Fifteen minutes later we’re munching on the food while everyone focuses their attention on Connor.
“It’s been so awesome having you here this summer,” Grace says. “Soccer permitting, you need to do it again.”
Connor smiles at her, a genuine one. He drops his snark when it comes to Grace.
“So what’s your preseason like?” Johnson asks him. “Do you start right when you get back?”
Connor shakes his head. “No, not for a few weeks. But some of the guys and I will get together to practice pretty intensely. Get our chemistry charged.”
“That’s great.” Johnson nods. “Like we’ve been doing with our newest rookie here.” Everyone grins at me.
“And then our games run September through November,” Connor explains.
“Nice.”
“I wish we could come to one, Con,” Landon says with a pained expression. There's always been a shitty overlap between our football and soccer seasons.
“Ah, not a big deal,” Connor says dismissively. “I’m playing for fun at this point.”
My two older siblings share a look. We all know how disappointed he was last year when his US national team dreams faded.
“So, Rawls, how are things going with Avery?” Grace says, probably hoping to change the subject to a more positive one.
All ten eyes look at me, Connor’s carrying a mix of apology and caution.
“It’s…well, we may be slowing things down. Avery…she…” I don’t know how to put it yet because I don’t know what Taylor’s messaging to the public will be.
Connor rescues me. “Avery decided they’re better off as friends.” Typical blunt Connor. He says it softly, as if he doesn’t want to hurt me, but the words rub the raw spot in my gut just the same.
“Oh, Rawls, I’m so sorry,” Grace says, her face horrified, no doubt feeling bad she asked.
“It’s going to be fine,” I say in an exhale, a little of the recirculating hurt coming into my voice. “We’ll be friends. But nothing is public so keep it to yourselves if that’s okay.”
Landon looks like he’s dying to say the right thing, to fix it for me. “Of course.”
“She doesn’t know what she’s missing,” Rori adds, sounding irritated on my behalf.
“I’ll be okay.” I say it to reassure myself as much as them.
“I have that Triumph commercial shoot with her coming up this week,” Rori says. “You want me to be mean to her?”
Rori is a pretty chill person, but she’s also unafraid to speak her mind. I have no doubt her loyalty to my brother would cause her to ice Avery out if I asked.
“No, no need,” I say, though I note Connor is looking at Rori with appreciation. His answer probably would have been yes.
Grace gets out of her chair and stands behind mine, draping her arms over me in a half hug. “We love you, Rawls.”
The contact feels good; exactly what I need. “Thanks, Gracie.”
And then she whispers, “One day you’ll find the one you deserve.”
I hope so.
THATEVENING
TAYLOR: Just checking in! I know you’re starting training camp shortly, Rawley. And there wasn’t a public “date” this week. So we should probably craft something that can be leaked on social media?
[four minutes later]
