Page 71 of The Foul Out

“Yes. Aren’t they adorable?” She held out her hand so I could inspect each perfect little bird. “I found this company called Color Street. They make the cutest designs.”

“How long do your nail appointments take? I didn’t even see you leave today.”

“Oh, I do them myself. And it’s way cheaper than a salon, so I’m saving money,” she said proudly. “Let me show you the new sets I ordered.” She hurried around the counter and out of the room. Less than a minute later, she was back with a full plastic bin.

“Whoa. How many of those did you buy, ma?”

“Don’t start with me. I get enough crap from Bill. There are too many cute designs to choose from. Look at these.” She held up a set that looked like paper-wrapped gifts, and another that were supposed to be parts of a snowman. “They’re flat polish. You stick them on your nail like a sticker, then file off the extra length. It’s so easy.”

She kept digging, showing me one set after another—some with glitter, some with flowers, and some with rainbows. She had every design known to man.

“Very cute.” If it made her happy, then it made me happy.

“Here they are!” She pushed a flat pack of blue nail-shaped stickers my way. “I got five sets of them.”

“Is that the Revs Logo?” I grasped the package and squinted, studying the design. It was pretty impressive.

“Yes.” My mom beamed, clutching the bin to her chest.

As I held the slim package, an idea struck. “Could I have two of these, Mama?”

She pursed her lips and hummed, confused or maybe disbelieving. Like she thought I planned to apply them to my own nails.

“Not for me,” I assured her. “For the little girl I work with.”

Face softening, my mother pushed a second set across the bar to me. “How is she doing?”

Wincing, I tucked them into my back pocket. I’d only told my mom that, during the offseason, I was working with a little girl who had been diagnosed with high-functioning ASD. My mother had seen pictures of the kids on my Instagram page, but because I was careful not to post any shots of their faces, it was unlikely that she’d recognize them. And JJ certainly wasn’t telling any of them that he’d asked me to help.

At this point, it may not even matter anymore. Four days ago, I’d been ready to sit them all down and admit that I had feelings for Harper. Now, with where she and I stood, the drama seemed unnecessary. What was I going to say?Hey, all, I have an announcement. I have a massive crush on Harper Wallace. But don’t worry, she won’t talk to me. Yeah, that would be a waste of emotional outbursts all around.

“I hope I can see her again when I get home, but I’m not sure her mom will let me keep working with her.”

She frowned. “What did you do?” she asked, knowing right away that whatever it was, I was likely to blame for the rift. If she hadn’t been 100 percent right, I might have been offended.

Clasping my hands on the countertop, forearms resting on the cool stone, I sighed. “You know me. I overstep.”

She straightened and arched a brow. “Like going behind my back and paying the contractor to add every bell and whistle to my kitchen remodel?”

“Hey, now.” I frowned, dropping my head between my shoulders with a huff. “I offered to pay to upgrade this kitchen last year, but you two told me it was perfect. Then you went and did it without telling me. Iwantedto pay for it. That way you and Bill can use your money for fun stuff.”

Mom leaned across the counter and patted my biceps. “Big heart and no boundaries. How did you turn out this way?”

“Probably because you have no boundaries either, love.” Bill stepped inside the house and dropped his keys on the counter. He’d barely made it off the doormat when he was eyeing the bin of nail paint like he was worried it might have cost him more money today.

“Hey, now.” My mother frowned.

Bill’s expression morphed into a warm smile as he approached her. He kissed her cheek, sidled up behind her and rested his chin on the crown of her head, like one puzzle piece clicking into another perfectly. So many times over the years, I’d seen Bill come home and immediately find my mom. Maybe I’d ignored it, or maybe I’d written it off as something every couple does, but now I knew that wasn’t the case. Their teasing sprinkled with genuine affection and unwavering support was exactly what I wanted in a relationship.

Mom smiled over her shoulder at him. “Don’t start with me already.”

“But he is right. You do not have boundaries.” Ryan walked straight to the fridge and took out the dairy-free smoothie my mother always left him. My brother’s habits hadn’t changed even now that he was an adult.

“How was your day?” Mom asked.

“See? You are nosy.” He smirked at her as he took a sip of his smoothie.

I chuckled. It was fun to see him teasing and joking.

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