Expect The Unexpected

Chapter 28

I pull up to Starbucks and get out. I walk inside and wait in line, waiting for Emily and Kate to arrive.

"Hey Riley, your regular today?" The Starbucks barista asks me.

"Yes please."

"That'll be $4.68" I scan my phone, paying with my Starbucks card. "I'll have that right out."

"Thanks Joe!"

I go to the end of the bar and wait for my Passion Fruit Tea with Lemonade. While I'm waiting my phone buzzes with an incoming call, the caller ID reads Clayton.

"Hey Clay what's up?"

"Nothing much just packing. How's my little sister?"

"Hanging in there... Where are you going?"

"It's actually the reason I called. I got traded."

"To where?!?!?!" I question my older brother.

"Baltimore."

"Wait are you serious???"

"Yeah, I've been looking into it for a while, coming to the East Coast I mean. And Baltimore was interested so I jumped on it."

"When do you get here?"

"Friday, I've already shipped stuff to my apartment." He tells me as Kate and Emily walk in. I give them a wave as they get in line.

"Riley?" One the baristas says putting my drink on the counter. 

"Thank you!" I tell them. "That's awesome I can't wait to see you."

"I'm excited, I get to be there for my niece's or nephew's birth"

"Hate to burst your bubble but you'll most likely be traveling."

"Damn it Ri, why you gotta do that."

"Sorry big bro" I respond as Kate and Emily walk over to me by the counter. "Clay I gotta go, I'll see you this weekend."

"Sounds good little sis, be safe love you."

"Love you too" I reply as I hang up.

"Clayton has a game here?" Emily asks confused, knowing Oakland doesn't have a game out here over the weekend.

"He got traded to Baltimore." I tell my friends with a smile.

"That's awesome!!"

"He seems really excited about it. Oakland drafted him right out of college so he's never really been home."

"He's missed a lot of things I bet." Kate states as we walk outside and sit at one of the tables.

"Yeah he really has." I reply sadly. "How's Jackson doing?" 

Kate's face lights up as she takes out her phone to show pictures. Her and Brad had a baby in October. 

"Well he's super excited for a playmate that's for sure. I can't believe he's almost 8 months. Time has flown."

"I know, I can't believe Flynn is almost 2."

"Are you having a party?" Emily asks. 

"Yep" I say "My mom is going to do most of the cooking and stuff since we'll have a newborn. But it's just going to be a cookout with friends and family. Of course you guys are invited, I'm sending out invitations in late May."

"Awe that sounds adorable. Do you need help with anything?" Em responds.

"I don't know yet, ask me in a few weeks" I reply with a laugh.