Mazzy
Fromuphere,thefield looked impossibly green. Players in navy and white moved across it like little ants, stretching, passing, shouting things I couldn’t make out. I homed in on the reason we were here: number eight.
Even from this vantage, Ben was larger than life. The other players circled him like he was the sun. Considering he was the team captain, the oldest, and from what I’d read about his position, the linchpin between the forwards and the backs, it made sense. I wasn’t quite sure what any of that meant, but I suspected I’d understand after watching Ben play today.
Katty pressed both hands against the glass, squinting as she scanned the players. “Which one’s my dad?”
“There.” I pointed to Ben marching across the grass, doing high steps. “See the big one with the black wristband walking kind of funny?”
She gasped like she’d just spotted a superhero. “That’sBenny?”
I smiled, my throat tight. “That’s Benny.”
He wasn’tDaddyyet, but Katty had called himmy dada few times, so it might have been coming. Katty absolutely adored him, and as a bystander, I could see why. He’d made himself a constant in our lives. He’d picked her up from preschool twice this week and had spent his evenings with us, sharing dinner and responsibilities.
Ben never overstepped, but he was always there. It seemed impossible, but in the two weeks since he’d come into our lives, he’d become part of the fabric of our routine.
Okay, there was a slight chance I was coming to adore him too. The difference was I was wary, and my talk with Miranda had only added to that. Even with my guard up, though, Ben had worked his way in.
It was just his way.
“Is the game going to start soon?” Katty asked, shifting from foot to foot.
“Ten more minutes.” I gave her hand a shake. “Should we get something to eat while we wait?”
Her eyes lit. “A hot dog?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The box Ben had arranged for us came with a buffet. We’d been the first to arrive, but we weren’t the only ones coming. As I was making a plate for Katty, the door swung open, and Nate strode in, followed by another man.
“Uncle Nate’s here,” Katty announced. “Hi, Uncle Nate.”
He broke into a wide grin and held out his hand. “Hey, you. High five?”
She slapped his hand. “Are you here to watch my dad play?”
He paused, his eyes darting to mine, then swallowed hard. “Yeah, kiddo. I’m here to watch your dad. Remember I told you he’s my brother?”
She started to roll her eyes, but caught herself. Declan had taught her that bad habit, and Aunt Barb wasnota fan. Luckily, Barb had pretty much nipped it in the bud.
“Of course I remember,” Katty replied.
Nate chuckled as the man slightly behind him shuffled. “Just checking.” He grinned at me. “Good to see you again, Mazzy. Let me introduce you to Adrian.”
Adrian stepped forward, his hand extended. “Hello.” The timbre of his voice vibrated my eardrums like a plucked string. It was so low, it sounded like an echo in a cave.
“Hi,” I squeaked, slipping my hand into his. I didn’t know why I was squeaking, except there was something incredibly intimidating about Adrian Wells.
He wasn’t as big as Ben, nor as tall as Nate, but he had a dark presence that made me want to apologize for breathing his air. His hand was soft around mine, though, careful as he shook it, and his hazel eyes were nothing but curious.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mazzy.”
“You too, Adrian.” I managed not to squeak again, thank god.
“Can I introduce myself to Kateryna?” he asked.
“Of course.” I put my arm around my daughter, nudging her forward. “Here she is.”
