Chapter Twenty One – Bryn

The sweat pours down my body as I hop into the showers, my muscles feel tight, and my chest is pounding, but it’s a good experience. I’m glad to be at the top of my game all over again. That practice was amazing, I played my best and so did the rest of the team, which puts us in good stead for the finals.

“That was awesome, Whitting!” Andrew yells out. “I’m so fucking pumped for this.”

“Yeah, me too!” James interjects. “We’re going to fucking kill it. The Cavaliers are screwed.”

I smile at them both, glad to have them now. I still haven’t turned into the guy who’s out every night, wasting the evenings away spending money on booze and idiotic behavior, but I have people to talk to, to turn to when it gets a bit much. Not that things are bad at the moment. Sure, things are intense when it comes to the media attention, I haven’t ever really had it quite so much before, but I can get over that with Rebekah. With her on my side, it feels amazing. I can easily take on anything. And knowing that my dad is in a good place helps too.

“Yeah, well we just need to keep it up,” I tell them all. “We need to bring all of that to the game.”

I grab the shower gel and rub it through my hair, allowing the bubbles to fall all over my body. As I do, my mind drifts to Rebekah, just like it always does once I’ve stopped playing. She might be out of my brain every time I’m on the court, but as soon as I’m off it, she consumes me. I cannot wait to get home to see her, I love that she lives in my apartment. Even though I’m the one who suggested it, it still scared me a bit to think of her living in my home but actually it’s worked out okay. We’ve fallen into step with one another easily, and it’s worked out very well. It’s almost as if we were destined to find one another and be together. I can’t believe that I almost didn’t let this happen. I nearly turned my back on this wonderful relationship.

I wash myself quickly and jump out, grabbing a towel as I go. Now that Rebekah is on my mind, I need to get back to her. I can’t stand being away from her. I dry myself down and grab my clothing.

“You aren’t coming out tonight, I take it?” James smirks and shakes his head at me. “Got plans?”

I can’t believe that I’ve actually managed to get away with the teasing as well. Andrew has been given endless stick for his relationship, but everyone seems to be supportive of me and Rebekah. Maybe because it’s obvious that it took us a lot to get to where we are… or perhaps James thinks I can’t take it. Either way, it’s fine.

“Yeah, the ol’ ball and chain wants me home, you know how it is?” I tease back. “Maybe another time.”

“Sure, sure.” James pats me on the back. “But you might as well come out soon because when you’re a dad you won’t be able to. You’ll be stuck indoors with a screaming little… bundle of joy.”

“Oh, of course.” Andrew shoves him. “Because you know so much about babies. I can just imagine you falling apart if you were handed more than a baby. Bryn is a little but more mature than you, mate, he can handle it.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I chuckle. “I sure as hell freaked out when we had the ultra sound.” Well, I did for a second before I was overwhelmed by happiness, but there’s no need to relay that part. This is only a bit of banter anyway. “I even panicked and said no when they asked me if I want to know the baby’s gender.”

“You can tell already?” Andrew’s eyebrows rise into his hair line. “And you didn’t want to?”

“Oh, well we went for a 4D scan which is much clearer, so we could have found out if we wanted to. But for now, I think it’s better if it’s a surprise. I might change my mind later on though…”

Once I’m dressed, I grab my bag and I wave goodbye to the guys. I have my wonderful home to get back to, where my dad is joining us for dinner. I realize now that I always used to go to his place because it felt more like home and my apartment was a blank canvas that didn’t have anything of mine in it. It didn’t feel like a home, just a house that I slept in but never really felt like it belonged to me. Now, Rebekah has given it a much more homely feel, and not just because she’s there. Of course, having her around the place makes it one hundred times more appealing, but there’s also her belongings. She’s brought the things from her tiny apartment and integrated it into mine perfectly. She’s also added a lot of photographs around the place, which is amazing.

I only pause for a second when I get to the car because I remember something a little frightening. In all of my dedication to the game I forgot that it’s finally the time to meet Rebekah’s parents. She’s very nervous, but they’re coming around for dinner to finally meet us all. I’m going to have to make a good impression.

Okay, I nod to myself with determination. I need to make this easy for Rebekah, and I need to make her parents like me too. I suppose that isn’t too much to ask, since she’s carrying my baby.

I get into the car with a surge of determination, I can do this. I hope… I don’t know anything about these people so there might be no hope of them ever liking me, but I need to give it a try.

***

I push the door to my home open with my heart hammering violently against my rib cage, wondering what I’m going to find. I peek my head in and inside I instantly find Rebekah standing near my father, and an older couple sitting on the couch. I’m surprised by their age, I never knew that they were older when they had her.

“Hi!” I say as I step inside. “It’s erm, nice to see you all. Sorry if I’m late, practice ran over…”

Rebekah’s eyes flash at me, I can see that she’s suffering the strain. “Oh, Bryn, it’s good to have you back. Here are my mom and dad.” She guides me across the room to where they are. “And here is Bryn.”

As I shake their hands I can feel tension burning off them. They seem like quite the conservative type which I suppose might make them suspicious of me. I’m a basketball player, and the reputation of others on the team will probably reflect badly on me, and we fell pregnant very quickly, but I need to turn their opinion around.

“Oh, it’s lovely to have you,” I gush. “Thank you for coming all the way to see us.”

“Yes, well,” her father says with pursed lips. “We need to know who the father of our daughter’s baby is, and since we didn’t manage to meet you beforehand, I don’t see what other choice we have.”

I glance over at Rebekah who is anxiously rubbing her bump, then I see my dad who looks a bit blown away too. This just confirms to me that I have a great dad. I’m really freaking lucky. I give him a grateful smile, not that he knows what it’s about. Maybe I’ll talk to him about it later on, tell him that I love him. Thank him for everything that he’s done for me over the last few years.

“Okay.” I take a seat on the couch and give both of her parents a look. “Anything you want to know, please ask. I’m happy to tell you everything about me. I know this isn’t the most typical situation.”

“Yes… and I can always fill in any gaps too.” Dad immediately sees what I’m doing. “Unless you want any help with cooking, Rebekah? I can split my time between the two. Cooking and talking…”

“Erm, no you carry on.” Rebekah looks freaked but I think this is going to be a good thing. If I’m open and honest, then maybe it’ll be fine. “I’ll just be… doing what I’m doing. Shout me if you need me at all.”

She gives me a look but I nod to let her know that all is good. This is going to be fine, it has to be. I’m utterly determined to give it my all. I’m a freaking open book, ready to be read. Neither of Rebekah’s parents look like they want to read the book, but I’m going to change their minds…

***

I collapse into bed next to Rebekah with the big smile on my face as happiness consumes me. It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, but her parents left happy and liking me. Her mom even gave me a hug.

“I cannot believe how much my dad likes you.” She shakes her head, amused. “That’s insane. He hasn’t ever liked anyone in my life before. Friends, boyfriends, anyone. He always finds fault.”

I turn onto the side and smile at her with my head rested on the pillow. “He might still yet. You don’t know.”

“No, trust me, I know my father. He actually likes you!” Rebekah does the same so we can look at each other. “It was so tense before you got here, I was well and truly freaked out, but you smoothed it out. You came in and just turned the atmosphere around into something awesome. There’s something about you, Whitting!”

I feel so bad that Rebekah has had to give up cheerleading for now, it sucks, but I suppose she’s right that she needs to take care of herself and her baby, but I don’t like her giving up her dream. Because of that I’m more than willing to do whatever I can to make her happy. I’ll treat her like a princess and worship the ground that she walks on… I’ll even make her parents fall in love with me.

“I suppose I’m just irresistible,” I tease. “It can’t be helped. I mean, that’s why you fell for me, isn’t it?”

Rebekah gives me a look which transports me back to the early days, when we didn’t know one another, we had hardly even spoken, but the chemical connection between us was so strong that we couldn’t keep apart. It was magnetic, it pulled us into one another and left us with absolutely no control over our bodies. It was so powerful that I almost sacrificed everything for it… and it still feels that way. The more that I get to know her, the more I like her, the deeper I fall, the stronger that connection gets.

“I guess that is why I fell for you,” she tells me with a smirk. She runs a single finger down my cheek. “And why I can’t seem to get rid of you however hard I try.”

I laugh at her joke, tossing my had back in mirth. She’s so much fun which only makes it even better. Being around her even makes me less afraid that we’re about to have a baby. I’m still a little freaked, but I get more adjusted to the idea every single day. Sometimes, I even really like the idea of being a father. It isn’t expected, it wasn’t ever in the plan, but it’s also something to be excited about as well.

Me and Rebekah have proven that we can get through anything. I’m sure this is just another thing that we’ll survive.