Page 40 of Game Changer

Her face catches fire. “Yeah.”

I want to ask if she has one in her nightstand; I bet it’s pink.

“So,” she says, walking past me, setting the letter on the counter, and heading to the fridge, “do you want to talk about how you’re feeling?”

“All I want is to make sure Lily gets through this with as little emotional damage as possible.”

She points to one of the bar stools, telling me to sit, and I do just that.

“You’re angry,” she says, pulling out a massive wooden board covered in some baker-type paper. When she uncovers it, I see the board is shaped like a football.

“Less hangry right now. What is all this?”

“You’ll have a busy week between practice, the hospital, and Lily time. This is one less stress. You can stick to your nutritional plan while still in season and on the go.”

“The fact someone has not swooped you up already is insane.”

She ignores me as she points to one section of the board, covered in thick cuts of grilled chicken, turkey roll-ups, beef jerky bites, and hard-boiled eggs. “Protein for strength and recovery.” She points to another section. “Complex carbs for energy.” She points to the cheese and grains. “For gains.” She points to another section. “Healthy fats. I don’t know how you feel about avocado, but I know Hudson likes them, so there’s extra. There are fruits and veggies for nutrition and hydration, and these dip down here for extra flavor, all healthy. The team nutritionist would approve.”

“Damn.”

“I want to offer to take Lily to school with me. I go in about half an hour before the students are allowed in, but if she’s with me, it’ll be okay.”

“Like a teacher’s kid,” I state.

She nods. “And after school, she can come hang with me at the shop until you’re done with practice. If you’re at the hospital, I can bring her to your place.”

“I could never ask that you?—”

“You didn’t ask, Beau—I’m offering.”

“If her grandparents show up at the school?—”

“If they’re not on the list, they won’t be given access.”

“Lindsey did all that; what if they are on the list?” I ask.

“What time do you need to be at the field tomorrow?” she asks.

“Nine.”

“Then I guess you and Lily are both coming with me to work, and you can look at her paperwork. And if you need to make changes, then you make changes. You could add me temporarily.”

“Why temporarily?” I cross my arms.

“When Lindsey gets better, she may not want?—”

“When Lindsey gets better, then she can have a say in who and who isn’t on a list of people I trust with our daughter.” I scrub a hand over my face, trying to chill. “Sorry, Cupcake, I need fucking answers.”

“Can you do me a favor?” she asks.

“Fuck yes, anything.” I lean forward and give her a hundred and ten percent of my attention.

“Prove to me you can actually saySydneybefore I take you to my boss tomorrow, and you slip up and call me Cupcake.”

Before I can respond, there’s a knock at the door.

I grab a couple olives and pop them in my mouth as I slide off the stool. With my back to her, I say, “BRB, Sydney Marie Sparks.”

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