Page 90 of Scoring the Player
“How’s everything else?” My mom asks. She has a twinkle in her eye—a happy glint that tells me she knows something. But what? I’m not sure.
“Fine,” I say, hesitantly. “School is school.”
She keeps staring at me like she expects me to say more.
“They broke up,” Stella says.
Mom’s happy expression falls.
I glare at my sister. “You told them?”
“I didn’t realize it was a secret,” she tosses back.
“It isn’t. It wasn’t.” I look to my mom. “I didn’t tell you because it wasn’t that serious.”
Stella scoffs.
“I liked her a lot,” Holly says, quieter, but meeting my stare.
“Yeah, me too. We’re both just busy. Geez, she didn’t die. You’ll still see her around.” I shovel in a few fries to have something to do.
My dad takes pity on me and brings the conversation back to the game. They’re driving back home after dinner, so when we’re finished, we head out to the parking lot.
“It was so good to see you.” My mom hugs me first.
“You, too.” I squeeze her harder and lift her off the ground. She laughs like she always does when I do it. From the time I turned sixteen, I’ve been taller than her and I remind her by picking her up every time we hug.
When I set her down, she smooths out her shirt and then reaches forward and pinches my chin. “We’re so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She steps back and moves to say goodbye to my sisters.
Dad hugs me next. “You’re having a great season. It’s clear to see how hard you’re working, but don’t forget to have a little fun, too.”
That’s Dad. He’s all about work-life balance. Work hard, play hard. I’m pretty sure I got that from him.
“No worries there,” I tell him. “I’ll have a beer in my hand by the time you hit the freeway.”
When they’re gone, Holly and Stella catch a ride with Teddy, and I get in my car. I have a ton of new texts, but I bypass them all and send one of my own.
Me
How’d the last day of the tournament go?
I wait a few minutes for her reply, but she must still be on the course or hanging with her dad. So, I open up my unread texts to figure out where the best place is to grab a beer or twelve.
31
DAHLIA
“Do not respond.”Jane covers the screen with her hand. “Forget about Felix for a night and let’s meet some new, cute guys.”
“Yes!” Daisy exclaims. She’s already tipsy. Her face is flushed, and her eyes are lit with excitement. “We are celebrating. Tonight is all about you! Let me introduce you to some of Jordan’s teammates.”
I tuck my phone away and nod. His text has been taunting me for two hours. I won the Valley tournament today. My first collegiate win! My dad was there. Jane, too. I had a shaky start on the front nine, but then something came together. I was present and focused and that mixed with a whole lot of determination and luck, maybe a few bites of red licorice, had me shooting my lowest score ever and coming out on top.
I think the real reason my friends insisted on celebrating tonight, though, was to keep me from sitting around and thinking about my now ex-boyfriend. I feel like I’ve been walking around in a haze the past few days. Sad isn’t the right word, though I am. More than that, I just feel a little lost.
