Page 49 of Game Changer

“Boone, you have lost your damn mind.”

“Take care of our girl, Cupcake.”

I just stand there, jaw dusting the ground, watching Beau Boone, number 21 of the New York Knights, step into an SUVthat most people have to climb into, shut the door, blow me a kiss, and then pull away from the curb.

I’m not sure how long I stand there looking at the spot Boone just left empty, trying to fight a smile, but in a snap, I’m fighting tears.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Mom asks, and I turn, and yep, the dam breaks.

“I think I did something bad.”

“Dad told me what happened, and you didn’t do a thing wrong.”

“Mom, but I did.”

“You were fighting for a child who can’t fight for herself and a friend who needs your help.”

“Lindsey is fighting for her life, and I felt like, in a way, I was helping her, fighting for her life, too, for Lily and Beau. But now it’s like I’m actually fighting for her place, and I am not. I would never.”

She smiles and hugs me tight. “Oh, sweet girl, one day I swear you’ll see what everyone else does.”

“Who is everyone else, Mom?” I sniff. “I have no friends outside of family, and I’m not saying that isn’t a blessing, but my whole life?—”

“Listen to me, Sydney Marie Sparks.” She takes my hand and pulls me behind her, around the counter and to the corner table where I sit and she moves away. I know where she’s heading, as this seems to be one of those conversation that calls for hot tea. “I’ve always taught you that we’re no better than anyone else, and I’m going to admit that’s something all people should be taught, but because they aren’t, because there are bitches?—”

I gasp, and she shakes her head.

“I’m not opposed to the use of foul language when it’s called for. That woman is a bitch. A nasty, horrible bitch at that.”

“Ohmygod, Mom,” I gasp and laugh at the same time.

“I was taggedgood girlby this family from the time I was born, but I’m not beyond wanting to cut a bitch and doing it with surgical precision, might I add, if needs be.”

“Mom!” I palm my face.

“I’m your mother, Sydney Marie, but I’m also a woman and have watched every female but your cousins look at you like you were in their way, and you, my sweet girl, always stepped aside.”

“I will never want a man I have to fight for. I want one who will fight for me.” I laugh. “Or one who will stand quietly beside me like Dad did earlier.”

“He wasn’t the only man who was down here, Syd.”

I shake my head as she sets the lavender tea in front of me, trying not to recall the warmth of Boone standing beside me, stepping in even though I didn’t need it, and stepping back when he realized I was capable … even if he wasn’t even aware he was.

Have I just found a kink?

I shake the thought away.

“You also taught me that the only person I should ever compete against is myself, and I certainly don’t want people to view this as me competing against a woman in a coma.”

“Another lesson with colorful language that none of us are ever too old to learn?” she asks, and I nod. “Fuck the haters. Let them lay in their disgust until they realize they’re the real problem.”

“Bless their hearts.” I hold up my teacup.

Laughing, Mom taps hers to mine. “Assuming they have one.”

Chapter 11

Bossy & the Babes

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