Page 68 of A Game Plan for Love

“Look!” Nora holds out her hands, “More for our trip!”

She smiles brightly, proud of her plunder, and pinches the sides of her skirt to sway the fabric back and forth.

Addie takes the cash and when Nora isn't looking, shoves it toward Jack.

“Keep it," he says, but she shakes her head.

"Donate it to EndZone if you want to do something with it."

Jack's head tilts, and as Addie is pulled to the side by Nathalie, he whispers, "She's the one."

Yeah, I think so.

“Can we go on the field?” Nora asks, bouncing on her toes. Her focus darts between Addie and me, as if she’s unsure who may be easier to convince. The fact that she even looks to me for an answer makes my chest constrict.

“I think we might be able to sneak in,” Addie says as she takes Nora’s hand, then mine.

Our friends follow us out to the field. The stadium is empty except for the maintenance staff working their way through the sections to pick up trash.

Nora runs around on the scuffed grass, twirling her arms in the air and spinning in circles like she’s the main character in a princess movie. She does a small skip, then a jump, and continues her run toward the fifty-yard line. Henry chases her, and her giggles fill the air.

Deon joins in, then Nathalie, until all of us are chasing her around, letting her evade tackles.

“I’m a football princess!” she screeches as she slips Jack’s grip.

Her joy is infectious, and she barrels toward Addie and me, crashing into us and taking us to the ground. She kicks and laughs, and to my shock, plants a sloppy kiss on my forehead, then Addie’s.

Addie’s lips curl as she wipes the spit dripping down her cheek.

“Do you guys want a family photo?” Nathalie asks, lifting her phone.

My friends stand on the sidelines, each watching us with open expressions of wonder.

Nora takes my hand, then Addie’s, and stands between us, her tiara high on her head, and my jersey covering the top half of her sparkly dress.

“Smile!” Nora says, and I glance over at Addie, who looks down at her daughter lovingly.

Is this what family feels like? Like your heart no longer exists in your chest, but is split into pieces and resides in others?

Nathalie takes a few photos and gives a thumbs up when she finishes.

“I have one more surprise,” Addie whispers, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I lift a brow. “Nora’s spending the night with Henry and Sawyer.”

I glance over to my friends, who are already corralling Nora toward the exit.

Henry spins and winks.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

Henry: Step seven.

The car ride was consumed with nervous energy, as is the walk to Addie’s apartment from the visitor parking. Her hand brushes mine, and I swallow the nerves and lace our fingers together. Her eyes fly to our intertwined hands, and a pink hue climbs the column of her neck, turning her skin into a soft shade of coral.

“I didn’t have time to clean,” she admits as she unlocks the door.

“It can’t be…” The words die on my tongue.

It’s worse than I imagined. Stuffed animals litter the worn wooden floorboards, and dishes cover the table and countertops. The living room looks like a glitter bomb exploded, and there are slivers of construction paper everywhere.

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