Page 33 of Wildflowers and Wide Receivers

So I shouldn’t be surprised by how many people show up for Vivi today, but I am.

“Bro, who’s that woman standing over there,” Sully asks, discreetly tilting his head toward the left side of the stage.

I follow his gaze to find the woman standing on the left side of the stage, wearing all black, and holding a clipboard.

“That’s Kelli. She’s the owner of the dance studio.”

He nods his head, but doesn’t say anything further. He just keeps his gaze locked on her and I can feel my brows rise in curiosity.

Sully is a guy’s guy. He’s all about the team. Leading the team, supporting the team, loving the team. He’s probably been this way his whole life, and for some guys, that’s enough. So I find it interesting he’s asking about Kelli. He’s never even hinted around about being interested in someone, but then again, neither have I.

Kelli, on the other hand, while she wouldn’t let me pay for the costumes, she did accept my offer to rent the theater space tonight, and she picked Centro Austuriano, in Ybor City. It’s an old theater from the early 1900s, and while her suggestion seemed great at the time, now that we’re here and I look at how many of my teammates have shown up, I’m not so sure. The seats aren’t all that accommodating for our large size. They’re those old theater seats with the red velvety fabric you’d expect to find. Small, unforgiving when you sit in them, and the rows are close together.

“Do you want me to introduce her to you?” I ask him, and his face blanches.

“No. That’s okay. I was just curious. I don’t remember seeing her at the Christmas show.”

“She was there, running around just like she is here.”

“Huh,” he says, still looking at her.

“Does Vivi have a solo?” Camden asks, walking up and joining our conversation.

“I don’t think so. They’re seven. She’s in ballet two, that’s one level up from beginner.”

“Gotcha,” he says, meanwhile Tyler’s eyes light up and a mischievous smile creeps onto his face.

“Why do you look like this?” I ask him.

“Because you should look over your shoulder,” he says.

Turning, I scan the people who are entering the room and that’s when I spot Sophie. Her eyes meet mine, hold, and slowly I watch as she stands a little taller, takes a deep breath and then walks my way.

Tyler claps me on the shoulder, and both him and Camden leave me standing by myself.

“You’re here?” I ask, completely shocked.

“I am. Vivi invited me at the shower.”

I want to tell her that she didn’t have to come, that I’m certain Vivi would have understood, but I don’t. I will never deny her support and friendship, no matter who it’s from.

“Well, thank you for coming.”

I’m so happy she’s here.

Behind her, I can see Tyler making everyone scoot over one seat. He’s making room for her between us and he smirks at me.

“If you were hoping to blend in tonight”—she glances around the auditorium and then at the row of bulky players—“I’d say you failed.”

I chuckle. I know we’re a sight to see. “These parents are used to us. We might have been a little jarring at first, but two years in and we’re just another family here for their dancer.”

“I think that’s amazing.” She smiles back at me.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Tyler asks, all fake innocence.

I glance at the row of my friends and they are all staring at us, some more subtle than others, but most with blatant open curiosity.

“Sure.” Heat climbs up the back of my neck. “Sophie, I think you know some of the people here, but this is Tyler, Camden, Bryan and Lexi, Camille and Reid, Billy and Missy, Darius, Dylan, and Sully. Everyone, this is Dr. Sophie Black.”