Page 76 of How to Prevent a Fumble

“Wow, pretty harsh to be kicking your sister out.”

He rolls his eyes, dramatically throwing his hands up. “That’s not helping, Briar.”

“I wasn’t trying to.”

He scowls at me as he scrolls on his phone, continuing to pace.

“Okay, well, I’m going to go get changed, okay?”

He barely nods, and I head off to my room, almost a little annoyed that he wasn’t going to sit down and talk to me.

It’s been our nightly tradition lately. We sit down and talk about our days a little before bed. Unloading everything we may need over a tea or some other drink.

It’s been nice, and I didn’t realize how nice until this moment.

Leo will be leaving soon, and then Elara and I are having a girls night with Isla, Heidi, and Zara while the boys hunker down at a hotel in preparation for the big game tomorrow.

It’s officially football season, and I can feel it in the air.

This eclectic energy in the city as everyone prepares is something many of us thrive off of. Especially those of us who grew up watching our baby brothers games.

“Mom! Look what I taught Champ!” Elara calls from behind my bed. I stop in the doorway, watching her run around the bed with a bone, Champ right at her heels. “Okay, stop,” she commands, and Champ stops, looking up at her with giant puppy eyes. “Lay down,” Elara commands, her hand outstretched.

Champ listens.

Impressive.

My six-year-old can teach my dog tricks but I can’t seem to. Good to know.

“Very cool,” I tell her, walking past and ruffling her hair.She blows a raspberry at me as I grab my pajamas. “Are you ready for the girls to come over? We have a big day tomorrow so you’re not staying up too late,” I tell her.

She nods, looking more like a bobblehead than anything. “Yeah. Heidi is coming?”

“Yeah she’ll be here,” I assure her. Elara and Heidi have become fast friends in the week since she started really watching her, which has been wonderful. They’re adorable together and Heidi is truly a blessing.

And in a couple days, she’s going to be helping me much more as Elara goes back to school. She’ll be in first grade, and since we’re still technically officially living back at our old place, the drive to get her to and from school is a bit long during rush-hour traffic.

I want to be able to take her a couple of days a week when I can, but Heidi agreed to do the rest. Thanks to Leo, I have enough money to pay her quite a bit, and she was thrilled to do it.

“Hey Leo,” I hear from behind me, and when I turn, I find him standing at my door, two gift bags in his hand looking sheepish.

“Sorry about earlier,” he tells me, his eyes downcast. “I was determined for this to be my year in fantasy and if I lose this week, I’m going to have to book a ticket to Australia to swim with sharks.”

What?

“That actually sounds kind of fun,” I tell him, and it does. It sounds super fun actually. I’d love to swim with sharks.

He shakes his head, his face growing white. “Sharks are terrifying, Briar.”

I shrug, gathering blankets to bring out to the family room.

“You leaving soon?” I ask him as I walk by.

“Uh, yeah. Do you need me to help you bring anything out?”

I shake my head. All I need are the pillows, and we’ll be good. I prepped a bunch of snacks already today, and the girls are also bringing things.

“Well, uh, I have some gifts for you and Elara. For tomorrow.”

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