Page 13 of Game Changer

I look past Mom and at her. “CJ has boundary issues.” I look at Aunt Phoebe. “And yours takes liberties with keys.”

“Which one of the three?” Aunt Phoebe asks as she walks over and gives me a hug.

“Is Remington back in town?” I ask, but then I realize, of course, he is. “All three of them.”

“And they’re not commando friends,” London states as she looks around. “Feels empty in here without the kids.”

“Where are they all?” I ask as I remove my coat.

“They’re all watching from home,” Tessa says, giving me a hug.

“So, what’s really going on?”

She steps back and nods toward the window facing the field. “Those people are all part of the Knights family, or guests. Better safe than sorry.”

“That seems to be the consensus.”

“Now I’ll ask you”—she squeezes my hand—“what’s going on with my Syndey?”

When the music stops and Colt begins, I make a mental note to bring him some extra treats for his kids.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, football fans of all ages, welcome to Legacy Field, home to our New York Knights! The energy is electric, the stakes are sky-high, and history is ready to be written!”

The crowd erupts in applause.

“We are two games away from the playoffs, and on this chilly afternoon in the beautiful Finger Lakes region, the stage is set for an epic showdown between the New York Knights and the Texas Cowboys. The Knights, led by our quarterback, Cody Warren, are looking to defend our turf and add another win to our season. The stands are packed, the sold-out crowd roaring, and the players are lined up in the tunnel, ready to charge on to the field. Can you feel it, folks? That’s the pulse of the game, the heart of football, and the promise of delivering a win for all of you. Get ready to cheer, shout, and hold your breath because, today, anything can happen. Kickoff is just minutes away. Let’s make some noise for the greatest team in the league … Let’s go, Knights!”

And just like that, nothing but the game matters.

I sink into the black velvet chair beside my mom, and Harper sits beside me.

“You hungry?” Aunt Tessa asks.

I could have sworn I just had my coffee. “I’m not hungry. Not yet, anyway.”

Our usual waiter appears, offering glasses of champagne, and I accept one with a grateful smile.

“But we are thirsty,” London says, taking an offered glass and holding it up. “To a childless game with the coolest chicks in Blue Valley.”

“Don’t you dare start without me,” comes from behind us. It’s Aunt Jade. “I can’t believe you three are up here, when my girls, your cousins, are freezing their little asses off down there at the fifty-yard line.”

“Ohh … you know we’ll be down there if need be.” London chuckles. “Which will be in about two or three more glasses of bubbly.”

“Where are all the littles?” Aunt Jade asks.

“They all stayed back at Harper and Maddox’s place with Mom and Dad to help cook us dinner.” Tessa shrugs. “Too cold today.”

Jade laughs. “Yes, it’s gotta be a balmy seventy degrees in here. One-ninety if you’re entering menopause.”

“Cheers to that.” Phoebe raises her glass.

When Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” begins, we are all on our feet, ready to cheer on our Knights.

Chapter 3

Game Time

Boone

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