Page 36 of Heartfelt Goals

“Perfect, because I would love to have you be a part of my class,” Libby smiled. “I think maybe you are smarter than anyone realizes, and we should harness that gift together.”

“Oh, I like her,” Kendall chuckled, tossing a look at Laurel – who laughed and hugged her sister. “She’s smooth.”

“I see that,” Laurel grinned, smiling. “So, are you staying, and I’ll pick you up at three?”

“She had me at cake,” Kendall shrugged, taking Libby’s hand as the duo walked away, leaving her behind.

“I figured.”

Laurel pressed her fingers against her temples, closing her eyes for a moment as she tried to block out the throbbing headache creeping in. The outlines for her next book blurred on the screen in front of her, the plot refusing to take shape the way she wanted. She sighed, shifting in her chair when the sudden ring of her phone made her jump.

She grabbed it, glancing at the name flashing across the screen. Dustin. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she answered.

“Hello?”

“How’d it go?” His voice, warm and familiar, settled something inside her that had been on edge all day.

Laurel exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Well, after a bit of wrestling,” she began, only to hear his knowing chuckle come through the line. The sound sent a ripple of warmth through her. She could picture the way his lips curvedwhen he laughed, the way his eyes softened. Shaking her head, she smiled.

“They’re good, Dustin. That place is a find—an absolute gem. I don’t know how you managed to lock down a spot for her but thank you. From the bottom of my heart… thank you.”

“Of course,” he murmured, his voice quieter now. “She’s family.”

Laurel swallowed past the lump in her throat. Family. Such a simple word, yet one that carried so much weight. “I know,” she said softly, “but family isn’t always easy to handle.”

Dustin let out a short laugh, one tinged with something deeper. “But when it’s the only one you have, you find a way…”

“Amen to that, buddy,” she agreed, forcing herself to sound lighter, to push back the emotions creeping in. “What are you up to? I wasn’t expecting you to call. I thought you had practice.”

“I do—and I am. I’m actually sitting here in my gear and trying not to feel nervous.”

Laurel frowned, leaning forward in her chair. “Oh? Why are you nervous?”

“I’m not as good as I once was…” His voice dipped, barely more than a whisper.

Her heart clenched.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffed, waving a hand despite knowing he couldn’t see her. “I’ve seen you play a million times, and you are scary in front of the goal.”

“Not anymore,” he admitted, and this time, there was no humor in his voice—just raw honesty.

She opened her mouth to argue, to remind him of the player she knew—the one who could send an entire stadium into a frenzy with a single block. But before she could, he cleared his throat.

“That’s actually why I’m calling,” he continued. “I’ve got exercise mats being delivered today around two. Can you just drag the box into the condo? I’ll find a place for it later.”

“Of course. Do you need me to set it up?”

“Nah, I’ll get it,” he replied, the easygoing tone slipping back into place. “Oh—and I’m bringing home the schedule tonight so we can post it. I’ve got some home games here, and I’ll have tickets for you. But I also wanted to share the other dates—when I’m away.”

“Sure.”

There was a brief pause, a hesitation in the air that made her grip the phone tighter.

“Um, Laurel, ah…well…”

She froze. That tone. That careful, almost nervous way he was saying her name. Her pulse quickened.

“What is it?” she asked, her voice softer now.

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