Page 67 of A Game Plan for Love

Emotions wage war in my chest—disbelief, joy, trepidation.

Tears flooded my eyes when I heard Nora’s voice, and it was like a boulder was lifted from my chest when she leaned over the railing and threw her arms around my shoulders.

I’ve never felt anything as unique as seeing Nora in the stands. It was like being called home.

The coaching staff offers a blessedly short post-game speech, and I waste no time in the shower.

I want to see my girls.

My friends can barely keep up as I barrel down the hallway and into the chaos.

The family room is packed like sardines, and I weave my way through the crowd toward the back left corner—the agreed-upon meeting spot for my friends. They’re standing in a circle, back turned to the door, and I falter a step when I read my name on Nora’s back.

I couldn’t see the number on the front as she dangled over the railing, but knowing she wore my jersey—it warms my heart like homemade soup when you’re sick.

I creep up behind them and swoop Nora off the ground and into a spin.

She screams, and it quickly turns into a fit of giggles as her arms wrap around my neck. Her hot pink dress billows, and she kicks her feet, sparkly pink sneakers acting as weapons as she hits Jack’s shoulder.

He groans and side steps before she hits him again.

Her smile fills my vision as we spin, and longing for this moment to last forever slams into my chest.

I stop spinning, but Nora screams, “Again!” and I oblige her—three times before I grow dizzy.

A hand caresses my back, and a shiver travels along my spine as a plume of tropical fruit fills the air. Addie’s hair falls on her shoulders, the auburn strands wavy from the braid she had it in earlier in the day. Her smile is soft, and she squeezes my bicep when Nora drops her head onto my shoulder.

“Hi, Mommy.”

“Hi, baby,” Addie says quietly, “Did you have fun today?”

Addie pushes Nora’s hair from her face, allowing her blue eyes and eye-black to shine in the fluorescent lights of the room. The love she has for her daughter pours out of her, and it's a stark difference to anything I’ve ever been witness to or been the recipient of.

It’s a love that defies logic and transcends time.

Alan was the closest thing I’ve ever come to a love like that.

“Maren and Sawyer got me nachos and topped them with a hot dog!” She cheers. Addie barely hides a look of disgust and peers over to the chefs. They shrug.

“Don’t knock it until you try it,” Sawyer says, “It’s amazing.”

Maren appears from the bathroom, and Nora’s eyes light up. She wiggles in my grip, and I let her down. She runs over to Nathalie and tugs on her hand to force her to crouch down.

The interaction is adorable until Nathalie pulls a wad of cash out of her purse and hands it to Nora.

Oh, god.Which one of them swore?

Addie gasps as Nora returns.

Maren bites her lip to hide a scowl. Well, that answers my question.

“How much?” Jack asks. There’s no bite in the question, just defeat, like he’s resigned himself to paying a five-year-old a salary because his wife has the mouth of a sailor.

“Are you sure you want to know the answer?” Maren asks coyly. Jack raises a brow, and she deflates. “Five hundred.” Jack gasps. “The first half.”

“Oh, dear god,” Deon mutters, watching with horror as Nora zooms back over, clutching hundred-dollar bills. “You’re going to pay her college tuition.”

Maren glares, but Jack’s lips tick upward. “I do support higher education.”

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