Page 95 of Playing It Forward

Dad snatches my phone out of my pocket and hands it to Lamar.

“This is exciting,” Lamar mumbles as he types a number in my phone. His big hands appear ridiculous typing on my phone, but he doesn’t have any issues. “The quarterback who’s always taking care of everyone else finally has someone to take care of him.”

His gaze sharpens on me. “You are taking care of him, aren’t you?”

“I…uh…” Before I have a chance to admit that Nolan is the caretaker, Nolan tackles him.

Nolan straddles him on the ground. “I warned you what would happen if you stress her out. She has enough stress. You don’t add to it.”

His gaze scans the group of football players circling him. “None of you do. Do you understand me?”

“Nolan!” I shout. He doesn’t respond. “Nolan!”

His gaze meets mine. “Get off him. He’s your teammate. I’m not letting our situation come between you and your teammates. Or your career. This is your year, remember? The year the Seals go all the way.”

Lamar pushes Nolan off him. “I like her. My wife and her are going to be best friends.” He stands and smiles at me. “Welcome to the Seals family,” he says before lumbering off.

A whistle blows. “Playtime’s over, kids. Back to work!” Coach Knox shouts.

“I’ll see you later,” I tell Nolan.

He jogs off but stops. “Where are your supplies?”

I lift up my purse.

He frowns. “Do you have water? Crackers? Sunscreen? Hair ties? Enough—”

“I’m fine.”

He ignores me to address my dad. “If she starts feeling dizzy or shows any symptoms of heat exhaustion, I expect you to handle it.”

“I’ve got this handled, kiddo. You get back to work before your coach has an aneurysm.”

“Thanks, Charlie.” He winks at me. “Have fun. I’ll see you later.”

I want to remind him I’m not a child, but he hurries off before I get a chance.

Dad wraps an arm around my shoulders. “He’s worried about you. He wants to take care of you. Let him. For once, let someone take care of you.”

“I let you take care of me.”

He guffaws. “When you arrived at my house when you were twelve years old, you were determined to not let anyone take care of you.”

After nearly two years of being shuffled from house to house, I wasn’t about to trust anyone or let anyone get close.

“Whatever,” I mutter. “Do we have assigned seats or can we sit anywhere?”

We find seats in the fifth row and settle in to watch the practice.

Nolan isn’t just the quarterback. He’s obviously the leader of the team. He appears happy. He truly loves the game and playing it.

Will he still be able to play once the little mermaid is born? He already cancelled a bunch of things in March when the baby’s due. Am I stealing his career away?

Chapter 31

It turns out my priorities have terrible timing.

Nolan