Page 101 of If You Love Me

She gives him a look. “Can we talk about this after?”

“It’s Friday night, Tally. I’d like to hang out with some ofmyfriends,” he grumbles.

“Just give me a minute, okay?” Her irritation is obvious.

He sighs but continues typing on his phone.

Tally gives us all hugs and tells Fee she’ll see her tomorrow afternoon, then turns to me, expression apologetic. “Can you tell my dad I said bye and that I’ll call him tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

The guys come out of the locker room as the boyfriendfollows Tally down the hall. Callie, who was falling asleep standing up moments ago, perks up when Connor appears.

He gives her a hug. “How’s my number-one fan?”

“I’m good. You were great out there tonight. And no penalties!”

“I was keeping it clean just for you.” He winks. “Is it still cool for me to come to your next game?”

“Only if you’re not busy.” Callie twists her fingers together.

“Never too busy for you. One more hug?” He opens his arms, and she wraps hers around his neck.

“See you later, Coach.” He gives me a chin tip and continues down the hall.

Callie’s eyes light up all over again as Roman approaches. My ovaries get all excited about him in a suit, and my heart turns mushy when he crouches in front of Callie. His brow furrows. “You look like a tired little girl.”

“I ate too much candy,” she admits.

He opens his arms, and she snuggles right into him. “It’s hard to resist, isn’t it?”

“I couldn’t say no to the gummy bears. They’re my favorite.”

“I have trouble saying no to those, too,” Roman commiserates.

“Can you come to my game again this weekend? Dred said she can come, and Connor is coming, too.”

“If Connor can make it, I’m pretty sure I can.”

Callie smiles hopefully. “Really?”

“Yeah, I need to support my favorite goalie,” he says with the utmost seriousness.

“I’m your favorite?”

“You are.”

“Sometimes we go out for chicken fingers and french fries after. You could come with us, if you want.”

“That sounds perfect.” Roman winks at me.

The rest of the group make plans to go to the Watering Hole, but I need to get Callie home. Otherwise she won’t get enoughsleep, which could make tomorrow’s game tough. She always wants to play her best, especially when Roman or Connor comes to watch.

“You want me to carry you to the car?” Roman asks Callie.

“Yes, please.”

“See you all later,” Roman tells the rest of the group.

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