Page 93 of A Game Plan for Love

For the majority of my life, football has been my lifeline. It kept me after school instead of going back to the group home, where life was out of sorts. My athletic scholarship to Notre Dame was a ticket out of a small town, and a future after I phased out of foster care. It’s turned into a job where my bills are paid, and I’ll never need to worry about money again if I’m financially responsible.

But I would give it up for them, if I had to.

Isn’t that the same sacrifice Addie made for Nora? Took her dream off the shelf so Nora had room for her own? If retiring from football meant Nora and Addie had room for their dreams, I would make the choice over again with zero regret.

Thanks to patient-client privacy, I can tell Sharon the one thing I’ve held tightly to my chest. Only my financial advisor knows, and it’s because he had to work up the paperwork.

“There’s a college fund in Nora’s name. I had it set up last week after Addie told me I had to be sure in my choice. No stipulations to the money, other than she pursues additional education regardless if it’s a four-year university or trade school.”

“It seems like your mind is made,” Sharon says, and the smile she offers is full of pride.

“It is. But how do I convince Addie I’m not going to change my mind?”

“You continue to show up through your actions, but words also make an impact. Tell her what you’ve told me…and if you love her,” she gives me a pointed look, “then you tell her that, too.”

“I’m so glad you all could make it,” I say, sliding into the last empty spot of the large corner booth of Donna’s Diner. The sparkly blue leather creaks as I sit, the last one to arrive for this impromptu planning meeting.

“We were promised food,” Deon says, waving the menu, “I’m starving.”

“Order whatever you want, as long as you’re ready to plan.”

“Plan?”

They each say the word, but every person has a different tone. Maren is thrilled. Jack, and Sawyer are curious, but wary. Nathalie is excited, and Deon is disinterested. Henry is downright gleeful.

“Is this part of the game plan? Another step?” he asks, “I love when we all come to Donna’s Diner to plan our love confession.” He sighs in content. “I love you, Sawyer,” he adds, “We sat in this exact booth when we planned how I would convince you to give me a shot.”

“And when I needed advice about ways to get Maren to spend time in the same room as me,” Jack adds, then kisses the top of her head.

“We all planned my grand gesture here,” Deon adds, then smiles softly at me, “It’s about damn time it’s your turn.”

“I’m not planning to tell Addie I love her,” I start, but I’m brutally cut off.

“Aha! So you do love her!” Nathalie leans over the table, her finger in my face.

“Yet,” I continue. Nathalie slowly creeps back to her seat.

Deon whispers, “Jumped the gun a bit on that one.”

“I was excited,” she hisses back, “You know what happens if he admits it before Thanksgiving.”

Deon looks directly at me, then says, “Please refrain from telling Addie you love her until Black Friday.”

“Why?” Maren’s eyes narrow. “What did you two bet, and can I get in on it?”

“No!” They both scream, and Maren jolts.

“Why not?”

“Yeah…” Jack’s smile is shit-eating, “Why can’t Maren and I join in on the bet? Deon?” he prods.

Deon blanches, and Nathalie smiles triumphantly. “If you tell Addie before Thanksgiving, Deon agreed toroleplayas Legolas, complete with the ears and blonde wig.”

The words sit heavily between us, and no one has a response. There are some things you don’t need to know about a person, and I already know too much thanks to staying with them for a few weeks last year.

“I regret befriending you all,” Deon mutters, but quickly shuts up when Nathalie kisses his cheek.

“Would have never met me, then,” she says cheerily, then changes the conversation. Thank God. “So, what are you planning then?”

---