Page 6 of Love on the Sidelines

To treat her to a house like this is something else. Like the final cherry on the success that has come with my businesses.

“Really?” I can hear relief in her voice. The past few weeks have been filled with her cleaning out my sister’s home to put it on the market, packing, and driving down here. I’m sure settling into the house will be a welcome relief. “Emily and I will go pack up our stuff at the hotel and head that way. Do you want me to get your stuff?”

“If you don’t mind. I think the movers are calling me right now. I’ll send you the address and see you soon.”

I hang up with her to grab the waiting call from the moving company. “This is Charlie Danielson.”

“Hi Mr. Danielson. This is Hefty Helpers Moving Company. The truck should be there within the next ten minutes. Will you have someone meet them there?”

“Will do,” I say, smiling as I end the call.

I’m surprised to hear that they made it this quickly from Michigan.

By the time the truck pulls up, I’ve gone through the home and pictured what things will go where. We’ve got a few things from my townhouse that will come up as well as whatever Mom and Emily packed in the moving truck.

Once the truck arrives and is backed into my driveway, I direct the three men on where to put things as they unload them into the house. Mom’s car comes around it, waving before she’s even stopped the car.

I walk over and open her door, waiting for her reaction.

“This place is nice, Charlie,” Mom says.

“Well, I’m glad I have you both to share it with me.”

I walk over to Emily and give her a big hug, but she groans and takes a step back and quickly.

“How are you, Ems?”

“I’m here.” It’s hard to move anywhere as a kid, but six months after losing her mom and leaving her friends, I know I’m public enemy number one in her books. “Did you contact any lacrosse teams?”

Dang. I totally forgot about that important detail. My mom gives me a knowing look, like she tried to warn me.

“It’s in the works,” is all I can say. “I’ll make sure you get a tryout with every team in the valley if necessary.”

She rolls her eyes. “I just need a team that’s decent enough to play all over. If I’m stuck playing with girls who don’t even know how to scoop the ball, I’m hitchhiking back to Michigan.”

With a chuckle, I say, “I don’t doubt that. Let’s get unpacked and I’ll show you to your room.” I’m used to seeing Emily as a miniature of my sister, but this time, her snark calls up a mental picture of Ava. I brush that off, trying not to dwell on thoughts of my best friend’s grown up sister.

I know coming to a completely unfamiliar state isn’t ideal in her mind, but I hope to make everything work out.

Starting with finding her a team.

3

AVA

This week is not panning out how I thought it would. First Brooke called off her wedding and then I sliced open Charlie’s eyebrow with a plastic ball, followed by the news that Gran won’t be out of the rehab center as soon as we thought.

It’s killing her not to be in her own home and able to cook in her own kitchen, but I need her to be safe when I’m away at tournaments. I’ve already asked our neighbor if she can monitor her for the weekends I’m out of town.

But there are other things to worry about, like today’s lacrosse practice.

We can work on some plays we'll need for the tournament this weekend, and there is always a healthy dose of running involved. I might even join them today to get my workout in and to challenge them. I'm not sure why, but every girl likes the chance to one up me as her coach.

"Ava," a familiar voice says. I turn to see Marsha, mom to one of my more talented players, Sarah.

"Hey Marsha. How are you?" I've been so involved in all the things lately, mostly the implosion of my college roomie's relationship, that I've been a little behind on keeping up with minor details. Which is another reason Marsha is the one who keeps all the balls in the air for this team.

"I'm good. I hope you will be too after this conversation."

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