Page 22 of Without Bound
I heft my backpack on my shoulder and decide it’s best if I take it with me in case Uncle Nix wants to take me home after the game. There won’t be any arguing with him when it comes to things like that. He’ll give methe lookand I’ll cave knowing that I respect him too much to argue.
I shuffle down the stairs where Bishop holds the door to the garage open for me and I pass with a soft “thank you.” He rushes pastme to open the passenger door of the truck and takes my backpack from my shoulder, allowing me to climb inside.
He opens the backdoor and sets my bag down then quickly walks around to the drivers side where he slides in and cranks the engine. It’s loud and growls like an angry animal. It makes the sound that I imagine Bishop making in the heat of a lustful moment.
“How are your classes?” he asks as we back out of the driveway and onto the street.
“Um, they’re good. I was able to get the one class switched right away, so thanks for filling me in on the little secret of getting moved to the front of the line.”
The corner of his mouth twitches with the hint of a grin. “No problem. Sometimes every other request gets lost in the shuffle. Us adults tend to pay more attention when something is urgent or an emergency.”
“Us adults? Am I not an adult?” I ask, slightly annoyed with his insinuation.
“You know what I mean. You’re a new adult, still learning the ways of the world. I’m seasoned. I’ve been around the block a few times. I just know things that you’ll find out one day when you’re grown.”
I look at him with a look of something akin to smelling rotting garbage. “When I’m grown? Damn. Thanks. Guess now I know you think of me as a child.”
He opens his mouth, but I let him know I’m not in the mood to hear a lame explanation by turning my head and looking out the window.
I watch the city roll by as we maneuver in and out of the streets of downtown. I’m pouting like a child and proving Bishop’s thoughts about my maturity level to be correct. But his words cut because no matter how he may look at me, it’s clear he thinks of me as no more than a child.
We sit in silence as we near the stadium and I try to think of something to say that will wipe away the tense moments.
“Thanks for letting me tag along with you. I know I could’ve Uber’d–”
“But your uncle would have handed me my ass if you did that,” Bishop finishes my sentence. “It’s no problem. I promised both him and you that I’d be here if ever you needed anything.”
We pull into the reserved parking and I tuck my id and phone into my shorts, opting to leave my purse and backpack in the truck. I follow Bishop to the VIP entrance and we show our phones with the digital ticket and are allowed through.
When we arrive at the owners suite, boisterous laughter greets us. Stepping inside I see CeCe, her growing belly looking a little bigger each day, and Luca right by her side. He’s never too far from her and when he can’t be right next to her, his eyes are always following. Cami and Vaughan are laughing as they talk with Hayes and Cat, and Dagen sits with her nose pressed against the glass, watching the pregame action on the field.
A few other people I don’t recognize mill about, and I assume they are employees or guests. Drinks are in everyone’s hands –alcoholic and non, I assume– and they all look to be in good spirits. Heads turn and cheers ring out when they spot us.
“Ana!” Dagen shouts and comes running for me.
“Day!” I say back and hold my arms out to hug her. “How’s school going my little bestie?”
I’m sure most nineteen year old girls would be annoyed by a thirteen year old who always wanted to hang around and emulate everything they do and say, but I grew up as an only child with no cousins and Dagen has become a little sister, of sorts.
My dad is the only member of his family who decided to leave Puerto Rico when he turned eighteen. So although he does have family including nieces and nephews, we didn’t visit often enough for me to bond with them when I was younger. And now that sightings of my father are down to only a handful in a year, any relationship that I may have had with his side of the family is non-existent.
“Eh. It’s school. The only difference is the girls are meaner and the boys are dumber.” I snort out a laugh at her sassy mouth.
She may not have grown up around Vivian, but she sure does have her sassy attitude.
“Are you liking college? I bet it’s so cool. I can’t wait to go to college. I’m trying to decide if I want to go to Rice like you, or to Baylor like my mom and aunts,” she says, referring to Cami, Viv and CeCe.
“What about LSU or Florida like your dad and uncles?”
She scrunches up her nose and knits her brows. “Nah. I need to be close by in case mom and dad need me to help with the babies.”
“Babies?” I ask. “I thought your momma said they only have one baby cooking?”
“Mhm. But I already told my dad that I’m going to need more than one little brother or sister. Personally, I’d like at least two little brothers and one sister.”
“Why two brothers and only one sister?” I ask with a chuckle.
She shrugs. “I just think it’d be fun to teach the boys how to shoot and hunt and ride horses. I’m not so great at all the girly stuff, so if I had a sister, Cami could have the little girl she’s always wanted.”
