Page 86 of Married to Number 22
And it feels like another victory when she nods slightly, mutters, “Yeah.”
So…I take another chance.
I write the address to Gram’s place on my business card. “We’re having a party next Saturday afternoon. I’d love for you to come and meet Aiden.”
She nibbles at her bottom lip, but takes the rectangle of paper. “I don’t know,” she whispers, but at least she tucks the card into her pocket and doesn’t yeet it straight into the trash or something.
“No pressure.” I say, sensing she’s had enough for today and starting to gather up my stuff. “But there will be cake.”
Her eyes light up.
Because it’s cake.
It’s delicious.
And maybe because I haven’t forgotten that it’s her favorite food.
I wave goodbye, head out to my car, and I do it with my heart a little lighter.
Because I’m going home to someone who knows mine too.
Thirty-Three
Aiden
Well,the second game of our home-and-home matchup against the Eagles didn’t go quite as well as night one.
The Eagles take this one, but we’ll play each other a total of eight times this season, so it’s not over yet.
We’ll get them next time.
Hopefully.
Because I know it’ll be a struggle to go more than five hundred with them. They’re a tough team, tenacious and focused and every game with them is a battle.
Doesn’t mean I’m going to give up, though.
Never give up, never surrender.
My mouth hitches up at the obscure movie line—one I wonder if Luns will remember, since we watched the film together as teenagers—and I toss my bag over my shoulder, head out of the locker room.
Time to go home to my woman—something that’s a hell of a lot more convenient when I merely have to drive home instead of getting on a bus and then a plane and then make the drive.
My phone buzzes the moment I hit the hall.
I pull it out, smile widening when I see it’s my tiny tornado.
LUNA: Tough loss tonight, big guy. But nice playing.
AIDEN: Did I do enough to earn hot cocoa?
LUNA: …
LUNA: Sure. But you might have some work to do before I bust out the whipped cream.
I laugh, start to pocket my phone, but it buzzes again.
LUNA: And unfortunately, I have to meet with the legal team tomorrow. My dad and brother are throwing up more roadblocks.
