Page 138 of Their Greatest Strength

One of the many security guards lurking around the stadium turns to look at me when I exit the hallway and close the gap between us by the entrance doors. He’s a familiar face yet still a nameless stranger.

I wave at him and pull out my phone to check if Jamie’s here yet. He’s insisted on neither me nor Nate taking the bus anymore and instead has started chauffeuring us everywhere. Our drivinglessons have been going well, and I think I could pass my test soon.Maybe.

The contact name he chose for himself has me rolling my eyes as I scroll through our messages.

The Prettiest Husband Ever: Nate’s too good at this game. He’s making me self-conscious.

The Prettiest Husband Ever: I need you to be done soon so I can be saved.

Me: I’m moving extra slow now.

The Prettiest Husband Ever: See, now you’ve distracted me and he just got another touchdown.

Me: Poor baby. I’ll be done in half an hour. Beat him and I’ll give you a kiss.

The Prettiest Husband Ever: Consider it done. See you then

With it still being above zero outside, I head for the doors to wait for him. A bit of a cooldown will be nice. I’ve never quite understood why we have to wear a heavy coat in the kitchen when it’s ten billion degrees in there. I’m sure I could get away without it, at least during prep days. It’s just me back there now that Clyde has officially moved to his new job.

I almost wish I’d have gotten a bit more time with him. It’s no wonder he was hired as a head chef at a fancy restaurant downtown. He made the kitchen his bitch every time he stepped foot inside of it. Not to mention how patient he was with me. Obviously, I was a bit out of practice, and he didn’t mind at all as I adjusted to the work.

The security guard opens the door for me and holds it as I step outside. “Have a great day, Mrs. Bateman.”

My stomach flutters as I reach for my wedding ring and rubthe band. While I love both Bandit and wife, Mrs. Bateman is my favourite.

“Thank you,” I say, heading out before stalling and looking back at him. “You’ve never actually told me your name.”

“Jake.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jake.”

With a soft smile, I nod and move out of the doorway. It’s a couple of minutes’ walk from the doors to the player and employee-only lot. There’s another one underground that Jamie uses during game days, but I have something against wandering around dark underground parking lots by myself.

At least while it’s not freezing outside.

Jamie’s not here yet, so I lean against the light pole illuminating the parking lot and wait. Despite being early evening, it’s loud outside with construction equipment groaning, people chatting as they walk to and from work, and car engines sputtering. I’m close enough to the Warriors arena to make out the tall green column at the front and the domed roof, and I wonder if Giana’s there.

I’ve only seen her the one single time, but there was something about her that I really connected with. She felt genuine, and that’s hard to come by. Especially when you’re someone who doesn’t go out of their way to make friends.

Letting that thought go, I check my phone for the time and frown. Jamie’s never usually late. Although, it wouldn’t surprise me if Nate convinced him to play one more game first.

“You have no idea how many times I’ve been to this place looking for you.”

I turn into a statue when I register my mother’s voice. Her shoes scuff the pavement on my right, and slowly, I force my neck to turn so I can look at her.

Wearing the same jacket with the broken zipper and her hair up in a bun, she stares expectantly at me. I almost wish she had forgotten me when she left five years ago just so I wouldn’t have to be forced to see her ever again.

“Why bother? That sounds like an incredible waste of time,” I deadpan.

“You know why. And I’ve grown really impatient.”

“That’s not my problem.”

“Yes, it is. If you want me to leave you alone, you’ll give me what I want.”

I blow out a laugh. “You’ve been gone for half a decade. I don’t care about what you want.”

“Maybe not. But you do care about your brother.”

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