Page 98 of Playing It Forward

I glance toward the stands. To the reason why I’m different. Not just for today. But for the future.

Terri is smiling at her dad. Charlie says something, and she swats his arm as she laughs. One hand drifts to her stomach again. It’s protective and automatic.

Maybe football isn't enough anymore. But maybe that's okay. Maybe football was never supposed to be everything.

Maybe I'm ready for something bigger than myself.

Chapter 32

I’m starting to understand football. Feelings are another matter.

Terri

I smile at Nolan as I open my door to him. My smile widens when I notice the Wok the Plank bags he’s carrying.

“You didn’t have to bring me food.”

He shrugs. “Brock wanted to stop at Wok the Plank to pick up food for Jace.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Food for Jace?”

Brock and May have been circling each other all summer. All of Smuggler’s Hideaway is gossiping about when they’ll finally get together. I placed my bet on them already being together and keeping it quiet.

Nolan chuckles. “Never thought I’d witness Brock fall in love again after Serenity.”

Who’s Serenity? I want to ask, but my stomach rumbles.

He scowls. “Have you eaten today? I knew you should have brought more snacks to practice.”

I roll my eyes. Nolan is overprotective, but I don’t complain because it’s sweet. No one else has ever worried if I brought enough snacks with me before. Mom certainly never had the energy to worry about me – even before she was pregnant.

My hand drifts to my stomach. Don’t worry, little mermaid. You will never be without snacks.

Nolan’s gaze sharpens. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just hungry.”

“You’re a liar.”

“You can’t possibly read me well enough to know when I’m lying.”

“Sweetheart, what do you think I do for a living?”

I roll my eyes. “Play football. I watched you do it today.”

“And part of my job is reading the defense. Knowing what every one of those defenders is thinking before they do it.”

“Really?” My nose scrunches. “I didn’t understand much of what was happening.”

“Why don’t we eat and I’ll explain?” He lifts the bags of food and my stomach rumbles in response.

“Little mermaid has decided. Food it is.”

He places a hand on my stomach. “I can’t wait to meet you, little mermaid.”

Tears well in my eyes at the sincerity of his voice. There’s still a thread of fear running through my body, but I’m not letting it ruin this moment.

He kisses my cheek before pushing past me and strolling into the kitchen. “I got you some low sodium options. Sodium can cause high blood pressure. I also asked them for the dishes with the least MSG. MSG is safe, but it can cause water retention, bloating, or heartburn.”