Page 80 of The Huckleberry Bookshop

“This isn’t my first rodeo, Tina.”

“Speaking of rodeos,” Darianna said as she locked the wheels of her chair. “Think you can keep up with us card sharks, Chad?” She grinned at him as she stood, taking the few steps to the couch, looking stronger than she had in weeks.

“Well…” He inhaled slowly as though considering the question while passing Athena’s phone back to her. “I think so. I was the Go Fish world champion a few years back. I haven’t been training lately, but I’ll do my best not to slow everyone down.”

Her mom laughed, giving his arm a pat as he sat beside her on the couch. “We’re going to expect big things from you now.”

Her father and sister had taken the two armchairs, leaving Athena to squeeze between Chad and the armrest. She plopped down, her mind spinning. He was fixing things. He’d gone silent because he was working on fulfilling his promise to do that. But not only fixing; he’d been making them better.

Darianna eyed Chad. “Where’s your wallet, hon? There’s a buy-in.”

He blinked, then shifted his weight to reach into his jeans’ back pocket.

Athena quickly put a hand on his forearm, stopping him. “She’s kidding.”

Her mom laughed. “Oh, sweetie. You’re no fun.”

“Crazy eights?” Neandro suggested.

“You know how to play?” Athena asked Chad. He nodded, confirming a couple of the rules.

Before long, the five of them were whacking cards down on the coffee table and laughing. Chad brought a playful energy to the games that had been missing over the past several weeks, and Athena wanted to freeze time and savor the feeling.

“I needed this,” she admitted, leaning back as they finished a round.

Chad glanced over his shoulder, catching her eye. “Me, too.”

From across the table, Meddy sent Athena a smug smile. She stuck out her tongue, certain that later on she’d hear from Meddy about how she was an amazing and a wonderful matchmaker.

After tonight, though, Athena wasn’t sure if she should keep fighting to keep the validity of her fears at the forefront of her mind, as if they were what mattered most when it came to Chad, or if she should just give up and thank her sister.

Chapter 14

Mullens peeled his jersey off over his head and dropped it in a crumpled heap on the locker room’s rubber floor. Players were still filtering in from the afternoon practice, and when he looked up, he spotted Athena in the doorway. A sheaf of papers trembled in her grip and she swallowed hard, as though trying to summon the gumption to call the room to attention.

She hadn’t always been like that. This was because of him. She didn’t know what to expect, didn’t know what reaction she might receive. Didn’t know if he was going to torch her career or save it.

He’d mended a lot of fences with her over the past several weeks, to the point where she no longer ghosted his text messages, and she’d let him bring her supper in her shop. But he still had work to do. Especially here with the Dragons.

Her soft brown eyes met his, and he saw them harden with an edge of wariness. If he disrespected her, she’d be gone. No more second chances.

And rightly so.

She was a lot more forgiving than he would have been if their roles had been reversed.

“I have a new recipe for everyone,” she called, raising her voice to be heard over the din of players. They’d won enough games recently that they were in good spirits, increasing the volume of every locker room interaction.

The chatting quieted, but didn’t cease the way it did when the coach addressed them.

“It’s super easy and filling,” she continued, making her voice louder.

“Hey!” Mullens stood. “Pay attention to Athena!”

“You mean Tina?” Dylan asked with a smirk.

“Shut it, O’Neill.”

Athena’s eyes had gone wide and she swallowed again. He had a feeling that if she thought she could flee the room without losing face right now, she’d choose that option.

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