***
When we get home, we order pizza, and Sawyer and I head to the backyard to practice. Her knee pads are stained green from diving around in the grass, but she’s getting better. A lot better, actually. Her reaction time still needs work, but that’s something I can help with.
“Keep your eye on the ball,” I remind her as she misses one of my softer hits and brushes grass off her knees. “Don’t look down before you dive. You have to trust that the floor will still be there.”
She nods, determination etched into her expression as she resets her defensive stance, ready for another go. I’m proud of her tenacity. This time she gets my spike—popping the ball back to me perfectly.
“Good job!” I cheer, her brown eyes lighting up as she stands with a proud smile.
“I feel like I’m getting better.”
“You are.” I grin, knowing she’s closer to being ready now if they sub her in on Friday. “If they put you in, just remember to trust the floor.”
Her smile falters just a bit as she wipes her palms on her shorts. “Do you think my dad’s disappointed he can’t come to the game?”
That question hits me square in the chest. Seth and I haven’t actually talked about her game, but we don’t need to. I already know he’s disappointed. Any parent would be. Her first game with the new team is an away game in Boston, and Seth has a home game in New York that same night. Bad timing in the cruelest way. I feel guilty about it too. I’ll be working the Mayhem’s home game, taking care of the players, which means I can’t travel to Boston to watch her play either.
For a kid like Sawyer, firsts matter. First teams. First games. First moments where she’ll glance into the crowd hoping to find the people she loves looking back at her. And neither of us will be there. I step toward her, tucking the volleyball under my arm as I wipe the sweat off my face.
“I’m sure he’s disappointed.” My voice is softer now. “It’s not fair that your first game’s the same time as his, but I’ll keep him updated on your stats.” I give her a reassuring smile. “Plus, I’ll be at your home game next week, and so will your dad.”
She bites her lip and nods. “Thanks, Bri. Can I ask you something else?”
“Of course. Anything.”
Her gaze drops, her fingers fidget with the hem of her shirt “Do you read?”
“Yeah, sometimes. Why?”
“Would you… buy me a book for the trip tomorrow?” Her voice is small, almost hesitant. “I hate flying. It gives me so much anxiety and I need something to distract me so that I don’t look like the weird new girl freaking out on the plane with my teammates. I feel weird asking my dad to buy it.”
“Of course. You’ll need something to keep you busy on that flight. What kind of book?”
Her eyes dart away, her cheeks flushing slightly. “It’s a fantasy book.”
I raise a brow, remembering what Natasha had shared about Sawyer’s reading interests.
“Oh… is it young adult?”
Her blush deepens, but she nods, her smile softening. “Yeah.”
And just like that, something in my chest feels a little lighter. I don’t have all the answers, and half the time I’m not even sure I’m saying the right thing, but my mom was always so good at this. Not just supporting every random, temporary obsession I had, but stepping into it with me. Participating. Letting herself delight in the things that made me happy simply because they made me happy. I think that mattered more than I ever realized growing up.
And maybe that’s why this moment feels so important to me now. Because Sawyer trusts me enough to come to me and ask.
“Alright, fantasy book it is.”
Her face lights up, and for a moment, everything feels a little less heavy.
“Faeries, vampires… it’s that kind of stuff.” Sawyer’s voice is eager as she explains the novel, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “All the girls in my class are reading it right now.”
I bite back a smile because I remember my high school vampire phase right when theTwilightseries was released. I was team Edward all the way but now that I’m older, I realize the real crime was ignoring how hot Charlie Swan was.Single dad. Owned his own home. A little grumpy. Stable career.
Now wait a minute… that sounds a lot like Sawyer’s dad.
“Text me the name and I’ll look into it.” I keep my tone casual, but I’m already mentally preparing for a deep dive into my childhood tonight to be sure this book is age appropriate. “If it looks good, I’ll grab it for you. But…” I pause, giving her a gentle but pointed look. “I’m going to tell your dad that I’m doing this. I don’t want to keep anything from him.”
She nods quickly, her brown eyes serious. “Okay. Thank you.”
