Page 44 of Lavender and Linebackers

Alice was already a tiny person. She didn’t have any spare weight to lose. She also loves food, so her looking like she needed to eat is odd. The dark circles too.

“I don’t know anything about that time.” And I don’t. If she was sick, or something had happened, no one said anything to me. No one reached out.

“I know you don’t. Besides, even if you did, what would you have done?”

She and I both know the answer to this. That day, the day we drove out of town, I blocked her number and her name on all my social media accounts. I didn’t want to see or hear anything that had to do with Alice Monarch. In my mind, there was no gray area. It didn’t get any clearer than her response of, “No.”

“Probably nothing.”

Chapter 15

Alice

It’s six o’clock in the morning, and after three cups of coffee, I feel like I’ve been awake for hours. I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve, as today is one of my favorite days of the year. I love when all of the brainstorming, sponsor hunting, planning, and preparations come together, and today’s event should be flawless. We are ready for our Mighty Monarchs Fall Camp.

“I’m excited for today,” Kelli whispers as we walk onto the field at the practice facility. Along with the Tarpons being our main sponsor, they also offered up the space for us to host the event. Free. Of. Charge. In exchange, Brian, Danica, and Ross will be here getting footage to use as part of their involvement in the community. Danica also agreed to shoot some extra content for us, free of charge.

“That makes two of us. I feel like we’ve worked hard and we’ve been given so many advantages this year. My heart is full,” I tell her, leaning in to hug her. I also take a silent extra moment to be grateful for her. I know after being friends with Ryder for such a long time that I don’t need a large circle. Just one or two close friends and I’m content. He used to joke that I was the loyalist of the loyal, but I never thought of that as a bad characteristic, just the best one.

Pulling back, I take in a deep breath and soak up the silence before the chaos begins. There’s not a whole lot to do, as we did a lot of it last night, but then we hear voices, and they’re traveling from the outside and onto the practice field. Male voices that are getting louder.

Male voices that eventually walk through the door and are attached to faces. Beside me, Kelli stiffens.

“What is he doing here?” she all but snarls.

It’s a group of five Tarpons players, and they’re heading our way. I know I told Ryder that we could always use the help, but I didn’t think he was serious about wanting to, and I certainly didn’t think he’d bring reinforcements. And then for a split second, I wonder if they weren’t informed that we would be using the space today and the team is showing up to practice.

“Hello, ladies,” Rico says to us, while winking at Kelli.

Beside me, she frowns, but in front of me, Ryder has stopped and is looking down at me. God, he’s so handsome it hurts to look at him. Again, I notice how broad his shoulders have gotten and how his arms are much more muscular with their stupidly defined biceps peeking out under the sleeve of his T-shirt, the visible lines and grooves that dip up and down, and don’t forget his forearms, which are attached to his hands. Hands that I used to love. I hate that he looks so perfect.

“What are you all doing here?” Kelli asks. There are four defensive players, Ryder, Rico, Miles, and Dylan, and one offensive player, Camden.

“We are here to volunteer,” Ryder says.

“Really? That’s . . . kind of all of you,” I tell them, looking at each one and smiling.

“So put us to work.” Rico claps his hands. “I hear there’s going to be cameras here today. The ladies like it when we show our softer side.” He waggles his brows.

Kelli tilts her head as she stares at him. “Oh my God, you’re insufferable.”

“Insufferable or irresistible?” He winks at her.

“Oh, definitely insufferable, and you’re very resistible,” she tells him, crossing her arms over her chest.

He recoils. “You know, I don’t think you’re a nice person,” he says, scowling at her. Ryder clasps him on the shoulder. “I even got my hair cut for this.” He runs his hand over his head.

She rolls her eyes, and the guys behind him crack up.

“Please, tell us how we can help,” Ryder butts in, effectively ending Rico’s pouting.

“All right. Outside is a moving truck. Inside there are one hundred and fifty backpacks. We need those brought in and placed behind the registration table, which is there.” I point at the tables that were provided during our walk-through last night. These are set in front of the indoor stadium seats, which makes it easy for the parents who are staying. “And as for the rest of the stuff in the truck, if you’ll bring it in and set it over there.” I point toward the long wall that runs the length of the field. “That would be a huge help. Thank you.”

One corner of Ryder’s mouth lifts. It’s familiar that an instant ache bounces around inside my chest.

“Anywhere behind the tables?” Camden asks.

“Yes. There’s a tag on each one, and they are alphabetical by last name. Please line them up so they’re easy to find.”