk." He nodded slowly as I plucked the file from his hands, "Gabi," he said quietly, I stiffened, his body was close to mine and my chest panged with guilt, "Brad," I questioned back, "How are you doing? You have been working a lot." I shrugged my shoulders; "I am keeping myself busy,"

"I know how that goes with you…" I stared at him for a moment and cleared my throat, "I need to get to my meeting," I told him as I pushed past him, I needed to break my eye contact with him and I broke free. "Gabi," he stressed, "I miss you." I felt my body tighten from the words and my chest vibrated with emotion. No, not here. "Brad, I just…I can't do this right now."

"We were engaged Gabs," I turned as tears filled my eyes, no, I am not going to cry right now. "Brad, I am going into a meeting. I do not want to do this right now okay? I appreciate that you are concerned about me and that you want the best for me but what is best for me is not this. I need to focus on my job and I need to be with my family okay?" Pain built behind Brad's eyes and he slowly nodded his head, "Okay, okay," I backed away from him and then I spun into my meeting.

Charles and Victoria were sitting in their respective spot along with Eli's manager and executive, I found my spot on the other side of Charles and he gave me a supportive smile. Brad filtered into the room and he took the seat across the room, his eyes were distracted and buried with emotion that only I could recognize. "Gabi, are you able to stay late tonight?" Victoria glanced at me; her bun so tightly wound I wasn't sure how her brain wasn't pulsing. "No, I'm sorry. My nephew has a basketball game tonight and my mom can't make it. I promised her that I would be there for him." She gave a simple nod, "Understood. I have some things I want to go over with you about the Alex case, can we meet tomorrow?"

"Sure," I opened my calendar on my phone and I looked for an available time slot in my day, "I can meet at one tomorrow," I told her with a curious glance, she nodded her head, "That works." I gave her a nod and the meeting began to move underway. The problem was – four months ago. That wouldn't have been a conversation. I would have just said yes. I can stay late. I can always stay late but three months ago my entire life was shattered.


I wrapped my jacket tightly around my shoulders and slung my purse against my side. I grabbed my lunch box and coffee cup from the morning and then several case files that I would spend my evening on after I grabbed take-out from my local Chinese restaurant, the owners already knew my order before I walked in the door and had my bill rung up. A habit I had formed slowly in the past several months when I didn't want to be around anybody else.

First, I had to survive a high school basketball game. I shut my office door and my eyes fell to Annie working at her desk, she had been my assistant for the past two years since I made marketing manager. She was young and hardworking, as she was trying to finish college online and night classes. Short blonde hair and she always was stylish causing many males turn watch her walk through the office. Annie seemed to be on the newest trend of a diet or doing this new exercise program, it mostly made me jealous that she had the time to do such a thing. I walked over to her and gave a smile, "Thank you," I told her, she glanced up with a smile, "Gabi, you know I love being your assistant." I gave a supportive smile, "I try to be easy to work for, and I felt like I was bossy today." She gave a laugh, "Gabi, you are the nicest person here." I shook my head, "I am off to Blaine's games," I offered with a shrug, "I thought you were leaving awful early,"

"I'll see you tomorrow Annie, good luck on your test." She gave me another smile and I walked towards the elevator. "Gabi," I turned at Kasey trailing after me, "Hey, where are you off to so early?" my hands began to ring each other, "I am going to my nephew's basketball game." I mentioned casually, "Oh…I thought maybe you could help me with a project." I bit my lip, "I'm sorry Kasey, it is really important that I go tonight." She nodded her head, "Of course,"

My lips turned upside down as I watched Kasey walked away. Three months ago, they would have begged me to stay and I would have. I would have stayed late into the night until we both knew the project and idea was perfect. We would have worked together and left laughing, I would have sent Blaine a text message promising to come to his next game and he would understand. Now, I mention something about my nephew and they all backed away slowly.

The elevators propped open and I stepped onto them, the doors began to shut when a figure slid through the crack. "They weren't joking when they said you were leaving early," my shoulders rolled with stress, my head aching from the moment he spoke. "Brad," he didn't hesitate to brush his arm against mine and then his lips against mine. I pulled away from him and his nose pressed into the top of my hair. "Baby, I miss you. Come home," I shook my head and pulled away from him.

"Brad, stop doing this."

"You pushed me away." He accused. His lips turning down in anger and his nose flaring.

"I just…" I trailed off and shook my head, "I'm sorry. I can't do this right now Brad, I don't miss you, I don't want to be with you, I know, that I ruined everything between us." His dark eyes held mine and he slowly shook his head, "You didn't ruin a thing between us. Five years of being a couple, you didn't ruin anything. You are grieving and upset…" I backed away from Brad and I took a quick look at him. His dark brown eyes were set against mine; his thin frame was only inches taller than me in heels. He was smart, charming, and the boy that everybody wanted his or her daughter to marry.

I almost did.

"Brad, I know the choice that I made. I thought about it. I told you, I was thinking about it before everything happened and I couldn't pretend to be happy anymore. Our relationship was boring," I said quietly, "Then we will spice it up, we'll do something." I shook my head and the elevator doors opened quickly. I brushed past him; he didn't say anything while I rushed to my car. The wind rushing around me as I opened my car door quickly, I slid inside and locked it. I turned my keys and it jumped to life, the radio quickly beginning to play the newest hit.

My phone buzzed next to me and I reached over to grab it, "Hello?" I answered, "Aunt Gabi,"

"Blaine, you alright?" I asked him as I buckled my seatbelt, "Yea, Grandma said you were coming to my game, my dad forgot a water and I didn't know if you could bring me one." I looked down at my lap and smiled thinking of James forgetting Blaine's water, the thing that Zo would always bring to Blaine. "Of course, B, is there anything else that you need?" his voice was quiet, less confident than it once used to be. "No, that is it. Thank you,"

I hung up the phone and backed out of my parking spot. My mind began to flicker through my stressful day at the office and it kept bugging me that I needed to be there. I needed to be at the office getting more work done but the phone call from Blaine reminded me that I needed to be there for him. I sucked in a deep breath as the car lurched to a stop in front of me. I slammed on my breaks and my heart pulsed a little bit faster.

My phone rang again and I picked it up as traffic began to move again. "Hello,"

"Gabi," James pained voice entered my ear, "I forgot Blaine's water and Gina mentioned that you were coming today," I breathed as James was disappointed in himself because he forgot water for his son. "I know James, Blaine called me. Don't worry about it, you came from work and are busy. I can get him water. I need a drink myself," James let out a shaky breath on the other end of the line, "Thank you, I owe you."

"You owe me nothing," I responded, "I'll see you soon."

My phone rested on the seats while I pulled into the gas station. My mind lifted off again as I walked through the convenient store grabbing myself a sweet tea and Blaine water. I plucked a bag of gummy worms off the stand as I put it on the counter for the teenager to ring up. He grumbled my total to me and I slid him a five telling him to just keep the change. I walked out the doors and slipped back into my Honda Civic that wasn't yet a year old.

I had a text message glowing on my phone and I picked it up to see it was from Jenna.

Jenna: Hey girl, I am in need of a SERIOUS drink tonight. I miss you too. Can we meet up?

Jenna: my college roommate, sorority sister, and the greatest person that walked into my life who I claimed as my best friend. I pulled my phone up and I began to type my reply.

Gabi: I have to go to Blaine's basketball game but I am totally game for a drink afterward. Brad kept trying to talk to me today and I am stressed out. I miss you too.

I tossed my phone back to my seat and I pulled out of the parking lot as I ventured the rest of the way to West Ashley High School where my nephew was a sophomore. I pulled into the parking lot and spotted two busses pulled along the back that carried the visiting team to the high school. I rolled my lips together as I parked my car towards the back of the crowded high school. I grabbed the drinks and snacks as I went towards the front doors.

My fingers pulled for my other five-dollar bill that I had kept to get inside the game. I heard the whistles from the JV game finishing up, I handed over my five and then I reached over for them to stamp a purple wildcat onto the top of my hand. I walked through the corridors to the wavering sound of a game. I stood in the doorway as my eyes flashed around until I landed on Blaine sitting with his teammates as they watched the clock unwind.

He was wearing a purple shooting shoot with white basketball shorts. His matching shoes and headphones covering his ears blocking out any noise that could cause him to get distracted. I walked across the gym floor in my heels and he caught sight of me. He slipped his headphones off and I went to sit next to him for the moment, "Thanks Aunt Gabi," I squeezed his shoulder and I watched as a JV player launched the ball down the court for the receiving player let it slip through their fingers.

"Play hard," I told him, his green eyes flashed to mine for a moment and he gave a faint smile. "You know I will," I hugged him tightly, "I love you B," he didn't say anything but gave me a bit tighter of the hug. "Do you know where your dad and sister are sitting?" I asked him quietly, he pointed behind the scorer's table and I nodded, "I'll talk to you after the game, play hard, I love you," he slipped his heads phone on but not before saying I love you.

I climbed over people watching and apologized to anxious parents who were watching the final moments of the game. I licked my lower lip and I zeroed in on James and Lucy. James looked exhausted from the lack of sleep he had been getting, his figure thinning over the past several months and the gray hairs spreading like wildfire. His jacket hung on his skinny shoulders and his eyes held the stress of the entire family. He reached up to rub his temples and Lucy leaned back against him.

Lucy looked so much like her mom it made it so much harder on everybody. Her bright smile and beautiful laugh that was hidden beneath the sorrow of the past three months, Lucy was the young age of five and the miracle baby for Zoey and James. Her black hair was sitting just below her shoulders and I could tell it needed a cut from here, something that I would arrange and take Lucy to do over the weekend. She held on tightly to James as I approached. She twisted her head and then gave me a smile that I needed.

"Aunt Gabi!" she cried out, I smiled and I sat down next to her. She left James's arms and I wrapped her tightly in them, "How was school?" I asked her, she shrugged, "It was okay," I tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. "I brought you a present," I said as I gave her the gummy worms. She giggled and James gave me a faint smile. My eyes held James and the sadness that filled them hurt. "How are you, James?" I asked him quietly, he shrugged his shoulders and we all knew what that meant.

He was pushing through each day to the best of his abilities.

"Thank you for bring the water and getting the gummy worms for Lucy, I owe you," I rested my hand on his shoulder and shook my head, "You owe me nothing James, please," he nodded and I knew he wanted to cry just looking at him. I knew he was feeling too much today and I couldn't blame him. The 6th sucked.

Normally, the first of every month brought joy and new beginnings to people. The month was over, we were starting again, and then we would go on. Three months ago, the sixth of the month would always be tainted. It would be tainted with the reminder that it had been so many months since the horrifying passing of my sister. Since the shatter of families and the cause of heartbreak, I reached over and hugged James tightly. He gave me a tight squeeze back, "Thank you so much, Gabi,"

"You are more than welcome James, if you need a break this weekend let me know, I can come over to the house for a bit." He nodded and I smiled, "I am going to sit up top. My back hurts and there is a better view, Luc, you want to come with me?" she shook her head and leaned against James, "Well if you change your mind, I will be up there okay?" she nodded and I began to walk up the steps. The JV's final whistle blew and I settled into the bleachers.

My back leaned against the wall as people began to move and filter around. Cameras were being set up and the boys began to warm-up as modern music began to pump through the stereos of the school. Boys began to do their warm-up routines and my eyes followed Blaine closely as he was gifted at basketball. He was gracious with the height that his dad had provided and the athletic abilities of both my family and James.

He made starting varsity as a freshman and had continued this year even though it had been a harder year on him. I put my purse down and took a drink of my tea; I pulled my phone out to see another text message from Jenna.

Jenna: I'm sorry G, text me when the game is over and I will bring two bottles of wine. Will that be enough or should I bring more?

I laughed and I replied back to her, if I didn't have to work tomorrow, Gabi: I would tell you to bring more.

I slipped my phone back into my bag as Blaine moved gracefully around the court while they warmed up, his shots going in half of the time. My eyes then moved to Blaine's best friend, Kyle. Kyle had been a rock for Blaine these past several months and I could only hope that Blaine would continue to love his friendship with him. I then filtered my eyes to the cheerleaders against the back wall. Alison watched Blaine move around the court, another casualty of heartbreaks when Zoey died.

Blaine couldn't handle the suffocation that Alison brought after Zoey passed away. He broke up with Alison three weeks after and she was heartbroken, similar with Brad. Blaine and I had talked frequently about it before it happened and we both made a pact to leave our relationships. I crossed my arms over my chest when the refs blew the whistles calling for captains. The seniors ran over to the line and I took a deep breath as my eyes flickered over to a man next to me.

He was wearing a pair of sweatpants with a long-sleeve t-shirt and a zip-up jacket. He had a Gamecocks hat turned backward as his eyes surveyed the floor. His cheekbones were so highly defined it made my gut release butterflies, his hands were strong and large, and he was tall. He didn't have to sit straight or even stand for me to tell this. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees as the teams separated. The student section rose to their feet as the starting five were announced for each team.

Once the starting five was on the court for each team, they set up for tip-off. The ref tossed the ball into the air and Blaine jumped off his toes and into the air as he pushed the ball to Kyle. Kyle passed it off to Regan and then Regan went back to Blaine. Blaine set up the play as he flashed a five with his hand open. The team began to move around the court effortlessly as they passed the ball from person to person.

Blaine passed the ball off to Jeff and then Jeff pushed it to Regan who shot the first three of the game. It sank through the hoop effortlessly and they ran down the court. This went on for five minutes with screaming and yelling from both sides of the gym.

"Who are you watching?" I jumped and I turned to see the beautiful man talking to me, his eyes were still focused on the game but I knew it was him who talked to me. He had scooted closer and he sent a quick glance my direction but watched as Kyle had a foul called on him. "Excuse me?"

"Whom are you rooting for? You are barely clapping for anybody and you are watching very intensely," my heart sped up at the sound of his voice and he looked at me when a time-out was called. His eyes were a piercing blue that made me suck in a gulp of air. "Uhm, the wildcats," I responded, "My nephew is number 21," I told him with a slow nod, he used to be number one but then he changed his number once that number was completely tainted. His mom always called him number one.

The man found Blaine with his eyes, "Oh, Blaine Evans," I nodded my head slowly impressed that he knew him, "How do you know him?" I asked cautiously, the guy smiled slowly and the teams both took the court again. "I am the head basketball coach at James Island Charter, I know your nephew very well," I turned back to the game and Blaine ran down the court with the ball in a breakaway. He jumped up and let the ball fall through the hoop. "I worry about him the most when my team plays West Ashley."

"Why are you here?" I questioned, he turned to focus on me for a minute. His eyes were soaking me in while I soaked him in. His chestnut hair was nicely trimmed and he had facial hair growing around his jaw. "I am scouting. We play West Ashley right after Christmas break and I am trying to get prepared." I nodded my head slowly as we both watched the game for a couple of minutes, "I didn't catch your name," he said when the first quarter came to an end. The cheerleaders began to dance on the sidelines in little clothing and the student section chanted along with them.

"Gabi," I replied, "And yours?"

"Troy," he said with a simple smile, "Your nephew is very talented does he enjoy playing?"

"Loves it," I responded, as I watched him jog back onto the court with his fellow teammates.

Troy and I were quiet for some time following our introductions. I watched the second quarter unfold on the basketball court. Blaine was having an unreal night as he already claimed 20 points in the 45-30 scoring. West Ashley was having fun on the court as the opponent was struggling to keep up. My eyes drifted along to the cheerleaders again and my eyes were stuck on Alison again. Her eyes watching Blaine move across the court with ease. I knew she just wanted to be there for him but I also understood the pressure of too much.

The coach for the other team was calling a play but the players called back a different one causing the coach to breathe fire. Troy chuckled next to me and I let my eyes drift his direction. "I love watching other coaches," he spoke as the second quarter drifted to the final seconds. He wrote something on his notepad and then glanced back up to the court, "What makes them interesting?" I asked leaning back against the wall. "Well West Ashley's coach, Mark, you can tell he has complete control of his team. They do as he says and you know when he gives the player an opportunity to let it happen, it happens. He doesn't always control them but when he does the players respect him and his actions,"

I surveyed this as Mark Sam's called the play; he was another saving grace in the past several months. Mark Sam's and I had communicated several times over Blaine. He had been a rock for Blaine as well and I could understand where Troy Bolton was coming from. Mark did have great control of his team and also cared greatly about all of his players in every aspect of their lives. He was one of the first by Blaine's side when we told him the news of what happened. He was at the funeral, at the house, he was always with Blaine, and every day he checks in with Blaine. They talk constantly and he cares about him like he was his own son.

"Richard though," my eyes shifted to the other coach who looked beyond frustrated with his players as the buzzer for halftime rolled. Cheers from West Ashley cheered loudly as their players ran to the locker room. Blaine had a ghost of a smile on his face and my stomach shifted because last year, that would have been a large smile. He would have been laughing with his teammates and joking all the way back to the locker room about the god awful green that Summerville wore. The Summerville Green walked slowly to the locker room with their heads dropped and the coach lingering talking to assistants.

"His team has zero respect for him, the man doesn't know how to coach properly and yells at his players for the smallest of things. This is what leads to the talking back; inconsistent play calls, and the lack of communication on the court between players. They aren't a family. A basketball team is a family and I have to credit Mark for that, he knows how to build a family. I copied that from him after I witnessed how fluid they play together. They have an extremely good ball movement and they know where everybody is going to be at all times. Mark is a fantastic coach,"

I watched as he spoke and rubbed his temples as he thought carefully about what he might say next, "I heard about Blaine," he spoke quietly, my spine stiffened, but he didn't ask me any questions, he continued on, "and I have to admire him in the most respectful ways," he said turning to me and I slowly nodded my head and he carried on to a different conversation. "Gabi, what do you do?" I looked over as a smile flickered onto my face, "Are you flirting with me?" I asked him directly, he tried to suspense a smile on his face but it broke through anyways, God, that was a beautiful smile. "Why call a guy out like that?" he asked with a laugh, I shook my head with a smile and crossed my legs. "I am a marketing manager," I told him, his eyebrows perked up, "Really?" I nodded my head, surprised that he found interest in this. "This is going to sound completely strange; I teach a couple of business classes at James Island and I could use a speaker at some point…"

"Is this you trying to get my phone number?" Troy busted out laughing, his laugh causing my heart to skip a beat, his eyes glowed a little brighter and his smile seemed a little richer. "You know, you are pretty damn smart with guys pick-up lines," he said with a goofy smile, I smirked over at him, "I have been with plenty of you to understand what you want,"

This caused a frown as the music began to boom over the loud system in the gym, my eyes turned to see the dancers taking the floor. Lucy was standing on James's lap as she watched excitedly at each of the dancers twisting and spinning to the music. Their bodies so graceful against the words and it completely captivated me. It seemed to be a hip-hop routine that needed some fine-tuning but from experience, I knew that dancing at basketball games was just getting ready for a high school competition. "Were you a dancer?" Startled by the voice I turned to Troy and I turned my eyes towards him away from the dancers on the floor, "How did you know?" I asked him, "You were very in tune with what they were doing, you kind of zoned out, and you seemed to be studying them, watching every single move." I smiled and nodded, "Yea I was a dancer for a very, very long time." I told him, "I used to teach as well but that faded as my career took off." Troy nodded his head and he smoothed his hands down his sweatpants.

"So, you teach business?" I asked him, a slight smile turned on his face because I started the conversation this time. "Business and government." He told me with a nod of his head, "Sounds interesting, do you try to incorporate the two?" he let out a rich laugh and shook his head.

"I wish. I was once told that business and government were not the same things and we should not teach it in the same class," he gave me a pointed look and I rolled my eyes, "I teach three hours of business and three hours of government."

"Did you go to school around here?" he smiled, "I graduated high school from James Island, this gym, and I have a lot of memories. You?"

"I graduated from West Ashley," I told him, he nodded his head in understanding that our paths would have never crossed in our high school years, granting that we were even close to being similar in age.

"College?" I asked him as the team began to take the floor again, the balls being tossed around for a quick warm-up. "South Carolina," he said with a shrug, "a stereotypical four-year university with a major obsession with sports instead of studying, too many parties to attend in one evening, and the frat scene was the highlight of anybody's four years," he let an eye-roll pass making me assume things didn't go as planned at South Carolina University. He gave me a look in return and I sighed.

"Duke," I told him with a nod as I understand his glance in my direction, he rose an eyebrow, "Impressive, please tell me you went to your fair share of Duke basketball games,"

"I was a dancer at Duke, so yes," I replied to him, another eyebrow rose and I smirked at him, "Damn girl," he smiled and I smiled back, the game resumed and we both watched quietly. Blaine was having such a good game, and I felt happy for him. Troy took notes on his pad of paper and he rubbed his jaw, "So Marketing Manager Gabi, what is that relationship status of yours?" he questioned, he gave me a side-glance as we both stared at the court. Neither of us looked at each other as I thought about the question. Too many years I would have responded within a relationship.

I could be honest with him, telling him that I just got out of a year and half-engagement and wasn't ready for another relationship yet. I could tell him that my life has been a roller coaster of emotions since the moment I found out Zoey died. I could tell him that work was my life right now and that I should just legally marry it. I could tell him that I wasn't sure if I was capable of marrying a man or that I just wasn't sure where I stood with my life. I was taking care of my niece and nephew and my brother-in-law and I just didn't know where I could fit a boyfriend into that.

What did I tell him though?

"Single," I breathed, he grinned in response, "What a coincidence, I am single as well." I couldn't help but laugh at him, which only caused his smile to grow. That smile. "I was also very serious about you coming to present to my class about what you do," I looked at him and I debated if I trusted this man. Did I want to trust this man? I honestly did. He was nice, genuine; he was a basketball coach at James Island, his credentials were lying on a lanyard on the bench below us. His badge was stating exactly who he was and where he belonged.

Troy Bolton

Business/Government

The third quarter rolled to an end and I watched him for another second and I nodded, "Sounds like a good idea. I have to be honest; I am really busy right now but once things down I can surely make a trip to James Island." He nodded his head in understanding. "How about after Christmas Break?" he questioned curiously, "Will things slow down?"

I nodded because they would, "That would work. I suppose you need my phone number to contact me," I sent a sly smile towards him and he grinned, "Is this phone number personally for business or can I contact for a very personal reason," I bit on my lower lip as I watched him, his hands reaching for his cell phone. I then caught the attention of Lucy giggling with James, her eyes caught mine and she waved at me. I smiled back at her and turned my attention to Troy.

Something new. I needed this. I needed something new. You deserve something new.

"Troy Bolton, I believe you can contact me for just about anything," I told him, his brow frowned at my response and my eyes went down to his badge. He smiled and nodded his head as he handed me his phone so he could contact me.

I plugged my cell phone number in and I put my full name at the top of it. I handed it back to him and he smiled.

"Gabi Montez, I believe that I will take that to my advantage," I smirked and leaned back to watch the rest of the game unfold. Blaine scored eighteen more points in the second half of the game to lead the Wildcats to huge victory over Summerville.

Once the final buzzer rang overhead, I turned to look at Troy and he was already looking at me. "I will call you soon." He said quietly, "It was quite the pleasure to meet you."

He then got up and I felt my eyes watch him gracefully take the stairs down carefully. His tall legs matched the exact description that I thought of when I saw him the first time. He was tall and built in the shoulders. He bounced on his toes and was quick across the gym. His movements matched a young cat that was quick on the feet and slid through the crowd without causing any distraction.

My eyes were trained on him the entire time until he disappeared, I mostly couldn't get over the full blue eyes that were so beautiful, his strong jaw and cheeks. His hair trimmed neatly, his smile mouth dropping and those lips were very kissable.

Hot damn. My eyes lingered on the door for one more moment until I got up and walked down the steps. Lucy was still attached to James as he was standing talking to a mom from the team. "Aunt Gabi," I looked up at Lucy and she smiled, "Can you come over for dinner?" James quickly stopped talking to the mom, "Sweetie, Aunt Gabi has plenty of other things that she needs to be doing probably. She took her time to come to Blaine's game,"

"But I want to have dinner with her and I want her to tuck me into bed."

"Lucy," he pleaded; I noticed what was happening, Lucy knew how to get her way right now. She knew how to challenge James because James felt bad and didn't know how to tell the girl no after her mother died. He didn't want to argue with her because he was losing energy.

"Daddy," she challenged, I smiled nicely, "James," I said and he shook his head, "Gabi, you have been doing so much recently,"

"I haven't had dinner with them last week. I have zero plans," I lied, omitting the information about Jenna but she would surely understand. Jenna always understood. A grateful smile came on his lips and I nodded towards Lucy, "But no arguing with daddy," I warned as I rubbed her back, she nodded with a grin and I looked around the gym for Blaine.

Many of the other kids were already coming out and lingering talking to parents. "I'll go see if he is around the corner," I said with a shrug, I walked through the gym and pushed into the back corner of the gym where the guy's locker room door was. Just past the locker room door was another door that led outside, Blaine's tall figure had his back to me and I walked until I pushed the door open, I stood right next to him and he exhaled. His eyes lingered on a palm tree in the corner with the bench underneath. His attention was very focused as he tried to play off any emotion.

"You okay?"

He didn't answer and I turned to face him, with my heels on I went to his nose. I could see him battling inner emotion and the public view was completely blocked from our spot outside the locker room doors. "Blaine," I said quietly, his jaw quivered and the first tear fell down his cheek. A sixteen-year-old shouldn't be standing outside after a 30-point scoring game almost in tears because the emotions of the day were rolling off of him.

"I miss her so much Aunt Gabi," my eyes and heart softened and I pulled him closer to me, my arms wrapping tightly around him as I held him against me. He may be taller, he may only be sixteen, but he was my nephew who was hurting deeply. He didn't know how to fight through this emotion, I didn't know how to fight through these emotions. I could only imagine how horrible it all feels for him because I knew how hard it was to lose my sister.

"Oh Blaine, sweetie," he cried and lost any control of his inner emotions. "Why couldn't she have been there tonight?" I closed my eyes and tried to find something to comfort him but nothing was comfortable at this point. I wanted to cry with him but I had to stay strong for him, "She was here Blaine, she was here,"

"Then why can't I hug her? Why can't she tell me how proud of me she is? Why can't she be right here where you are?" his anger was seething from inside and I wanted to help him. I wanted him to feel better. "Blaine," the soft words of James echoed around us and I turned to see James. The man who was handling all of this as well as he could when all he wanted to do was crawl into a corner.

Lucy was standing inside watching everything unfold, Blaine didn't even think about it as he went over to his dad. James was still taller than Blaine, the embrace probably more comforting as James held his grieving son close.

James whispered things into his ear as I snuck inside to pick up Lucy. Lucy had tears in her eyes and I kissed her temple softly, "I love you, Lucy,"

She grabbed my shirt and she took a deep breath, "I love you, Aunt Gabi," James and Blaine separated but neither of them had a dry eye. "How are they?" I turned to see Mark Sam's standing next to me, his bag slung over his shoulder as he witnessed the same scene I was witnessing.

Words couldn't define how they were doing though. Actions defined how they were doing and they weren't doing okay. They were struggling against a big wave and kept getting pulled underneath of it. The beating happening over and over again until they plead mercy.

"Surviving," I finally answered, Mark nodded as he stared at Blaine. His eyes taking in the heart-wrenching sight of a young man already losing the most important thing to him: his mother.


I tucked Lucy into bed and she giggled asking for one more book, I shook my head and I stared over at a picture of Zoey. She was smiling with Lucy snuggled tightly against her arms. Zoey and I could have been identical twins twelve years apart. She had the same exact brown eyes, the same smile, the same hair, we were so similar that the twelve-year difference didn't matter between us.

We were always close.

"Lucy, tomorrow, I want you to be extra good for daddy and if you are then maybe on Saturday, we can have a girl's day. We can go get our hair done, get our nails done, get some lunch, and go shopping?" she nodded her head excited and I smiled touching her lips with my finger. "That means we are extra good for daddy, we get up, we get ready for school, and we don't argue, okay?"

She nodded again and I kissed her forehead, "I love you,"

"I love you too Aunt Gabi," I squeezed her shoulder and I stood up turning off her light and turning on her nightlight. I walked out of the room shutting the door quietly. James had his door shut and I breathed as I went into Blaine's room. He was lying on his stomach already asleep. A similar picture of Blaine and Zoey was on his nightstand but I was also in this picture. We took it about a year ago at a family get together. My sister and I framed Blaine in the picture, he was grinning. I grabbed a blanket placed it over him.

"Gabi," I jumped at my name and I turned to see James, "I can't thank you enough," he said quietly, "James, stop thanking me, these kids are having a rough time. I am trying to do as much as I can for them." He nodded and his eyes cast to the ground. His toe scraping along the carpeted floor, "I miss her," his voice cracked and I quietly walked out of the room so that we didn't wake Blaine up. "I miss her too," I comforted. We both went to the kitchen and I began to collect my belongings. "I told Lucy that if she was good for you tomorrow that I will take her for a spa day on Saturday. Haircut, nails, lunch, etc.…" I told him; he nodded his head without a response. I rubbed my lips together and I went over to give James a quick hug. "You are doing just fine James," he nodded and I backed away picking up my keys.

It was a little after nine when I walked out the door; I locked it behind me and then pulled out my cell phone. A message from Jenna was sitting on my phone.

Jenna: I'm at your apartment. I let myself in and I already have a glass of wine poured for you.

Tears sprung in my eyes at the simple notion of her knowing that I just needed that extra support today. I climbed into my car and I drove the short distance to my apartment. After I broke my engagement off with Brad, I found an apartment close to the kids. I knew I needed to be close to them just in case James needed support, just in case something happened and I needed to be there quickly. I chose to drive the extra ten minutes to work to be closer to my family.

Every time I need to be there in a hurry, I am reassured with my choice. Rubbing my lips together I pulled into my apartment complex right next to Jenna's car. She could have been at home with her husband of two years now, Ethan. Ethan and Jenna dated all the way through college and were the dream couple. I was her maid of honor and she was the most beautiful bride. I grabbed my bags of work and laptop while I climbed up the stairs. I stuck my key in the door and then pushed it open.

My TV was playing a reality show that I couldn't keep up on, "Gabriella!" she called; I smiled as I sat my bags down on the counter. I then shut and locked my apartment door while flickering on a light. Jenna smiled up at me from my couch and I smiled back at her. Her dirty blonde hair fell just above her shoulders with a recent cut, her eyes were a hazel green that I admired and were always jealous of. She had a green t-shirt with a pair of yoga pants.

"You look like you have had a day," she announced standing up, she put a glass of white wine in my hands and I took a graceful sip of it. She leaned against the counter as I thought back on the day and a laugh bubbled out of my throat with sarcasm. "Let me sum up my day and I will let you pick where we start okay?" she nodded her head because we had been doing this since we were in college. We would sum the day up and tackle each topic until we were drunk or we were feeling better. I had a strong feeling that I was going to be drunk by the end of this one.

"My meeting with my new client turned to shit quickly because they didn't like that I went to Duke, I yelled at my mom by accident when I was searching for my papers and my fuse was already short, Brad cornered me and kissed me while in the elevator." I stopped to reflect on the rest of my day, "I went to Blaine's game like my mom asked me to do and Blaine was upset tonight, James was a mess, Lucy was begging for everything, I met a guy, and then I went to dinner with them but Blaine was really upset all night. He cried,"

"Stop," she instructed, I eyed her carefully and she gave me an amused look, "Who did you meet?" she asked me, I laughed, "That is where you want to start from this day from hell?" I felt tears fill my eyes and Jenna shook her head, "No, no, Gabi, I am so sorry," she hugged me tightly, "I know today must have been hard because of one reason you didn't mention," she whispered quietly, "And I bet that is the reason that James, Lucy, and Blaine were all a mess today," I nodded rubbing my eyes, "Also the reason behind you snapping at your mom because it is just too much today. You were busy and she was probably doing that nagging thing that she loves to do,"

I laughed and took another drink of my wine. "I am sorry your client was a complete dick and doesn't realize that Duke university has one of the best business programs…what else," she began to rattle off how dumb the other people were and the excuse for my horrible day that I knew about. "Tell me more about Brad," she said softly, we found our way to my sofa and I collapsed while pouring another glass of wine. "I don't know, you know that he hasn't just quit talking to me. He checks in with me frequently, he comes to get me before meetings and stuff. I don't know he is friendly. He gave me a hug today and he told me that he missed me." I rubbed my fingers along the edge of my glass while I stared at my leather sofa.

"I then told him that I just needed just to be separated for now, and then he got that look in his eyes that told me that I struck a nerve. He didn't bother me for the rest of the afternoon until I was leaving. We got into the elevator together and for some reason, he took that as an invitation to put his lips onto mine," I don't know why tears pulled into my eyes but the emotions started to role, "and I don't understand why he can't just leave me alone. I let him keep the apartment and everything in it. I let him keep anything we bought together and I made a clean break. I don't understand why he can't just let me go." Jenna sighed, "Brad loves you, Gabi, he always has,"

"Our relationship was so boring, I mean, it was fun at the beginning but now we were stuck in this lure before we were even married. I didn't want that."

"I support you, Gabi," she soothed, "Brad is just…confused a little bit. He will eventually fade but can we please stop talking about this and talk about the one thing I really want to talk about?" I laughed while I took another drink of my wine. "His name is Troy," I ventured quietly, "and he is the basketball coach at James Island," she looked up at me with a smile, "Where did you meet him?" Jenna asked as she took a drink of her own wine. "He was watching the basketball game for scouting purposes." I said, "We were sitting next to each other and he struck up a conversation with me."

"And it led you to give a number?" I nodded, "You should have SEEN this man," I gasped as I jumped up and ran across the apartment to grab my laptop. I dug it out and went back to the couch as I sat down next to Jenna. She leaned in close to me as I googled James Island, I then found the staff directory that normally had pictures of everybody. I scrolled until I got to the B's and the fifth one down was the striking blue-eyed man with beautiful lips.

"Holy fuck," Jenna stole the computer from me and she examined it very closely. "Gabi, please tell me you agreed to go on a date with him and have mind-blowing sex with him," I busted out laughing, "I agreed to talk to him," I told her with a smile, I took a drink of my wine and she gave me a bright smile, "You should have agreed to fuck him," she told me without hesitation. I rolled my eyes with a laugh, "I don't know if I am ready for any of this," I spoke honestly, Jenna let her lips collapse in a thin line as she studied me for a minute.

Jenna was around for every moment of my life with Brad. She was around for every single moment after Zoey died. I hid nothing from Jenna and she was always honest with me. "Gabs, listen," she shut the laptop and put it back on the coffee table in front of us. "Your sister died three months ago, you broke off your engagement to Brad who you dated for too many years, and you have buried yourself in work and taking care of your niece and nephew. You have not taken one moment for yourself since that day three months ago and I think you need to let go a little bit. Have some fun with this very, very attractive man. If anything, just do this for the fun of it." My eyes rose to hers in amazement because it was exactly what I needed to hear.

"Okay," I agreed with a simple nod, "I'll do that, at least," she gave me a supportive smile, "You can move mountains, Gabi," I gave her a tiny smile and she reached over to pull me into a tight hug. "Just make sure you fuck him, he looks like a good one," I couldn't help but laugh again because that was Jenna, my best friend, who knew exactly how to tell it. "Thank you, Jenna,"

"Oh please, this is what I needed, Ethan was driving me crazy tonight. All he wants to talk about it trying to have a baby and you know what, I am not ready to have a baby. I don't want to have a baby right now and he won't listen to me about it. I want to go places before I have a baby, do more things," she let out a long sigh, "You would be a good mom," I said nudging her, she snorted, "Maybe, I would have to stop saying fuck and I am not sure I can do that,"

I laughed taking a drink of my wine and I leaned into her, "I want to be a mom," she clarified, "I am just not ready yet."

"Is anybody ever ready?" I asked quietly, Jenna didn't respond, our thoughts were directed at the complete thought of having kids and who is ever actually ready to support a child, to raise them and always put children before themselves? It was a daunting thought that scared me and I knew Jenna felt the same way. It was the issue of commitment to eighteen years. I suppose that is what you had to be ready for, eighteen years of constantly having to worry about the slightest thing going wrong and crushing a heart. "I suppose not," she finally said after a couple of minutes, "I suppose not."

We were both fairly quiet and she sighed, "Did he talk to you first?" she asked me, I nodded my head, "Yea, but we carried a conversation for the entire game though." She smiled, "Does he seem more interesting than Brad?"

"By far, but he coaches high school boys. Does that prove interesting?" Jenna giggled, "Yea," I gave a smile and finished off my glass of wine. "I better get ready to go to bed. I have a big meeting in the morning," I told her as I felt the temptation to drink another glass. "You are making me go back to Ethan?" she whined, I laughed, "You can always crash here if you don't want to go back to your house and have protected sex with your husband."

She laughed, "It sounds like a good idea, Ethan probably disagrees but it sounds appealing." I smiled and stood up. I put the wine in the fridge and stretched my arms above my head. I rinsed the two glasses and picked up a cookie from the panty. Jenna came around and she let out a dramatic sigh, "I guess I am going to go since you are boring tonight,"

"Some of us have to work tomorrow,"

"I have to work tomorrow." She argued I gave her a smile, "You are a pre-school teacher, you don't do anything on Friday because your kids don't come." She shrugged her shoulders, "I still have to go," she stressed, I laughed again, "Also, and if you can clean up your use of language around them then I believe you can do it around your own children." Jenna came me a pointed look, "Don't ever say that around Ethan. He has yet to actually put that together,"

"Is that your main argument? That you can't say fuck freely," she nodded in seriousness, "It sure as fuck is," I rolled my eyes with a laugh, "You make me laugh," I told her with a pointed look, she picked up her purse and phone and shrugged, "I do my best."

"Goodbye," I encouraged, "Bye," she said with a smile, a flick of her wrist, and she disappeared. I locked the door behind her and began to pick up things as I saw them lying around. I went into my bathroom and began to run the hot water. I found a towel as I began to wipe my face off free of make-up. The warm water helped my shoulders begin to relax as I replaced my contacts with glasses and then took off my work clothes. I placed them in the hamper and switched in a pair of sweats and a ratty t-shirt.

I then crawled into my bed as the wine was already taking effect, my eyelids drooping and my brain not letting me think. This was always the worse time, the dark period right before sleep where the brain began to wonder and think about everything. Zoey always came to my mind first and it made me miss her, this time would always reduce me to tears but tonight, my eyelids were shutting too fast and my brain was switching off.

That was a good thing.


HEY! Welcome to the new story! I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter! Just a little peek into the wild, wild ride that is about to go down! This is going to be one of my longer stories and I hope you love it! Please leave a review, favorite it, turn on your notifications for it, etc.

Also, after a lot of debate, I named the story Coach Bolton because Coach just didn't sound right. Idk. I went with Coach Bolton lol

PLEASE REVIEW!

Next Update: Sunday, May 31st, 2020