Page 173 of Made Better Together

I smile, reflexively. “Well, that’s good, because I plan to be around a while, Rosy.”

“You better.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “We’ll have to refrain from naked time, though. It’d be kind of awkward in my childhood bedroom with Mom two doors down.”

“No worries, it’ll just make our reunion even more sweet.”

“Can’t wait.”

All being well in California is perfect, because I’m steeling myself for Christmas with Mom. She never bailed, and even sent her ticket details in an email to all of us.

I try not to think about it too much for the first couple of days Eden’s gone, beyond pressure-testing my responses to thoughts of seeing her. Anxiety doesn’t stir, a good sign—the EMDR therapy has once again served its purpose.

Waves practices kept me occupied too, helping these days apart pass quicker and distracting me from dwelling on Mom’s visit. They’ve intensified in the latter part of the season, with everything at stake.

Win the next game after Christmas, and we secure the division title. With three regular-season games left, we’re also close to qualifying as one of the top two seeds in our conference, which would mean a first-round bye, allowing us to go straight to the second round.

“We never know when a game could be won or lost by our feet,” Del says in our kicking team meeting on December 22. “We’re not going to cost this team a victory.”

“That’s right, Coach,” Jeremy calls out, the rest of us affirming the sentiment in kind.

While my role is limited to practice, I appreciate the shift in energy. I soak it up, getting hyped up each day even though I won’t play in the actual games. My brothers are as serious as I’ve seen them during this home stretch of the season.

Case in point—Landon’s like a different person when I’m subbed in during an afternoon scrimmage. No teasing across the line, fierce determination painted in his eyes.

I make the field goal, and instead of congratulations, he’s pissed when he comes to a stop next to me.

“Fuck, I had that block…” he growls to himself.

It’s the NFL. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised my brother wants to shut me down, even during practice.

“Nice one,” Del says to me as I run back to the sidelines. Tapping my shoulder for good measure.

“Thanks, Coach.”

Standing next to him as the scrimmage continues, I glance at his expression. It’s focused, unbothered by my presence. At practice, his demeanor’s been neutral since everything with Eden exploded.

Yet, we haven’t really talked, not in the relaxed way we used to. Now is not the time, but I hope we can find our way back there.

Especially with my plan to be with his daughter as long as she’ll have me.

“How are you feeling about tomorrow?” Eden asks when we’re FaceTiming the next night.

Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, meaning Mom’s flying in.

“It’s…it’ll suck, but I’m not anxious. There’s no physical manifestation of anything, either.” Thank God.

“That’s so good, Connor. I’m here tomorrow if you need to talk. Anytime. My family won’t even notice, there’ll be so many people around.”

“I know, Rosy.” A certain three little words are itching to come out. But there’s no way I’m saying them for the first time with her three thousand miles away.

I’m so ready for her to be back, and that’s just one of the reasons.

“Eight more days,” she says, as if her mind went in the same direction.

“I can’t wait. We’ll plan a big celebration.”

“Will we?” Her voice, flirty.

Then I remember the Better Together chat from a few weeks ago. “Well, actually, if you’re okay with it…my family is gathering at Landon’s house for New Year’s Eve a few hours after your flight gets in. Do you want to use that as a way to make everything official with them?” My mind is processing all of this in real time.