"The comments aren't that bad," Amalia said over the phone on Friday afternoon.

She wasn't long home from work. We'd been talking most nights but I called her earlier seen as Mom, Dad and I were going to Lucas' game.

She'd seen the video of Dad denting the side of Mom's car with someone's head and was assuring me that the responses online weren't awful.

I was refusing to look at them because I didn't want to see what people had to say about our family.

I'd done that once before and while there were a lot of positive comments, the negative ones were nasty.

"There are some that are like, 'Drayton is such an aggressive person' or 'this is really immature or 'this is a bad example for his teenage kids'," she sounded as if she was closing her laptop. "But most of them are supportive. People agree that the paparazzi need more boundaries and that sort of thing."

"They do need more boundaries," I sat beside the pool with a pair of shades on and my joggers rolled up to my calf's, letting the cool water wade around my feet. "But I don't think Dad is too worried about it. There are no charges being pressed and he's pretty certain it'll be forgotten within the week. Like most scandal these days."

"True," I could hear her smile and wished I could see it. In person. FaceTime was great but it wasn't the same. I missed her.

"How are things back at home?"

"Back to normal I suppose," she said. "I dunno. Dad seemed more understanding when I explained the reason I was hurt and he apologised."

"That's good."

"Yeah," she said. "So I've been getting to know Kiara. A little. She's been over for dinner twice and she is nice. Like you said. I think it'd be impossible not to get along with her."

"Yeah she's great," I watched the beams of sunlight reflecting from the rippling water, bright and beautiful but still insignificant to the smile my girl wore. "What does Bernie think of her?"

"Oh don't even get me started," her exasperation was out matched by her amusement. "It's hard to get a word in once they get going. Both of them talk so much. But Kiara has so many good stories about the fashion world and that sort of thing. She's worked for some big designers and honestly, Bernie can not exhaust her questions."

"I bet Kiara is happy to answer them though," I said and leaned back, resting my palm on the hot deck. It only stung for a moment.

"She seems like she's happy to," Amalia said and I could picture her mild uncertainty as she shrugged her shoulders. "She's good at answering anyway. She doesn't give bored disinterested answers. She has a lot to say."

"I can imagine."

"I miss you," she said. "This week has felt kind of long. I'm not complaining, it was important for you to be at home. But I do miss you."

I clutched the phone a bit harder. "I know. I miss you too. I'll be home tomorrow though. You wanna come and spend the night?"

"Definitely," she said and I could visualise her lip biting grin. "I actually have this thing that I want us to do together. Something I saw online. I'll bring what we need."

I narrowed my gaze. "Alright, I'm a bit curious. Care to share more?"

"Nope," she laughed. "It's a surprise. You'll love it though. I hope."

I tipped my head back, squinting at the clear blue above. Despite having glasses on, it was still too bright to indulge in the magnificence of beautiful skies.

I couldn't decide if I missed the Texas weather or not. It shouldn't have been this hot in October but I wasn't ready to complain after enduring fall in the big Apple.

"Alright," I ran a hand through my hair which was becoming damp with perspire. I needed to get under shade. "I trust you. If you're involved I doubt it's anything to complain about."

"That's the spirit," she chimed. "'I have to go. Bernie's friends will be here soon for her sleepover."

"Oh right the birthday thing," I recalled that Amalia had told me her little sister celebrated earlier in October because her birthday was the 31st. She could never compete with Halloween. "Did she get a parcel in the mail by any chance?"

It was quiet for a beat. "Why?" Her voice was full of suspicion. "Max?"

"Oh I just figured it would have been there by now."

In the background there was a sudden ruffling of sheets and then the sound of her bedroom door being swung open. "Hang on a sec," her voice was still audible but it was more distant. "Bernie?! Berns?!"

An even further voice, a much younger one, came through the phone after another door was opened. "What?"

"Te ha llegado algún paquete reciénteme?"

Bernie sounded confused. "No?"

"Max dijo que el envío algo?"

Suddenly heavier more frantic footsteps could be heard and I laughed, listening to them call for Elias.

"Papá," Bernie shouted.

"Sí?"

"Have any packages arrived in the mail?"

"Packages of what?" Elias asked.

I heard Bernie let out a growl of frustration. "I don't know Papá. A package? Just any packages? At all?"

"There's a box in the kitchen," he said. "It was on the doorstep when I came home."

Amalia was sniggering at all of the huffing and grunting coming from her little sister. Elias sounded totally disinterested in an oblivious sort of way.

"She's found it," Amalia updated me after a moment and I could hear that Bernie's earlier annoyance had turned into excitement. "You didn't have to do this, Max."

"It was no trouble," I moved over to the lounge chairs that were hidden beneath the large outdoor umbrellas.

My wet footprints on the deck began to dry immediately.

The ruffle of cardboard and paper crunched in the background. Amalia quietly questioned what was in the box when Bernie started gasping.

I smiled to myself and put a hand behind my head. If Bernie was happy, Amalia would be happy and that made my heart sing.

"Oh, wow," Amalia murmured with appreciation. "Max, this is incredible."

"Sí. Gracias, Max!" Bernie shouted.

Earlier in the week after Amalia had mentioned that she was celebrating Bernie's birthday, I hopped online and found a website which had some beautiful, professional sketch pads and artist grade pencils.

Colouring ones and led ones. The sketch pad came with pre drawn bodies to draw outfits over. It was quality and after seeing Bernie's talent, I knew she would make good use of them.

"You're welcome, Berne's," I called out.

Amalia repeated what I'd said and Bernie's squeals and laughter faded further into the distance until it was cut off entirely by the sound of door closing.

I figured Amalia was settling into her bed again from the sound of things. I know she needed to go but I would talk to her for as long as she wanted.

"You know her actual birthday isn't until the end of the month," she said.

"Yeah I know. But it was no sweat. I've got something planned for her actual birthday as well."

She made a disbelieving sound in the back of her throat. "Max?!"

"Don't get silly about it," I laughed. "A sketch pad and pencils is not a big deal."

"Well what's the other thing?"

"A cloth-based mannequin. Ya know, one of those ones that's soft and she can pin material to and all that. I've seen them a lot whenever I've gone to Abby's photoshoots and that sort of thing."

There was a beat of silence over the line and I winced, wondering if she would tell me she had one already. I didn't think I'd seen one in her room though.

"I wish I could kiss you right now," Amalia finally broke the quiet with a low voice. "How are you so thoughtful?"

"Uh I don't know?"

She giggled. "She's going to love that."

"And don't think I've forgotten that you're next. November sixth."

"Don't get carried away," I could imagine her pointed look. "I would be happy to just spend some time together. Dinner at your apartment. A movie maybe."

"Mhmm. I'll keep that in mind," my tone was dismissive and I heard her sigh.

With a quiet voice she said, "how did I get so lucky?"

My smile was starting to hurt. I'd take this sort of pain over heartbreak any day.

I was going to tell her I was the lucky one when a small child came toddling out of the back door with a bag of chips in his hand.

"Tommy?" I started to stand up as Coleman's three year old bee lined straight for the pool. "Amalia, I have to go. My Dad's idiot friend isn't watching his kid."

"Okay," she laughed. "Talk later. Have a good night."

"You too, beautiful."

I hung up the phone and slid it into my pocket as I ran at the kid who started laughing as he sped up.

As if running straight towards his own death would be hilarious. I scooped him up before he ended up in the water and sat him on my hip.

"Dangerous," I pointed at the pool with a firm voice and shook my head.

He tipped his head back so fast that his whole body arched and I fumbled to keep him in my arms.

"Tommy. No. The pool is dangerous. Don't go near the water."

"I like to swim!" He shouted, throwing his chip packet onto the deck.

I sighed and picked it up before I wandered in to the kitchen, discarding the chips and taking my sunglasses off as I passed the countertop.

Coleman was in the living room watching something on the television.

He and Dad had been friends since the NFL. Coleman was retired now and he'd found out just over six months ago that he had impregnated one of his brief flings almost four years ago.

A DNA test had been carried out and he was quietly disappointed at the time when it turned out that he was a father.

He had warmed up to the idea but clearly he still needed to learn a few lessons on parenting.

"Coleman," I stood in front of him and put Tommy down on the floor. "Your kid almost drowned just now. You know that you're supposed to watch him, right?"

Coleman looked at his son and then looked up at me with confusion. "He's dry?"

"Yeah because I managed to get to him before he jumped in the pool."

He laughed and ruffled his son's hair. "Little daredevil huh, bro."

Dad appeared from the corridor and put his cap on. He was wearing a hoodie and track pants and it made me think I should bring a hoodie as well.

It'd probably get a little cold in the stands tonight despite it being hot at the moment.

"Hey Dad," I said and he gave me a slap on the shoulder as he slipped past and crouched down in front of Tommy.

I thought about asking him to give Coleman some lessons on keeping a toddler alive. But Dad was sort of fragile at the moment.

He might have killed Coleman if he knew that he'd been so irresponsible a moment ago.

"Little man," Dad smiled and held up his fist. "Give me some knuckles, kid."

Tommy bumped Dad's fist with his own and laughed when Dad burst it and started tickling his tummy.

I sat down on the edge of the love seat and mimicked the way Coleman sat with his elbows on his knees.

We watched Dad and Tommy have a little tousle and then Tommy started pointing in the direction of the back door.

"I want to swim!"

"Maybe another time little dude," Dad said. "Can't swim without an adult, okay?"

"He disagrees," Coleman laughed, loud. "Max just caught him trying to go for a dip on his own. Saved him from drowning. Isn't that right, kid?"

Oop.

Dad remained crouching and turned to glare at Coleman. "Do you want me to fucking drown you?"

Coleman chuckled and waited for Dad to laugh. When it was apparent it wasn't a joke, he swallowed and threw his arms up. "He's fine. It's sweet."

Dad stood up and towered over his friend. "Watch your kid or I'll pull your arms off and throw you in the pool. Dick head."

"You know," Coleman scratched the back of his head, clearly nervous but attempting not to show it. "His Mom doesn't like people swearing around him."

Dad sighed but shrugged a shoulder. "Sorry. I'll lid it."

That was when Mom decided to join us. As soon as she walked into the room, heels clacking on the wooden floor, Dad's whole demeanour changed.

He smiled and looked at her in a way that no son should ever witness. She wasn't exactly dressed up but that never mattered to Dad.

He never missed the chance to shower her with compliments.

"Beautiful," he shouted and I saw Tommy jolt with a fright, not impressed to be torn away from the cartoons he and Coleman were now watching.

Mom smiled. "Thank you, baby."

She was wearing Lucas' team cap, a pair of jeans, some black lace up boots and one of Dad's hoodies.

"You want me to take photos?" Dad offered, shuffling in his track pant pocket. "For your Instagram?"

"Sure, why not," she said.

Dad took a couple of photos of her beside the staircase in the foyer while Coleman, Tommy and I watched some kids superhero show. Dad started calling out for me so I wandered into the foyer.

"Take some photos of Mom and I," he handed me his phone and proceeded to wrap his arm around Mom's shoulder.

As long as it didn't become inappropriate, I didn't mind. They changed their poses a few times, silly faces, smiling at each other and ended it with a kiss.

We arrived at the campus earlier than most people. It was still busy but not to the extent that it would be in half n hour.

We were granted access to the field by a security guard who knew who we were and what we were doing here. Coleman was meant to bring his son along to watch, but Tommy was tired and wouldn't have lasted much longer.

Fair enough. It was late for a little one to be out.

Lucas was in his uniform on the side of the field, throwing a football back and forth with a few of the other guys on his team.

One of them pointed at us and he turned around, waving a heavily tattooed arm as he smiled.

He jogged over and gave Mom and Dad a hug before we shook hands. "What's up? Glad you made it. Where the fuck is Coleman?"

"He had to get Tommy home. The kid was tired," Dad said.

Lucas nodded and gave me a slap on the shoulder. "Where's your girl? Thought she was here?"

"She went home on Sunday?" I said. "How about Mills?"

"She'll be here," he smiled.

"Luc," Mom interrupted. "How is she? About Abby?"

Lucas flinched and exhaled a deep breath. His shoulder pads raised as he rested his hands on his hips. "She's sad. Kind of pissed off that Abby never opened up to her about this shit. I dunno. She kind of walks around like she's gonna murder someone all the time."

"Relatable," Dad nodded.

"We're here," Mom told Luc. "If she needs someone to talk to or whatever, she's welcome at our place whenever. She knows that, right?"

"Probably," he shrugged. "I'll pass on the message though. Or you can. She'll be here soon."

Dad pointed at him. "I hope you tell her that you think she's hot as hell all the fucking time."

"This is getting weird," I said.

"I mean it. Don't ever let her doubt herself," Dad warned.

"Yeah trust me," Lucas grinned. "I got that covered. I'd tell you exactly how I remind her. But mom might hit me."

"Keep it to yourself," Mom and I said in unison. She added, "how about Flynn? Have you spoken to him?"

Lucas nodded and clapped hands with a teammate who wandered past. "Yeah. He's focusing on classes and shit. But he still feels weird about living in the house without Abby."

"No," Mom protested. "No. He shouldn't feel weird. He's family. She'll come home in no time. It'd be a waste for him get a dorm in the mean time."

Lucas winced and his gaze moved from side to side with discomfort. "Mom, she broke up with him. When she comes home, he's going to have to move out anyway."

"She was just upset," I said. "She'll settle down. You know what she's like."

He shook his head. "They were basically broken up before she left for rehab. She'd ended things a few days before you went to talk to her and he was trying to give it one more shot. She agreed to let him live in the house until he made other arrangements but he was trying to win her back in the mean time. She was done though man."

"I don't understand," mom said. "It's Flynn. He loves her. She loves him."

Dad rubbed her back and sighed. "She needs to love herself, babe. She'll come around."

Lucas didn't look so sure but it was obviously upsetting mom to talk about. So he dropped it and gave her a tight smile.

I had a feeling it was guilt that had driven Abby's actions. We all knew what her relationship meant to her. She wouldn't throw it away over nothing.

We talked for a while longer, catching up on how Lucas was coming along at College and classes.

But it wasn't long before he needed to join his team and we needed to find our seats in the front row of the stands.

Being at the game was never dull. The atmosphere was enthusiastic and alive. I loved watching football but I couldn't wait until I was home again.

Back with Amalia.