After lunch with Troy's family gushing over Melody, which she was surprisingly OK with, we headed back inside.

"Here, let me," Troy offered, seeing my arm full of plates and dishes.

I smiled, letting him take the load of dirty dishes. "Thanks; sorry about earlier. I don't know what came over me."

Troy shook his head, "Water under the bridge. It was actually kind of fun. You and your fiance really had us going."

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. "You and Madyson weren't too shabby either. Once you found your rhythm, you were pretty good."

He blushed, dropping his gaze on me. "Thanks. So, why didn't you ever mention you could play?"

I shrugged, "I guess it just never came up."

Troy set the dishes in the sink and leaned on the counter. "Did you ever play on a team?"

"I did," I answered with a nod. "Back in grade school and part of middle school."

Troy folded his arms across his chest and gave me his full attention. "Why did you quit?"

I pulled a sour face at his words. I hated how those words sounded.

I quit.

It sounded like I was no longer playing basketball. I still played. I didn't quit. I simply stopped competing. There was a difference.

"I didn't quit," I corrected him, "I simply decided that competing wasn't for me. I preferred to play for fun."

He thought for a second. When he spoke, his voice grew softer with each word he said. "I guess I never really thought of it like you did. Whether I was competing or just playing, it was always fun."

As his words sank in, my expression fell. I could barely hear the last words he spoke. I've never heard Troy say he didn't like basketball before. Even when he wanted to try something new in high school, basketball was still number one for him.

I frowned, hopping on the countertop. "You don't like being in the NBA?"

Troy hopped up beside me, "No….I like it…it's just….it's nothing like I'd imagined."

"Well, different isn't always bad," I reminded him.

He gave a half-shrug. "When you play as great as I have lately, it is borderline horrifying."

I couldn't hold back a wince. "Yeah, I've seen some of your games. Admittedly I've seen you play better."

Troy sighed, "Basketball used to be fun. Now I actually dread being on the court."

I gave him a sympathetic smile. "Are you thinking about quitting?"

He chuckled, picking his head up. "That's not a choice I'm going to have to make. Coach gave me an ultimatum before forcing me on vacation. Either I shape up, or it's my NBA career with the Lakers."

"Sorry."

He forced a smile. "I consider it lucky that Coach is still giving me a chance to get my life together instead of just giving me the big boot."

We laughed, and for the first time, I felt like we were back in high school without a care in the world.

"Sounds like a real party in here."

Turning, Troy's smile instantly disappeared when he saw Javier rolling up his sleeves. Eyeing him, Troy was turning white before our eyes with horror in his eyes.

I tapped on his shoulder to grab his attention. "Relax. The only way you could use the word violent to describe Javy is if you add isn't. You're safe."

Javier walked over to him and stopped. He eyed Troy with a death glare. Troy's heart was pounding so hard against his chest that I could hear it from where I sat on the countertop.

Troy slid down from where he was on the counter and tried slipping past him. "I don't think your fiance agrees with you," He stuttered.

I couldn't hide my giggles any longer. Playfully I shoved Javier between my giggle. "Come on, Javy. Quit playing."

Javier and I both laughed. "Sorry, I came in here to do the dishes. When I saw the look on your face, I couldn't help but play a little prank. Hope I didn't scare you too bad."

Troy shook his head, relief washing over him. "No, it was funny. So, I take it you're the jokester in your family."

Javier shrugged as he started the dishes. "Actually, if you ask my family, they'd tell you I'm the entertainer. But people have also called me a jokester before."

I grabbed a nearby towel and took the washed plate from him. "He might be the entertainer, but he's also the most empathetic with the biggest heart," I commented as I dried the washed plates. "And I wouldn't have the courage to face your family if it weren't for Javy. Which is actually going way better than I envisioned."

Javier turned to me. "You should be thanking yourself for not giving in to your fears. Often, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

"And true courage comes from facing those fears," I finished, remembering what Nana always said.

Troy stared at the double doors leading to the living room with a distant look. "My Gram Gram would tell us the same thing all the time. It's not so easy to live up to it, though."

I knew what he meant. I'm always lacking the courage in myself to do what I knew I probably should because I was too scared. Living in fear seemed to be my thing, and judging from the look on Troy's face, it was becoming his thing too.

When we were just about finished, Lucy and Jack came into the kitchen, hoping to talk to me.

They made small talk for a few minutes before getting to their point. Lucy had a serious look on her face as she said, "So here's the thing, our family is headed to Monterey Bay next week with a couple of close family friends to celebrate Granddad's birthday. We rented a beach house for the entire week and have all sorts of activities planned for everyone, young or old."

Javier dried his hands with a nearby towel. "Sounds fun. I'm sure your family's really looking forward to it."

"We are," I could hear the anxiety in Jack's voice. He cleared his throat before continuing. "But, since Melody is our family, we hoped she could come with us."

I knew my answer immediately and didn't give their request a moment of thought. "Troy didn't tell you," I asked, turning to Tory with a frown.

"No, he did," Lucy replied, "but we're not agreeing to it."

I raised a brow at Lucy and Jack. "What do you mean?"

Lucy stepped forward, the light of battle in her eyes. "We want as much time with our granddaughter as you do. There's no reason why we should only visit while you get to keep her with you all the time."

Jack folded his arms across his chest. "Equal time for both sides of the family."

I turned to Troy, glaring at him. I could feel the anger boiling in me. "You're ganging up on me with your family," I didn't bother to hide my hurt and anger. "You think that would change my mind?"

Troy picked his head up and stared at me. The look in his eyes was as blank as the look on his face. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Each second that went by with his silence passed by felt like years.

"Is that what you think of me," Troy asked, narrowing his brows at me with disappointment in his eyes. "That I'm capable of that?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. As I've mentioned before, we haven't talked in three years. I can't say what you're capable of, and you wouldn't know what I'm capable of. Which is why I suggested the visits first, and we'd work from there."

Braydon and Madyson heard from the living room and decided to join the conversation. Anger boiled in Madyson as she balled her hands into a fist. She had a newfound fire in her eyes and looked ready to deck me. My heart raced seeing Madyson rage with anger.

"What do you take us for? Heartless serial killers or brainless idiots," Madyson yelled as Braydon held her back.

I subconsciously stepped back, fearful of Madyson's actions. Javier must have sensed my apprehension, and he slipped his hand into mine. He slightly bobbed his head enough just for me to notice and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Squeezing his hand back, I relaxed as my lips curved into the tiniest smile. He turned to Troy's family and spoke in a calm voice. "I know it might not seem like it, but we all have the same goal. Melody's wellbeing and happiness."

Lucy scoffed, "Somehow, I'm having a hard time believing that."

Madyson glared at me with her hands balled in a fist. "Gabby doesn't care about our family. She only cares about herself. She left three years ago with no regard for Troy, and now she's still the same selfish person."

Madyson's words were like a hard slap in the face. My eyes stung from the tears threatening to fall. I knew Madyson's words weren't entirely true, but they still hurt.

I stood taller, trying to hide my hurt behind a smile. "Whether you believe it or not, I'm like any other parent and want the best for my child. Admittedly I don't always know what that is, and I've made my fair share of mistakes. But I'm working on it, and I know Melody being around people I know and trust is in her best interest."

Jack frowned, standing his ground. "And we say letting Melody have a little more freedom and explore her world without a helicopter mom there is best."

Troy sighed, looking from one of us to the other. "Please, is there some way we could like meeting the middle?"

"No," We simultaneously stated, crossing our arms across our chests.

Troy dropped his head and paused for a moment. Eventually, he turned to me. "Look, you said you've made mistakes, and we'll make some too. But isn't there some way we could learn without you being so uptight?"

My hands went to my hips as I gave him a disbelief look. "That's what you believe," I wasn't sure if I was angry or disappointed. "That I should change my ways?"

If it were three years ago, Troy would back me up. He would trust that I had a reason to be so insistent. He wouldn't have asked me to change, and I could count on him to stand up to his family with my choices. But I guess that's one of the many changes between us.

Troy ran his hand through his messy honey-brown hair, and I felt my stomach flip. "I just think that maybe you can trust your peers more. Sometimes it feels like you see the worse in others and refuse to see the good in them."

"That's not true," I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "I see good in others."

"Name one good thing you saw in Sonny today," Troy challenged, "Just one. She'd shown you plenty of both today."

I glanced over at Madyson, and she glared at me like I was her worst enemy. In some ways, I probably was. I tried to think of a good point; I really tried. But nothing came to me. I had a list of negatives, but the positive side was blank.

Was I really that bad?

Was I such a negative person that I couldn't see the good in others? When did I become so negative?

I didn't have an answer, and Troy knew it. "I rest my case. You saw the worst in me three years ago, and that hasn't changed in three years."

My eyes stung from the tears I desperately tried to keep at bay. His words felt like a knife to my heart, and his true thoughts of me were a bitter pill to swallow. Javier stepped forward, folding his arms across his chest.

Javier frowned at Troy's words. "Well, it looks to me right now you're also not trusting Elly too much and thinking the worst of her. And your family is no better."

Troy and Javier sized each other as they stared down. It didn't look like either of them was willing to give an inch. Troy proved me wrong when he broke eye contact with Javier.

I made a mental note of how easily Troy gave in. It wasn't like him. At least, not the Troy I knew three years ago. He would've fought till the end with absolute determination. Now, it didn't look like he had that fire in him anymore.

Was this my fault too?

I shook the thoughts from my mind and moved on. I was about to say something, but Troy beat me to it. "Let me guess, Mr. Golden Boy, you live in a perfect rainbow world where everything is always sunny and perfect. And in this rainbow junction, you're the master of trust."

I could hear the clear jealousy in his voice.

Javier shook his head as he spoke, "No, I'm from your world. But I also believe in kindness and forgiveness."

Braydon laughed. "Tough words, but you have no action to back them up."

Javier turned to Braydon. "Sorry, I'm pretty sure I'm not the one with a family member I can only visit when the mom approves."

Braydon scoffed. "That's cause no one in your family fell in love with a heartless leech who thinks of your family as a serial killer."

Javier rolled his eyes. "If that's what you really think, that you need a reality check. My advice is to start with your communication skills and the way you treat others."

"And what, you know all," Madyson challenged.

Javier laughed.

"I know more than you think."

Madyson laughed mockingly. "Prove it."

Troy's Gram Gram and Granddad cleared their throats, making their presents in the kitchen known. Troy's Granddad spoke when he was sure he had all our attention.

"We've heard quite enough out of everyone. All this arguing is not getting us anywhere."

"Dad," Troy's Granddad stopped Jack.

"Look, I know why you're all standing your ground. You all want what's best for Melody, and maybe you all have a point," Troy's Granddad reasoned, "So how about we compromise?"

Lucy shook her head. "There's no compromising with them."

Troy's Gram Gram's hand flew to her hip. "I haven't anything aside from arguing and butting heads coming from any of you. So here's the new plan that will work for all of us. Gabby, how would you and Javy like to join us on the trip with Melody? All of Troy's little friends from preschool will come too."

I nearly choked on the glass of water I was drinking. That was not even a list of things they'd consider asking me. The ball thrown at me from left field left me in a coughing fit of uncertainty. Javier took the water from me and started patting my back.

"You want me to come with you and Troy's friends on a family trip," I repeated, feeling like I was dreaming or hearing things.

Troy's Gram Gram nodded, "It's the perfect solution. We get to take Melody with us, and you get to keep an eye on her. Everyone wins."

One glance around the room told me that most of them weren't keen on the idea. Not that it surprised me. Why would they want me on a family trip? They probably feel that seeing me less would be better now we would not only be seeing each other but living in the same house—some arrangement.

Braydon folded his arms, darting his eyes to me. "You might want to make sure with the fiancé that he's OK with it first."

Javier shrugged. "Hey, I say party on."

Madyson huffed, crossing her arms. "Fine, pack something warm. We leave first thing Friday morning."

I shrunk behind Javier. Something told me this was going to be an exciting week.