Page 46 of A Game Plan for Love

“We heard that,” Jack calls out.

“You’re talking about lawnmowers!” I counter.

“None of the women were worthy of being invited to girl time. Now, shoo.”

Maren shoves me toward her husband and darts off to join Sawyer and Addie.

I peer over my shoulder as I begrudgingly join Henry and Jack and bear witness to a glorious smile from Addie. The nerves and tension radiating from her washes away when Sawyer says something.

It hits me when I sit down that maybe girl time is exactly what Addie needs.

CHAPTER 13

Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer

Addie

“Didyouwantanythingto drink?” Sawyer asks as we settle into the large chairs on the other side of the patio, as far from the guys as possible. “We have seltzers, lemonade, soda…”

She lifts a cooler and I take a lemonade, mostly to occupy my hands so I don’t nervously pick at my nails.

“Nathalie mentioned inviting you,” Sawyer says with a soft, welcoming smile. “We’re glad you came.”

Maren narrows her eyes as she sits, and a shiver travels down my spine. “Where did you go to school?” she asks.

“University of Nebraska. I’m from Omaha.”

Her eyes flicker from my face, to my legs, over my arms, then back to my face. Her eyes light up. “Big Ten player of the year. Two years in a row.”

I blanche. My volleyball career is not one I talk about.

“What?” Sawyer looks between us. “Who was player of the year?”

“Addie,” Maren says. “One of the best setters in the country.”

Sawyer offers a look of surprise, and my stomach churns. It’s been a long time since someone else has brought up my volleyball career, and discomfort lodges beneath my diaphragm.

“That was a long time ago.”

I want this conversation to end. Not because I’m not proud of my accomplishments, but because volleyball is the very reason I no longer speak to my parents, and Nora doesn’t know her grandparents.

The sport was once my reason for living, and then it destroyed every relationship in my life.

Maren misses the cue to change the topic. “You were a shoo-in for the Olympics.”

“You went to the Olympics?!” Sawyer beams. “That’s incredible.”

“I didn’t go,” I mumble, curling my legs beneath me and picking at the lemonade label.

“Why not?” Sawyer asks.

There’s a heavy pause in the air, and Maren’s eyes flicker around, then to Nora. Understanding dawns on her face, and the guilt is obvious.

“I didn’t mean—”

I cut Maren off. “It’s okay. You didn’t know.”

“I’m sorry, but can someone fill me in? I’m confused.” Maren looks to me to answer Sawyer’s question, and I sigh.

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