Page 20 of A Game Plan for Love

“And don’t eat her secret stash of snacks,” Maren adds pointedly.

It happened once at Sawyer and Henry’s wedding getaway, and I have never been able to live it down. In my defense, they weren’t labeled or hidden very well.

“So, you know where to start?” Deon asks.

I nod.

First, I go home and mildly freak out.

Next, I need to make it through the first EndZone event this week.

Then, I buy the largest bouquet of daisies I can find, ask Addie out on a date, and pray she says yes.

CHAPTER 6

Nice To Meet You – Myles Smith

Addie

Whythefuckarethere so many cars in the parking lot?

I’m rounding the corner to park in the overflow area—a small open field next to the practice facility—when a child darts from between two cars and runs right in front of my car. I slam on the brakes, body jostling as I narrowly avoid running the teenager over.

He sheepishly waves, then runs toward the entrance. His Seattle Mavericks jersey hangs off his gangly limbs, and a small smile tugs on my lips when I read ‘Monroe’ stitched across the back.

I wiggle my car into an empty parking spot in the back of the lot and book it toward the front entrance. Mornings with Nora aren’t always the most productive, and I was already racing against the clock for my meeting with BenbeforeI nearly ran over a child.

I’m halfway through the large glass doors of the Seattle Mavericks practice facility when I skid to a stop and absorb the chaos consuming the foyer.

A massive silver and navy balloon arch surrounds the door, and football-shaped balloons line both sides of a makeshift path. A group of people stands behind a folding table covered in tote bags, and they offer me a confused look.

“Are you here for the event?” An older woman asks.

“Uh…I work here?” It comes out as a question, and I scurry past them before the embarrassment tinges my ears pink.

There are childreneverywhere. They’re running through the halls, zipping past and darting in and out of open rooms. Players, interns, and coaching staff chase after them, and I pause to survey the route to get to the nutrition room at the end of the hall.

A head of deep brown hair appears from the locker room, surrounded by a gaggle of children, and another on his hip. My heart skips a beat, and my feet glue themselves to the shiny linoleum floor.

Declan’s head lifts, and his eyes meet mine, then someone rips me to the left and into an office.

“It’s a nightmare out there,” Deon says, slamming the door shut and falling into a desk chair with a massive sigh. “This is what happens when I put the group chat on silent.”

“What is happeningout there?”

“Oh, right. Fundraiser for a foundation. They’ve taken over.” Deon rises and peeks through the blinds that lead to the main hallway. “Children everywhere.”

He shudders.

“I have a child,” I say, slightly amused.

Deon whirls. His jaw opens and closes, like a fish gasping for water. “You…what?”

“Her name is Nora. She’s five.” I pause. “She goes to summer camp at GameChangers. Nathalie never mentioned her?”

He shakes his head, then falls back into the seat. “Husband?” he asks. “Boyfriend? Co-parent?”

I stare at him. “No, to all of the above.”

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