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I trudged back inside and threw my uniform and socks into the dryer with a wet washcloth and dryer sheet. It wasn’t a perfect solution. It only took a few minutes, and I promised the uniform I’d take care of it after the game. Then I changed into the outfit—red shorts and jersey with the number six on it and our team name, The Tacos.
“Ready to go,” I said to my friends as I stepped back into the living room. “Let me see if Isaac needs a ride.”
“Is he back from New York?” Sutton asked.
She put her hands under her chin and looked at me dreamily. Jennifer mirrored her look.
I bit my lip and nodded. “I still can’t believe it all happened!”
My brother, Isaac, had dated Peyton Medina all through high school, but she’d left to go to the New York City Ballet. They’d reconnected while she was in town for The Nutcracker. We were all still unbelievably happy for them. Almost seemed too good to be true. But after his first wife, Abby, had died in childbirth, I’d say that my brother deserved all the happiness in the world.
Bro, you want a ride to the Tacos match?
A second later, my phone dinged.
Appreciate it. Mom is coming over in twenty to watch Aly.
I’ll come inside to kiss my favorite niece.
She’s your only niece.
All the more reason.
“He’s in,” I told them.
“Sweet. Now that he’s off the market, maybe Jennifer can stop making goo-goo eyes at him,” Sutton said as we headed for her upgraded Audi SUV.
“I do not make goo-goo eyes at him!” Jennifer protested, slinking to the backseat.
“You kind of do,” Sutton teased.
“Ew,” I muttered.
“He just really knows how to play soccer. That’s all I’m saying,” Jennifer said. “He and Julian and Blaire really bring the team together.”
Though my brother had been recruited to a Division I school and Julian had played in college, Blaire was the star of the Tacos. She was a power forward and goals from girls counted double in this league. She was the reason we’d killed it last season. Plus, she was just a really fun down to earth girl.
I couldn’t resist ribbing Jennifer though. “Hey! I’m on the team, too.”
Jennifer’s cheeks heated. “That’s not what I meant!”
“No, you meant that Isaac knows how to dribble, but Julian—”
“Stop!” Jennifer said.
Sutton laughed. “Don’t pick on her.”
“I just wish that it had worked out with you and Julian,” I admitted. “No one wants to deal with Ashleigh Sinclair.”
“It was one date,” Jennifer said, looking down at the camera still strung around her neck.
“And the wedding!” Sutton said.
“Fine. One perfect kiss with Julian Wright.” She shrugged. “And then he found someone more in his league.” She didn’t even sound upset about it. Just thought it was how things were. Sure didn’t stop her from watching him and wishing. I knew that even if she wouldn’t admit it.
“Bah!” I cried.
“Ew, don’t say that,” Sutton said. “Ashleigh Sinclair is not more in anyone’s league. Plus, I’m a Wright and I say with certainty that if anything you’re out of his league.”
Jennifer grumbled under her breath. “Yeah, right.”
“Chin up,” I said. “We don’t have to worry about any of it today.”
I was glad for the change of subject, because usually, when the conversation went to Julian, it swung right around to Jordan. As much as Sutton had been against us dating her cousins when they first showed up, she was all for it now. Wanted us to be part of the family. As if that was ever going to happen.
Luckily, we made it to Isaac’s without incident. I hopped out of the SUV and jogged inside. My mom and dad stood in the entranceway.
“I didn’t know both of you were coming over!” I said, throwing my arms around them.
“Hi, sweetie,” my mom said.
“Ann,” my dad said, kissing my cheek. He was the only one who called me that anymore.
“Where’s my favorite niece?”
“I’m here!” Aly cried, running out of her bedroom in a tutu and tights, a tiara planted in her mass of red curls.
I picked her up and swung her around in a circle. “I missed you!”
“I missed you, too, Aunt Annie.”
“You were gone to New York for so long.”
Aly’s eyes widened. “It was magic. The buildings were so tall.” She held her hand up as if to show me how tall they were. “And Peyton’s house doesn’t even have a yard! But you can still have dogs.”
“Wow,” I said with enthusiasm.
“Apartment,” Isaac corrected Aly as he walked out in a matching Tacos uniform. His red hair was cut short and gelled off of his face. He was a head taller than me but still muscular and lean from years of soccer. He could have gone pro when he was younger. “Peyton lives in an apartment, remember?”
“Right. Apartment. It’s small, and I got to sleep on the couch!”
