“What are you going to tell him?” She gave me that look that only older sisters can. It was a threat, and it was terrifying.
“I’m not going to tell him what you want. I will offer him to be part of Gentry and work on a BA in business online.” We looked at each other for a long time.
“I see.”
“I will discover why he doesn’t want to further a baseball career. He is good at this, Sarah. I need to encourage that. However, he must have that business foundation to grow with Gentry.”
“If you find out what is going on in his head and feel this is a good path for him, I will support you both. I worry so much about him, Aaron.”
“Sarah, Rodney has grown up to be a good man. He has his shit together and has goals. It will just be an offer on the table. He doesn't have to decide immediately. He may still decide to use those baseball scholarships.”
“Yeah. I’ve been so lucky you’ve been with me from the beginning with Rodney. He couldn’t ask for a better uncle. You've been his only male role model since his jackass father bailed nineteen years ago. All the good things in him he learned from you. We did rather well, didn't we.”
I hugged her. “You did great. I just offered some guidance.”
“I like this squishy version of my brother. Like I said the other day, I truly like the smile that seems permanently part of your face now.” She pushed me and went back to her desk.
“It’s just because I’m getting laid.” She laughed hard.
“Yeah, I am sure that’s all it is—nothing to do with what’s happening here,” swirling a finger around my heart area.
I looked at her with a shocked expression. Sitting down, I leaned back and stretched my long legs out in front of me. I closed my eyes. I could tell she was staring at me. After a minute, I opened one eye and checked to see if she was still there. She had her hand on her chin and seemed prepared to sit there all day looking at me.
“I think I love him.” I didn’t open my eyes so that I couldn’t see her expression, but the small gasp I heard said everything. “No. I do love him.”
I opened my eyes and stood up. Sarah launched herself into my arms. “Aaron, I am so happy for you. I want to meet him more than a look across a room at his handsome face. Rodney says he is a great guy. I can’t believe you have kept him from your big sister.”
“I swear it hasn’t been intentional. All of us have been busy. How about we try to get lunch tomorrow? At least you can meet him.” She gave me a massive smile.
“I would love that. River seems to be so good for you. I know I am going to adore him myself. He must pass the big sister test.”
Hey there, sexy. I miss you.
MyFantasy: Hey to you. Are you having a good morning?
I talked to Sarah, and she says she trusts my judgment.
Can you go for lunch tomorrow? I’d like you to meet Sarah.
MyFantasy: I’m free. I just have a couple of phone meetings for my trip to Canada.
Ugh, I hate you will be out of town. It will be good for Charlie to go on his first trip.
I’m glad you asked me to stay for the next few days. I like waking up with you.
MyFantasy: I am glad you are staying.
Rodney will be here soon. I am going to get stuff together. I’ll be home around 5 p.m. xoxoxo.
MyFantasy: I’ll be here.xoxoxo
I stared at my phone and grinned like a fool. I realized I just referred to River’s apartment as ‘home.’ I liked it. Damn, he was everything to me now. I didn’t even know how that happened. I guess it didn’t matter how we got here. I was just glad it happened.
“I’ve said it before. That smile looks good on you, Lil’ Brother. You didn’t say much when you returned from your conversation with Tanner yesterday.” She probably heard from her son that I was non-communicative when I got in last night.
“It went well. Tanner wants to build a relationship with me. His father is out of the picture. His grandparents have been raising him for the last five years. He called me Dad.” Her eyes got a little misty.
“That’s great to hear. I was worried you would never get past that pain. Maybe you can start living life again.”
