Page 86 of Hard to Take

“You don’t like what they have? I’ll get you foosball,” I say.

Brooke comes around the corner. “The bathrooms are definitely first class. Oooh, cards. Want to test it out? You seem like a woman who can beat the house at poker.”

She helps my grandmother into a seat and takes one next to her. Brooke deals, the two of them deciding on rules with a few quick exchanges, then they play a hand as if I’m not even there.

My heart kicks at the sight of my girl and the woman who’s my closest family smiling and teasing and laughing.

With a few days straight in Denver, I’ve been trying to get Grams’s housing arrangements sorted out. Soon it’ll be all-star break.

Pressure in the Kodiaks organization is dialing up, on and off court. We’re not at the top of our division, but we’re clinging to a playoff spot. Our plan for the post-season has to be hammered out in a matter of days, but more personal concerns are hanging over my head.

“You two going to deal me in?”

“Ante up, honey,” Grams says.

“We’re playing for gum,” Brooke informs me.

I pull a hundred dollar bill from my wallet.

Brooke and Grams exchange a look.

“High roller,” Brooke says.

“We can take him,” Grams says.

Half an hour later, my grandmother has cleaned us out of cash and gum. She insists on returning the cash to me, stuffing it in my pocket as if I’m ten and she’s giving me spending money.

“What do you think?” I ask Grams, leading her out to the car.

“I did like the games.”

“Yeah? That’s it?”

Her eyes crinkle. “You worry, and I can tell you all day not to, but you’re not going to change.”

I turn that over as we return my grandmother to her current home.

“I think she liked it,” Brooke says, nudging me.

“I think so, too.” I pull her under my arm as we walk out. “Enough about my problems. We should get out of here and celebrate your latest campaign. My girl will be the front woman for athleisure in no time.”

Once we’re back at the car, I glance over to see Brooke staring out the window.

“You okay?” I ask.

She shifts toward me, leaning an elbow against the door. “Vivaro has been behaving unprofessionally with a bunch of creators.”

The concern in her voice makes it clear how serious this is to her.

“Tell me.”

She does, starting with the complaints from a woman named Alicia. She’s put together a document with all of the details.

“I’ve been hesitating over sending this complaint off, because I’m not sure it’s my fight. I’m not sure if I can win. I’m not even sure if it matters.”

I cover her hand with mine. “Only thing I’m sure of is that they’re lucky to have you speaking for them. You’re a badass, Brooke Ellis.”

Her lips curve. I can’t resist brushing my mouth over them.

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