𝚃𝚘𝚛𝚗- ᑕ0ᗰᑭᒪᗴ丅ᗴ

ch 16: sunny

"Mom? I'm home!"

My voice echoed through the foyer as Nate followed me into my house. I turned to him as he closed the door and took a big huff, smiling.

"Thanks, again for this, Nate. I'm gonna go change really quick, then I'll show you around before dinn--"

"Hey, Babygirl."

The deep voice caught me by surprise and I jumped a little, turning around to see my Dad coming from around the corner.

"Dad, hey! I thought practice wasn't gonna be out until later."

Daddy smirked and pulled me in for a hug before kissing my forehead.

"You did say you wanted to talk to your Mother and me about something important. How was I gonna miss this dinner?"

He let go and focused on Nate, extending his hand to greet him.

"Good to see you, Nate."

"Yeah, you too Mr. Prescott."

"So how's football going this year?"

As my Dad and Nate made their way to the family room, I slipped away, heading to my room to change.

✨

My parents have always loved the O'Connell boys.

Well, at least Nate; my Dad could only tolerate Tristan.

I never understood why my dad was always cautious of Tristan around me, but now, I think I was starting to understand.

I came back downstairs, out to the family room and chuckled a little as I rolled my eyes.

Dad was showing Nate some old clips of him playing football in college as Nate held onto one of Dad's old game-winning balls.

I walked into the kitchen, seeing my mom closing the oven, turning around with a smile on her face.

"Hey, Kiddo. The filets should be done soon."

"Smells good, Mommy."

After grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I sat at the huge island with a deep sigh.

"Everything okay, sweetie?"

I gave her a small shrug before verbalizing my answer.

"Yeah, everything's fine."

"You  know, I thought you said you were bringing Tristan to dinner."

Pain tugged at my heart as I took a gulp of water, setting it down with the cap removed.

"Nope."

"So... why is he crossing through the backyard right now?"

"What?!"

I turned and looked out the kitchen windows, seeing Tristan dash across the backyard, towards the kitchen door that led to the patio.

🖤