Page 29 of The Interception
“Can’t you teach her that?”
Sarah Beth all but cackles. “No, not a chance. I’m too much of a wimp to do that. I’ll panic too much and she won’t learn anything.”
“Ender can teach her to drive. He can do all those things. I don’t think you need to worry about or rush into dating someone else just to fill a position you think needs to be filledright now.You have time. Youneedtime to grieve and adjust to life this way.”
She releases a deep sigh and takes another bite. “I know you’re right. I get nervous though, you know? My husband was my high school sweetheart. I never planned a life without him. There are so many things, like events and stuff that I need him for, and he’s not here. He’s going to miss her growing up and everything that comes with that.”
“I’m sorry, Sarah Beth. For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a great job.”
She snickers. “Doesn’t feel that way. I cry more than I laugh, and it’s hard to put on a happy face for Lula.”
“Who says you have to? It’s okay for her to see you sad. How else will she learn to grieve and process deep emotions?”
Sarah Beth looks at me with tears in her eyes, but she holds them in. For a moment, it’s quiet between us until she finally takes another deep, cleansing breath. “You know, Ender is lucky he found you.”
Before I can question what she means by her statement, the Timberwolves score a touchdown and she leaps from her seat to cheer with the crowd. Ender is lucky he found me? Pretty sure I was his last option for the competition, but the tone between us has changed. She’s smiling and having a good time, so I let the cryptic statement fade into the cheers.
Chapter Fourteen
Ender
I thought my eyeswere deceiving me when I glanced up at the VIP box and saw my sister, who hasn’t attended a game yet this season, with Layne seated beside her. Sure enough, though, what I saw was right, and instant panic set in.
Leo nods up at the box. “Looks like your cooking partner got Sarah Beth out of the house for a while.”
“Yeah, I saw. I’m glad the game is almost over, because now I’m going to be self-conscious knowing Layne is up there.”
Leo scoffs. “You’re playing great. We’re up with three minutes left and zero chance they score without a miracle. Relax.”
I try to do what Leo suggests and end up getting tackled mercilessly by a New Haven Hawks defenseman. While I sit on the bench and catch my breath, I stare up at the box. Layne and my sister are having some kind of deep conversation, but eventually, Layne laughs and shakes her head. Then she looks back to the field, so I avert my eyes to avoid eye contact. I’m already distracted enough.
Fortunately, only one more touchdown is scored, and it’s by the Timberwolves. If we can keep this up, we stand a fightingchange at surviving. We don’t have to win a championship to stay alive, just prove we’re worth investing millions into every year.
When the game ends and everyone else heads down to the locker rooms to shower before heading out for a night of fun, Leo grabs me aside. Lately, life feels like one big blur of games, showering, cooking practice, and lather, rinse, repeat on a vicious cycle…broken up by bits of stomach-twisting confusion about where Layne and I stand with one another.
“Why don’t you invite them to go to dinner with us tonight?” Leo asks.
“You and me? I didn’t know we were going to dinner. How sweet of you.” I smirk and wipe the sweat from my face with an already damp towel.
“Funny. You got jokes. You know I meant with the rest of the guys. Only a handful are going to that new sports bar downtown. Might be fun.”
There is zero chance Sarah Beth will want to do that, especially anywhere that there will be men who might hit on her. I know the bar has a lot of booth seating, and the guys Leo is talking about are generally safe, but not safe enough for my sister.
“I can ask, but you know SB.”
Leo shrugs. “Worth asking at least. Let her know it’s an option.”
We enter the locker room and listen to what Coach has to say before hitting the showers. As the hot water rushes over me, I can’t help wondering if my sisterwillever fall in love again. What she had was epic, probably not easily duplicated, and her heart is so fragile. It’s not like she has to ever marry again or even fall in love, but it breaks my heart to think of all the love she and Lula have to give and no one there to accept it from them.
I do my best, but I’m still just Uncle Ender. I can’t do all the things for Lula that a real father can, even if I try my hardest. Onthe outside, one might think it’s possible. And sure, I can step up all the time, but Lula deserves a full-time dad, not an overly tired uncle for those special moments.
Whether Sarah Beth meets someone else or not isn’t something I need to think about right now. What I need to focus on is making sure she has a place to live that’s all hers, a place where she feels comfortable and can repair her broken heart. Something to give her hope and freedom again.
When I’m done, I pull on some jeans and a Timberwolves hoodie. If the girls decide they want to go out for dinner, this will be fine for our options. Leo is already gone, as are most of the guys, but a few stay back to plan other events I want no part of.
I manage to make my way to the lounge without too many stops along the way and find Lanye and Sarah Beth talking to Leo.
“Hey, we were just talking about you,” Layne says.
