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She shakes her head but doesn’t shy away from me.
Calista puts out her hand. “I’m a friend of your uncle Rylan’s. I’ve known you since you were a baby, but I haven’t seen you in a few years.”
“Nice to meet you.” Her voice is low, and I hate that I don’t hear the confidence we should.
Calista gets down on her knees and asks, “Do you like soccer?”
“I did, but I can’t really play. I’m not that good.” Maisie frowns and brushes her red hair from her face.
Calista’s head falls back. “Oh, I bet that’s not true. When I was your age, I had to go against your uncle Rylan, so I understand feeling like you’re not as good. But the harder I worked, the better I got. And don’t tell anyone, but I beat him a few times.”
Maisie’s eyes widen.
“A few, and I was probably sick with the flu when it happened,” I say.
Noah laughs.
“Do you want me to show you a few things?” Calista asks. “And if you don’t, that’s fine too, but sometimes you have to take advantage of your connections.”
“Connections?”
Calista takes Maisie’s hands. “Maisie, your uncle is one of the best professional soccer players in the league.”
“I am the best,” I argue.
Calista shakes her head. “And his ego is as big as his paycheck,” she tells my niece with a saccharine smile. “Which brings up confidence. The more confident you are, the better you play,” I say.
“Yes, but first let’s teach you how to control the ball with your feet.” Calista stands, and Mandi tosses her Maisie’s soccer ball. “You up for that?”
Maisie nods.
“Okay, so I had a coach who used to tie my hands behind my back, but I trust you. Let’s stick them in your pockets.”
Maisie does as asked and Calista kicks the ball onto the now-deserted field. Maisie follows her. I don’t interrupt, allowing Calista to teach my niece how to be the best soccer player she can be.
Mandi comes along next to me. “She’s something else, huh?”
“Yeah.” I put my arm around my sister’s shoulders. “She’s going to be great. And she’s going to prove herself to that idiot coach and those bitchy moms.”
“I meant Calista, you idiot.” Mandi shakes her head. “You’ve been home for a short time and already you two were reported on Buzz Wheel. Couldn’t stay away, huh?”
In truth, I can’t. “It’s Declan’s wedding. We’re thrown together because of our roles.
Once that’s over, I’ll be back in the city, and she’ll be here. It’ll go back to how it was.”
“One day, Ryguy. One day.” She kisses my cheek and ruffles my hair like she used to when I was younger.
“What?”
“One day, you’ll open your eyes and figure it out for yourself.” She jogs out onto the field and claps for Maisie.
Calista teaches Maisie not to let the ball get too far away, and a little footwork on how to control the ball as she’s moving it up the field. Calista secures her dark hair into a ponytail, watching Maisie kick the ball down the field.
“Kick it into the net!” I scream.
After she kicks it in the net, I can’t stand on the sidelines any longer. I run out there and pick her up, swinging her around. Calista, Mandi, and Noah all meet us and high-five Maisie.
I mouth a thank-you to Calista and she shoots me a smile that says it all. She may have lost some of the twinkle in her eye, but she’s still got that heart of gold.
