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As I sit on the top step of the back porch, the front door creaks open behind me. Over my shoulder, I find my curly-haired best friend headed straight towards me, two bottles in her hands.
She takes a seat right next to me as we both keep our attention on the never-ending acres of land in front of us.
“I brought your car,” Stevie finally says before handing me a bottle of beer.
“Thanks, Vee.”
She clinks hers with mine.
“I’m more of a gin and tonic kind of gal.” Stating the obvious, as if she didn’t already know, I take a swig.
“Even at ten in the morning?”
“There’s no time limit on a good cocktail.”
“Well now that your best friend is preggo, you’re a non-alcoholic beer type of gal.” Her blue-greens make their way to me as a smile creeps across her lips.
“Did that feel funny to say?” I laugh.
“So weird.”
Redirecting my attention to the greenery in front of me, we both stay silent for a few minutes, taking in the crisp air, the fresh smells. The freedom this place provides.
“What are you thinking about, Ind?”
I’m thinking about raising kids with the woman next to me. About getting to call my best friend my sister-in-law. About being an aunt to that sweet baby she’s growing. About spending our days together at the United Center watching Ryan or Zanders play then spending our evenings out here.
I bring my bottle to my lips. “I’m thinking about how hot I’m going to be as an NBA wife.”
Stevie laughs, her head leaning on my shoulder. “How lucky am I that my best friend and my brother love each other so much?”
I lean my head on hers. “Are we doing this forever or what? The four of us. Raising babies, and growing old together?”
“You tell me, Indy. Are we doing this forever?”
All I can see in this backyard is the rest of our lives. Every birthday. Every holiday. Every warm summer evening and chilly winter morning. And every image centers around the man my heart, mind, and soul loves.
For the first time in my life, I don’t have to romanticize any of it. Ryan has made my dream a reality.
I dreamt for him.
“Daily update, Vee—we’re doing this forever, but first I need your help with something.”
43
RYAN
“You let me know when you’re ready,” David, my doorman says.
“Harold should be pulling up any minute.”
Standing in the lobby, the two of us eye the horde of fans outside the building. After last night’s win, we’re only one away from securing a playoff spot for the first time in six years. It’s not the equivalent of winning a championship by any means, but it’s still big for this city.
“I haven’t seen Miss Ivers in almost a week, and I heard there were movers taking her stuff away the other day.”
David is a discreet man, but we’ve known each other far too long for him to pretend to be discreet with me.
“I bought a house about thirty minutes away from the city. Indy is staying there.”
