Chapter 7 – Family
Friday, January 11th, 2019
Gabi's POV
I bit on my nail as I sat in the gym with my boyfriend on one side and my nephew on the other side of the court. Troy was in slacks with a polo as they were visitors in this game. I kept scanning the room for my mom and dad along with James and Lucy. I was seated in the middle when I felt his eyes graze my body. I glanced up and he winked at me with a smile as he nudged his head to behind the bleachers. I bit my lip shaking my head causing a smile to break over his face.
"Who are you smiling towards?" I looked up towards my mom startled, "Oh uh…" I paused as I looked as he turned a different direction, "Do you remember Troy?" I asked her and her face broke into a wide grin as she turned around to see him talking with one of his assistant coaches. "Oh…who are you rooting for?" she asked with a nudge and I laughed with my cheeks heating up. I bit on my lip, last week when I told him about Zoey, I figured he would go running for the fucking hills.
Yet, he stayed. He even slept on the couch after I fell asleep and the next morning when I went to find him, he just shrugged and told me he wanted to make sure I had space. I was thankful that he didn't suffocate me like Brad did after Zoey died. He wanted to pressure me to talk and to constantly be touching me, but Troy knew that I was the type of person to need space. We had gone on another date this week after my mind mentally cleared. The 6th was a hard day but it was easier knowing that Troy came into my life on that day.
"I think I'll choose the winner," I said with a smile and she laughed quietly. My dad sat down, and I greeted him with a smile while Lucy crawled into my lap. I did have to rescue all of them from one of her nightmares this week. I was called at five in the morning before work to a sobbing Lucy. She could barely catch her breath and me just…I wish I could help her. They were seeing a counselor, but it was just so hard for her.
"Dad, would you want to meet Troy after the game?" I asked, and his head swung around to look at me. "Really?" I nodded my head, "He's right there." I said pointing to him as he was pulling his players in and my dad gave me a smug look. "Really?" I just smiled with a nod and he hugged me closer to him. "We've been together for over a month now so…we're pretty official." My dad laughed, and it had been a while since I heard him actually laugh.
"New boyfriend?" I tilted my head back to look at James and I smiled, "Yea, his name is Troy and we met at one of Blaine's basketball games last month. We hit it off pretty quickly." I told him, and James couldn't stop a small smile. "I'm really happy for you Gabi, I'm just sorry that we've been calling you still and…" I shook my head as I looked at James. "Do not apologize. I told him everything and he understands if I am pulled away. Trust me. That man has seen me through more moments than I would love to admit too."
James looked down and away as he looked over at Blaine. He was mostly in a zombie state recently. He wasn't talking too much of anybody and he was lashing out in complete anger a lot recently. Coach Sam's was having difficulty reeling him in. He had more outbursts at school and was just struggling to stay on top of everything. My eyes flickered back over to Troy as he was watching Blaine himself before replying with Cameron about something.
The game started fairly soon after that and I was so indecisive over who I wanted to win. I just shook my head as they were both playing hard. Troy was really in control tonight of his team as it would be a major upset if Troy beat West Ashley. James Island was playing tough and were causing massive amounts of turnovers. Troy ran his hands through his hair and I just shook my head back and forth as we still haven't gone that far, and I was getting antsy because he knew that turned me on.
He turned his head slightly to look at me, my eyes right on his body and he tried his hardest to stop the smile from erupting over his lips. I rolled my eyes which released the smile on his face as he tried to focus on the basketball game, but he seemed to be having trouble tonight. Moving my head, I looked over towards Blaine who was having an okay night and he seemed to get really frustrated on the court.
Sam's pulled him from the game and I saw him storm off before half time. Troy looked at him leave the court and he called a time out while James hissed behind me. I got up from my spot and I shook my head back and forth. I was still in my wide-legged slacks with a white button-up blouse that was tucked in. My heels clicked against the floor as I followed him. Mark looked at me and I just nodded as I disappeared around the corner to see Blaine out the first set of double doors.
I pushed out of the double set of doors and he turned around to face the other wall, "I'm fine," he hissed, and I shook my head, "No, you aren't." I replied, and he spun around to see me. His eyes were wide and he was scared tonight. "What's wrong?" I asked him and he looked at me. He was trying to be a boy who was much older than he actually was but he was failing. He was starting to show his age with the trauma that he had experienced after so many months. His eyes welled with tears, "What's wrong?" he asked me as if it was the stupidest question alive.
Biting down on my lip I just nodded my head, "Yea, please, enlighten me." I told him as I just knew he needed to let go of somethings on his chest. "My mom is dead Aunt Gabi, died, death, gone. I haven't heard her voice in over four months and I am dying on the inside. I miss the living hell out of her because Lucy has these nightmares almost nightly and you are never around anymore. You left us just like Aunt Beth did. Why?" I took a step back at the accusation and shook my head back and forth.
"I'm right here Blaine," I told him and he shook his head, "No. You are rarely ever there at family dinners anymore. You only come when we plead you through the phone for a nightmare when you know that Lucy has them more often than we call you for. You are never there. You left us just like my mom did, just like Aunt Beth, and now you? Is my dad next?" he was sobbing by this point and I just shook my head back and forth. "No, Blaine, I am not leaving you."
"You left at Christmas, you just up and left." I swallowed on the huge lump in my throat as I tried to breathe but I couldn't. I couldn't breathe as I just went over and hugged him tightly. "I'm never leaving you Blaine. We are in this together and I know I have been really busy and I know that so much has changed for you but I am right here. I always have been and I always will be." I whispered into his ear and he was shaking with a sob as I held onto him. "I have been neglecting you and Lucy. I need to be around more. I am going to try and balance my schedule better." I told him and he was so angry. "You guys stopped calling me." I whispered and he wiped away the angry tears.
"Grandma said you have a new boyfriend and she said to start calling her more. That you were smiling for the first time since my mom died." I felt my heart shatter as I didn't know my mom did that. I blanked at what to say as I bit my lip, "She's right, I do have a new boyfriend but that doesn't mean I don't want to be around you guys. I told him that I might have to leave because I have to be there for my niece and nephew. That I have to be there for them because their mom died and I am the only person left for them." Blaine looked at me with raw broken eyes causing my own eyes to fill with more tears.
"I am so sorry Blaine, so sorry," I whispered and he just shook his head back and forth as he looked at the double doors again to see a basketball game taking place. "Do you want to finish this game?" I whispered and he only nodded his head, "Blaine," he turned to look at me as I parted my lips and looked down, "I am going to be around more." I promised him and he just looked plain sad. Completely defeated as if his team was down by twenty. "Why did you leave at Christmas?" his bottom lip quivered with emotion as he looked at me and I tried to find something to say.
I inhaled sharply, "I didn't want to be around Lucy." I told him honestly, "She was already upset over your mom not being there and I was having trouble myself keeping it together. I didn't need her to see me fall apart." Blaine looked at me closely and shook his head, "She needed you and you left us there. My dad is a hot mess every single day and you are the only person who has been able to keep it together. Lucy needed you. I needed you." I couldn't stop the tears as Blaine left me in the hallway as the tears flowed freely down my face.
I waited until half time to leave the hallway so that Troy didn't see me. I walked over to the bleachers as a ton of eyes were on me as I picked up my purse and swiftly walked out of the gym. "Gabi," I kept walking when my dad looked at me. "Gabi, sweetie, what happened?" I just shook my head, "I can't be here." I whispered as my tears folded over and I tried to stop the tears. "I have to go. I am so sorry." I whispered as I left pulling my keys out.
Once I got into my car I doubled over in sobs as I felt terrible. I should have been more present. It was too soon to get this involved in a relationship and I just felt terrible. They did need me. It wasn't like my sisters were around to be there for them. It was just me. I had been more absent. I did leave during Christmas. I just wasn't there and I felt terrible. I inhaled sharply as I drove away and back to my apartment as I went inside and I quickly went to my shower as I sat under the hot water.
My body seemed frozen and unwilling to feel absolutely anything else. I was disappointed in myself for letting all of them down. I got out of the shower as I put on a clean hoodie with a pair of Nike shorts before I went to the kitchen to pour a large glass of wine. My eyes were aching from the number of tears shed and I couldn't focus. I sipped on my wine and continued to do it until the entire bottle had been poured. My eyes blurring and the focus leaving. How could I give all to my relationship and give my all to those kids? How could I do all of this? When a sharp knock came at my door I was startled as I walked to the door and opened it up to see the blue-eyed man with a huge amount of concern on his face. "G," he whispered and I shook my head as I turned away from him. Tears welled in my eyes because I was falling head over heels in love with this man but I had to take a step back.
"Troy," I said and my voice cracked, "Gabi, baby," his arms wrapped around me and I felt the first tear fall and an insane amount of pressure on my chest as the sobs broke free. He took my wine glass away and he turned me to pull me into his body. "I have been disappointing them. I haven't been around enough and Blaine hates me." I was sobbing so hard I wasn't sure if he could understand. His face softened in response and he shook his head, "He doesn't hate you." He reassured and I shook my head.
"You didn't hear him," I whispered as I tried to pull away but Troy only held me closer. "Gabs," his voice was stressed and he pulled my body closer to his. "I left them. I left them just like Beth did and it's because I have been doing so much with you and I feel so guilty." I was surprised when Troy's face remained neutral while he reached forward to let his thumb stroke my face. "I'm sorry." He whispered quietly and I looked away. "I know you're probably thinking that we can't be together because you need to focus on them but let me tell you Gabi…I am not letting you walk away from me because of something a very angry 16-year-old said."
I shook my head back and forth while I tried to break free but he pulled me back tighter against him. "The moment I came back from half-time and saw Blaine playing on the court and you were missing from the stands I was worried out of my damn mind. I kept looking over at your family as they weren't saying anything but just watching the game. I couldn't focus the last half of the game because you invaded my mind." I started to relax against him as I felt really bad. I ruined tonight. "The moment the game was over I told the boys I had to go and I let my assistant coaches handle it because you, Gabi, have me worried. I hate that something happened."
I sniffled as I turned towards him and he stroked my cheek gently, "I am so sorry that Blaine feels like you have left but you deserve a life. We can work something else out but we have to do this together." His hands folded into mine and he looked at me, those blue eyes were holding me right here on the spot. "I care way too much about you." He whispered and I leaned into him as I started to cry again. My eyes were so heavy with tears while he just held me against his body.
He didn't say anything but hold me against his body while pressing light kisses into my hair. I felt his phone vibrate a couple of times but he never once let go of me. "I don't know what to do," I finally admitted as the tears subsided but neither of us moved on the couch. "How about we do a family dinner or something?" Troy suggested lightly as if he didn't want to scare me off. "I want to be there for you Gabi and if that means one night a week, we go have dinner with Blaine and Lucy then by God, let's do it." I closed my eyes because I didn't deserve this man. I pulled away from him and he finally let me go as I turned to see he was still in slacks and a shirt.
"Gabi," I looked up at him and all I could see was concern deep in his eyes. "What happened?" he asked pulling my hand into his and I rehashed everything that Blaine was upset about. Troy just nodded his head and he seemed to understand where I was coming from when I told him that I had to be there with them more. I had fallen off the face of the Earth with Troy being around. I didn't want them to associate me with Beth.
"He's really angry," Troy said with a casual shrug, "And damn, I would be furious at the fucking world right now if I was him. His mom was taken from him when he needed her most. One of his aunts just disappeared and then we became a thing. It all happened so fast and it just…so much has changed for your entire family. You told me upfront that you had to be with your family and Gabi," he paused as he looked down. He took a deep breath and looked up at me, "That took bravery the night you told me. You knew that your family needed you and you have so much strength but you also have to be able to live too. You aren't there to replace their mom but to be a support."
He reached forward to brush a tear away, I shook my head and I looked up at him. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to ruin this night. I didn't mean to distract you." The dread and the panic began to set in but Troy just shook his head back and forth. "You did what you had to do tonight. I watched you follow Blaine and I knew that it might not be great but when you just disappeared, I was worried. We only lost by two which was frankly a miracle because damn…West Ashley." This was the first smile that I was able to force over my lips as Troy locked his fingers with mine. "Don't ever apologize," he whispered and I shook my head as he pulled me into his body again.
"I am sorry though. I just…I didn't want to cry a ton in front of Lucy or anybody for that matter. I'm a mess."
"You lost your sister."
"I don't deserve you."
Troy just squeezed me to his body, I really wasn't sure how he wasn't running out the door right now. I just wasn't sure.
Troy's POV
She fell asleep in my lap and I took her down the hallway to her bedroom. I gently laid her in her bed as I knew I had a few phone calls and text messages to return. I downplayed it for her earlier, I wasn't worried. I was fucking terrified. I was anxious and I am pretty sure Dylan did a lot of play calling tonight. We did only lose by two which was good because I could cover my ass but we could have probably won. I inhaled as I looked at her because she was something in my life that I knew I had to fight for.
I wasn't going to let her angry nephew let her push me away because she felt guilty. We were just going to have to do more things together with her family. I knew we were making sure we were okay but five weeks with her was more important. I wasn't even sure where all of this came from with her. I meet her, we have a fantastic date, she spilled her life details to me over the past couple of months, and I have this nagging feeling that I cannot let her go.
I have to be in her life.
The first phone call I make is to Dylan, "Is she okay?" he answered and I nodded, "Blaine I guess had a few words with her when he ran off. About how she has disappeared just like her sisters. Because of our relationship. She was really upset by the time I got here. I just feel bad for losing my head during that game." Dylan laughed, "It's fine man, the kids are worried about you though." I looked at my fingernails and I nodded, "Yea, I bet. I'll talk to all of them." I answered as I leaned back against the couch and rubbed my palm over my jaw that needed to be shaved.
"Troy…" Dylan started and I hissed, "Dylan," I replied back, "Don't even start."
"She is still grieving Troy, how are you supposed to know who she is? She is buried underneath grief." I exhaled loudly angry that he went there. "Not tonight," I snapped at him and Dylan didn't say anything for a minute. "Listen, you have fallen hard for her. I have never seen you act this way around anybody before and I am happy you found somebody who makes you happy. I just wish you would have met her at a different time. Can she even be in a stable relationship right now?"
I chewed on my bottom lip and I didn't say anything. I didn't have any words to say to him because it was a fair question. "I don't know Dylan; I can't let her walk away from me because she is grieving. She could be grieving for months or even years from now. Something in my gut says that I need to be here for her. That I need to cherish her and love her and show her that somebody else is there for her. She only has her family which is a broken pile right now."
Dylan let out a long sigh, "I just don't want to see your heart get hurt Troy,"
"I'm a grown man Dylan, and plus, why are you giving me relationship advice?" Dylan sucked in a dry laugh, "From the man whose heart has been broken, remember?" I didn't say anything because he did have a relationship other than middle school that really did break his heart in a way I didn't want to experience. "Thanks man, maybe we can get a beer soon?" I asked to hope to get off of this conversation. "Yea, I'll see you tomorrow."
Pushing myself off the couch I looked down at my dress clothes mad that I didn't have a change of clothes here. I debated about going to sleep in her room with her but I wasn't sure how well I would do with that. I wanted her in every single way but now wasn't the time. I inhaled sharply before I went to her bathroom and brushed my teeth. I pulled off my shirt and then my pants as I found a heavy blanket in the closet as I went to lay on the couch.
Tonight, was more of a mess than I wanted it to be. The moment I came back from the locker room and saw that she was gone: I panicked. I went back to the locker room and I panicked. I didn't want to pressure her to talk to me so I stared at my phone and prayed that she would at least text me. When I heard the horn, I put on the best face I could and went back out there. All four of my assistant coaches glanced at me with a bit of worry.
High school, college, and now through coaching, I had never been distracted by a girl. There was never a girl that captured that much of my attention to allow for my attention to be grasped. Gabi had my full attention though. Every single bone in my body wanted her and there was nothing I could do about it. She held my thought every moment we weren't together and the moment we did she was the only thing I could think and keep my attention on.
I tugged the blanket up and I dozed up for what felt like a small amount of time until a hand slid on my arm scaring the hell out of me. My eyes flew open and she looked at me with only a t-shirt on and a pair of sexy underwear. I tried to keep my eyes on her face, but they dipped to look at those beautiful legs. "You can sleep in my bed," she said quietly, and then she sat down next to the couch as I twisted onto my side. "I know, I just…" I paused, and I reached forward to brush her hair out of her eyes.
"I can't explain to you how badly I want you." I whispered to her, "But you are hurting, and I don't want to do anything that you'll regret later." Gabi let a little smile play at her lips and she looked down at her attire. "Do I need to put on baggy sweat pants and a shirt that doesn't hug any part of my body?" I laughed as I shook my head as I easily lifted her up and settled her on my lap. She finally just laid her head against my shoulder and I circled my arms around her.
My fingertip drew circles in her back and she reached up to kiss my neck. "You really don't mind being around my family?" she whispered into the dark and I squeezed her closer to me, "Absolutely not. We can even meet my family if that makes you feel better. Gabi, I'm not joking when I say I am not going anywhere. Your grief doesn't scare me." She paused and lifted her head up to look at me. "You steal every single second of my day," I told her quietly while my thumb went up to stroke her face. "You're the only thing I can think about when we aren't together and when we are together you have my full attention."
She leaned forward and those lips brushed against mine. "I'm falling head over heels in love with you Gabi, maybe we're meeting at the worst possible time for you but maybe I am coming into your life for a damn reason. I'm not letting you do this alone." She just buried her face into my chest and I let my fingers run through that gorgeous black hair. "Thank you," she whispered tilting up and I smiled, "Anything for you."
She let those lips come back to mine again and it was slow, wanted, full of everything. I groaned underneath her as she ran her fingers through my hair. There were only her thin panties and my boxer briefs separating us and I was struggling. She knew how much she was turning me on as she rubbed against me causing my throat to constrict. It had been way too long since I have had sex and I only wanted her right now.
"Gabi," I warned as she pulled her lips apart, my voice cracked on her name because I was trying to restrain myself. Trying to reel my body back to normal and she shook her head back and forth. "I want you so badly," she whispered into my ear and I squeezed my eyes shut. I was so hard, and I wasn't sure how much more I could take. It only took one more time of her rubbing against me with her warm center for me to flip her over and kiss the fucking hell out of her.
Our kiss intense and heated as I wedged between her legs, my fingers digging into her hair, and her hands roamed over my body.
She gripped my shoulders and her legs wrapped around my waist, "Let's go to my bedroom," she whispered breaking the kiss as we both panted trying to catch our breaths as I picked her up easily. I stumbled towards her bedroom and when we finally made it to the room the only light was the moon shining through the window. I sat her down on the bed as I discarded the shirt she was wearing and tossed it to the other side of the room.
I took my opportunity to find her neck and slid my tongue down it. I then pressed kisses down and across her collarbone before sucking lightly on it. "Fuck, Troy," she moaned underneath of me as I pushed her thin black panties to the side and allowed my fingers to dip into her. She groaned underneath of me and tilted those hips closer to me. I wanted to devour her and be inside her so badly. She panted, and I closed my eyes tightly because damn did, she feels good.
I focused long enough to pull my lips back to hers while she dipped her tongue into my mouth. I drank her in and explored all of her while keeping my fingers busy. I felt her body tighten underneath of me and she groaned loudly, "Troy," she opened her mouth and tried to say something else but only moans of approval came out instead as she was so turned on for me. Finally, after one little move, she was coming all over my hand. "Fuck," she dragged out and I pressed my body against her inner thigh and she bit down on that full bottom lip. "Please," she whimpered, and I could only growl with satisfaction. "Do you have a condom?" I mumbled towards her as I eased her panties down off her legs.
She twisted over and reached into her nightstand before pulling out a long strand of them. I tried to hide my smirk as I tore one-off and she shook her head back and forth. She pushed me backward and onto my back as she straddled me. She pulled down my boxer briefs and I groaned as her simple touch. "You better be careful or this will be over before it even started." She laughed and I closed my eyes at that musical sound as she rolled the condom on with such ease. I didn't want to know why she was so damn good at that and why it felt so damn good.
Her lips found mine again as I eased us back over while I put my knee between her legs trying to separate her body apart, she did without much thought as I pulled back to look into those brown eyes. Her lips with swollen and those eyes were full of lust and want. "Are you sure?" I asked her and she nodded her head up and down waiting for me and when I teased her, she groaned, "please," she begged quietly tilting those hips up more and I finally sank into her body causing both of us to moan with satisfaction.
"Jesus," I grumbled, and she held onto my arms as I created an easy rhythm between us. "Faster," she groaned again, and I almost lost it at those words until I picked up the speed causing her to wrap her legs around my waist to pull me in deeper. I buried my face into her shoulder, my hands propping me up off of her as it was an easy movement between us causing me to groan. "Fuck Gabi," she came undone again and I was only moments after her as we were both done, and I eased my body weight on top of her.
"Holy shit," she muttered, and I laughed as I rolled to my side and I tugged her closer to me. "Why did we wait so long?" I asked again as I tried to catch my breath. She didn't even have words for that as she smiled pushing up and finding my lips again. The moon hit her face perfectly and I smiled stroking her cheek gently, "That was worth the wait," I concluded, and she laughed nodding her head. "I'm about to cancel practice tomorrow so that we never have to leave this bed."
Gabi laughed, and I shut her up with a big kiss causing her to melt back into the bed. "You thought I was kidding." I whispered, and she looked up at me and shook her head, "Nope. Tomorrow, you meet the family."
I grinned from ear to ear, "Only if you come back to my house with me after." She smiled and nodded as I went in for another kiss. It was safe to say I was addicted.
Saturday, January 12th, 2019
"Coach B," I cringed because I knew it would only take seconds before one of them spotted it. Bryson's tone caused me to look over at him with my eyebrow raised. Gabi offered to put make-up on it this morning but I just shook my head because they would do so much more with that. They were all teenage boys. They knew. "Be careful Bryson, you don't want the whole team running because of something you said."
He tried to chock back a grin that was edging at the corners of his mouth. A hand slapped my back and Cameron had his own grin, "Well buddy, you can't force me to run. I'll just speak their minds for them. Seems that you ended up having a really good night." I just rolled my eyes and shook my head back and forth, "Yea, Coach B, you were off yesterday." Jake said and I nodded, "And I want to apologize," I said to the group that was gathering around us. "I was distracted in the second half of the game. You all played really well yesterday and I had some personal stuff going on but…everything is better." I acknowledged while most of them let grins slip over their faces.
"Does your personal stuff include the person who marked her territory?" I tried my hardest to not let my hand find the hickey she left on my neck. I just huffed out a breath, "Yes, it does. I've been dating a girl for a while now and she just has some stuff going on so…chill it. All of you." They all grinned back at me and I shook my head back and forth. "Go, do your warm-up," I said and they all scattered but that left me with people I knew were really going to give me shit.
"Better?" Jax asked and I just rolled my eyes while Jesse snickered. Dylan smirked while Cameron rocked on his heels, "Please, please tell me that she finally made you a man again." I balked at his statement, "Just because I don't go around fucking every girl, I see does not de-man me." I argued back and Dylan laughed, "Kinda," I rolled my eyes as I folded my practice notes and stuffed them in the front of my Nike shorts. "If you all must know, yes, it ended up being a really good night."
"It better have been for all of the distractions she put you through," Cameron teased, "But damn man, she really did leave her mark on you." I rolled my eyes as I finally let my fingers rub the spot. "Did you have trouble getting out of bed?" Jax teased and I laughed, "Absolutely I did. I was this close," I put my thumb and index finger super close together, "From canceling practice so I didn't have to leave her bed."
Jax laughed shaking his head, "You have it bad man, what did happen though?" I turned around to see all of them on the ground stretching and I shrugged, "I don't know what happened. I guess she and Blaine got into it when he left the court. He accused her of leaving just like his mom and her other sister-" I was cut off, "Other sister?" I just nodded, "She has another sister who ran away after Blaine's mom died." Shocked faces were met all around and I just nodded my head up and down. "So, Blaine felt betrayed. She was constantly around beforehand and then I came along and she just kind of …stopped."
"Damn dude, no wonder she fled." I just nodded rubbing my face as we ended the conversation and we went into basketball. Drill after drill as I ran with them and did whatever I could with them to strive to be better. I was sweating by the end of practice as they were scrimmaging between each other. "Are we good for tomorrow?" Jax asked coming up behind me and I nodded, "Probably. Gabs and Luna are probably coming. Unless she feels the need to be with her family or something."
"I think Sara is even coming," Jax said turning towards me, "She really likes Gabi," I smiled, "Yea, I know the feeling." The guys finished up as we would have practice again before our next game. I offered the gym more time if they wanted to shoot around for a while as I went to pick stuff up throughout the gym. "Troy, what are you doing tonight?" Jesse asked and I sighed, "I think I am meeting her family." I said with a shrug and Jesse's eyes shot up.
"When is the last time you did that?"
"A while but it had also been a while since I had sex. I'm just glad I took care of that problem first." I smirked causing the boys to laugh, "Aren't you proud of yourself for getting laid last night." I rolled my eyes with a laugh; I just stuffed the rest of the cones and practice jerseys away. I then tucked them into my office where I ran a hand through my hair. I had to go home and entertain Luna for a while, then I needed a shower, plus to get some flowers for her mom.
"Troy, good luck with the family tonight." Jesse said as his eyes drifted towards me and I smiled with a nod, "It should be good. I want her to feel comfortable bring me around and maybe I will be a welcome distraction." Jesse nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow." I nodded as he disappeared as I gathered up my keys and walked out to my car checking my messages.
Gabi: Last night was the best. Thank you for always being there for me. Want to get lunch?
I smiled as I got into my Jeep as I settled in before typing out a text back to her.
Troy: I have to go take Luna for a run or she is going to eat my house alive. I also have like…no clothes. I'll take a rain check on lunch. What time for dinner tonight?
I started my car and began the drive back to my house; I turned the radio down as I navigated the streets. I yawned from the long night last night but damn…I was glad we got that night. I took in a deep breath when I pulled into my driveway. I eased my car into the garage when my phone dinged again in the passenger seat. I picked it up after putting my car into the park.
Gabi: Of course! I'll pick you up at 6:30 for dinner tonight. I need some Luna kisses.
I smiled softly as I replied with an okay as I headed inside. Luna was talking through her cage and when she caught sight of me, she literally was bouncing up and down in her kennel. I laughed running my hand through my hair, "Hang on Luna, let me go change." I bounded up the stairs as I put on my running shorts with a cut-off t-shirt. I slipped on my running shoes as I found her leash before going back downstairs.
She was clawing at the cage, whining, I opened it up and she went sprinting for the door. I chased after her and hooked her leash on her before we both made it outside. She has been running with me since she was a baby so she knew the drill. She sprinted just enough ahead of me that she wasn't tugging me but that she had plenty of time to zigzag and smell around. Her nose to the ground and that tail wagging faster than life.
We did our normal three-mile run that helped release a lot of her energy and then we would play ball until she walked to the front door. It was an effective tiring method we had found when she didn't go to practice with me or was locked up more than usual. Biting down on my lip I rounded the cornerback to the house as I let Luna off her leash as she went sprinting for her ball. I groaned; she was still really hyper. All I wanted to do was take a nap and review the team film.
She chased down her ball and I shook my head, there goes my original plans.
Gabi's POV
I fumbled with my keys as I walked down the steps. I was terrified that my family wasn't going to like Troy or that Blaine was going to be mad because I am dating a rival basketball coach. I was dressed in a pair of skinny jeans with a cream t-shirt and an olive-green cardigan. My brown booties on my feet paired with bracelets and a Kendra Scott necklace. Earlier today, I went and got my nails done with Jenna earlier today as we, she, could only talk about last night.
First, she was concerned about everything with Blaine. Then when I told her that Troy and I did it…you would have thought I won a million dollars. She squealed and asked me how it went and all I could do was smile wide. Troy Bolton was a dream come true last night. He was everything I wanted in a man while having sex. He was kind, he thought about me and what I wanted, and fuck…he was beautiful. Troy bounded out of his house wearing a dark pair of jeans with a dark grey dressy hoodie. The top two buttons undone while exposing a white t-shirt underneath.
He opened my car door and he was quick to press his lips to mine, "I missed you," he whispered into my ear causing a smile to jerk onto my face. "I missed you, too," I said with a content smile crossing my features and Troy reached down to squeeze my knee. "How was practice?" I asked him as I pulled out heading towards James' house. "Good. The boys seemed to be pretty focused today, which is really good for my sanity." He turned his head and those blue eyes caught mine. A smile on his face as he seemed really happy today.
"What did you do today?" he asked, and I flickered on my blinker as I bit down on my lip, "Jenna and I went to get our nails done and then I worked on a few different cases," I told him as my eyes drifted over to meet his again. "That sounds thrilling," he yanked my free hand towards him as he examined my dip powder nails. It was a dark grey color against my skin and he smiled, "That color suits you really well." I smiled as Brad would have never cared to even look and just that made me warm. "Thank you."
"Did you do anything else fun today?" I asked him, and he laughed, "Besides trying to exhaust Luna and getting some film work done for next week but…I was pretty distracted by missing my girlfriend." He brought my hand up to his knuckles while he placed a soft kiss on my knuckles, I wiggled in my seat causing him to chuckle. "Tell me a little about your family," he said softly, I swallowed on the lump in my throat because I wasn't sure what was going to happen tonight.
"Well…my mom Gina is a really good person. She loves everybody and anything. She loves to cook and be there for absolutely everybody. I love her. I aspire to be like her. I want to be like her when I have kids. She loves to nag on us still, but she only wants the best for us kids. You've met her at my apartment, but I can't wait for you to really get to know her. My dad…" I paused as my throat constricted tightly, "My dad used to be adventurous and fun. He loved to do everything with us. He loved to constantly do new stuff and try new things, but the moment Zoey died…" I exhaled loudly as I couldn't even breathe thinking about it, "Everything from him vanished. It was like…she took his adventure with him."
A soft thumb ran over my knuckles, "He's normally holed up in the house. He'll occasionally go to one of Blaine's basketball games, but he can't bear to face the kids half the time. He put on a really brave face for Christmas and I was proud of him. He also used to be really close to Beth. I typically drifted towards my mom so losing both of them within a week of each other…it was so hard on him. I try to be a comfort but sometimes I feel like I am just a reminder."
"Gabs, do you really feel like that?" I nodded and shrugged, "It's nothing that can be changed. Not until Beth decides to come back to us and not until my dad can grieve Zoey's death. I'm just…the only one who was strong enough to stay and sometimes I don't feel like I actually am strong enough to do this." Troy's blue eyes never left me, and I could see how concerned he was for me. I could see that he disagreed with a lot of things that came out of my mouth.
"Can I just say…I don't think your dad would see you as a reminder of who is missing but of everything he lost. He had three of you beautiful women. I can only imagine the hurt that comes with that. I think it has a lot to do with his grief and hopefully one day he comes back to being his adventurous self but please, don't blame yourself." I swallowed on the lump and his thumb did another stroke. I nodded with a tiny look over towards him as I took another turn.
"James is Zoey's husband. He made Zoey so happy. She loved him for a really long time and loved him so hard. They were the couple that everybody was jealous of. They struggled with a lot of issues, but they constantly worked through them. James is…he is half of himself. The moment he found out Zoey died, half of him died too. He hasn't been the same. Not even close. He is trying to be okay for the kids, but I know James is really struggling. If he is distant or cold…do not take any offense. He used to be lively and full of jokes. He was a great guy."
"You know Blaine, well, on the basketball court. We'll have that to talk to him about. Again, if he is weird it's probably because you are the one who is taking me away from them. I hope with dinner we can all be around each other more often. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to spend a ton of my free time with them, but I guess I have to make it a bit more of a priority." I pulled up to my mom's house as I parked the car. I bit down on my lip as a small grin spread over my lips. "Finally, Lucy. She's five and full of life most days. She rarely lets the loss of her mom affect her during the day. Nights are the hardest for her because I think that's when she goes looking for her mom. She'll love you."
"They sound amazing, Gabs." My eyes turned to him and I smiled with a tiny nod. Tears filling my eyes, "I just wish you could have met Zoey and Beth. They both would have fucking loved you. So much." I swallowed down and Troy let go of my hand before getting out of the car. He opened the car door to my side and he then pulled me into his strong arms. My face planting against his chest and his lips buried in my hair. "I wish I could have met Zoey and I know I will meet Beth one day. You guys just have to give her time." He kissed my forehead and I wiped away the stray tears.
"I'm going home with you tonight…right?" Troy let a grin slip over his lips, "Absolutely. After last night?" he raised an eyebrow, "I need an encore." I giggled as his lips hovered over mine before placing a soft kiss on mine. "C'mon, I am so excited to meet your family." He slipped his hand into mine as I locked my car and held onto his arm as we walked to the front of the house. James was already here as his car sat in the driveway.
I pushed open the front door as Troy gave me a reassuring squeeze, "Mom? Dad?" I called out toward and I heard quiet voices in the kitchen. I kicked off my shoes as Troy followed. "In here Gabs," I walked towards the kitchen and I smiled at the scene in front of me. James had Lucy sitting in his lap while Blaine was scrolling on his phone. My dad was helping my mom cook dinner. "Aunt Gabi!" Lucy hopped up from her spot-on James and quickly collided with me. I picked her up as she snuggled into my chest.
"Hi, sweet girl!" I kissed her hair and I turned to face Troy, "Lucy, I would love for you to meet my boyfriend. Troy," I introduced her, and she peeked at Troy before pressing her lips together. "You are really tall." Lucy started, and Troy laughed as he nodded, "Yea, I get that a lot." He told her causing her to smile, "I'm Lucy. Aunt Gabi loves to call me Loosie-Goosy," Troy laughed again as he nodded, "It's an excellent nickname,"
Lucy hopped down and she peered up at Troy again while Troy looked down at her. Her face broke out in a big grin, "Can I show you my toys? I really want too, Daddy, can I show Troy my toys?" James chuckled as he looked at Lucy. The one true bright spot to his day was standing right in front of my very tall boyfriend. "How about after dinner?" I chewed on my lip as Lucy nodded as she hopped back up on the stool. "James, Blaine, this is my boyfriend Troy Bolton." Blaine narrowed his eyes, "Wait…are you the coach at James Island?" Blaine asked sitting up and Troy nodded, "Yea…you played a really good game last night."
Blaine blinked once, twice, and then a third time, "The second half." He finally muttered, "How did you and my aunt meet?" Blaine asked after a beat, and Troy stuck his hands in his jean pockets at Blaine's question. "I was at a West Ashley game scouting and she sat next to me. We hit it off." Troy sent a smile towards me and then James stood up. He reached over, "It's really good to meet you. I've seen a bit more happiness in her smile recently. I can only assume you've helped with that."
Troy smiled, "I sure hope so." I chewed on my lip some more until I began to draw blood from the nerves racing through my body. My dad was watching all of the interactions. Troy finally met his eye, "Mr. Montez, it's a pleasure to meet you. Gabi talks highly of you." Troy shook his hand and my dad smiled. "She has been pretty talkative about you as well. You coached a really good game yesterday," Troy let out a nervous chuckle, "I was a bit of a mess after I saw Gabi disappeared the second half of the game. It was hard to focus but my assistant coaches are amazing."
My dad gave Troy a look and I knew there was a promise between them later to talk. Troy finally turned to my mom, "Mrs. Montez, it is nice to meet you again. How have you been?" My eyes couldn't help but watch Troy walk around the room and talk to each of my families with a sense of ease. Happiness filling his voice as he made sure he gave attention to each and every one of them. I bit down on my lip as I felt Blaine looking over at me. Blaine got up and went to the living room, so I followed him. Troy was perfectly content chatting with my parents and I knew Lucy would keep him entertained as well. Blaine sat on the couch as he squeezed the back of his neck. I sat down on the other side of him. The couch shifted, and I squeezed his knee.
"Hi," I whispered, and Blaine looked down at his hands for a minute, "I'm really sorry about yesterday," Blaine finally spoke, and his eyes looked at mine. Those deep dark brown held back tears and I pulled him closer to me. I hugged him tightly, "Blaine, you have every right to be so angry at everybody." I whispered into his ear, "Every right. But I am not leaving you. I am not ever leaving you." Blaine crumpled over in tears as I just held him tightly to me. "I know I left at Christmas and I am so sorry. I am just really struggling myself and Christmas was really hard."
I rubbed his back and I inhaled sharply as I spoke, "Blaine, you have lost so much in not a lot of time. I'm sorry that I got distracted but Troy does make me happy. Really happy right now and I need some of that in my life. I lost the same exact people and it hurts every single day. Those were my sisters. Your mom and aunt. It's so hard to get out of bed every single morning realizing I don't have either of them." Blaine pulled back and I wiped away tears from his eyes.
"You call me. Any time of the day." I whispered to him, "Whenever you need me. I told Troy from the very beginning about everything. That you needed me still. That my family needed me. I didn't know Grandma told you guys to not call me. Please, do, he knows. He understands. He wanted to meet everybody tonight so when I was called…he could come too. He can be another support person. He wants to be there for you guys too." Blaine's eyes flashed in pain and he nodded, "Okay," I hugged him again. "Okay," he whispered a little bit louder as I kissed his temple. "I will always be here for you, Blaine. I am not going to leave you. I am staying right here."
Blaine nodded his head and he looked at me, "I love you, Aunt Gabi. I am so sorry about yesterday. I just…I miss her." I bit down on my lip and I nodded, "I miss her so much," I told him, and he bit down on his lip while he scrubbed his face with his large hands before he looked at me. A tiny smile playing at his lips, "The James Island Coach…really?" I laughed as I shrugged, "I didn't know." I said with a shrug and Blaine smiled. "Think he'll play basketball with me?"
I laughed, "Yea, he definitely will."
My eyes looked up and I saw Troy and James standing in the doorway, I smiled, "Boys, what can we help you with?" James shrugged as he looked at his son, "Just coming to tell you guys dinner is done." Blaine hopped up moving quickly towards the kitchen as James hugged him on the way back. Troy lingered back, and he stuck his hands in his pockets as he looked at me. "You guys okay?" Troy asked, and I nodded as I kissed his cheek. "Yea how are my parents?" Troy smiled, "I think I like them. Lucy is really excited to show me her toys though." I cracked a smile because that was very Lucy like.
He escorted me back to the kitchen where everybody was piling food on top of their plates. Troy and I formed in line as we made our plates adding all the different foods. Chicken, potatoes, green beans, with rolls. "This food smells so good," Troy said as we took a seat at the table. "Troy, I enjoyed watching you coach last night. What do you do for the school district?" my dad asked as we all dug into our food. I took a sip of wine as Troy stuck with water. "I am a business and government teacher at James Island." Troy said, "I am trying to find a date that Gabi can come into my classroom and talk to all of my business students. It would be nice to give them a different side of the business world."
"You need to find some dates," I teased back, and Troy smiled, "I'll look tomorrow. Remind me." I nodded my head as I really wanted to see in the classroom setting. I was pretty sure we would have to stay with each other that night to be able to function later. "Didn't you help James Island get two championships while you were in high school? Coach Sam talks about you all the time." Blaine spoke up and my eyes flickered over to him. Troy seemed a little shocked by Blaine approaching him, but he recovered easily.
"I was a part of those two teams yes," My eyes flickered over to his, "I didn't know you won two state championships," Troy smirked, "Yea, it was a good time. I really like Coach Sam. He definitely is one of my mentors when it comes to coaching basketball. He knows how to control a team but also let you guys have fun. It's a joy to watch." Blaine smiled while pushing at some of his food. "I just can't wait to play you guys at home," Troy teased, and Blaine smiled. "It'll be a good game, last night was a lot of fun."
Troy smirked, "Yea, it was. I just plan on winning the next one." Blaine chuckled, "Whatever you say," Troy laughed himself as he took another bite of food. "Troy, where did you go to college?" My mom asked, and I knew this night was going to be all about Troy, but I don't think Troy minded. "South Carolina. I walked onto their basketball team but was never going to get any playing time, so I went ahead and just dropped and did other things of interest."
"Aunt Gabi, will you be at my games this week?" Blaine shifted towards me and I nodded, "Of course. Tuesday and Friday, right?" he nodded as I knew Troy had a game Friday, but I had to be there for Blaine this week. I would rotate whose game I was going to when they overlapped. "I'll be there on Tuesday," Troy mentioned, I reached for his hand as I gave it a squeeze underneath of the table because I liked that he would go with me. "I may or may not scout but…" Blaine laughed as I inhaled, "Maybe after I look at Lucy's toys, we can test out that basketball goal out front."
Blaine's eyes light up and I felt the lump grow in my throat. I saw the click of James jaw that his kiddos were happy with him here. I inhaled as I looked at my parents as they were all smiling towards us and I knew that Troy was going to just fit in with my family. I wished badly that Beth was here tonight, but I knew she had to come back when she was ready. Wherever she went. We all finished dinner and as I filled up another glass of wine while Lucy went to show Troy all of her toys that were kept at Grandma and Grandpa's house. My mom smiled, "He's good with them," she said quietly as I leaned in the doorway watching.
"He's pretty amazing," I told her with a smile and she nodded biting her lip, "You deserve this, Gabi. I don't know what Blaine said last night but don't push him away because of everything else going on. Just let him be there for you. I think this was good for Blaine and I think Blaine likes him." I smiled as I looked back at Lucy and Troy grinning while he played with her. "Gabi," I turned to see James as he was wiping off his hands. "He seems like a really great guy," I nodded my head as I swallowed back tears, "I just wish Zo could have met him." James blinked and nodded as he pulled me into a hug. "You know she would have loved him."
I laughed and nodded because she would. "James, you can still call me whenever. Troy knows everything. He knows that you guys still need help. I still want to help. I want her to be okay, I don't want either of them to think that I left them because of Troy. I just…I love you guys. I know how sad you guys still are and that's okay." James nodded, and I took a deep breath as I looked at Troy again. "I will. Your mom told me about Troy and I am happy for you. I want you to have life still Gabi. Zoey would be killing all of us if we didn't let you have this. She hated Brad for you. Up and down hated him and I know she would have loved Troy."
James peeked in on the two on the floor as Troy was playing with a princess doll without any shame. "You know that Brad would never play with the kids. He barely tried to come to any family dinner. I can see that Troy is already so much different." I nodded as I took another sip of my wine, "I am glad I left Brad, I am so glad I found Troy. I just hope we can keep making this work." James squeezed my shoulder. "You'll make it work."
James walked into the living room and Lucy giggled showing him something. Troy laughed as James said something and Troy nodded before he stood up. He looked at me and I smiled as I took my hand to grab his. "Thank you," I whispered, and Troy tilted his head to the side. "For what?" he asked, and I exhaled, "For being there for them," I whispered, and Troy smiled. "She just wanted somebody to play with. I am always happy to play with the kiddos." I swallowed on the lump in my throat as he kissed my forehead.
He moved to find Blaine and it wasn't long before they were outside playing basketball. Lucy went to play in the yard while all of us took a seat to watch Troy and Blaine. Troy stripped his hoodie and tossed it up to me as I shrugged off my cardigan and pulled his hoodie on instead as the cool breeze came as the sun was setting. "He seems good for you," my dad sat down next to me and I smiled, "He's pretty great,"
My dad smiled, "I'm sorry Gabs, I should be helping with Lucy and Blaine more. I am just…" I took his hand and I squeezed it. "Don't apologize, Dad. We are all grieving differently." My dad was aching for his daughters back and I smiled as I heard Blaine laugh and I looked down to see Troy shaking his head. "Sure, you don't want to skip on over to James Island?" Troy countered, and Blaine shook his head with a laugh. "No. Coach Sam would kill me." Troy wiggled his eyebrows, "I will protect you." I smiled curling up in my seat. "Brad would have never done this," my dad mentioned, and I laughed, "That's what James said."
"It's true."
I took another sip of my wine and I shook my head as I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I pressed her name and I put the phone to my ear. It rang until it went to voicemail per normal and I sighed, "Hey Bethy…I just wanted to call and tell you how much I love you. If this is how you need to grieve, I understand, I just miss you. A lot." I smiled as I watched Troy box out Blaine for the ball. Troy gave him a few pointers and Blaine willingly listened to him. "I wish you were around to meet, Troy. He's amazing and the family seems to love him. I know you'll meet him one day, whenever you are ready. Until then…I love you. Be safe."
I hung up after that and I smiled as Troy looked up at me and I winked at him. He grinned before he went back to playing. I was too lucky.
Happy Sunday! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I love that you guys are enjoying the story and I hope you enjoyed the cute Troy and Gabi moments in this chapter! Where do I find a Troy? Hahah
Have a great week!
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Next Update: August 23rd
