Page 16 of Game Day

"During the season," I correct.

He sighs as I jog across to get it.

I’m expecting a call from my realtor.

None of the two dozen houses he’s has shown me over the past month have been right. Our budget is near limitless, but it’s still hard to find a place with the other specs we want: close to the stadium for me. Close to Nova’s sister and Harlan for her. A huge yard with room for gardens and picnics. A solarium she can transform into a studio to paint. Mountains in the distance because every time I see them, I think of us running through Red Rocks on our first date.

If we get married at Little Nell next weekend, my timeline to find the perfect home will shorten drastically.

But, it’s not the realtor’s number on my screen.

"Hey, sis," I answer as one of the trainers passes me a fresh Gatorade. I'm sweating more than I expected. Maybe I should've been working out with Miles this summer after all.

"What's so urgent I had to dodge my practicum to call you back?" Kat asks.

"I'm getting married next weekend." I keep my voice low. Announcing this in the middle of practice would derail today’s drills more than any other interruption. "We were planning to elope, but Nova found a place here that she loves, and she wants to have a few friends and family there. We wanted to ask if you can make it.”

She's quiet for so long I wonder if she hung up. "We’ll be there. Of course, we will," comes a choked sound.

"Are you crying?!" I grunt.

Alarmed expressions flick to me from the guys, and I wave them off. Kat, I mouth.

"No!" She sniffs. "Daniel's not teaching and Andy will be out of school.”

A feeling of satisfaction settles over me. “I’ll send you more info after practice."

Coach is shooting me dagger-like glares, and I set the handset on the seat and hit speaker as I finish toweling off. Idrop the fabric into a bin at the end of the row, narrowly missing one of our new rookies.

"Wait." Kat’s syllable is sharp. "What about Mom and Dad?"

For a second, I’m not sure what she’s asking. “I sent them an email a couple hours ago.”

“You think they’ll sit quietly in the back snapping photos and beaming?"

I shrug even though she can’t see. “That’s what everyone does at weddings.”

Kat murmurs something that sounds like “God help us,” but I’m already clicking off to avoid delaying practice further.

I toss the phone on my chair and jog back toward the court. When I get into position for the drill, everyone's watching me.

They can’t have heard our conversation. But from their expressions, I’m wondering.

Miles crosses the court with a wide grin and sweaty arms wide. "What do you say. Are we invited?”

“I’ve been working on a speech for months.” Jay clears his throat.

“Been wanting to wear these blue leather shoes,” Rookie adds.

Miles hollers over the others. “You wouldn’t be marrying Nova if it wasn’t for me. I’m the one who brought you together in the first place.”

So much for keeping it quiet until after practice.

I stare him down for a moment.

Two.

“Yeah, you’re invited.”

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