Page 60 of Her Game Plan

“She actually said that!” Rose exclaims. “My last few years! Can you believe it?”

“How long are you planning to live, anyway?” Billy’s gruff question makes it clear he’d be fine if he wasn’t granted that many more.

“More than a few years! I’m going to hold out at least another decade, if for no other reason than to piss my son and daughter-in-law off.”

When there’s a lull in the conversation, Nan turns to Charlotte, “So, Charlotte, are you after your parents’ money as well? Or just Callan’s?”

“Nan,” I say forcefully as Charlotte’s wide-eyed gaze shifts between me and my grandmother. “She’s not after my money.”

“I have no need for your grandson’s money,” Charlotte states.

“So you love him for him, then?” Nan asks. “If he weren’t a football player, you’d be as likely to date him?”

Enough.

“Nan.” It’s harsher this time. “What are you doing?” The grief and confusion on Charlotte’s face make my chest tighten, the desire to pull her into a hug and protect her from the world an overwhelming urge.

“I’m the only family you have, Callan. I’m making sure this woman isn’t a gold digger who’s going to get pregnant and ruin your life.” I can’t hide my flinch. I know she thinks my parents having me so young ruined my dad’s life, made his irresponsible tendencies become who he was, rather than the man he might’ve turned out to be if not for me, but still. That’s not who Charlotte is. Even if she wasn’t a Langford. Not that Nan’s going to take my word for it.

“Charlotte’s family has more money than everyone at this table combined,” I tell Nan. “She’s not here because of my money.”

She’s not here for me, either, but Nan doesn’t need to know I’m a tool to get her what she wants. It might be worse than her being with me for my money.

Billy and Jacob both snort derisively, like I’ve offended them by saying they don’t have as much money as the Langfords.

“I think it’s time to go,” I say, standing up from the table. “Maybe next time we come, you all can remember you’re nice people who don’t go out of their way to say incredibly rude things to others.”

“It’s okay, Callan,” Charlotte starts.

“No,” I disagree as I move our chairs back. “It’s not.” I’m not sure whether I want to laugh at the absurdity of this entire afternoon or start punching walls.

“Here’s your cookies, darling. We’ll see you soon.” Nan hands me a plate of chocolate chip cookies, the same ones she’s been sending me home with since I moved out of her house for college. “Charlotte.” Nan simply nods in acknowledgment of Charlotte’s presence, like she didn’t imply that I would be coming back solo next time.

Charlotte gives a strained smile. “It was nice meeting you.”

“Of course,” Nan replies before picking her cards up. “It’s your play, Rose.”

We walk down the stairs and out of the building in silence, Charlotte’s hand cold in mine.

I start the car as Charlotte stares out the window, her body folded in on itself. For the first time, she looks like the small woman she physically is, rather than the force of nature she appears.

“She hates me.” It’s barely more than a whisper, but I can feel it all the way to my bones.

I want to disagree. Tell her she’s wrong. But I’m not sure she is. The only person I’ve ever seen Nan act like that to is my father, when he showed up five days after I was drafted, claiming to want to be back in my life. Five hundred dollars was all it took to get him to leave. He’s increased his asking price since then.

“It’s okay,” I remind her. “It’s all fake, anyway.”

Chapter 23

Charlotte

“I’ll see you at five to head home?” Callan asks timidly as I climb out of the car the next morning.

“Yep.” I force a smile as I nod.

He pauses for a moment, his hands still on the steering wheel as his gaze searches mine. “Are you sure you’re okay, Charlotte?” His voice is low, the concern in it evident.

I nod again even as my chest tightens, the tears I thought I’d expended last night surging back. His grandma, the most important person in his life, hates me. And it’s okay because it’s all fake anyway.