Reasons - m.c

Chapter 25

You Got Me

Michael's P.O.V

"Baby? What's wrong?" I asked Shay.

"I can't do this, Michael."

"Do what? We're just going to play some football & to see your cousins."

"I know but I'm scared. What if they ask where I've been or what I've been up to? I don't want to lie but I'm scared to tell the truth. I don't know if I'm ready yet. Maybe this year is still too soon."

"You don't have to say anything you don't want to. Shay, just play off the questions then if they come up, joke that it's none of their business & change the subject or something. I'll be there to help you too."

"Okay." She took a deep breath.

"But Shay?"

"What?"

"I know that you can do it though. You're strong enough to tell them the truth if you want."

"Thanks."

"Now gimme a kiss & let's go see your family." I told her before she did just that, giving me a kiss & then walking over by her cousins.

"Shay's here!" One cousin yelled.

Then everyone turned & started hugging Shay. 

I took a step back, letting them have their reunion before she put out her hand for me & brought me into their circle.

"This is my boyfriend, Michael."

"Hi." That's all I could think to say.

"That's Eddie, Martin, Anthony, David & then that's my cousin Simon & his wife, Stephanie."

"Cool to meet all of you guys. You might have to say your names a couple more times before I remember them all."

Shay had told me stories about all of them before so I recognized their names & I knew who was siblings with who & how close Shay was with each of them, now I just had to put names with faces.

"Where are you from?" One asked, I think Anthony.

"I'm from Sydney."

"Oh, right. Grandma told me about you, musician, right?" Martin asked & I nodded.

"Ah, yea. She told me about you. Pretty famous apparently." David said. "You've been on award shows & talk shows & winning like every category you're in."

"Jeesh, did grandma tell everyone?" Shay asked & everyone nodded, so apparently she did.

"Ahh, wait so if you're not from here, do you play any American football?" Simon asked.

"Nope, not really, but I'll try." I joked.

"It's okay, I can barely play so he'll be fine." Shay added as she squeezed my hand.

"Let's make teams! Shay, want to play with our against your boy?" Stephanie asked her.

"Hmmm..." Shay laughed before she turned to look up at me. "Against. Definitely against." 

"I see how it is." 

"Okay, then you two pick teams." I think Eddie said.

So I had Anthony, Simon & Stephanie on my team while Shay had David, Eddie & Martin. Four on four. 

I could throw a football & catch, I just didn't know how well these other guys were so my skills may be minimal. 

It was so fun though. Shay was a tough cookie. She could throw the ball decently far & her cousins definitely didn't go easy on her for being a girl.