Chapter 11 – Routine

Sunday, March 10th, 2019

Gabi's POV

I twisted over in bed as I reached for Troy but couldn't find him. I grunted as I sat up and I got out of his bed. Luna was sprawled out on the floor by my bed as I grabbed a hoodie and slipped it over. It was play-offs right now as they were in the second game tomorrow. He invited me over for dinner tonight because we hadn't had much time with each other these past couple of weeks with constant basketball games and schedules. He had escorted me to bed where we had more laughs and ecstasy moments than we had in a while. I must have fell asleep though.

My feet padded down the hallway as I saw the TV on in the living room. I leaned against the wall as I watched Troy intently watch film on the TV. He would fast forward and then write something down before moving on to another section. Tomorrow was a huge game for them and Troy was desperate to win. They won the first round of playoffs last week and were ready for the next round. Troy rubbed his forehead as we had formed quite the routine over the last month.

We would try to get dinner with each other once or twice a week and we would share whose apartment we stayed that night. Then, we spent most of the weekend together. We tended to do some sort of date night on Saturday and then Sunday he would spend the morning with the boys, I would spend time with Jenna or I would get together with Lennon, Sage, and Sara. I bit down on my lip as I tilted my head against the wall again as I breathed in deeply.

Troy finally turned his head and caught me standing there, "Brie, baby, what are you doing up?" he asked pausing the video and I smiled as I walked across. He was in a pair of gym shorts with a snug t-shirt on his bicep. A pair of glasses framed his face as I settled into his lap. His arms wrapping around me as I curled into his body. "I woke up looking for my handsome boyfriend and he wasn't in bed with me." Troy laughed as he kissed the top of my head. He smelled so damn good – it was a mix of bergamot with his laundry soap. Fresh and clean.

"Sorry, I got caught up watching film. We're all watching film." He clarified as he waved his phone that was constantly pinging with a new text message. I laughed, "It's like 3am. The game is tomorrow. You need to sleep." I reminded him, and he shook his head, "Plus, I won't be in that bed again for several days. You better come enjoy it." I teased, and he grunted, "I don't know why you just don't move in with me," he breathed pressing his nose into my skin.

"Because we've been dating for all of three months." I reminded him, and he rolled his eyes, "The best damn three months." Troy pressed his lips to mine gently while his eyes fluttered shut for a minute. "You look like you need to go to sleep." My voice whispered into his ear, I hugged him, and he breathed, "I know. Basketball season is almost over and then I really plan on dating you so hard you are going to move in to just let up on the dating." I laughed as our lips connected again. I pulled back and rested my forehead against his.

"Come to bed please,"

He brushed away the hair as he kissed me gently. "Let me finish this half, okay?" I nodded as I laid my head on his shoulder and Troy glanced at me, "Go, watch," I said pointing towards the TV. He chuckled and nodded his head. He turned the TV back on as I tried my damn hardest to not let my own eyes close, but the basketball was luring me to sleep. Troy would send a text every so often waking me up and then I heard the TV click off.

Troy shifted and gently grabbed me as he stood up. His arms kept me close to his chest, I felt the vibration of his phone as he cursed underneath his breath. I felt him lay me down on the mattress as he quickly grabbed his cell phone. "Cam, man, I'm trying to get Gabs back to bed." He grumbled into the phone. Troy was quiet for a moment as he began to walk back out, "T," I groaned from the bed as Luna lifted her head.

Troy turned around as those blue eyes pierced me, he held up a finger as he walked down the hallway. I laid back on the bed defeated. Luna looked at me and I patted the bed for her to jump on. "If your daddy isn't going to join us then you might as well." Luna licked me face as I curled into her body. We snuggled together as I began to fall back asleep. "The fuck, Luna," I smiled as I opened my eyes to look at Troy. "You left again. I was cold."

Troy laughed as he rolled his eyes, "I'm sorry, I just had to finish." It was my turn to roll my eyes as he shooed Luna off. "No, the dog stays." I grumbled as I twisted away from him. Troy didn't say anything, but he moved until he found my hand, "I promise. I'm going to make it up to you, B." I didn't say anything as I was drifting back off into a nice dream land.


Monday, March 11th, 2019

I woke up with his mouth on me, my hips tilting up without being conscious. I moaned underneath of him and he chuckled, "Told you, I told you I would make it up to you." I finally pried my eyes open and I took in a gasp of a breath. His warm tongue was all over me, his lips pressing delicate kisses inside my thigh. I moaned out from underneath of him. My fingers found his hair and tugged gently; it didn't take long before I was panting heavily as his lips inched up my body.

His large erection pressing into my belly, "Good morning," he whispered into my ear and I smiled as our lips tangled with each other. "Do I have to go to work?" I questioned. Troy let out a low laugh and he grinned, "If I have to go to work, which I do, then you might as well work." I shook my head back and forth. "No, let's just stay in bed today." I said locking my arms around his neck. His lips buried into my neck while he pressed kisses to my neck, collarbone, and then over to my shoulder.

"Baby, I fucking wish. How about after basketball season is officially over, we go away for a long weekend. Thursday through Sunday. Just us two. No basketball. No work. No drama." He said leaning up and I smiled while kissing him softly, "I'll see what work is looking like before I fully commit but that sounds amazing."

"Where would you want to go?" he whispered as he continued to work his mouth over my body. "Mmm…what about Savannah?" I whispered, and Troy pulled back slightly as his eyes found mine. A small smile pulling at his lips. "It's been so fucking long since I've been to Savannah." Troy said as he tugged at a piece of my hair, "I don't think I was even 21 yet." He replied, and I grinned, "Then let's go. It'll be a fun weekend. We can find a cute little place to stay and explore. I've only been once, and it was for a school trip."

Troy grinned as his lips found mine again, "I love you," he whispered against my lips and I laughed as I hooked my legs around his waist. "C'mon hot stuff, I need you." He groaned before kissing me harder and then his tip teased my entrance, "I would give absolutely anything to be bare inside of you," he grumbled, and I closed my eyes because I fucking desperately wanted it too but we did not need any sort of accidental pregnancy.

"Not today, but soon." I compromised with him as I fished out a condom. "So, does that mean you'll let me marry you soon?" I laughed as I kissed him again.


Troy's POV

My eyes scanned the room as the class was taking a test. Yet, my brain was on anything but this class. I was thinking about the game tonight. I was thinking about my damn pretty girlfriend who I was head over heels in love with. I was thinking about everything but what was happening in front of me. I scanned again as this was Bryson's hour and he was constantly shooting me looks. The door to my class room opened and Dylan walked through.

I raised an eyebrow, "What's up?" I mouthed as he came over. He smiled, "Just running these over," he slid across the reports he did this morning. I nodded, "Thanks man," he nodded as he surveyed my class. "How's it going?" I nodded, "Good," I said with a smile eating at my face, "You and Gabs must have had a good morning," Dylan said, and I grinned with a chuckle echoing out of my mouth. "Damn, straight, she was upset last night that I wasn't in bed, so I woke her up really fucking nice this morning."

Dylan grinned like a cat, "Yea, you have it bad with her." I scrubbed my face as I looked out as kids slowly began to turn in their tests. I collected each of them as I added it to my pile for shit to do later. Dylan sat down next to me as he watched all the kids slowly finish up. "Yea, I love my job." I laughed as Bryson finally walked up to the desk. "Coach Dylan, you are in the wrong building." Bryson pointed out and Dylan laughed. "I had to come drop off some film for Coach B to watch."

"You look happy," Bryson observed, and I just rolled my eye while Dylan laughed. "Good observation, Bryson. Good observation." Bryson grinned, "Gabi going to be here tonight?" I just nodded, "Yea, she will be." I said tilting my chin back to look at Bryson, "Yea, that's why you are in a good mood. I like her." I laughed, "Same," I mentioned as the bell rang as the class quickly got up. I let them all go as Bryson lingered behind.

"If we win this game, who will we play?"

"Either West Ashley or Lewisville."

"When do they play?"

"Tomorrow night," I told him, "But that's not for us to worry about yet. You need to get to your next class. I'll see you after school." Bryson just nodded as he scooped up his backpack and quickly escaped my room. Dylan smirked, "I gotta get back before my next class but have fun my man," I nodded as he slipped out. I picked up my cell phone as my next class began to roll in. Nothing from Gabi and I took in a deep breath as I put my phone away and went back to my day job.

Trying my damn hardest to not think of her and to not think of tonight's game.


My eyes surveyed the gym as it was almost half time and I didn't see her. My gut was swimming with worry. It scared me that she wasn't here because I haven't heard from her today. Typically, she sends me a few texts every now and then but nothing. Crickets. I focused in on the game as I couldn't let her affect me right now. This game was too big for me to get focused on that instead. I already lost one game because of distractions.

Irritation stirred in my gut because she knew this was a big game. A really, really big game. I heaved a sigh as I called another play while the offense unfolded. The ref blew his whistle and my head whirled around to look at him. "Excuse me?" I asked as he called a double dribble, he shrugged as he began to walk away. "No, I want you to explain that to me. That was a serious bullshit call." I announced, and the ref whirled around to face me.

"Easy, Coach." I shook my head, "Rob, I need you to explain that to me. He didn't pick the ball up." I said, and the ref shook his head. I rolled my eyes as I turned around to let my clipboard hit the ground. Jesse and Jax both sent me a glance as I took a seat. I rubbed my hands through my hair as I watched the defense unfold and I yelled out a few things, but they easily corrected and stole the ball back.

"Triangle," I yelled holding up my fingers, they successfully let the play unfold and I clapped as they scored and continued down the court. We were up by seven when the buzzer rang for half time. The kids ran back to the locker room when Cameron and Jax pulled me aside. "You need to focus." Cameron hissed, and I nodded, "I know," I stressed, "I am trying. I'm fucking worried about her though." Jax shook his head, "Not tonight. You can worry after sixteen more minutes. They need your focus now more than ever."

I brushed my fingers through my hair again as I breathed, "Okay, okay, I will focus." A doubtful look was shared between the two as the rest of the coaches came back out and we strategized. My eyes casted out to the crowd again as I spotted Macken, Brady, my parents, and I could feel Macken staring back. She just nodded her head and I nodded back as I knew she was probably trying to contact Gabi. They were becoming fast friends because of the games.

Going into the locker room, I talked with the players, we came up with the bad and the good. What we could do to improve, and we made our second half game-play together. Once we heard the buzzer, they all went running back out. I took three deep breaths as I had to let go of Gabi for the next sixteen minutes.

My brain was worried, it was angry, and I knew that she most likely had a very rational reason. I just had to wait to find out.


Gabi's POV

I sat next to Blaine as he laced his fingers together. My apartment was quiet as I knew from the moment, I got out of bed this morning that this day wasn't a great day. Yes, it started really well with Troy but I just…something in my gut said something was wrong. My gut wasn't wrong. James called me at 12:30 telling me that Lucy was running a dangerously high fever. Her first illness without her mom. She was hysterical, and James couldn't get it under control.

He wanted me to go with him to the hospital, so I did. I waited with the both of them in the waiting room, in the room, and as she ran test after testing it came back with the flu, but they couldn't control her fever. It kept getting higher and higher causing them to admit her into the ICU. Blaine was hysterical when I picked him up from school and I just held onto him for the longest time. His baby sister was too sick. He couldn't visit her, and he had a big game tomorrow.

My eyes were so heavy as Blaine was almost asleep against me when a loud thump came against my apartment door. Blaine quickly sat up and I squeezed my eyebrows together. "Who is that?" he questioned, and I just shook my head, "It's okay. Just stay here." I told him as I got up off the couch and I went to my apartment door. I peeked through the peep hole and I felt my heart land in my stomach to see my very, very angry boyfriend on the other side.

I completely fucking forgot.

I opened the door and he just stared at me for a moment, "Where the fuck were you tonight?" he boomed, his loud voice shook the entire area around us. I shook my head as I pushed him backwards, "No, Gabi," I shut the door as it clicked because I knew it wouldn't take Blaine very long to investigate. "Stop, Blaine is inside," I told him quietly and Troy just shook his head as he turned away from me. He roughed a hand through his chestnut hair that was at one point styled but no longer. "I'm sorry," I stressed, tears already threatening as the waves of anger rolled off of Troy. Troy shook his head back and forth, "You're sorry? I haven't heard from you all fucking day, Gabi." I tried to speak but Troy let a flow of anger leave his mouth.

"I understand you can't fucking make it to all of our games but when I know you are supposed to come…and you don't show up? I get fucking worried. Really fucking worried. I get worried that you are just going to fall apart and finally grieve your sister." My eyes snapped to him and was he shaking his head, "That you might just up and leave like your sister. I don't really know what you will actually do. I don't know. I wish I knew what was coming but you are grieving and that is so fucking unpredictable. If you would have just sent me a damn text, I wouldn't be so damn worried. I can't focus when I'm worried about you Gabi." His blue eyes were pleading with mine to completely understand him. To see that he fucking loved me so damn hard already and that he cared. He cared too much.

"No, please, stop cursing." I begged quietly, "Blaine is inside right now, and I don't want him to think anything is wrong with us." I explained quietly as silent tears ran down my face. Troy finally glanced at me. I could see the worry etched in his face and I felt the tears filling my eyes continue to leak. He was really fucking mad and I just didn't know how to explain everything to him. "I am really, really sorry." I told him as I looked down, "My day has been less than perfect. It's been awful, and I had to leave work at 12:30 from a frantic phone call from James as Lucy was running a dangerous fever. We took her to the hospital, I had to get Blaine, and he is here because he can't see his sister who is in the ICU." Troy blinked once, and he exhaled. His chest collapsed and he leaned against the railing that looked down towards the street. I watched him in take a few more breathed trying to slow down everything. "I wanted to come. I wanted too." I stressed to him.

Troy rubbed his jaw and he nodded, "And if you would just have sent me a fucking text that something was wrong, I wouldn't have been worried, but I was. All night. We barely won that game by the skin of our damn teeth." I breathed in deeply as I just turned away, "I'm sorry. I don't know what else you want me to say right now." I spoke quietly, "I have to go take care of my nephew." Troy's jaw clicked and moved roughly. He grabbed my elbow gently, "I just can't be worried about you all the damn time Gabi, I need to know."

I swirled around, "I don't know why you need to know. You know the only reason I wouldn't show up to that game was if something came up with my family. The same family that I have told you needed me. Desperately. They come first, and you said you understood that. You don't get to take back those words." Troy's blue eyes flared over to mine, "I don't care that your family needed you Gabi! It was the fact that I didn't know why you weren't there. I just needed that one fucking text. One simple text…and everything would have been fine. I would have run over here after the game and I would have helped you tonight but you couldn't bother with a text. What if something happened to you? What if you got into a car accident or what if somebody hurt you on your way? How am I supposed to know when it's your family or something is wrong?" Troy heaved a breath and his eyes were pleading with me to understand. I could see all the love on his face.

"I was a little busy." I retorted back to him because I couldn't have a civil conversation apparently. Troy just nodded his head with a sarcastic manner, "Yea, I get it. This isn't important." He said waving his fingers between us and I squinted at him. "I don't know where you are getting that idea from, Troy. I really don't." I felt my heart sink in my chest, "Do you really think that I haven't grieved my sister?" I questioned, and Troy didn't say anything, his eyes just stared at me. "Maybe I don't know who you are and maybe you don't know who I am."

"Gabi, you have been taking care of James, Lucy, and Blaine since it happened. You haven't stopped. So, please, enlighten me about when in the fuck you would have actually grieved her death? Quietly at night in your bed? No, you are constantly being beckoned out of bed to go tend to Lucy's nightmares. You work every day. You used to have dinner with them every night until I came along. I just don't know when you did it, Gabi and that scares me because the moment you do…it will destroy you."

"I've grieved for my sister! I've cried. I've yelled. I've gotten angry Troy!" he just nodded, "Okay," he breathed, "Fine, you've done all of those things but Dammnit, Gabi, why is James still grieving? Why are you still picking him up off the floor? Why has absolutely nobody picked you up off the floor yet?" I stared up at him and those blue eyes were only concerned for me. "You've constantly been the one supporting everybody. Your dad, your mom, your brother in law. You've done all of the supporting and I can only do so fucking much for you, Gabi. I'm scared that you are going to one day not be able to get out of bed, that you'll finally understand why Beth isn't here anymore." I blinked tears away from my eyes as I turned away.

The bob in my throat too big to swallow against. "I love you, B. I really do. That's why when I didn't see you in those stands in the first quarter, I was scared something happened. When I didn't see you the second quarter, I was insanely worried. After the half, I was just angry because you don't understand that after only three months that I am sick over the fact that something could have just happened to you." I buried my face into my hands as the sobs were muffled. His hand slipped onto my shoulder for a moment as he rubbed them gently. "I care about you, I love you." He whispered into my ear, his warm breath tickling my neck and automatic desire shot through my body but I pushed it aside. "And I absolutely know that your family still needs you but when do you get to just cry and let somebody else hold you?"

I shook my head back and forth, "No. This isn't fair." I whispered, "It wasn't my mom. It wasn't my wife. My daughter. It was just my sister." Troy's face softened, "That doesn't make it any less awful for you, Gabi. You deserve to be fucking sad."

My chin trembled, and I turned to go back inside because I couldn't handle any more of this conversation. "I have to go take care of Blaine; I am really happy that you won tonight. I'm sorry I didn't text you. I understand." I whispered as I tried to hold back the sobs that were rattling my chest. His hand slipped around my upper arm, "Gabi, no, please, don't be mad. I'm sorry, I just…I was worried." His voice was finally relaxed, and I dropped my head forward against the door. A soft sob rolling through my chest.

His hands gently pulled me back against his body as the sobs crippled through me. "I love you," he whispered into my hair. His lips pressing against me and I just held onto his shirt. My fingers slipping through as I tugged gently to keep him close. "I'm sorry about Lucy," he whispered after my sobs died down. His hold on me absolutely never letting up as he just let me cry from this long, exhausting day. These long exhausting six months. "Aunt Gabi?" I heard the door as I pulled away from Troy. My hands quickly wiping away the tears that were running down my face. Troy could only give me a look of concern as I forced a smile, "I'm okay, Blaine." I told him as his eyes swept over me and he frowned. He could read me too well.

"Hey Troy," he said quietly, and Troy gave him a tiny smile with a nod, "Heard if we win tomorrow, it'll be our third game of the season." Troy laughed, "Barely." He announced with a grim smile, "But yes, I'd like the rematch." Troy challenged, and Blaine laughed, "I'll see what we can do about that. We need that tiebreaker." Troy laughed as I bit on my lip, "I'll be back inside in a minute, okay?" Blaine nodded his head and twisted to go back inside.

Once the door was collapsed behind us, Troy let his thumb brush over my bottom lip. "That's what I am talking about, Gabi. You should be able to tell him that you are fucking sad because you lost your best friend, your sister, your everything. You are allowed to be that and if you can't cry in front of Blaine, James, or your parents? Then you haven't grieved this yet. You haven't allowed yourself to accept that it isn't your responsibility to keep this entire family together."

I pulled away from him and I shook my head, "No, that was Zoey's job and she's gone." I breathed as I turned and walked into the apartment. I shut the door, locked it, and closed my eyes tightly.


Tuesday, March 12th, 2019

Troy's POV

I couldn't breathe.

Not since she shut the door and locked it yesterday.

Not since she ignored my pleas through the door.

Not since I sent her five text messages and called her twice as many times.

I pushed her. That was my fault but I didn't want to be mean, but I was speaking the honest to God truth. I was angry yesterday. So angry. I just needed her to see how much I loved her and I worried about her. If she wasn't supposed to be there it would have been one thing but she told me that morning she was coming. Then for her to not show up? Cue my god damn anxiety and worry. She was slowly becoming the center of my world.

"You need to focus." Cameron threw a ball at me at practice and I easily caught it but my head was swimming. I was a million miles away from this gym right now. "I can't. Take over practice. I'm going to go find her. I am going fucking crazy." I said as I picked up my jacket. Cameron rolled his eyes at me. "Troy, you pissed her off. You said things she wasn't ready to hear. You knew she was grieving." Jax came over and patted my back, "Good luck getting out of this one." I just nodded as I felt it all on my shoulders.

"I am going to the game tonight anyways; she's going to be there." I said as I brushed my fingers through my hair. "Then just wait. That way you give her plenty of time to think." I just nodded as I tried to zero in on practice. I just never had this much trouble before. I have never in my life been so consumed by one girl. The boys played extra hard and I practiced with them. I pounded my feet into the ground as I pushed them harder and harder. I pushed myself harder and harder. My argument was valid. I just wanted to be notified that she wasn't going to make it. That's it. I'm not angry that her family needed her or that she couldn't make it. I was just worried.

My body was sweating from top to bottom when I blew my whistle to end it. The guys all cheered, and I breathed out as I took my t-shirt to wipe my face. "Good work guys, if you can, go to the West Ashley game tonight. We play the winner on Friday for an advance to the final four." I spoke carefully as this was a really good class. A good group. "Coach Jax, Cameron, and I will all be there tonight. You can sit with us if you want to talk about the game." I said with a nod to the coaches.

"Tomorrow, we'll watch film and then go from there. Make sure you get your homework done and work hard in the classroom." They all nodded as we did our chant and they headed off. I quickly slung my bag over my shoulder, dug out my keys, and sent a text to my mom to see if she was okay with hanging onto Luna. A breath of air puffed out of my lungs as I called Gabi again to get no answer. I sped home so I could shower and change.

Pulling on a pair of fresh jeans with a South Carolina hoodie, I slipped on my Adidas shoes and moved out the door. I called her again for no answer. I blew out a hot breath of air as I hated this. I hated that I made her this angry. I hated that I made her want to ignore me. I hated that I just wasn't understanding enough. Shaking my head, I drove to the gym and I pulled in, I showed my Coach's pass before I maneuvered into the gym.

West Ashley was on the floor warming up as I glanced around trying to find Gabi but I could only come up with her mom, dad, and James. My heart sank as I walked over, I tucked my hands into my jeans as I approached. I wasn't sure what she told her family by now. James glanced up and he smiled, "Hey, figured you would be here to scout." I gave a tight smile and a nod, "Yea, I am. Gabi here yet?" I asked and James frowned slightly as her parents shared a look.

"No, she's staying with Lucy tonight. I promised Blaine I would be here, and Lucy is still in the hospital. I assumed she had said something to you." My gut bottomed out and I gave a pinched smile, I couldn't be here. "Thank you," I said as I turned and began to walk back out of the room. "Whoa, where are you off too?" Jax asked stopping me, I breathed out a grunt, "Gabi is at the hospital with her niece. I fucking can't be here right now. I need to talk to her. I pushed through my day of work. I pushed through practice. I can't." Jax just nodded his head this time and didn't argue with me. He knew that I had enough today. That this had been too much for me as is.

"I'll take care of it." I nodded as I ripped my keys out of my backpack. I hustled to my car as I text James asking for Lucy's room number. He responded fairly quickly as I pulled into the hospital not too far away. I bounded through the front doors as I took the elevator to the fifth floor. I was stopped at the desk, "Who are you seeing?" I paused with a moment of frustration, "Lucy Brooks, I'm her uncle, well, soon to be," I played out with a grin forming on my lips and the nurse just nodded as I slipped by.

I stopped in my tracks as Gabi was lying in bed with Lucy, but it appeared Lucy was sleeping. Tears were rolling down her face as she stared up and I felt my heart shatter looking at her. She looked so fucking sad causing my heart to break a little bit more. I dropped my backpack to the ground as her head snapped over to me. "I'm sorry," I breathed, "I never wanted to make you upset, or push you, or do anything that would hurt you but I just…I get scared that you are going to finally understand why Beth left, or why your dad doesn't leave, or I don't know, I don't know." I said as my eyes lasered in on her as my eyes watched her chest fall and rise evenly. My confusion was coming out in spurts as I just wanted her to forgive me. To understand that I loved her so much that it terrified me to know something could go wrong.

"What are you doing here?" she asked sitting up quickly, "You didn't call me back. You were upset with me last night. I am just so…I don't know. I don't like that I haven't spoken to you. I love you, B. I love you and not knowing how you woke up this morning, how your day is going, or just getting one simple text causes my whole day to be completely thrown off and I hate it. I have never in my life been like this and I am just…scared because I don't want anything to happen." My eyes focused in on her as I felt my own chest grow tight just looking at her. I needed her. Badly.

Her breathing was slow as she listened to every single word that left my mouth. "I'm sorry." Gabi slipped out of bed, a pair of jeans snug on her hips and a familiar hoodie that I knew was missing from my closet drowning her entire body. Those brown eyes were so sad and lifeless that my gut ached. "I'm sorry, too." She spoke softly while she approached. Her head went to my chest and I felt my chest inflate for the first time in a day. Air rapidly filled my body and all of my senses were alive again. Her simple touch granted that. My arms wrapped around her and I buried my lips into her hair. I wasn't ever fucking letting her go again.

"You're right, I haven't fully grieved. I haven't completely processed everything, and I do throw everything into my family because those five members are all I have left. I lost both of my sisters and I can't lose my mom, or my dad, or my niece and nephew. I can't lose any of them or I am really going to fucking lose my mind. So, I make sure they are okay, and I cry when I don't have to be strong for them. I am sorry that I didn't text you though. I understand why you were upset about it. I didn't mean to make you worry and last night I was exhausted and just…I knew better. You were just worried." Her words were so quiet, I thought I missed them, but I didn't. My heart was breaking for her because she felt the need to constantly be strong for her family and because she saw it. She saw how much I loved her.

I brushed my fingers down her hair and I inhaled softly, "You are important to me, you can cry on my shoulder, you can grieve with me. I will never ask you to not be there for your family. I just need to know you're okay." I pressed my lips to her temple as soft sobs echoed from her mouth. I held her close to my body as I let her cry in my arms. "I'll try harder." She whispered, and I tilted her head back, "No, you are doing enough. I was just scared yesterday."

She closed her eyes and her head pressed into my chest again. My lips found her hair and I closed my own eyes as I held her. "I have been a living mess the past 24 hours. I hate how upset I made you." I told her as she pulled away and moved to Lucy's side of the bed. "I haven't been able to think straight either. I wanted to call you about a hundred times but I didn't want to appear weak or that I have to have you."

I tugged my fingers into her hand, "You needing anybody isn't weak. I know, I know our relationship is young but I love you, I feel like I have known you for a lot longer than three months, and I just want you. If you need me, you need me. There is nothing weak about that." She gave a tiny smile and I tilted her head back with my fingers. My thumb tracing her bottom lip and she sucked in a tiny breath of air that went straight to my fucking dick.

My lips lowered to hers and the kiss escalated quickly. Her mouth opening to mine and our tongues tugging and pulling. The ache built in my body and I tugged her body closer to mine. Her fingers drifted through the back of my hair and I breathed out a deep sigh of relief when I pulled away. Our foreheads tilting together. "Can I stay at your place tonight?" she whispered and I felt a smile tug to my lips, "Yea, you can."


Friday, March 15th, 2019

Gabi's POV

I chewed on my finger nails as my mom filed into the row along with James, a much better Lucy, and my dad. The Bolton clan was on my other side as we picked a neutral area behind the scorer's table as my eyes filtered over to my man who was in a very nice grey suit with a blue undershirt along with a light-yellow tie to show off the school colors. He was leaning back in his chair with all of his best friends while they watched the boy's warm-up.

My eyes drifted over to the other side where Blaine was in his warm-ups. He was bouncing the ball as he was concentrating on the drill they were running. The clock was winding down to game time while the gym was bustling. This was the game to allow either team to the final four. I knew one of my boy's tonight would be upset and I wasn't sure which one I wanted it to be. I chewed on my bottom lip as I twisted my head to see that Troy's eyes were moving through the crowd before he smiled as he landed on his family.

Macken and Silas were on spring break allowing them to be here tonight. Brady and Ada were seated behind them while Tommy and Laura were perched on their bleacher seats. His eyes drifted over a little further and his smile spread. I haven't seen him since I left his place Wednesday morning before he was even awake. I stood up as I walked through the bleachers that were already growing thick with people. He grinned as he stood up from his seat and I got to the row behind him as he leaned over. His hands gripping the chair in front of him.

"Is that my beautiful girlfriend?" I smiled as I leaned forward to press my lips to his. "Hi," I whispered, and I heard a few catcalls and I could only laugh as Troy rolled his eyes at Bryson and Tanner hooted. He focused back on me, "Have a good game okay? I'm not rooting for anybody." Troy chuckled, "Fair enough. I love you," I leaned forward for one more kiss. "I love you, too. Date tomorrow night?" I whispered and he smiled, "Yea, that sounds like a good idea."

"No basketball." I said and Troy tried to object but I shook my head, "Just for a few hours so we can have a normal date." I interjected. Troy gave off a smile and nodded, "Yes, okay, I'll see you after the game." I nodded as I walked away. I could hear Cameron and Jax both snickering as I walked away.

I settled back into my seat as I began to chew on my nails because I was so fucking nervous. I didn't know why I was nervous; I was going to have one winner and one loser. I tried my damn hardest to just breathe when I felt the bleacher bend, "Hey!" I tilted back and I squealed, "Jenna!" I hugged her tightly and she smiled into my neck. "Hi babe, how are you? I feel like it's been forever." I nodded into her neck, "I know." I mumbled.

"We need a wine/juice night, soon." I laughed with a smile spreading over my face. My hand reaching for her growing tummy. "I'm so excited," Jenna grinned as I heard the whistles begin to blow. The clock winding down until it was time for tip-off.

"Yes, Sunday? How about we go shopping and then we can do our own drinking." I smiled, "Yes, please," I said, "Troy should have either basketball scouting or golf with his friends so I'm completely free." She smiled with happiness crawling over her face. I watched my boyfriend go and meet the refs with his captains. He reached across shaking hands with a smile on his face. His suit was fucking perfect on his body. Tailored just right and I couldn't wait to fuck him.

"Stop eye fucking him," Jenna whispered into my ear, I laughed and I leaned back as the last several minutes went by too quickly as suddenly Blaine was on the court and my boyfriend was instructing his players on how to move. Mark Sam's glanced over at Troy and then his eyes drifted to the court as these were two really, really great coaches. The first quarter began as it was pretty neck in neck the entire time. The West Ashley held an upper hand but James Island had a very dominant hand in the game as well. No clear runaway yet for either side. I gripped Jenna's hand a few times as I continued to watch the game unfold.

Macken saddled up next to me and she grinned as the first quarter came down to a close. "I am so happy to see you here and that you and Troy seem to be doing really well." I smiled softly, "We are. We had our first fight though and I think both of us were sadder that we weren't together than mad at the other person." Macken laughed, "He had a right to be mad though," I admitted and Jenna laughed, "Oh no…is this about the whole you not telling him you weren't going to be at the game." I just nodded my head as Macken frowned.

"Sounds about like Troy, he loves hard." I breathed in as I nodded, "I've learned but I am also so thankful that he does love like that. I needed somebody like that to love me back right now." Macken gave a tiny smile, "I am happy for you guys, mostly him, because his last girlfriend kind of tore him apart." I didn't say anything because we didn't talk about our previous relationships that much. Me more than him just because of how recent the engagement was.

We all focused back in on the game being dueled out in front of us as Troy tugged on his hair. I just shook my head as he squatted and watched the game. He barked a play as Bryson and Seth both began to roll the play down the court. Blaine stole the ball and Troy groaned frustrated as he seated himself again as James Island tried to catch up with Blaine. I smiled happy as James, Lucy, and my parents were all clapping happily.

Once half-time rolled around, James Island was down by 6 points and West Ashley took the lead happily into the locker room. Troy stood outside with the coaches as they all talked quickly and quietly with each other before walking into the locker room. Macken glanced at me again, "I know we don't know each other a ton yet but I would love to go hang out one day. I know Troy and the guys typically do things on Sunday's but maybe one day we can go get coffee and shop? I just would love to get to know you more. Troy doesn't introduce girls to family very often and the fact that he did…it means I want to get to know you." I smiled softly, "Yes, absolutely. This Sunday I already have a date but next weekend?" I asked her. She grinned, "Yes! Silas typically works on Sundays…"

"Oh Silas," I said with a grin spinning to face him, "I have a few days that could work for shadowing! They have a lot of different things in my days that could make the day really fun for you and to generate a ton of questions." Silas grinned, "Yes! Send me the dates and I'll get back with you." I nodded with a smile as Macken squeezed my hand as Jenna cleared her throat. I tilted my head to look at her and she smiled wide. "You are getting involved." She whispered, I laughed, "Yea, I am." She reached down and hugged me tightly.

"I am so proud of you." She whispered into my ear. I ushered the tears to go away and she pulled back with her own tiny smile. "You deserve this. Do not let anybody think that you don't deserve this happiness because let me tell you, Gabriella, Zoey would kick your ass if you were all up and sad about her when you finally found somebody who made you this happy." I blinked away my tears and she winked at me.

My dad smiled over at me and I smiled back as Lucy curled up in my lap. She was released from the hospital on Wednesday and wasn't completely better yet but doing much better than Monday. My lips pressed into her hair, "Aunt Gabi, why is Troy coaching the other team?" I laughed, "Because he coaches at a different school than where Blaine goes. He's very good at his job though."

"Brady, who do you root for?" I asked. He smirked, "Who are you rooting for?" I rolled my eyes, "Lucky for me, I don't have to go home to either of them. I have my own place." A laugh bubbled from our area as my stomach eased but I couldn't help but feel the sadness deep in my belly. I wish my sisters were here. I wish they were sitting here laughing with me as we cheered on my nephew and my boyfriend. They should be here.

The tears filled my eyes as I wanted to get up and leave to just let the cry out but I waited until Troy came out of the locker room. His players were running onto the court to warm-up as he rubbed his palm over his face. I stood up and a few eyes turned towards me, "I'll be right back. I just need a minute." I said with a tight smile. I began to walk down and past the bench, Troy let his eyes connect with mine and he twisted his head for a moment as I passed him. I kept walking though because I didn't want to make a scene. I stopped though as he came around the corner, "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, I took a deep breath as I faced him. "I'm okay, I just need a moment. I miss my sisters. I'm bantering with your siblings and it's fun. Your sister wants to get to know me and it makes me happy but it just makes me wish that my sisters could come too. To get to know you."

Troy pressed his lips together as the words all flowed out of my mouth a little too quickly. "I'm sorry," I just nodded as he hugged me tightly, "You need to go coach," I said wiping away tears. "This is your big game. I'm just getting a breath of air, to calm down. I promise, I'll be sitting down in those seats in just a few minutes." I said and Troy nodded, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead again. "I'll come to your place tonight," he said and I shook my head no. "You have Luna at your place. I'll just go home with you." He smiled and nodded as he left me but my mom came around the corner after him.

He said hello and her eyes stared at me, "Gabi, sweetie, is everything okay?" I nodded with my smile falling from my face, "I will be okay, one day," I whispered and her eyes filled with sadness. "I'm okay, I just…I forgot how much I miss my sisters until times like these. They should be sitting here and bantering with the Bolton family. Getting to know them as I venture further and further into dating Troy. They should be here rooting on Blaine and it makes me sad because they aren't here." My mom just hugged me as the tears fell. I wiped them though as the buzzer rang and I inhaled.

"I love you," she said to me as she pushed my hair away, "I love you, too." She squeezed my hand as we both walked back into the bleachers. Jenna sat a little closer as she squeezed my hand tightly. My mom let her body touch mine as she made her presence known. This was the first time that I realized how many people I do have one my own side. I was lucky to have them but I couldn't stop those feelings.


I heard the bag hit the floor as I was already in the middle of my glass of wine. Troy told me to get ahead of him and he would meet me here. Luna went scrambling towards him with a bounce in her step with happiness on her face. "Hi sweet girl," I finally stood up as I leaned against the door jamb as Troy was rubbing Luna up and down as he had lost his tie. His shirt rolled up and his jacket crumpled. His blue eye finally looked up at me and a faint smile crossed his face.

"Hey," I smiled as he stood up and he pulled my body into his, "I'm sorry," I whispered as I did when I saw him after the game. He was defeated and so was the entire team. Bryson and Troy hugged for the longest time as they had a truly special bond. "Hey, it's one of the better seasons we have ever had. I am just happy that we got this far. Our upcoming freshman class looks really promising and we only lost a few seniors." I smiled as I laid my head against his chest. My eyes heavy with sleep.

"C'mon, you are really tired." I shook my head, "No, I don't want to sleep yet." Troy chuckled as he lifted me up and I circled my body around his waist. My head hit his shoulder and I closed my eyes, I inhaled his woodsy, man scent. "I love you," I whispered into his ear, I felt him chuckle. "I love you, too."

"I'm sorry my nephew beat you," Troy grumped out a response as he came up to his bedroom. Luna was already curled on the floor as Troy gently taken the wine glass out of my hand. He set it down as he laid me back on the bed. His eyes roaming my outfit that I wore to work this morning. A pair of nice jeans with a blouse that dipped down just enough to give a tiny hint. I kicked off my heels once I walked in the door though as he dipped down as his lips pressed to my neck.

"Beautiful," he whispered into my ear, goosebumps trailed down my body and he let his finger follow a trail of them. I felt a gasp of air escape my mouth as he hovered over me for a minute. Those blue eyes flickering over mine. "I'm sad that I don't have any work or basketball next week and you have to work every damn day." I laughed as I leaned up to kiss him again. "But we do get to the whole fucking day together though tomorrow and that's why we save our energy, we sleep, and we do this tomorrow."

A smile tipped on his lips and I smiled back over at him, my fingers reaching up to touch his face. "I don't know if I can wait," I told him, Troy groaned as he dipped down to press his lips into my collarbone and a soft little nibble caused me to pull him down harder against me. My finger ran through the back of his hair and his lips opened mine and his tongue dove in. He let his hand roam up my chest and I he found my breasts. I tilted my hips into his again and he groaned to the feeling.

"You always feel so damn incredible." He murmured and I smiled kissing him harder, hoping, that he would shut up.


YEEP. Happy Sunday! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! It is one of my favorites mostly because it makes them all human and it's not a perfect relationship! The next chapter is a DOOZY. So Yall better be ready!

His Girl is FINISHED. I updated earlier this week and Yall should go check it out! It didn't get a ton of love!

PLEASE REVIEW!

Next Update: October 18th (Yall it's Zac Efron's birthday! Also…how is he about to be 33?)