From My Love to My Life (MXM) (sequel to From My Enemy to My Love)

Chapter 17

Chet Watakeekul

"Why are you in such a hurry today?" Kamara asked me as I scrambled to get dressed.

"I've got to get home, make sure the apartment is clean and then go pick up Vincent's dad from the airport," I said.

Kamara smiled as well as some of the other players around us. They knew I always got excited when Dean and Antonio came into town. I hurriedly pulled the shirt over my head, grabbed my phone and keys from the locker and quickly closed the locker calling goodbye to everyone as I quickly left.

It didn't take me long to get home. For a brief moment, I considered not taking Goldie out before I left for the airport, but she ran excitedly in front of the door even barking quietly a little so I couldn't ignore her. I took her to the gated area outside for dogs. There were a few other dogs playing and she wanted to play with them. Normally I would have let her, but I didn't have time today. "Come on, Goldie," I called by the gate. She stopped and stared at me. "Come on," I encouraged.

She ran over to me and was patient as I put her leash back on her. She looked back at the other dogs as I led her out the gate. When we got back inside the apartment I said, "Sorry you couldn't play, Goldie, but someone's coming to see you and I know you are going to be excited to see them." Dean and Antonio came to visit us at least once a year, usually when the season was still on so they could come to an MLS game. Then Vincent and I tried to go visit them a couple of times throughout the year during the off season.

I did a quick scan of the apartment making sure everything was clean. We usually kept the apartment pretty clean anyway and Vincent said he was going to clean it before he left for work this morning. It appeared that he did everything already including putting fresh sheets and blankets on the bed in the guest bedroom.

Goldie followed me around as I went around each room. "You have to stay here while I go pick them up," I said. Her tail and ears drooped like they always did when we told her she had to stay home.

I scratched her behind the ears. "It's okay. You'll be happy when I get back. See you in a bit." And with that I left her in the apartment making sure the door was locked behind me.

My phone rang as I rode the elevator down to the lobby. 'Mom' came up on the screen.

"Hi, mom," I answered.

"Hi," she said. "Are you on your way?" My parents got along really well with Dean and Antonio. They were the real in-laws. Not Greg and Jennifer.

"Just about," I said. The elevator doors opened and I stepped into the lobby. I waved to the concierge as I passed. "I'm getting in my car now," I said. Which was pretty much true. I would be getting in my car in less than a minute.

"Okay," she said. "Your father and Vinny aren't getting off early even though I suggested they both do it."

"It's fine, mom," I said. "We already planned that they would stay at work."

"I know," she said, "but Dean and Tonio like Nate's cooking and he won't have time to cook and we all know I can't cook so I'm picking up food."

"It'll be fine, mom," I reiterated.

"Okay," she said. "Drive safe. I'll see you later."

"Bye," I said. We hung up just as I opened the car door.

The drive to the airport wasn't bad. It wasn't rush hour traffic yet. I drove slowly through the pick up area of the airport watching carefully for Dean and Antonio. I didn't see them the first drive around the airport loop, but they were there the second time. I pulled to the curb in front of them and turned off the car.