CEO Leo’s Baby Mama Is Back

Chapter 25 Off the court

AARON’S HOUSE, LOS ANGELES.

“Is this some sort of joke?” Aaron blurted laughing as he handed Leo a can of beer. “She legit called you to drive them to the mall?”

Leo rolled his eyes, opening the beer can and the sound made him inhale in relief. “I was like she wouldn’t mean that. To my utmost shock my phone began burning up from her persistent calls and Chloe was practically pouting around the house at my refusal. After what feels like forever, I eventually gave in. But what I do not understand is why my own mother made me roam around the mall with her shopping bags for the longest two hours of my life.” He winced like someone in pain.

Aaron was practically laughing his head off uncontrollably. “I can’t start to imagine how awful you would have looked. You are a CEO for crying out loud.”

“I really wish someone would help remind her of it. But she is always trying to find a means to deprive me of peace.”

“Your mom is truly one of a kind.”

“Don’t even go there.” Leo said ruffling his hair as the image of Darby and the man she laughed with crossed his mind.

“Is something else bothering you?” His friend asked.

“I saw Darby and the father of the child.” He responded feeling like he tasted bile referring to the man as the father of Darby’s son. Leo had been hopeful that the child was his.

Aaron chuckled. “Why do you look bothered then? She already told you her truth, but you seem to trust your swindler of an instinct. I hope Chloe and your mom didn’t get to see them?”

“No, it’s not like any of them know what went on between us in the past.” He shrugged.

“What’s on your mind now?”

Placing his drink on the floor, Leo held his head with both hands. “For my sanity and to avoid embarrassing myself, I had better stay away from Darby and focus on my life. She is in the past now and I have a woman I want to marry. I don’t want to ruin the status quo with my dumb curiosity.”

Stifling a laugh, Aaron wiggled his brows tauntingly. “Are you sure you want to marry her?”

He held up a light fist to his face. “Shut up! I want to marry Chloe. She is familiar, I won’t have to go through the stress of being in love. That is the best thing to do. Falling in love messes with one’s head.”

“Yet, Chloe is over heels in love with you.”

“Errr, that would be an exception.” Leo mumbled, shaking off the scary thoughts that hijacked his mind.

“Speaking of which, will your mother be dropping Chloe off at your house? You seem too relaxed.” Aaron questioned taking a loud gulp from the can.

“Actually, she would be dropped off at hers. Chloe has a friend’s event to attend at San Diego, she would be leaving tomorrow and return on Friday morning or noon I guess.” Leo responded.

Aaron did a dramatic gasp. “Does that mean for the next four days, you, my friend would be all mine?”

Leo gulped hard, making a pained expression. “When exactly will any of your leagues start?”

His smile dropped to an inch as he turned away from his friend. “I don’t know yet.”

“What are you talking about?” Leo asked in a worried tone, when the mood went from lively to sour.

Aaron sighed, leaning into the couch. “I don’t think I can play any longer. My knees have been quite a problem for a while now. A year back it gave out on the court and I had to be put off the team for a few months with the hope that it would heal. However, it didn’t heal back in place enough for me to function on the court. And judging by how tough it is, I don’t think I want to go back with such flaw.”

Leo’s eyes widened in shock. “Why am I just knowing about it? You and I talk on the phone practically everyday.”

“And you always believe everything I tell you. If only you have been watching the games for the past years, you would notice my absence on the court. But I guess I am less relevant in your life. You have so many things to deal with.”

Leo’s heart dropped at the hurtful look on his friend’s face. “You know that isn’t true, Aaron.” He mused feeling stupid for trying to justify his actions.

Engrossing himself in work, he didn’t think Aaron needed him that much, he was always surrounded by his teammates and appears to be living the time of his life.

Shrugging, Aaron smiled weakly. “You don’t need to say anything. I understand.”

“No, Aaron. That isn’t the case. I thought you didn’t need me much and even the calls seem to me like a bother. You had so many people to interact with that I felt my presence wouldn’t mean anything to you anymore. But I missed us so much, which was why I ensured to keep the calls intact. As for me not watching the matches, it’s just me being a coward and I am so sorry for that. You should have called me, Aaron. I would have come running to you. You are my best friend, man. The only one at that. You mean so much to me and I don’t care what anyone says, I will be by your side till the end. Forgive me.”

Sniffing back the tears lingering at the end of his eyes, Aaron took a long sip of his beer. “Don’t get me all emotional. Big boys don’t cry.”

Laughing, Leo pulled him into a comforting embrace. “I am sorry, man. Did you let your parents know about it?”

“It’s of no use talking to those two. They would come around whenever they deem fit. Work is all they do, it’s almost like they fear living out differently as their entire life has been built around their jobs. It’s why I decided to quit basketball all at once. Not because I can’t heal from the knee, but I don’t want it to become the only thing I can do to survive or be relevant. I realize that my life keeps drifting away as I seek acceptance from the crowd, the team and the girls. I want to explore a life beyond that. And who knows, I might return to the court later on.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“What do you plan on doing?”

“Nothing.” He replied at a sharp pace.

Leo looked mortified. “What do you mean nothing?”

Aaron grinned. “I earned well from my days on the court, Leo. I have investments everywhere and I have been assigned as the new coach for the LA college team. I have nothing to worry about. But for now I am still on a break, which would give me just about enough time to torment your life for a long while.”

Groaning inwardly, Leo dropped his shoulder tiredly. “I can’t really argue with you and it’s annoying. Do whatever you wish with me. I really can’t argue anymore.”

“Does that mean you will be spending the week here?” Aaron wiggled his brows.

“Stop making that face. I will only spend two days and that’s it.”

“Three days.”

“Two nights.”

“Three solid nights.”

“What the fuck? Is this some sort of market place where you haggle days of the week?” Leo blurted in frustration.

Aaron snickered. “You are the one who keeps dragging it on for too long. Just give in.”

“Fine, I will stay. Just make it worthwhile or your neighbors will have no choice but to call 911.”

“Are you kidding me? This is a villa, no one will hear you.” He grinned mischievously, making his way to the kitchen.

“I hate you.” Leo muttered shaking his head.

He had hoped Aaron would ask him to stay over. Spending his nights all alone in the house feels too disturbing.