You Get It

The Little Moments, Part 3

Coming off of the field and into the locker room, Noah tried to calm himself down. The practice had been frustrating and not what he was hoping for. In his senior year, he was hoping that this wasn't an indication of the end of his season. He was aiming for NFL draft and playing like he had wasn't going to cut it. Slamming his things into his bag and making his way out, he took deep breaths to bring himself down.

The pressure that came with being part of a sports family was sometimes a little much for him. His siblings and parents never put the pressure on him but he knew it was there; from the outside world, from the coaches, and from himself. Hearing his sisters over the phone helped to ease some of the tension he was carrying. Annoying as they were, they were a piece of home. He was definitely grateful for the break and time back with his siblings and parents. His brother wasn't too far but his twin was on the other side of the country. His older sister had been there too but she had just moved back, though it didn't mean he saw her any more than he had when she was living on the opposite coast.

He made his way to his sister's black jeep and got in to the sound of their laughter. After confirming that it was indeed at his expense, he chucked it to youngest of four luck. Being the baby of the family, he was used to the roasting and inherited the familial wit to defend himself most of the time. Today, he was a bit short on comebacks and just wanted to enjoy himself.

It wasn't until after they hung up with his big brother and his sisters got weird at the mentions of how they were doing that he noticed the awkward energy.

"So, y'all gonna keep acting like you're not being weirder than normal?" he questioned as his eyes went between the two girls.

"What are you talking about?" his twin tried to deflect.

"Nice try, Cal. You got weird when I actually complimented you and Bubby is acting like someone paid her to actually be quiet for once in her life."

"Excuse me, I am not loud. I can be quiet sometimes. And I'm fine. Just a crap audition, but it's over now." His older sister gave in an unconvincing tone.

"Okay. Sure. If you say so. But just know that if you don't let it out now, Mom will definitely get it out of you in a little while so may as well do it now and let it out."

"I'm fine, Noah. Seriously." His sister said sternly.

"She's not. But I am. Just a little nervous for dinner." His twin stated. The scrunch in her eyebrows a dead giveaway that it was more than just a little. She was straight up scared of something.

"Callie, I literally shared a womb with you. Try again."

"You suck, you know that? And I'm okay. I just have something to tell Mom and Dad and I'm not sure how they're gonna take it."

"Did you commit a felony? Get married? Pregnant? If the answer is no, then you'll be fine." He added with a shrug.

"Nope. None of those. Just putting an 200,000 dollar education to use in a non-profit job after graduation." She blurted out.

"That's your big news? That you're going the non-profit law route? Have you met Mom? She may throw you a damn party. I don't get why you're nervous." He added nonchalantly.

"Because it's a lot of money and I know it wasn't the original plan."

"So what? You're still going into what you said you were. Law. So they won't care." The oldest reassured.

"Yeah. It's not like you're dropping out to be a stripper." Noah deadpanned.

"You're disgusting. But he's right, Cal. You'll be fine. We're all proud no matter what kind of firm or law you go into."

"Exactly. And you can't be in worse shape than me. I keep playing how I practiced today and Dad may downright disown me."

"I could tell you were weird when you got in. What's up? Tough practice?" his twin asked.

"You could say that. I just have been off my game. I think of the shoes I have to fill and and I don't know. It just gets to me sometimes." He admitted with a bit of sadness in his tone. The pressure got to him most of the time. He didn't want to get to dinner and deal with all the questions about how excited he was to be going into the league soon when he didn't even feel like it was going to happen for him with his current playing.

"Noah, you're literally a legacy and a dope player. You're fast as hell and have quick hands. I may not care about football but I know the NFL usually looks for that. Don't get in your head and psych yourself out." His twin assured him.

Letting out a small smile, he felt grateful that his sisters knew what to say. They were a lot like their mom in that way. "You're right."

"I usually am." She said proudly, her face still looking forward and unable to see his eye roll. They sat in silence for a few moments as they pulled in front of their parents house. Seeing their brother's car and an unfamiliar figure in his passenger seat.

"Who the hell is in his car?" Noah asked plainly. He was never really one to mince words.

"Beats me." His sisters said at the same time.

"As long as they don't ask me anything about the draft, I don't care." Noah let out plainly, joining them as they got out the car to go and greet their brother and walk into the family home.

 A/N: I mean, it's probably obvious by now what's going on (especially since this is a Spencer and Olivia one shot book) but I have one, maybe two more parts. Tried to pull a This is Us but it doesn't work as well when it's in a pre-established book. 😂  Hope this is all making sense and you guys like it!