Coach Emery continued. “There might be some additional PR, which will be reflected as time out scheduled into your calendar. And I know it’s not what you signed up for. But this won’t impact your role as captain. This campaign is bigger than either team now, so we have to use it. It’s about showing the city we’re unified and making everyone work together. That we’recommitted to being the best teams we can be. It’ll bring us opportunities. Exposure is good for us, remember?”
I remembered, alright. I held the air in my lungs until it burned because I knew what she was saying. This would help the stadium, upper management would be pleased, and I would remain within the good graces of everyone if I could get more asses in seats for games.
I exhaled. “What time did you say tomorrow?”
“Eight a.m.”
“I’ll be there.” After I’ve screamed into my pillow.
5
Connor
The turnoff to my parents’ place came quicker than I expected, muscle memory doing most of the work as the road narrowed and the city finally gave way to green. Palms lined the verge, flowering hedges thick and manicured, the plants my mam knows the names of and I never will. I indicated right and turned onto the private drive, Jake lightly snoring next to me as I go.
The asphalt was smooth, curving gently through the trees so the house stays out of sight until the last stretch. Sunlight filtered through the leaves dappling the windscreen, and I slowed as the house appears at the end, pale against the greenery, windows framed in light peach, curtains stirring slightly in the warm California breeze. The driveway opened out into a neat gravel apron, space for a few cars, the garden clipped and deliberate. My mam’s pride and joy outside of me and Caitriona.
I pulled into the familiar spot, cut the engine, and listened to the quiet that only ever existed this far from the city.
Jake stirred, snorting once and waking himself up. “Oh shit, was I asleep?”
“Out like a light as soon as we hit the highway.”
“Damn,” he said as he rubbed his eyes and took in the surroundings. “Still feels like you should’ve grown up feral out here.” Pushing the door open, he squinted toward the house, sun cresting his face. “Barefoot. Sunburnt. Eating fruit straight off trees.”
“I did eat fruit off trees,” I told him. “Mam lost her mind about it. She was convinced I’d poison myself one day.” I loved California as much as I loved Ireland, but since we usually only visited the latter, this place was home.
Finding the key, I pushed it into the lock and turned.
The house was cooler than outside, tiled floors holding the day’s shade, the smell of garlic and something slow cooked already heavy in the air. Voices drifted from the kitchen, overlapping, and my shoulders loosened, something inside me recalibrating, as if my body knew we could relax here with my family.
“Connor?” my mam called. “Is that you?”
“In the flesh,” I said, dropping my keys on the sideboard.
She appeared a moment later, wiping her hands on a tea towel, smile breaking out when she saw me. Pulling me into a warm hug, like she always had, garlic and herbs clung to her hair and clothes as I squeezed her tighter.
“You’re late,” she said.
She tightened her arms around me once more before stepping back. Her eyes flicked over my face, assessing. “So handsome, just like your father.”
“Strong genes,” Jake agreed. “But let’s not overlook the rest of us.”
My mam’s smile widened as she looked past me at Jake, eyes bright with amusement. “You’re handsome, too, lad.”
Jake’s ears turned pink. “I’m scared of your husband, so please don’t flirt with me in front of him, Siobhan.”
She laughed, the sound tender and unrestrained, and waved us farther into the house. “Come on. Both of you. Dinner’s nearly ready. Hope you’re in the mood for beef stew.”
“God, your mom’s the best,” Jake groaned.
“Don’t moan while talking about my mam.” I slapped the back of his head playfully.
“You presume that’s the first time I’ve done it?”
“Oh, feck off with that, I’ll set my Da on ye.”
Jake dodged my next jab and chuckled. “One minute around the Irish and you sound just like them again.”
