Page 84 of A Game Plan for Love

“We did,” I confirm, amusement lacing the words.

Addie is a statue beside me, her muscles taut. I squeeze her side, and she shakes her head. “Sorry,” she whispers, “this is still very new for us.”

I know what she means. I’ve never felt as intensely about anyone before in my life. I know I zinged with Addie—can feel the electricity in my chest every time I lay eyes on her—but it feels like I zinged with Nora differently.

She brings the hope and optimism that’s been missing in my life. Her energy is a bright light, shining like a beacon in the darkness. I can’t explain it, but she gives me a sense of purpose—like making sure she’s happy and healthy is a priority.

Knowing she felt terrible and not being able to take away any of her pain or discomfort was like a white hot knife to the abdomen. If I could have, I would have taken it all for her.

Nora runs over and hugs our legs. “I love you, Decy!”

Her confession is such a surprise, my legs wobble. My heart shudders and tears spring to my eyes like a dam broken after years of holding back water.

Addie trails a hand along my shoulder in a comforting touch.

“I-I love you too, Nora.”

And I mean every word.

Is it too fast to love her? Or love Addie?

Am I crazy to have fallen for them both so quickly?

I risk it and glance at Addie, and her hazel eyes are full of understanding and adoration. Her smile is a slight, soft thing. Her eyes flicker down to her daughter, and she smoothes out the wild curls.

“Should we make smiley face pancakes?” she asks.

Nora nods, and the two of them slip on matching aprons covered in tropical fruit. I snap a photo of the two of them holding wooden spoons, and take a video of Nora mixing the batter.

It’s one of the best mornings I’ve ever had, and I savor every moment.

We eat piles of pancakes and slurp down delicious smoothies—mango and coconut is not a combination I thought I would like, but the first sip was heaven.

When I have to leave to get ready for practice, Nora forces me to promise we’ll have another sleepover before I can leave.

I kiss Addie once more before I walk out the door, and as I slip into the driver's seat, my stomach churns.

I make it three steps into my house before I run to the bathroom and expel the pancakes into the toilet bowl.

Nora gave me the stomach flu.

CHAPTER 24

On My Love – Zara Larsson, David Guetta

Addie

Me: I’m willing to hear what you have to say.

Isendthetexttomy dad and promptly slide my phone to the other side of the work station, where I can’t hear or see a notification. Dozens of cardboard boxes, full of fruit, sit beside the sink, and one by one, I wash, cut, and store, falling into a rhythm.

Nina and Louis slice vegetables and put away packaged snacks on the other side of the room, and music fills the air while we work.

It’s easy to get lost in daydreams in the repetition.

Declan’s words have played in my mind on repeat about not letting Nora’s dreams become my own. It forced a lot of self-reflection, and I think it was a way to keep myself safe. If I didn’t dream, I couldn’t be heartbroken.

But, he’s right.

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