Page 25 of A Game Plan for Love

“The care package,” Nathalie mumbles, voice thick. “We were bad friends.” They release me, and Nathalie’s eyes are misty. “I should have thought of him, and I didn’t. But you did.”

“It wasn’t a big deal,” I say, brushing off their kind words

I don’t know why I say it, or why it leaves a foul taste in my mouth to diminish it, but it seems like it’s what I should say instead ofwell, I can’t stop thinking of him, or the way his eyes lit up when he realized I thought of him.

“It was to him,” Sawyer says with conviction, “It meant the world to him.”

I pull my lips between my teeth to hide how deeply her confession impacts me. This is not good. I can’t form a crush on a player I work with.

“I’m glad,” I say, though I know my cheeks are on fire.

I’ve never been able to hide a blush, and right now, it could be seen from the space station. Nathalie and Sawyer exchange a look.

Nope. Did not like that.

“Well, we just wanted to say thank you,” Sawyer says, moving to clear a path to my car.

“Have afuntime at work today,” Nathalie cheers, but her tone sends a shiver of fear down my spine.

“Uh, yeah. Thanks.”

I slip into the car before they can freak me out anymore, and they both wave in unison as I drive away. They’re definitely possessed.

After my interesting run-in at drop-off, the morning work is mindless, cutting fruit and vegetables for the to-go fridge for players, then cleaning and prepping for pre- and post-workout smoothies for the week.

Ben works on plans and logistics for the first game of the season, darting in and out of the kitchen to ask questions and double-check his math.

As bosses go, Ben is as good as they come. He loves his job and football, but above all, he’s understanding about Nora and the challenges of away games as a single mom.

He’s handled traveling without me for every away game since I arrived in Seattle last year. In return, I handle all of the invoices and paperwork he loathes. It’s a harmonious balance, and the only reason I could make the move. I didn’t have much of a village in Nebraska, but I’m on my own here, and it’s not possible to leave Nora alone overnight.

“Addie, have you seen my—” Ben darts around the cafe-like space, a man on a mission.

“Your coffee is on the shelf above the carrots in the walk-in cooler. Put it in there to keep it cold.”

He gives me a quick side hug. “You’re a lifesaver.”

There are times when Ben feels more like my father than my boss, which is surprising since he’s only in his early thirties. Nora calls him “Benny Boo” and he continues to buy her stickers even when I show up covered in them. “How’s my girl doing?” he asks.

Ben is not referring to me.

“We’re on day three of the pink princess dress,” I grumble. “But she’s reading some of her children’s books on her own now, and she’s very excited about the postal system.”

He laughs, having heard about the dress before. It’s a never-ending war.

The loud, boisterous chatter is a tell-tale that practice has ended, and I have ten minutes while they shower before chaos ensues. Ben waves goodbye as he hides in the kitchen, leaving me and the interns to the wolves.

I spin to the new interns, Nina and Louis, who are still bright-eyed and excited about their first day. They’ve seen nothing but paperwork. Now, they’re going to be greeted with dozens of hungry players, some of whom have not learned manners.

“Man your stations!” I yell, fist raised. They both give me a look of confusion. “Start making smoothies,” I sigh.

Players begin to file in, a small trickle before the rest flood in at once, raiding the fridge and grabbing smoothies from trays. While the interns work on the basic smoothies, I make ones for players with dietary restrictions or allergies. Tommy, the back-up quarterback, is highly allergic to strawberries, and I don’t trust anyone else not to give him anaphylactic shock.

It’s pure chaos, but I can’t help but notice a few people are missing. One person in particular. I know he’s in the building. I caught a glimpse of him this morning before he slid his helmet on, and Nina rudely interrupted my ogling by asking where the bathroom is located.

Even when players begin to filter out and the interns leave with Ben for a tour of the practice field, he still doesn’t enter the kitchen space. Nor do his friends.

Maybe they got lunch?

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