The Ride

Chapter Twenty-Two

Max

The Next Day

"Oh, she's so cute! Hi Madison!"

"Can you say hey? Tell her hey," I encouraged my niece, who shyly looked towards the phone and made the grabbing gesture with her hand.

"We're still working on it, but it's a start," I laughed.

I sat on the floor of the guest bedroom on a FaceTime call with Reagan, watching Madison as she played with her toys that were spread out all over the floor.

"Baaaa. Baaa," she pointed at the mini Louisville basketball I had bought her from the school bookstore.

"Ball? Say ball," I corrected her.

"Baa!" she shouted, trying her best to make a run for it as I rolled it across the room.

She ended up falling flat on her butt, but popped back up and kept going until she got her hands on it.

"So how long are you liking it at Drake's house?" Reagan asked.

"I love it. Much better than being at mom and dads. I get to spend time with Maddie. Em cooks like every day and I get to hang out with Aubrey. Plus, I get this huge room."

My first year of college was over. After the conclusion of basketball season, I returned to campus and finished up the rest of my spring classes two weeks early so I could be here for the birth of newest niece and nephew.

I proudly brought back all A's and a spot on the President's List for my academic achievements. Mom and Dad were super proud of that. Grades were top of the list for them. Drake also expressed how proud he was of me and slid me two bands.

"I see. That's nice. What is that? A king bed?"

"Yeah, I got this big ass bed, my own bathroom, walk in closet, balcony and this flatscreen TV. He hooked up the XBox for me so I could play my games. He said my room at their new house is even bigger and almost done. I can't wait to see it."

"You're so lucky," she smiled, "I miss you."

"I miss you more. Can't wait till you come home."

Reagan was still in Louisville finishing up her classes. She had finals next week, then would be headed home for our summer break. Athletes didn't get as much time off as regular students. Once mid June rolled around, we'd be back on a campus to participate in off season training and taking summer classes.

After falling short of a National Championship this year, I wanted to come back fully focused to continue elevating my game. All of the individual accolades were awesome, but it was all about being that team that held the big trophy up at the end of the season for me. I wanted to not only call myself a National Champion, but I wanted to help bring Louisville it's first title since 2013.

"Well, I need to start heading out. I'm meeting Elena at her house and taking her to lunch."

"Aww, that's cute- but isn't she supposed to be on bed rest?"

"You know as well as I do that Lena does what she wants," I chuckled with a shrug, "she said she's feels great though and that the babies ain't coming until the end of the week."

She laughed, "Okay, have fun. FaceTime me later?"

"You know it. I love you."

"Love you too, bye."

With Gelo planning to be out all day with Emilia and Owen finalizing the purchase of their new restaurant space, Elena wanted some company. She suggested going out for lunch, on her, despite being told to rest. Being the greatest little big brother that I was, my goal was convince her to settle for takeout once I got there.