I scrunch my nose, making a face, then turn away from him to look at my daughter. She’s still having a grand ole time with my sister. A smile pulls at the corners of my lips. Thank God for my baby girl. At least she’s always able to melt my heart and make me smile.
I try to spend a lot of my free time with Gianna on my own, but tonight when we were heading out the door, she begged me to call Auntie Mari & Uncle Maxy.
Maxy… like a woman’s maxi pad. I laugh at the funny name she’d given him.
“What’s with the face, dude?” Max asks.
I turn back to face him. “What face?”
“The face you gave me before you looked away just now.”
I hide a smile and look away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, dude.”
“Yeah, you do.” He smirks. “You’re grossed out because I’m eating this good, delicious pizza, aren’t you?” It’s not the first time we’ve had this same discussion.
“It’s barf-worthy.”
His eyes widen as he gasps. “It’s delicious, all-American goodness.”
“Nonna must be rolling around in her grave,” I say jokingly, remembering how our grandmother hated anything that wasn’t home cooked.
“Hey! Don’t you bring Nonna into this.”
I laugh and so does he.
After a moment, his expression changes to serious. “Look, man. I know we’ve already spoken about this and put it past us, but I’m really sorry about last week at Bottoms Up. I wasn’t trying to insinuate you should ever forget about Sylvs. I know you miss her, and you’re entitled to feel however you do. I just worry about you and Gianna, man. I want to see you guys happy.”
I offer my brother a genuine smile so he knows I’m not harboring any hard feelings against him. “Max, I know. It’s okay, really. I know it’s not what you meant or were even trying to say. I know you care about me and Gianna. I’m not mad. I just overreacted that night. My temper got the best of me… You know how I am.”
“My brother, the hothead,” he says, smiling.
“Like you’re not.” I shake my head and take a sip of my drink.
“Daddy!”
I snap my head to the left and see my little princess running toward me at full speed. Marianna is trying to keep up behind her.
I instantly rise from my seat, and right before she’s about to crash into me, I lift her up by her arms and spin her around above my head.
She shrieks and squeals, making me laugh. She’s so precious.
As I spin us back around to our starting point, I bring her to me and place a kiss on her cheeks.
I place her on the ground. “Are you having fun, princess?”
“Oh, yes, Daddy! Aunt Mari is the best!”
“Hey, what about me?” Max feigns disappointment, but I know it’s all a ploy to get Gia to run to him. He does this all the time.
“You don’t count,” Marianna states, finally reaching us.
I laugh.
“You’re the best too, Uncle Maxy!” Gianna runs over and scoots in next to Max. He wraps his arms around her, and off they go chatting into their own little world. These two definitely have their own little bond, but I know that in her eyes, no one compares to Daddy. My little girl is very attached to me and loves me to the moon and back, same as me toward her.
Marianna and I take a seat across from Gianna and Max. Pouring the fruit punch into each of their cups, I lift my eyes for a second and see Gianna lay her head against Max’s chest. I flick my wrist to get a look at my watch and realize it’s about time to go home.
“Someone’s getting ready to head to La La land.” I take a sip from my cup before refilling it like I just did theirs. It’s still cold and not too diluted, even though the ice melted a while ago.
“She plays hard,” Marianna states. “Tonight was no exception. She gave me a run for my money.”
We chuckle.
“That’s cause you suck, Mari,” Max says.
She smirks. “Hahaha. Very funny. A-s-s,” she says, spelling it so Gianna doesn’t pick up on it. This is what they do whenever they’re bickering or playing around when my daughter’s nearby.
“Oh, I’m an a-s-s, huh? Well, then you’re an a-s-s l-i-c-k-e-r… and you can lick mine.”
I try to hide a chuckle.
“No, thanks,” Marianna retorts, closing her eyes and sticking out her tongue in disgust.
“Lick what?” Gianna lifts her head.
I give the two of them disapproving looks and then respond, “Ice cream, baby. Your aunt and uncle want some ice cream.”
“Ooh, can I have some ice cream too, Daddy?” Her face lights up. It may be almost bedtime for my baby, but how can I say no to that face?
I smile at my princess. “Of course, baby. Let’s get out of here and get some ice cream. And because your Uncle Maxy mentioned it, he can pay.”
I smile widely at my brother as he playfully rolls his eyes. “Ice cream it is.”
The blaring alarm that sounds at 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning is like a bullet to my head. I spent all night tossing and turning, not being able to get comfortable and put my thoughts to rest.
Why is it that as soon as I close my eyes, bright-red lips are all I see?
I rise from my bed and head to the bathroom. It’s still dark out, and I’d love to lie back down for another hour, but I’m not one to skip my morning routine. I relieve myself, brush my teeth, and head back to my bedroom to throw on some workout clothes and then head down the hall. I run for half an hour on the treadmill, trying to keep my focus on my heart rate and getting my laps in.
Once I’m done, I head back into the bathroom and jump in the shower.
By the time I’m done and had my first cup of coffee, it’s time to wake up Gianna, drop her off at school, and get started with my errands.
But instead of coming home after dropping off my princess, I decide to head to training instead. With the big event coming up in a few days, I need to be in my best possible shape yet.
“You’re here early,” Ryker says as he sees me walking into the gym.
I shrug. “No time to waste. Figured I’d get it in early and maybe spend time with Gia after I pick her up instead of having my brother look after her. But anyways, so are you.”
Ryker punches the bag in front of him a couple of times before responding. “I thought the same, but I haven’t seen Mandy in a few days.” He frowns. Mandy is his daughter. He’s been broken up with her mother, Justine, for a little while now, and she doesn’t make it easy for him to see her. I don’t know why. He’s a great dad, but she tries her best to give him a hard time. She’s not that nice.
I consider asking about Mandy, but he’s already back in the zone, and I don’t want to further upset him.
I throw in my AirPods and select my workout playlist. I turn up the volume and take out some punches against the bag next to him. We continue in silence for the next twenty minutes.
“You ready for The Big Shot?” Ryker asks once we’re done and in the locker room, getting changed.
I throw my gloves into my locker. “I’ve been ready. I’ve been dying to get my revenge and win that title once and for all.” Dennis “The Big Shot” Mavis has been the only one standing in my way, and I intend on coming out on top next time we meet.