Page 102 of Unforgettable Player

“Still at Harvard,” Elliot says.

“He’s graduating next year,” I add proudly.

He looks up at me with a smile. “We both are.”

I resist the urge to kiss him in front of the kids.

When I look at Emily again, she’s smiling more warmly.

“Come on, Mom, I’m starving,” Ashley says, tugging on her mom’s jacket.

“Don’t be rude, Ash.”

“Sorry, Coach Ryan.”

“You’re good. Go home, eat. We put them through their paces out there today. Ash did great.”

Emily smiles down at her. “I guess a treat’s in order, then?”

“Yes!”

Once all the parents have left with their kids, Elliot and I head out to the car to go home.

“Your place or mine?” I ask.

“Let’s go to your place. Dad’s meeting one of his old professor buddies tonight so he won’t be home.”

Elliot likes to be home as much as possible while his dad’s new to therapy and doing his best to reconnect with old friends. He wants to make sure his dad has the best start possible before he goes back to school. He did suggest taking a break from school all together, but his dad wouldn’t entertain the idea at all and used it as fuel for his recovery. We know depression and grief are long roads and healing doesn’t happen in a linear line, but we’re hopeful he’s turning a corner. No matter what, we’ll be close enough to come back and visit often.

The second we step in the door, Scout swoops in, grabs Elliot and says, “Mine.”

“Knew we should have gone to your house,” I call after him as Scout spirits him away upstairs.

“Let her have him for a few hours,” Mom says.

“She’ll still have him at school next year.”

“And so will you,” Scout yells down the stairs. “So no biggie.”

Mom kisses me on the cheek and passes me a cookie bag. I take one and bite into it.

“Take a couple,” she urges.

“Can’t. I’m on a strict nutrition plan. My body is a temple.”

She rolls her eyes and wipes cookie dust off her shirt.

“How’s John doing?” she asks.

“A lot better. He’s seeing a therapist and he’s back in touch with some old professors at the college.”

“That’s good. Eli seems happier.”

I smile, my neck getting hot. That could have something to do with what we’ve been doing any time we get some time alone.

“You seem happier, too,” Mom adds.

I lower my eyes with a smile. That’s definitely because of what we’ve been doing whenever we get some time alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if I fucking glow.