Page 106 of Take Her On

A butterfly-inducing grin stretched across Jamie’s face. “That makes it all worth it, then.”

“Were you nervous?”

“Absolutely shitting my pants.”

They burst into laughter, and Maya kissed her again. She had to give Mrs Corstow something to gossip about, didn’t she?

Maya had been dreading this day. The finality of it all. Saying goodbye to Grandpa. But being in this room with wonderful people and sharing memories of him was exactly what she needed. A thought fired into her head, and she turned back to her mum and Grandma. “Would either of you mind if I played some of Grandpa’s music?”

When they both agreed it sounded a nice idea, Maya weaved through the guests to get to his record player and then sifted through the vinyls stored in the box underneath the table. She found one of Grandpa’s favourites—Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits—and eased it out of the sleeve. When the music started playing, everyone started to hum along. I think Grandpa would be pleased.

Maya rejoined her friends, and they chatted among themselves until the notes of “Mrs Robinson” burst from the speaker. Grandpa’s ultimate favourite.

Maya turned to her grandma. It was evident from the look on her face that she was thinking the same thing Maya was. Taking her hands in hers, Maya pulled her into the empty space in front of the buffet and started dancing. Once Grandma realised what she was trying to do, she burst out laughing, but she didn’t resist.

Maya caught Tony’s eye and motioned for him to join. Her mum, too. Tony took Grandma off her hands, twirling her around the rug. Maya reached her hands out to her friends, and with a little encouragement from Jamie, who brought them into a little circle, they started bobbing along to the music. Even Maddie started to lose herself to the beat. It wasn’t long before most of the room was joining in. Maya’s heart felt so full it could explode.

She danced with her mum and grandma, and some of the Witch Club too, and then drifted back to the group. She loved the unique way Jamie danced, wild but still with rhythm, just free in her movements. It was just so very her. She looked absolutely divine in her black suit, too.

The afternoon continued with the hum of conversation and jiving to the music, as the mountain of food they’d prepared slowly disappeared from plates and into bellies.

After a few more songs, Maya took a little break outside. The air was cool against her skin, and she breathed it in, her gaze wandering around the garden. Bags of unopened compost rested by the shed door, along with trays of unpotted flowers that Grandma hadn’t got around to planting yet.

She pulled out her phone and checked her emails. One bounced up to the top—Millton FC. Her heart jumped into her throat. They wanted her to come in for an interview in two weeks.

Holy shit.

She reread the email a few times to double-check. Then checked the sender to make sure it wasn’t spam. It was only an interview, but her mind leaped ahead, running away with itself. A sports conditioning coach. At a women’s team. Not just a women’s team, but the team from her hometown. She couldn’t stop an excited squeal leaving her mouth.

Don’t get ahead of yourself. The logical side of her brain brought her down a few levels.

Then the thought soured as she remembered Grandpa. She so badly wanted to tell him. She blew out a breath, tilting her head back to watch the clouds drifting across the grey sky. She had an eerie feeling that somehow, he already knew.

And he’d want her to celebrate the little victories.

She made her way back inside, catching her mum and Grandma in conversation with none other than Mrs Corstow. When they saw the look on Maya’s face, they dropped whatever they were talking about.

“Is everything alright, love?” her mum asked.

She all but screamed at them, “I got an interview with Millton FC!”

“That’s fantastic,” Grandma said, consuming her in another hug. Maya had never had so many in such a short space of time.

“Well done, Maya,” her mum said, hesitating before taking her face in her hands like a child. She tried not to mind it. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mum.”

They gave her another squeeze, and then she went to go find her friends, who were watching the commotion and expecting good news. Maya let out a laugh at their eager faces as she told them.

Jamie and Hannah hoisted her in the air. The scene probably looked ridiculous, but she didn’t care. Their enthusiasm was so sweet, and she couldn’t stop smiling. Her people were pretty damn great. Who knew that change might not be so bad?

The interview could wait for another day. First, they had to beat the Harriers and collect that damn trophy.

That’s what her grandpa would’ve wanted.

Chapter Thirty

Maya