Page 96 of Beauty
“But then he’ll want to get a new plane. And if so, maybe we can convince him to get one with a hot tub.” Daniel crouches down and holds out a fist for Ollie to bump. “Make sure you tellGavin your thoughts on the plane size. Your uncle wants a new ride.”
Ollie shakes his head. “You guys are so weird. Who’d want to take a bath on a plane?”
The girls are already walking away, both laughing.
“Wait,” my son continues. He hasn’t stopped yammering since Jen brought him over this morning. He’s excited. “We have to walk up stairs? Where’s the long tunnel?”
I’ve always done my best to give Ollie honest answers, but damn does it get hard when he asks so many questions. “Let me grab our bags, and then I’ll explain.”
I’m tempted to catch up to the girls so I can maneuver my way into sitting near Sienna, but the luggage slows me down, and I’d rather not garner the attention of the guys or any of the coaching staff by running after her with Ollie in tow.
So I choose to take my time, trusting that fate will step in. Just like it did this morning when I discovered her in the elevator with Jen.
I only had a moment to celebrate before I noticed the apprehension in her eyes. By the way she was covertly studying Jen, I knew she’d run. Sienna’s good at that.
I’ll admit that her inclination to distrust me isn’t completely unwarranted. Two nights ago, I told her I hadn’t been with anyone since her. Yet my son, as well as his mother, who was standing mere feet from her, gave her reason to believe otherwise. Until she hears the full story from me, she’ll wonder. I’d happily tell her the truth. It’s just hard when she won’t talk to me.
I answer every question my little guy throws at me as we ascend the metal stairs and step onto the plane. Everyone we pass gives him a fist bump or waves, calling his name left and right. He’s beaming as we shuffle our way toward where I usually sit with the guys.
Every time he looks up at me with that grin, like this is the best day ever, my heart clenches. I miss him terribly when I’m traveling, so spending an entire week with him is an incredible gift.
As we pass the area where the coaches usually sit, Gavin lights up. “Ollie! We’re so excited you’re coming with us. Though my sister says you thought the plane would be bigger.”
Beside him, Sienna is already settled in. Two cups of coffee sit on the table in front of them, along with a leather zip-up folder, and the seats across from them are empty.
Ollie nods, his movements exaggerated. “Yes, sir. My mom always says that with all the money Dad makes, he should have a bigger place. So maybe rich people just like small things.”
Gavin throws his head back and laughs.
With a groan, I slap a hand over my face. Fucking Jen.
Still chuckling, Gavin points across the table. “Sit up here with us. The seats are a little bigger.”
Sienna hisses a breath, though she tries to cover it up by turning away.
I have to bite back a smile. Yeah, I knew fate would do me a solid.
Meanwhile, Ollie looks around. “There are a lot of big guys on the plane. Maybe you should put them here and we should go back there.”
Sienna snorts and elbows her brother. “I think he just called you small.”
With a fake glower, Gavin puffs up. “I may not be as big as Brooks and Aiden, but I’m six-one and two hundred pounds of muscle.” Then, with a glance at Ollie, he leans closer to his sister and mouths, “Oh, and I’m married to a twenty-seven-year-old.”
Sienna sticks out her tongue and angles away from him. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”
The two continue teasing each other as Ollie sits and I dig out his iPad and a couple of books. With any luck, they’ll distract him from butting into conversations for the next couple of hours.
Gavin may have found my son’s observations humorous, but they can be scalding at times. Jen and I have always encouraged his curiosity and critical thinking, but there are times when I wish I knew how to explain that he doesn’t need to share every thought that passes through his mind.
Sienna stares at her phone, pretending to be occupied while Ollie gets situated. Only when Ezra wanders over after the attendants have taken our drink orders does she look up from the device.
“Have you seen the winger from the University of Michigan?” he asks Gavin as he rests a hand on the back of his seat for balance.
“Huey Davis?” Coach muses.
Ezra smiles. “That’s the one. He’s got one hell of a dangle.”
“Can’t forget the flow either,” I chime in.
