Page 186 of Made Better Together

“Let’s leave the poor woman alone,” Rori pipes up. “She’s gonna run out of here if we keep this up.”

“Yes, sheesh,” Avery responds. “Come sit by me, Eden. I promise family gatherings are a delight.”

I laugh and come into the open spot next to her. And it is a delight. Within a minute, we’re all joking and chatting like I’m a regular part of the group. Connor glances at me from his spot next to Rawley, and I smile at him, conveying I’m good.

After about an hour, though, Rori brings up a touchy subject I was hoping we’d skip.

“So, Eden—during that fundraising dinner, you and Connor were already serious? That must have been intense.” She looks amused, not annoyed at my deception. Grace and Avery peer at me, waiting for my answer.

“I…felt a little awkward, yes. I’m not the best at hiding things, and you kept mentioning Connor.”

The corners of her mouth tip up. “I said we’d bring him to a match, didn’t I? Well, hello, you didn’t break. I…we were clueless.”

“Don’t feel bad, Eden,” Grace interjects. “Plenty of secrets have floated around all eight of us. We blame Connor, anyway.” Connor shrugs from across the room, and she giggles.

Avery joins her, chuckling too. “He’s a sneaky little bugger. Anyway, I can speak for Rawley—he’s so happy Connor’s found you.”

I grin, my cheeks flushed again. “Thank you.”

“Whatever you’re talking about is making my girlfriend blush,” Connor says from across the room. “Do I want to know?”

Rori examines me before pivoting to Connor. “I hadn’t noticed, but we’re being good.”

Rawley bumps Connor’s arm and says in a loud whisper, “You just wanted to say ‘my girlfriend’ again, didn’t you?”

Now it’s Connor that’s blushing.

Landon clears his throat. “Alright gang, how about we eat some of this food?” Landon and Rori have set up heavy apps on a tall side table.

“Good idea,” Johnson says. We all grab small plates and load them up in turns.

“Did you slave in the kitchen all day, big bro?” Rawley says with a chuckle. I don’t get the joke until…

“Nah, I wouldn’t risk three players getting food poisoning before a game.” Everyone laughs. “Rori ordered it from somewhere.”

Soon our bellies are full, but the chattering doesn’t stop. In the middle of the cross-sibling banter and jokes, I answer questions about my plans for the spring semester and explain where things stand with my prospects to play pro. Then, during a lull in the conversation, Grace taps my knee.

“You excited for the U23 training camp in February?”

“Definitely. A week in Brazil. No complaints.”

Avery speaks next. “How does that work with school?”

“The Tolliver admin’s used to my requests by now, and my professors are always cool. I’ll take work with me, and make it up as needed.”

“Basically how I finished at UConn after the draft,” Avery replies. “The WNBA preseason cut into my last few weeks.”

“Oh, that’s different from how it works for us. I’ll graduate normally, but then I’ll jump right into the NWSL mid-season. Assuming I get signed.”

“You will,” Grace reassures me.

Something about her response frustrates me, though. I’m getting tired of reassurances, and I need an actual answer. Maybe because I’m back in Orlando, maybe because Connor’s now planning to job search where I’ll be–impatience floods me.

C’mon Aiden, work your magic.

Landon interrupts my thoughts a beat later. He stands up, and addresses the full group. “I want to say a few words since it’s my favorite day of the year, New Year’s Eve.” He looks lovingly at Rori. “I’m glad we have tonight together. It’s something special to have all of us gathered like this, even at the expense of Johnson’s annual party.”

Johnson raises his cup. “Here, here.”