Page 103 of Fortunate Misfortune
Mallory sprints down the sidewalk, leaping into muscular arms. The woman’s hair is buzzed to her scalp and gray. Bulging biceps pop out of her tank as she lifts Mallory off the ground, her eyes shining with pride.
“Great game, baby girl. They ain’t got nothing on you and your skills in the goal.” Bouncing side to side, she mimics Mallory’s goalie shuffle.
Suddenly, she freezes, her smile somehow growing when her attention shifts to me.
“Hello,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m—”
“Oh, I know who you are. You’re Kenneth Gray.” She captures my hand, shaking it with both of hers. “My daughter and your CLU Swim profile didn’t mention you’re practically a giant.”
“Mother,” Mallory hisses.
“What? I had to stalk the boy my baby girl wouldn’t shut up about. Plus, I never got to thank you for taking her to the hospital when she needed you, so thank you.”
Warmth floods my cheeks. “I’d do anything for her.”
“I’m Riley,” she says, releasing my hand.
Mallory makes a strangled noise from deep in her throat. “You still make Cade call you Mrs. Riley!”
“That’s because I like messing with Cade. Healways gets so flustered.”
Mallory shoves a hand into her mom’s face, yelping when she licks straight up her palm. “And now you see why she isn’t allowed to come here often. She’s a hot mess of a woman.”
“You think that was bad? I’ll show you bad.” Riley turns to me. Her eyes are darker than Mallory’s, almost black and sparkling with intrigue. “I’ve heard a lot about you over the years, Kenneth, but I think that was a different guy. I don’t know much about this new Kenneth that’s taken my daughter on three dates, but I’d like to.”
I speak up before Mallory tackles her. “The old Kenneth was an idiot. Don’t get me wrong, I love competing with her, and I always will, but this is significantly better than what we were before.”
Riley lets out a hearty laugh and drops her hand heavily on Mallory’s shoulder, snapping her out of shock. As much as I want to keep this at a slow and safe pace for Mallory, it’s hard to not spill my guts about her every time I have the opportunity.
“Okay, Ma. Time to stop being weird. I’m sure Kenneth is busy, and we have plans tonight. I need a shower before—”
“You should join us, Kenneth!” Riley suggests with a clap.
“It’s a girls-only thing. You need to abide by the rules you created.”
“Don’t use big words with me, little girl.”
“Abide is not a big word! You’re an English teacher!”
I love their relationship.
“Shay’s parents surprised her, Adri and Jo are busy, and all of our reservations are for three,” Riley whines, pinching Mallory’s shoulder. “Don’t be rude.”
“I’m not being rude! You’re being pushy.”
I catch the worried glint in Mallory’s eyes and speak up. “Mrs. Riley—”
“Riley,” she corrects me.
“Sorry. Riley, I appreciate the invitebut—”
“Please don’t say no! It’s rare that I get to meet Mallory’s friends.”
“Cade wouldn’t have been invited,” Mallory grumbles.
“Not true! He was invited once and bailed because he’s too ticklish,” Riley counters.
Ticklish?
