Page 43 of Rookie Season
“We came to Denver around the same time,” Nova says.
She picks up another ornament, a little bell, sizing up the remaining available branches. “He was Clay’s rookie first year. They’re pretty close. His family usually comes for Christmas whether he’s playing or not, but I didn’t hear about them visiting this year.
“His sisters both play sports too. I remember him going to support their games. One time he wore this T-shirt from their high school to media. It broke the fundraising page.”
Of course he’s kind and funny and reps his sisters’ high school teams.
It’s easy to see Ryan only as a player, but there’s so much more to him.
Not that I’m interested in the “more.”
The fact that I want him so badly is clouding my judgment.
Maybe last year wasn’t a mistake. That’s why I keep thinking about it.
It was unplanned, a surprise. But maybe there’s something to this holiday spirit thing.
We finish up the tree as Brooke calls from the kitchen, “Who wants a cookie?”
“I’ll take two,” Nova says as we both bound to the island where Brooke’s setting out a big plate. Nova eyes the tree critically. “What do you think? Is it done?”
“It’s perfect,” Brooke says.
I bite into my cookie, and it tastes even better than it looks.
I’m still thinking about it the rest of the afternoon and over dinner.
We laugh our way through the gift swap, stealing one another’s draws mercilessly. The most triumphant person is Brooke, who got Miles to steal for her a little golden bear figurine I found at a flea market and thought would match the guys’ trophy collections. The moment she saw it, she decided it would be perfect to hang her non-basketball-related jewelry on.
The best prize went to the misshapen mug made by Jay in his pottery class. He claimed it was “art” and signed the bottom accordingly. When Chloe tried drinking out of it, champagne dripped down her chin until we were all cracking up.
I scored a wall calendar featuring squirrels in tiny disco outfits posed like a Studio 54 fever dream.
Ryan nabbed an “Influencer in the Wild” starter pack featuring a ring light keychain, dry shampoo, and a bottle of coconut water (for his “Hot Girl Walk” hydration).
We’re all sprawled around the living room when someone’s phone beeps loudly. Then again.
Chloe leaps up from the chair she’s lying across. “No. No, this can’t be happening.”
“What’s wrong?” Jay’s instantly alert.
She looks up from her phone. “They’ve closed the main road into town. The few inches of snow got upgraded to more than a foot.”
“Meaning…?” Nova asks.
“Meaning the only basketball the Kodiaks are going to be playing tomorrow is here.”
We exchange looks.
I cross to the window and peek outside. The snow is piling up.
“Sure looks pretty from in here,” Nova offers, peering over my shoulder.
“What are we going to do?”
Ryan holds up a hand. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered.”
He disappears upstairs.
