I am.
Good game. We watched it; sorry we couldn't be there in person.
No worries,I send back easily. She and my dad have been swamped with pack stuff, this close to Christmas. My mom always plans a bunch of Christmas activities for the pack, and this time of year is always crunch time for her.
I know things have been so busy, but I miss you. I wanted to see if you wanted to go out to breakfast tomorrow morning. You don’t have any games, right?
No. I’d love to, Mom.
Great! I’ll pick you up outside your dorm at nine. Is that good?
Perfect. Looking forward to it.
Me too, Honey. Love you. I’m proud of you!
Thanks, Mom.I can’t help my smile as we break the connection. This weekend is looking even better.
Reid’s game is amazing. It stays close the entire time, and I lose my voice from screaming the entire game. With one minute left in the game, both teams are tied. I’m on my feet with the rest of the screaming fans. The other team throws the ball in and dribbles down the court. We're all over them, but they make their way through the middle and score. I groan as they go up by two. Reid jumps out of bounds with the ball and tosses it into Caden who dribbles down. Exavier cuts up to the free throw line, and Caden feeds him the ball. He takes his time a moment and then drives hard to the basket and scores. The other team grabs the ball and passes it in. We line up on defense, and Caden is all over his guy. The guy passes it, and Caden sees it coming and grabs it. He races for the other end and throws it up. Reid comes out of nowhere and dunks it. I scream his name and jump up and down. We’ve got a two-point lead, but that’s nothing in basketball. The other team passes the ball in and heads down to their end. They use up most of their shot clock and then one of their guys throws up a three right before the shot clock buzzes and makes it. I glance at the time. They’re up by one, and there are six seconds left. I grab Star’s hand, squeezing tightly. Reid’s coach calls a timeout, and I try to catch my breath. The ref blows the whistle, and the guys head back out. I don’t think I breathe as they pass it in. The seconds start ticking down. Caden passes to Exavier. I hold my breath as Exavier goes up for a shot, but the ball swirls around the rim and then out. But Reid is already in the air and tips it in just as the buzzer sounds. The arena erupts, and I jump up and down with Star.
I’m still flying high when Reid comes out from the locker room a little while later, freshly showered. I run to him and jump; he catches me easily. “You were amazing!” I kiss him soundly, and he responds in like passion. Thankfully, he remembers we’re in public and doesn’t kiss me too long. “Want to go celebrate?” he asks with a grin.
“Uh, yeah!”
Chapter 41
Riley
I’m up early despite the late-night last night. We went out with several of Reid’s teammates as well as Star and a few other girlfriends of Reid’s teammates. Cameron came with as well, which Star was happy about. Reid and I sat at a table with Caden, Cameron, Star, and another of Reid’s teammates. We laughed and ate way too much food. It was really fun, and I can’t wait to do it again. Today, I dress in my jeans and a soft pink sweater and pull on brown boots. I leave my hair down for the day and put on some light makeup. I stay quiet because Ashley is still sleeping, but I told her last night that I’d be up and out with my mom early.
I'm here, Love,my mom sends me.
I’ll be right down.
I grab my phone and slip out into the hallway. It always amazes me how quiet these hallways are on Saturday mornings. I open the door and climb into the passenger seat of my mom’s car. “Morning,” I tell my mom as I buckle. I glance over my shoulder at the car behind us. “Who’s on duty today?”
“Steve, Rick, Brody, and Jack.”
I glance back at her in surprise. “Not Joe?”
“No, he and your dad had a meeting to be at.” I’m surprised. My dad always has Joe assigned to my mom for security, but these guys are all qualified enforcers. “What are you hungry for?”
“Our usual?” I suggest.
She grins. “Let’s do it.”
There’s a small diner not far from pack lands that my parents and I have been frequenting since I was young. It’s totally a greasy spoon, but it’s nostalgic for us. I don’t think we’ll ever give it up, and they make the best omelets. “Reid’s game was certainly a nailbiter last night,” she starts.
“Oh, I know. I was so sick after that game. That was crazy but fun.”
“And you had an amazing game. Thirty points.” She shakes her head, and I can’t help but smile as I lay my head against the headrest. She glances over at me. “Are you feeling better now that you’ve bonded?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s like night and day.”
She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I’m glad, but we shouldn’t have let you wait. I didn’t realize it would affect you so severely.”
“It’s okay; we’re bonded now. I don’t want you to worry about me.”
She squeezes my hand one more time before dropping it. “You’re my daughter. I will always worry about you.”
