Page 59 of Playbook
“Brogan said you are an artist though, right?”
I don’t know how Brogan knows her so it’s hard to speculate what else he might have told her. Maybe she’s also aware we’re not really dating. Whatever the scenario, I’m filled with pride that he chose to add that piece of information about me when talking to people. It’s silly, but with so many others in my life not believing in my work, Brogan so easily calling me an artist means something. Which is why I don’t give her any of my usual canned responses that I just do freelance work.
“That’s right. Graphic design, mostly illustrations.”
“And now face painting.” She holds up a paint brush with flair.
“My turn! My turn!” A little boy plops into the seat in front of my chair and bounces excitedly.
“I guess I better get back to it.”
She blows out a breath that sends her blonde bangs up into the air. “They’re cute, but demanding.”
After two hours of painting the faces of mostly adorable small children, mytime slot is over. I offer to stay since the line has only gotten longer, but Jenna thanks me profusely and then shoos me toward the tent that Brogan disappeared into earlier to “spend time with my man.” I guess maybe he didn’t tell her that it’s all an act.
The health evaluation tent is packed, but I find Brogan easily. He’s in the back right corner surrounded by kids. The only reason I am able to see him is that he’s several feet taller than all of them.
My smile inches higher as I navigate through the crowd toward him. I just knew he’d be wherever the most people are. While one of his teammates is standing behind a table with inflatable footballs and other free swag, looking uncomfortable every time someone approaches, Brogan is laughing and chatting away with a little boy wearing red headphones over his ears at the front of the hearing test line. The boy is sitting in a chair and behind him a man presses buttons. The little boy raises his right arm, then his left in response to the test.
The line for the test rivals the one for face painting, and my guess is that has more to do with the Maverick player helping out than a wave of interest in having their hearing evaluated. My steps slow as I get closer to him. Brogan helps the boy remove the headphones and then holds out his hand for a high-five.
The glee on the boy’s face is so sweet as he smacks his tiny palm against Brogan’s much larger one. I can see now why the Mavericks do this for the community and I have newfound respect for the organization and the players.
Brogan reaches for a roll of stickers on a folding table that blocks off one side of the test area. When the boy stands from the test, Brogan takes one and presses it to the kid’s shirt.
“Nice job, little man.”
“It was just like you said.” The boy grins, showing off two missing front teeth. “It didn’t hurt at all.”
“You were amazing and so brave.”
He bounces off and Brogan turns slightly. His gaze scans over me and the line of waiting kids to my right, then he does a double take back to me as if just realizing who he saw.
As the kid at the front bounds forward and into the chair, Brogan’s smile widens on me. “Hey. How was face painting?”
“It was fun.” I move toward him and then hesitate. “Am I allowed to be in here?”
“Yeah, of course.” He wraps an arm casually around my waist and gives me a little squeeze. “I saw several of your pieces walking around. They look good. No shock there.”
“My pieces?”
He points toward a girl in line with the Mavericks logo on her face.
“Oh. Thanks. I was kind of slow and the others were way better at it, but I enjoyed it.”
“Take the compliment, sweetheart.”
It’s the second time he’s called me that today and my stomach does this weird flip. I like it. I think if this were for real, it would fit us.
He keeps smiling at me and we are in a stare-off until the kid in the chair singsongs, “Can I have a sticker?”
Brogan’s stare holds on me for another moment before he turns back around and drops his arm.
“As soon as you’re done with the test,” Brogan promises.
I stick close and try to offer the kid a reassuring smile as the woman giving the test explains that he’ll wear headphones and she’ll play a series of sounds and he’ll raise his right or left hand depending on which side he hears it. The kid looks a little nervous now despite being so eager and confident before.
“It’s a piece of cake,” Brogan says as he places the headphones over the boy’s ears with care. “Ready?”
