…
That's too far.
The camera switched to the golfer scowling at where his ball ended up.
"Robbie?" Cat suddenly called out.
I hop off the couch, mute the TV and walk into our bedroom.
"Yeah?"
"Do you mind if we just order in tonight? I don't feel like cooking." She said, sitting on our bed.
She's got the TV going with a movie.
"Fine by me. Want me to text Kevin and ask what he and Corey want?" I ask.
She gives me a small smile.
The boys always want pizza.
"Can't hurt to ask." I say.
The smile doesn't move.
"Fine. But if you're wrong, you'll have a pepperoni pizza to eat." I tell her.
"That's not a problem. Now what about us?"
I sit on the edge of our bed.
"What about us?"
"Dinner? What do you want to get?" She smiled.
I playfully grab her foot and play with it.
"I don't know…what do you want? I'm not all that hungry. I'd be fine with a sandwich." I say.
"I'm in the mood for fruit salad."
"Fruit salad?" I ask.
She nodded.
I sigh quietly.
We don't have that.
"I can go pick one up…we don't have the stuff for that. Plus I can pick up the pizza for the boys."
She lit up and nodded.
"I feel kind of bad buying you fruit salad though." I tell her.
"As long as it's one of those from Complete Foods, there's no problem." She smiled.
"Complete Foods it is." I say.
"Is Sydney still here?" She asked.
Tonight is her date with Austin.
I'm also supposed to get an email from the baseball league about what teams the boys are on.
But Syd is our main priority now. The boys wanted to go hit down at the cages, so Rafael took them.
She's had a busy week. Rehearsals every day after school, plus "dates" with Austin.
The reason for the quotation marks is because that's what she told Cat and I.
But I know she's putting together an audition tape.
Sydney told me last night when she got home that it was done, and would be pitched in the talent meeting this coming Monday.
I'm so proud of her. Working insane hours during the week to make everything happen, then having fun with her boyfriend on the weekend.
The boys don't like it as much, saying the house feels emptier whenever someone is gone. Cat and I told them that she's just doing her own thing, and one day they'll be doing the same thing.
Kevin shrugged, but Corey came later that night and asked his mom if he could have a hug, since he was scared of growing up.
That broke my heart.
Talk about a late night. Cat and I ended up eating grapes with him to calm him down, which finally happened at 3 in the morning.
He misses his sissy.
Ironic that she's been here all day, and they left at 3 to hit.
I'll be curious when report cards come home next Friday. It'll be the halfway mark of the semester, which is scary.
Where'd it go?
It's already mid March. I mean…wasn't Sydney's birthday just yesterday?
It feels like it!
"Yeah. I heard the water go on about an hour ago, so I assume she's prepping."
Cat smiled shyly.
I know she was expecting Sydney to come to her for advice on what to wear. But Sydney was silent all week, and when a box came in yesterday from a clothing website for Sydney, Cat nearly broke into tears.
It's her dress for tonight.
I just know it is. Which sucks because Cat really was looking forward to it.
She doesn't get to do her fashion thing much. I always let her make me look good, but I think Sydney is trying to do her own thing, and the boys hate it when they have to dress up, and are quite uncooperative when she sits them down to shop.
Who knew that watching your kids grow up is quite painful.
I know Cat's in pain. When she was younger, like 5 or 6, she refused to wear anything without getting Cat's approval.
And now it's radically swung the other way.
This really sucks for Cat right now. On Splashface Sydney made public her "I'm not my mom" stance.
Which is good, don't get me wrong…but she could at least show some appreciation for her mom in that arena.
Instead she's just making Cat spend late nights eating copiously. It might be bags of grapes, to the point that every day I'm going out and buying another bag of grapes for that night knowing I'll be back again tomorrow for another.
Before my eyes, Cat is back staring at the comforter.
"Hey…she'll be fine. This is just a phase ok? She loves you to death." I say softly, sidling next to her.
"I know…she is just trying everything to get away from me though."
"She's trying to get out from under your shadow baby. Not you. She's not trying to get away from you. If she was doing that she'd be up in her room all the time." I tell her.
"Or always out with her friends and boyfriend." She monotoned.
"Cat…c'mon. We knew this was going to happen. It always happens. She has to grow up."
…
"I just want my baby back…"
I pull her into my arms and hold her as she begins by hugging me, but then completely breaks down and starts crying.
I try to calm her down and whisper comforting words to her, but I know it isn't working.
She just has to cry it out.
I don't know how long I held her until the doorbell rung.
"I can't go out there…I'll embarrass her." Cat said quickly.
"I'll get the door, and then be back." I say.
That gets a smile out of her as I slip out and close our bedroom door.
I ignore the footsteps coming down the stairs, and Sydney calling out "Dad!" as I open the door.
"Hey Austin, come on i—" I smile at him standing there, and beckon him in.
"Dad. Everything ok?" Sydney said insistently.
"Yeah. Everything's fine. There's Austin. Why are you talking to me?" I say.
Austin smiled happily in his jeans and red collared shirt.
"I'm ready when you are." He said.
"I'm almost done with my makeup, then I'll be back." Sydney said.
Austin nodded, and then Sydney disappeared.
"You good?" I ask.
"Yeah, I'm good. Where are Kevin and the others?"
"Batting cages." I reply.
"Oh. Have their team assignments come in yet?"
"No. Supposed to get an email any minute now…" I say, absentmindedly pulling out my phone.
"Ok. I don't know about Corey, but hope the other two got the Red Sox or the Braves."
"Why?" I look up.
"The coaches on those teams are both really good. They play the right people, which doesn't always happen."
I nod and tap my email.
Team Assignments for Spring Baseball.
I open it.
…
Corey got the Cardinals.
I don't know if that's good.
And…
"Yes! Kevin got the Red Sox." I say.
"Awesome. What about the other one?" He asked.
Matt Matt Matt…
"Red Sox too!" I cheer.
They got the dream matchup!
The two of them on the same team!
I feel like warning the other teams about a potential double play combination.
"Great. What do they play?"
"Kevin is third base, Matt has played catcher the last 2 years, and we don't know about Corey."
"Too young. This is his first year. He'll probably play a little of everything." He says pensively.
"You seem to know baseball. What do you think he'll play?" I ask.
"Probably my position…sorry. I play outfield mainly."
"Ok. Is it hard?"
"It can be if it's windy. But you have to focus because it can get boring sometimes."
Makes sense.
The outfielders at Kevin's age seem to be the less athletic ones.
That kind of worries me about Corey.
"Where is Sydney's mom?" Austin asked.
"She's in our room. No big deal, she just didn't want to come out."
He gives me a funny look, so I change subjects.
"I do need to talk to Syd for one quick second once she gets back though."
"I…sure. I didn't mess up did I?" He asked.
"No, it's not you. Not at all. How's rehearsal been?" I change subjects again.
"They're good. Tiring." He says as I hear Sydney coming back down.
That's too much makeup.
"Hey." Sydney beamed. "You ready?"
"Actually…I need to talk to you for one quick second." I jump in nervously.
The look I get is pure evil, filled with knives that would love to tear me to shreds.
"Okay." She smiled and followed me to the kitchen.
Once I stop and we're out of earshot, she turns and glares. "What?"
"Easy on the attitude. I just wanted to say that you look great, and to have a good night."
"Why isn't mom out here?" Was her next question.
"Well, the easy answer is to tell you that maybe you should at least ask for her opinion when you go dress shopping online."
She gives me a funny look.
"Why? She was fine when you guys gave me the package yesterday."
"Sydney," I say walking her to the door. "Remember, she's an actress. That doesn't just end when she gets off stage. She can always put on a good face."
Then I let go of her shoulder and smile to her and Austin.
"Have a good night, and stay safe. I have my phone if you need me." I say.
"Can I get her back at 12:30? I was hoping to take her to a movie." Austin asked.
I turn to Syd.
"Do you have your key?"
She nodded.
"Fine with me. If you have issues you know the garage door code." I smile at her.
"Thanks dad."
Austin opens the door and leads her out, then waves and shuts the door.
I let out a quiet sigh as I pull out my phone and dial the pizza place and order a large pepperoni pizza with breadsticks and marinara sauce then walk back to our bedroom.
"How'd it go?' Cat croaked out, cuddling a spare pillow.
I grab the pillow, toss it aside and pull her into my arms.
"It went fine. She'll be back late though. They're seeing a movie."
Cat rolled her eyes.
"I don't believe that."
"I don't either, but they're teenagers. Gotta let them be teenagers." I say.
"But what if they…you know…"
I've been avoiding that thought ever since I met Austin.
"That…I don't have a good answer for that. I don't think she's that girl though."
"But what if she's like me? I was that girl Robbie! I told you this! I lost my virginity at 16 too!"
I sigh.
"I don't think we should worry ourselves thinking about that ok?"
She looks miserable, but curls into my arms.
"I'll get you your dinner, then pick up the pizza and hopefully beat the boys home. Then we can watch a movie or something. Ok?" I say.
She nodded, but still looked the same.
"Love you." I kiss her cheek.
"Love you too."
Sydney POV
Austin shut the door behind us and we walked out to his car.
Well…his mom's car.
We both hop in, and I go to buckle my seatbelt.
But he stopped me and turned me into a tender kiss.
Once he lets go I smile at him.
"You look amazing."
"Thanks." I smile.
"I'm so glad he didn't keep us long. I can't kiss you in front of your dad."
"Yeah." I say.
"What'd he tell you?"
Austin smoothly started driving towards the front of the neighborhood
"He said that I should talk to my mom about shopping stuff."
"Shopping stuff? I thought it was…never mind. Go on. I don't get it." He said.
"It's my dress. I shopped for it on my own. Mom likes to shop with me, and apparently she isn't happy about it."
"Uh oh Is she ok?" he asked.
"By the way Dad sounded, no. He was mad."
Austin groaned. "I thought he was too happy. Dang it!"
He swatted the wheel.
"It's not your fault Austin. It's my fault."
"Hey, I'm just worried that they're keeping tabs on us. Wouldn't surprise me at all."
I frown to myself.
We had one of the neighbors come in the ice cream store after school every day after rehearsal.
Now that can't be a coincidence.
"But wouldn't Dad have warned me or something? About not being too comfortable with you?"
Austin suddenly looked nervous. "I thought he was warning you about…you know. That. Could be that too."
My stomach rolls over, and I suddenly feel bad.
"No. He didn't bring that up at all. But can we talk about something else? Before I get all crazy mental?" I ask.
He nods quickly and kicks on the radio.
I don't know where we're going, but after 2 or three songs we're pulling into a small, but nice looking Italian place.
Austin pulled open my door and said "My lady…"
And then pulled flowers from nowhere.
I gasp and laugh.
"Where'd you get those?"
"Magic." He smiled.
I smell them, then gently hide them in the car and hold his hand on the way inside.
There's a small line, but there's a lady handing out those circular buzzer things.
"Reservation?' A girl just older than us asked.
"Harper for 2?" Austin said.
But the girl is staring at me.
…
"Can I help you?" I ask, as Austin seems confused.
"Valentine for 2…" She started to walk off.
"No. Harper for 2 please."
She handed him a circle thing, then said "Harper. Got it."
Then was gone.
"That was weird." I say.
"You're telling me. How'd she recognize you?"
"I don't know."
Now I'm worried.
I've been spotted before. That went ok. There are pictures online of me grocery shopping after school for mom and dad.
I even have met some people and taken pictures with them. They approached me, but didn't know what to do with themselves once I agreed to take the picture.
They mostly can't believe that they're actually meeting me.
Being a celebrity's kid is weird.
Suddenly a crisply dressed man popped up and spoke to Austin.
"Please come with us."
He gives me a odd look, but we listen and follow him to the back of the restaurant and to a secluded table where a server is waiting for us.
"Can I get you guys something to drink? Water, tea, wine, anything?' he asked.
Wine?
We're not old enough.
What is this guy? Stupid?
"Uhm I'll have peppy cola." Austin said.
"Tea's fine with me." I say.
He nodded and said he'd be right out with those drinks.
I grab the menu and start looking at it.
This is really weird.
I really hope this is ok.
There were multiple people ahead of us in the line.
But that girl recognized me, and now we're here.
"I really hope we don't get made." I say quietly.
He knows how averse I am to people with him.
At first he was worried that it was something he did, but then I explain that he's so special to me I don't want people mugging him just for information about me because he's my boyfriend.
I just want to be normal.
"I hear you there…I parked the car in a bad spot, not knowing this too."
Crap.
I sigh quietly, and the waiter is back with our drinks.
Austin orders the tour of Italy, and I just get lasagna.
I know I'll eat lasagna.
I can always eat lasagna.
"That Caprese Flatbread looked good." I say once he's gone.
"I didn't see that. Was it like an appetizer?"
I nod.
"Sounds good." He says.
I look around, and see nobody is giving us a second look thankfully.
It's amazing how it's different now than it is with DeVaughn.
Now it's totally normal, but with Mom we have to have armed security because she's so famous.
Ugh.
This is so much better.
"Here's an appetizer on the house…" Our waiter appeared from nowhere and deposited the caprese flatbread on the table. "And I'll be right out with your food. Enjoy." He smiled, then disappeared.
I look from the food, to Austin.
He's staring at me.
"Okay, this is weird." He says.
"On the house?" I ask.
"I'm not buying it. When I pay, I expect it to be on the bill."
He ignored his own words and started eating the appetizer.
It starts disappearing fast, so I kindly swat his hand and start eating too.
"You're hungry." I say.
"Duh. Starving."
"You could have eaten before you got me."
He shook his head.
"No time. Had to go right home and shower. My teammates are kind of pissed I skipped the usual meal."
Oh crap.
"Oh yeah, your game. How'd you do?" I smile.
I couldn't come today because I had to do homework.
"Nothing, literally. 4 intentional walks and not a ball hit to me all day. I just stood out there and baked in the sun." he grumbled.
"Did they coat you in crumbs and pull you out when it got to 350?" I ask.
He laughed, and nearly choked on his flatbread.
I smile and giggle as he coughed a couple of times, and laughed.
"You…you have at least a little of your dad's humor." He smiled at me.
"No I don't. Remember…"
That was the worst conversation I've had with him.
Telling him that my Dad isn't my biological dad.
He took it well, and prevented me from crying. After I told him what Dad told me, he said he really admired what he did for me.
After school a day or two later we sat on the car and googled Mom and Dad and saw tons of evidence supporting the story.
What amazes me is how I ever believed that he was my Dad in the first place!
There's gobs and gobs of evidence online to the contrary!
We even found a picture of me onstage in Seattle, which corresponds perfectly with Dad's story.
I was tiny, and apparently there was a HUGE controversy.
"Here you go…" He dropped off our food and took our empty appetizer dish.
And now we have food.
…
…
I giggle at his expression.
He swallows, then looks at me.
"What?"
"You chew funny." I smile.
He smiled, and shook his head.
"Ok Ms. Hilarity. Where do we go from here? Ice Cream, then movie? Just ice cream? Other activities?" He winked.
Suddenly my stomach turned.
"I..uhh…ice cream, then movie." I smile at my plate.
When I look up, he's giving me a weird look.
"You ok? I'm not missing some big problem am I?"
I shake my head and look down at my plate.
I'm not hungry anymore.
I'm about ¾ the way thru my lasagna.
He ate for a few more minutes, then our waiter came by and took my plate.
"Can I get you any desserts or anything?"
"Uhm, no thank you." I say.
"Can I get the check?" Austin asked.
"This is on the house sir." The waiter immediately replied.
WHAT?
"Huh? Why?" Austin asked.
"I'm not sure to be honest sir. I've just been told that everything you guys got is on the house." He said.
"Uhh…ok." I say.
He took that as his cue to walk away.
I turn to him, and he's already looking at me.
"Was it something I said?"
I shrug.
As Austin polished off the rest of his food, I put the name of this place into my phone.
I'll ask dad if he or mom has ever been to Fellini's.
"I guess we just go." Austin said.
"Yeah."
We get up, and walk to the front then slip out the door.
I find myself thinking "GET OUT GET AWAY HURRY HURRY!" as we drive to the ice cream place.
…
Oh we're here?
I move to open the door, but Austin's voice stops me.
"Sydney?"
I turn, and he's looking at the steering wheel.
"Yeah? What's up?"
"I..uhh…What'd I do wrong? Can you please tell me?" He said in a very soft voice.
"Wrong? You haven't done anything wrong. We just had a beautiful dinner that was free for no reason. Why do you think something is wrong?" I ask.
"You've been kinda quiet, and when I joked about us doing stuff other than the movies you froze up and wouldn't look at me. What'd I do?"
"Nothing Austin. It wasn't you, or me, or anyone." I say nervously.
"It was your dad. He…he thinks I…" He says.
"Please don't finish that sentence." I ask.
"Sydney. I…Did he like warn you about something?"
…
"Can you please look at me?" He asked, sounding desperate.
I turn and look at him.
He looks ready to cry.
"Don't cry…" I say.
"I won't…What'd he say?"
"It was just about the dress. Nothing else." I tell him the truth.
"He didn't warn you about sex?"
"No…he didn't. Didn't even come up." I say shyly.
"Sydney…look at me."
"I can't." I tell him, eyes in my lap.
"Fine. Sydney…I'm not that guy. Ok? I'm not doing this just to get you into bed with me ok? I promise on…everything sacred in the world. I'm not doing it for that. I'm not even thinking about it." He said passionately.
…
"You wanna know why I'm doing this?"
"Sure." I croak out.
"I love you."
I immediately jump up and look at him.
He immediately gets his cocky, lovable smile back.
"I love you Sydney. Ok? I'm doing this because every time I go to sleep I wake up because I keep thinking and worrying about some guy that's coming to take you away from me. Some famous, smooth guy that'll ruin my life forever. I'm more in this for the sappy and cute moments than the kissing."
I giggle.
Dang it don't giggle!
This is serious.
"That doesn't mean I won't take it…" he smiled. "But I can leave it behind. I'm not gonna drug you, or force myself on you or anything like that. It is the last thing on my mind. I just want to spend time with you. That's all that matters to me."
I smile and blink, then notice I'm crying.
He gently lifts my chin up and wipes my tears with his thumb.
On a whim, I grab him and kiss him deeply.
…
I let go and he plops back into his seat.
"Uhh…ok. I take back what I just said. I might not be able to do without that."
I laugh and smile.
"I'm sorry I freaked. I'm just nervous about…that stuff."
"Me too." He said.
"Huh?"
"I said I'm nervous too. Probably more than you are." He repeated.
"Why? You're hot, athletic, girls must be all over you and that must have come up!" I say, in disbelief.
He shook his head.
"Nah. Skylar tried, but she was just so pushy I refused her. Which she didn't like. But I haven't even done anything. I'm barely at first base."
"That's a metaphor I understand." I joke, and the tension broke instantly.
He laughed then smiled at me.
"Okay? Are we good?"
I nod and smile.
"Do you mind if we don't go to the movies?" I ask.
"Fine by me. What do you want to do? It's only 7."
"Can we go to the beach? Maybe even kiss a little?" I smile.
He shook his head and smiled.
"You're teasing me."
"Nope. Ice cream. Then beach for kissing."
"Let's go!" he hopped right out, causing me to laugh.
I get out, and he's waiting on my side to greet me with a kiss on the cheek.
But he also tried to sneak something.
I frown at him and keep my grip on his wrist.
"Austin…" I giggle.
"What? Seemed appropriate after our conversation." He smirked.
I pull him close and whisper into his ear "That does not allow you to grab my butt like that!"
He smiled. "You're not mad."
I quickly look around.
"Don't do it in such a public place." I say.
He laughed. "Yes ma'am." then pulled me into the ice cream shop.
(Four hours later)
I fix my eyeliner and try to apply my lipgloss the same way I did before I left home.
I don't want Mom and Dad telling we kissed.
…
A lot.
For like 3 hours.
Not going to lie, it was great. He was a gentleman, and didn't do anything.
I was the aggressive one.
I practically ripped his shirt off his body.
It's in my purse now. He had a backup shirt.
My shirt.
My boy.
My boyfriend.
He's strong. When things kinda got intense he picked me up and pinned me to get closer to me.
That was the only time I actually lost myself.
Details details.
I look over to him and laugh.
"Can you tell?"
He glanced over and smiled.
"I can tell, but your mom and dad won't be able to tell."
That'll have to do.
He parked in front of my front door and we hop out.
"So…call you later?" He smiled, hands in his pockets.
"Yeah."
…
"I'll miss you."
He suddenly looks up and smiles.
"I'll miss you too." He says.
"Text or call me when you can't sleep. I'll be sure to tell you I'm not with another guy." I joke, getting him to laugh.
"You better get inside. Thanks for a great night." He smiled, then quickly kissed me.
I completely forget that we're at the front door, in view of god and everyone and kiss my boyfriend back happily.
"Night." He smiled.
"Night."
I feel the sadness creeping in as I watch him hop in his car, wave to me then drive off.
Then I creep inside and cringe at the "Beep" of the door.
Can't sneak in for sure.
"Sydney?"
…
"Dad? What are you doing up?" I ask, seeing him on the couch with his laptop open.
He shugs and smiles.
"Nothing. Your mom is kicking me, so I decided to let her chill out." He joked, getting me to smile.
"How'd it go?" He asked, seemingly genuinely.
"Great. It went great Dad." I smile
"Good. I'm glad. Where'd you eat?"
Oh!
"Oh! I need to talk to you about that. We went to this small Italian place, and it was weird." I grab my phone and scroll to my notes.
I'm not remembering the name of the place.
I've got Austin on the brain.
On my brain, my lips, all over me.
EEEEEPPPPPP!
"Weird? How so? Was it ok? Do I need to call and complain?" he asked, sounding worried.
"No. Have you and mom ever been to Fellini's?" I ask.
His eyes darken.
"A long time ago. It didn't go well. What happened?" he asked.
"They gave us everything free and gave us basically special treatment. Austin and I don't know why."
He smiled and laughed quietly.
"It was a long time ago. Just when your mom and I started to get together for real. We went out to dinner. But we got swarmed by fans and paparazzi since this is before they got banned."
The Kent Richardson Act.
Mom calls it the "Everyone can be normal" Act.
"It went awful, and your mom basically ratted the place out to celebrities. So they avoided the place. I'm surprised it survived honestly. They probably wanted to make it up to us thru you." He said.
"Hmm." I say.
"Was it any good?" He asked.
I shrug. "It was ok. Nothing special."
"Ok. I see no need to let them off the hook."
I gasp and smile.
"That's mean."
"They ruined a date between me and your mom. Don't expect me to be nice."
"Wait…hold up. A date?"
He nodded.
"A legit date. You and mom?"
He looked at me funny as I can't stop laughing.
"What's so funny?' He asked.
"You and mom on a date…why can't I have seen that?" I gasp out.
"Maybe because you were one at the time, and at either Beck and Jade's or your grandparents." He said simply.
I shake my head and smile.
"Go to bed Syddo. Don't forget to wipe off the makeup." He said.
"I won't. You noticed my makeup?" I ask.
He nodded.
"yeah. Don't put so much on. Too much is way worse than too little."
"Austin didn't care. He said I looked nice."
Dad smiled.
"Just ask him what he thought of your makeup. Watch."
"Night daddy." I hug him.
He squeezed me back and kissed my cheek then froze.
I pull back.
"What?"
He has this funny look on his face.
"I used to use that cologne…"
OH CRAP!
Then he looked to me.
"Bye." I say, then run upstairs.
He laughed and said "Night."
I gently shut my door and nearly collapse.
OH CRAP.
I might be in trouble.
He knows.
He knows Austin was that close to me.
OH CRAP MAN!
I plop onto my bed and text Austin.
"Hey, random question. What'd you think of my makeup tonight? Miss you already."
Might as well go take it off.
Blink.
"Too much. You looked beautiful, but don't use so much. I love you the way you are. Miss you more. Are we sure you can't come live under my bed or something?" – Austin
…
Stupid Dad.
Why's he ALWAYS right?