Page 34 of Bride Games

“Whatever you want.” Zach patted the doorframe. “Better eat something with that wine. See you tomorrow.”

The minute Zach left Paige returned to social media. Her stomach churned at every vile comment. She couldn’t decide if she were more angry or sad. Shocked, actually. She was definitely more shocked than anything. I can’t believe I wasn’t invited to a last-minute sports Hall of Fame event.That’s a bad sign. Really bad.

Paige clicked on what was trending on X. To her dismay, #FirePaige was number three.Oh, my God. This is unreal. Bastards. Bitches.She tossed her phone on the couch, stood, and felt woozy. She reached for a chair and wobbled toward the kitchen, deciding to make a small plate of cherry tomatoes, grapes, cheese, and crackers.I’ll get sick if I don’t eat something.

She returned to the couch with her damning phone. She knew she had to get ahead of this before it spiraled more out of control. Checking Facebook and Instagram, she gasped. Her social media was plastered with nasty comments from fans on seemingly every platform. Many called her out as a fraud. Some said she didn’t know anything about football and was a joke. Others told her to give up her fake job.

Eyes filled with tears, Paige angrily swiped at her wet cheeks.I’ve got to calm down.She set her now-empty wineglass down and took deep cleansing breaths.I can’t overreact. It’s probably a troll with multiple online identities living in his mother’s basement trying to discredit me. Maybe he, or she, can tell I’m a Chiefs fan and they prefer another team.Her mind raced.Or it could be someone who doesn’t want women in sports. That’s probably all it is. Hopefully, it’ll blow over in a day or two.Imean, how many people are online at this very moment and reading this crap about me?Popping a cheddar cheese cube in her mouth, she willed herself to stop staring at her screen, if only for a few minutes.Dammit. Just when I started loving my job—and my life again.

Fifteen minutes later, Paige’s cellphone lit up with an ominous text:

I haven’t forgotten about you, Paige. I’m watching your every move.

Paige stiffened. Heart hammering, she got off the couch, and doublechecked the locks on her front and back doors. Satisfied the doors were secure, she shivered and retreated to the sofa. She glared at the screen, as if it were her phone’s fault, wondering what twisted person would do this. Paige adjusted a pillow behind her, and rubbed her forehead to stave off a headache that was bearing down. She took several deep breaths.I’ve got to critically think about who and why someone would attack me so publicly. Could it be someone who dated Zach and noticed our closeness on the field? Someone who hates football, or is it just a stupid random troll who doesn’t have a life or anything better to do?Paige put her head in her hands.How will I ever get to the bottom of this?

Feeling even more forlorn, if possible, Paige couldn’t take her eyes off the exasperating, hate-filled comments. She groaned as she read several hundred more negative posts about her sports acumen—or lack thereof.I wish Zach hadn’t left. He’d help me navigate this ridiculous smear campaign against me.He’d tell me that no one has seen this besides me.Paige didn’t knowwhether to laugh or cry.People stare at their phones 24/7. I’m sure hundreds, if not thousands of people, have read these scurrilous accusations by now.

Paige set her plate on the ottoman and glanced around her now-darkened living room.I should get some sleep. Mr. Hales wants to meet at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning. Please tell me it’s not about this.

32

Emma

Emma and Lucy could hardly contain their excitement. Eli’s big surprise was that he wanted to take them to a large theme park, Silver Dollar City, in Branson. Emma had only been once when she was a teen and had never taken Lucy since the admission cost alone was a splurge, plus she knew there would be multiple food and souvenirs for the day-long adventure. But Eli, as always, seemed to know exactly what young children and single moms would enjoy.

After they ate breakfast, Emma instructed Lucy to go to the bathroom so they wouldn’t have to stop on the nearly forty-five-minute drive. She peeked out the window and yelled, “Hurry up, Luce. Eli’s here.”

Lucy raced into the room. “I’m ready, Mommy.”

“Did you wash your hands?”

Wiping them on her shorts and tee to demonstrate they were still damp, Lucy bobbed her head. “Okay, good. I’ll grab a few snacks.” Emma reached for three granola bars, two bags of almonds, two bottles of water, and apple juice for Lucy. When the doorbell rang, Lucy raced across the living room.

“Come in, Mr. Hansen.”

The handsome teacher bent down to her eye level. “I keep telling you it’s okay to call me Eli since I’m no longer your teacher.” Grinning, he added, “But call me whatever you want, Lucy.”

“Okay, Mr. Hansen.”

He chuckled and winked at Emma. “Who’s excited about going to Silver Dollar City?”

“What’s Dollar City?” Lucy asked as she reached for Eli’s hand.

Emma held the front door open and steered Lucy outside. “We have a long drive, Lucy. Let’s get in the car and you can askallthe questions you want.” A smile spread across her face. “Well, maybe not all of the questions. Just a couple.”

“Good idea.” Eli opened their car doors before sliding behind the wheel. “Everyone buckled up?” After he heard a collective ‘yes’ he rounded the first corner before Lucy continued with her questioning.

“What’s Money City, Mr. Hansen?”

“It’s called Silver Dollar City, but”—he paused—"that’s an apt description, Lucy.”

“What’s apt?”

Emma turned toward her daughter. “Let Eli concentrate, Luce.”

“I love kids. I love their curiosity.” Within minutes, Eli pulled onto 65 South toward Branson. “To answer your question, Silver Dollar City is an old-fashioned theme park. It’s like stepping back in time. Women wear long dresses, aprons, and bonnets and the men wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and suspenders. Some of them make soap, horseshoes, and even fudge. I love that place, have since I was a kid.”

Lucy simply replied, “Oh. Are we almost there?”

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