Page 9 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
Now, it’s all up to me. Even if there are still comments coming up asking when the guys will help again. I shake my head with a laugh. I can picture it now, them helping out in my tiny kitchen. It could be fun.
Mom rolls her oversized suitcase to the door and turns with a smile spread across her face. “I’d ask if you want company over there, but I don’t want to miss my flight.”
“Have fun. I can’t believe you’re leaving me for a month.” It’s the longest we’ve been a part. Ever.
She walks over and pulls me in for a hug. “Three weeks. I’m really excited, but nervous. I still can’t believe the girls talked me into this.”
This will be good for both of us—I hope. At least for mom. I’m glad her old college friends convinced her to go on this trip across Europe withthem. A girl’s trip would be good for her. She’s always wanted to go. Dad had planned on taking her—until.
I shake my head and hug her back. “You’re going to have so much fun. I got you a gift.” I walk over and grab the little bag.
She peaks inside. “A journal?”
“Yes!” I nod. “Plus a portable printer with photo paper you connect to your phone. It’s fully charged and ready for you. I can’t wait for you to tell me all about your trip when you get back.”
“Is this because I mentioned the junk journaling thing the other day?” I nod. “This is the sweetest, Daisy.” She hugs me once more before a honk sounds outside. “That’s my ride.” She pulls back and smiles. “Get into trouble while I’m gone.”
“Huh?”
“Sometimes the scariest parts lead to the most exciting.” She hesitates by the door.
“Are you telling me or yourself that?” I chuckle.
Mom laughs as she opens the door and grabs her suitcase handle. “I think both. Do something different or fun while I’m away that doesn’t involve this kitchen. I love you, baby girl.”
“I love you too.” I follow her out onto theporch and wait until her ride pulls away before heading back to the kitchen.
I move the buns to a basket, carefully wrapping them with an oversize green tea towel. Then grab the container of sweets and carry it all to the golf cart. The golf carts had been Aunt Maggie’s idea, and a great one! I think we had every color of the rainbow on property just to make it easier to know whose was whose when they were all parked together for gatherings.
I carefully secure the baskets then head back towards Andrew’s house. There are already a few vehicles when I pull up and under the carport next to his black golf cart. I know I don’t need to park under anything. It’s not like we’re expecting rain, although we desperately need it.
The laughter coming from inside the house brings a smile to my face as I made my way across the porch and inside.
“Daisy!“ The few players already here immediately greet me with hugs and pass me around. At some point, someone also takes the baskets from my hands. It doesn’t take them long to dig into the sweets. All I can do is shake my head with a laugh. “Really, y’all can’teven wait until after dinner?“
“Heck, no,” Jude says between bites, then moans. “If your cousin wouldn’t kill me, I’d drop on one knee right now.”
“No proposals necessary.” I chuckle. “I love baking for y’all.”
Jude Becker brushes his long dark hair back, flexing his arm muscles while he does it and then gives me a wink. I can only shake my head and laugh. He’s a flirt, but harmless. I think the flirting is a natural instinct for him. I’ve seen the man wink at his own reflection in the toaster one morning at Andrew’s. He’s a flirt, but harmless. Jude plays defense and is the team captain.
He’s been on the team for six years, while my cousin has only been on it for three. I never really went to any of the bobcat’s games before my cousin was on the team. Now, it’s a family event.
Sure, I’ve been to plenty of hockey games growing up. They were mostly high school games. The whole family attended nearly all of Andrew’s games. For as long as I could remember, they all put in an effort to attend anything my cousins or I were involved in growing up.
“You love baking for anyone and we will gladly enjoy any of your creations.” Andrew walks up andtakes the basket of buns from Connor. “These are for the burgers.”
Connor was already eating one of the buns, and shrugs. “Still good,” he mutters. Connor Kole plays forward and joined the team last year. He’s always around, but tends to fall into the background of the group. I assume he’s the strong, silent type.
I would question how these guys managed to eat the way they did and look as fit as they did, but I’m pretty sure they only ate this way around me. I would guess they only splurged with my baked goods and that left me feeling proud. No doubt, the rest of the team was as dedicated to their fitness and nutrition regime as my cousin.
“Thanks, Daisy.” Andrew takes the buns to the kitchen, and I follow. “I hope you’re staying for dinner; you know there will be plenty.”
“I was already planning on it.” I walk to his fridge to grab a bottle of water. “Have you started the burgers? Can I help with anything?”
“I’m about to. If you really want to, there’s some lettuce and tomato, you can cut up. I’m also perfectly capable of doing that myself.”
“What do you have to go with the burgers?” Itake a sip of water, then move around the kitchen to grab a cutting board and knife.
