Barn Burner: Bonus Chapter

We all know how much Drake Benson loves his little sister and his niece, and from Barn Burner, we also know that Angie and Layla get along perfectly. Though, have you ever wondered how they first met? Was it nice or awkward? Read this Bonus Chapter to find out; it takes action before chapter 30 'Hat Trick'.

This bonus chapter is included in Special Edition that is available on Amazon already.

EVANGELINA

Walking with Cooper, I stumble over a rock I didn’t notice. Additional proof of how lost in thoughts I am. Meeting Drake’s sister and niece for the first time in person is the only thing I can think about. I really hope they’re going to like me…because it’ll be a disaster otherwise. 

They already like you. Drake’s words from last night flash in my head as I get closer to my house. Well, he’s not wrong, but there’s a difference between seeing someone only through video calls and finally meeting them face to face. Especially when that someone is a one-year old, who my boyfriend adores. What if Maya doesn’t like me?

My dog huffs, climbing the stairs, and my gaze drops to him. Coop is always friendly and gentle, but he doesn’t really have any experience with such a small child. He’s been spending a lot of time with my chef Marcy and her family, but her kids are six and ten. Goodness, I’m getting in my head so deep, I want to crawl under my skin and hide. A very familiar itching in my fingertips returns, and I ball my fists, only to prevent myself from chewing on my cuticle again. 

Everything’s going to be alright. It has to be.

Opening the door, I walk inside and glance at the plate with cupcakes I made last night. I needed to distract myself with something, and it turned into almost fifty chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting and sprinkles. Good thing Drake has practice today. He took some with him to treat the team to something delicious. Bad thing? There are still ten cupcakes left, and I’m not sure who’s going to eat them. I haven’t eaten anything since I woke up, and it’s already lunch time.

The sound of ‘Cruel Summer’ rings in the air, and I pull my phone out of my pocket. Pressing it to my ear, I answer, “Hey, Drake. Are you on your way home already?”

“I wish…” He mutters, and the honking of the cars fills my ears. “There’s a huge traffic jam, and my car hasn’t moved an inch in the past fifteen minutes.”

“Damn, I’m so sorry.” I take off Cooper’s leash, and he runs toward the bathroom. “You think you’ll have time to hop home before going to the airport?”

“I don’t think so. At this point, I’m not even sure I’ll be on time to the airport.”

I halt in my tracks, my heartbeat intensifying. With sweaty palms, I press my phone to my other ear. “You want me to go to the airport to pick them up?”

“Only if it won’t be a problem.”

“It’s not. I can leave the house in ten minutes and drive to the airport,” I reassure him with my voice sounding firm, despite the feeling of a tornado full of pricks and needles in my chest. 

Drake sighs in relief. “Thank you so much.”

“It’s nothing. After so many months of Layla refusing to visit, we don’t want her and Maya to stand in the middle of the airport waiting for you.” 

Walking into the bathroom, I glance at myself in the mirror. My hair in a high ponytail with a red ribbon around it, no makeup except red color painting my lips and a black dress with the skirt covering my knees slightly. At least I don’t need to change, so it will save me some time.

“I’ll try to be there.”

My eyes land on Cooper standing in the shower cabin, head tilted to the side as he watches me. Chuckling to myself, I walk closer and say to Drake, “Better go home and take a shower, I’m sure your muscles will thank you for that. I’ll bring Layla and Maya to your place, don’t worry about it.”

“You’re incredible, Angie,” he murmurs, and a warmth spreads through my veins, a smile blossoming on my lips.

“You’re praising me way too much,” I joke and put my hand on the tap. “Coop is waiting for me to wash his paws, so I better go. See you later.”

“See you later, Cupcake.”

Finishing the call, I continue smiling. The happiness I feel prevails, pushing my nervousness to the darkest corner of my mind. It’s going to be alright. It can’t be any other way.

***

Even from afar I notice them. Layla stands with Maya in her arms. The girl’s hand is curled around her mom’s neck. My boyfriend’s sister is impatient. The tapping of her foot catches my attention, and I make my way toward them. I have no clue if Drake has warned her that I’m going to come for them. 

My eyes wander over Layla’s form, her blue oversized hoodie and black jeans with white sneakers. Her hair collected in a messy bun on top of her head, a few locks have escaped it and now are framing her face. I shift my gaze to Maya and can’t help but smile. The cutest, smallest ponytail I’ve ever seen makes her look adorably sweet, just like her light blue knitted sweater and dark blue jeans. Such a stylish little girl.

Slowing down, I come to a stop in front of Layla, still giving her space. If Drake had been here, I’m sure he would’ve scooped his little sister in his arms, giving her the strongest bear hug he’s capable of. I settle for a small grin on my lips and my hands at my sides. 

“Hey, Layla,” I say, and Layla focuses on me, her eyes boring into mine. “I’m Angie. Drake got stuck in a traffic jam, so he asked me to come pick you up.”

Maya hides her face in Layla’s neck, her hand clutching her mom’s hoodie. My smile drops. Did I scare her? I feel the hair on my arms stand on end and nervously lick my lips. 

“Hey, Angie.” Layla’s voice sounds a bit raspy and deep. When I bring my eyes to her face, she’s smiling at me. “It’s so nice to finally meet you in person.”

“You too.” A relieved sigh springs from my lips, and my shoulders drop, releasing the tension. “You’re even more beautiful in real life,” I tell her. Her chocolate brown eyes framed with thick eyelashes are instantly narrow, and she twists her lips. It doesn’t last long, because no more than a few seconds later, an open smile graces her features. 

“Thank you, but look who’s talking.” She laughs heartily, readjusting her arms as Maya presses herself even closer to her. “Maya, baby, this is Angie. Don’t you want to say hi to her?”

The little girl shakes her head, her face still hidden in her mom’s neck. My heart sinks, and I awkwardly shift, looking down at the suitcase beside Layla. “Is that all? Or do you have some other bags?”

“Only my backpack,” Drake’s sister says. I nod and step forward, putting my hand on the suitcase’s handle. 

“Let’s get you out of here.” I keep my voice even, trying to sound enthusiastic. The way Maya doesn’t even want to look at me is like a punch in my gut. “Drake should be home already; he texted me when I was parking my car. Your brother has so many plans for your visit, including going to the games.”

“He’s always been like that. Though now he’s more overprotective than before, and it says a lot.” Layla laughs, following me. “I’m honestly looking forward to going to the Thunders’ game. I miss watching Drake play in person.” She glances at me, our eyes meet, and she gives me a reassuring smile. “She always reacts like this to new people. Don’t take it personally.”

An invisible knot unties, and I take a deep breath, nodding. “Thank you. I started wondering if maybe it’s because of me.”

“Maya likes you, and Cooper.” The name of my dog gets Layla’s daughter’s attention, and she slowly turns to look at me. Her chocolate brown eyes, the same as her mom’s, are sparkling. “Angie is hard for her, so I told her she can call you Eva. I hope it’s okay.”

“Absolutely. Eva is more than fine,” I murmur, winking at the little girl. “I’m so happy you’re here, Maya. Coop can’t wait to meet you too.”

Her lips suddenly stretch into a big almost toothless smile with the exception of four front teeth. Warmth washes over me, and something very pleasant forms in my belly. Happiness is the only emotion I can use to describe how I feel. 

Shaking my head at myself, I lead the way, talking with Layla about their flight and about her own plans for this trip, since I’m sure she’s dying to spend some time with her best friend, Ava. The warmth becomes only stronger, and I even feel dizzy. 

I can’t believe I was so nervous about finally meeting the most important girls for my boyfriend. Drake loves them…and simply this alone should’ve been the only sign I needed that everything was going to be alright. How could it not?

Drake is the swooniest and the nicest guy I know. The one who will do absolutely anything for his people. No surprise his sister and his niece’s presence makes me feel the same as I feel around him – happy and content. And loved…so loved it still blows my mind.

***

“Ohmygod.” Layla moans, swallowing the last piece of one of my cupcakes. “Why is it so tasty?”

“Anything Angie does is tasty, especially her desserts,” Drake coos, pulling me closer and kissing my temple. “Wait till you try her Red Velvet cake. That one is my personal favorite.”

“God, please no.” His sister groans, plopping herself on the couch and closing her eyes. “I’ll never lose weight if I continue to eat such delicious pastries so often.”

“Why do you need to lose weight?” Drake asks, furrowing his brow. “You look amazing.”

His sister purses her full lips and averts her gaze to Maya. Her daughter sits on the floor on a fluffy rug, playing with the LEGO Duplo Drake got for her. To not overwhelm her, we decided to wait until tomorrow to introduce her to Cooper. So now we’re sitting in Drake’s living room after a very delicious dinner with some pasta and a little wine for Layla and me.

“Layla?” Drake calls out to her again. “Where is this coming from? Your body–”

I pinch his side. Hard. He gasps and looks at me, confusion marring his features. I curtly shake my head no. “Stop,” I whisper.

Drake gapes at me in silence, holding my gaze with his eyebrows etched together. Suddenly, Layla’s laughter fills the space, and we both turn to look at her. 

“Thank you, Angie,” she says once she’s calmed down. “My big brother has no idea how to read the room from time to time.”

“What did I do?” Drake asks, glancing between us. 

“You don’t ask a girl about her reasons to lose or gain weight. It’s none of your business, or mine, or anyone else’s,” I tell him sternly. “It’s Layla’s choice, and you don’t need to question it. She does what she feels right for her; you need to respect it.”

Drake rolls his lips together, looking annoyed for a moment. Then he turns his head to his sister. “Sorry, Layla. I’ll do better next time.”

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and her mouth forms a little O. She stares at Drake for a moment, then glances at me, and a big satisfied grin blooms on her lips. “She’s a gem. I hope you’ll keep her.”

“Don’t ever plan to let her go,” Drake murmurs, drawing me even closer to him and planting a kiss on my forehead. 

“Good,” Layla says and stands up from the couch, heading toward her daughter and lowering herself beside her on the floor. “Seeing you two happy makes me unreasonably happy myself.” She looks over her shoulder, eyes glued to her brother’s face. “I’m so glad we decided to visit.”

“I’m glad too,” Drake replies, and a comfortable silence settles between us, as we watch Layla help Maya to build a little elephant. He’s been waiting for his sister to agree to come here for so long, so the smile on his face now seems deeper, his skin warmer. His happiness is contagious and everyone feels it. Especially me.

***

Thank you so much for reading!