Page 10 of Levi

I'll forever be thankful for that day. The blood, sweat, and tears all ended in a room full of love, surrounding my nana with the life and support she needed in that moment.

I know that because I needed it too.

But now, every little slip-up she has, every little lapse in her memory, scares me and makes me think it's getting worse. Most of the time, I can convince myself I’m just being anxious and worried over nothing, but other times, it feels like I'm watching my world slip through my fingers like sand, and I just want to hold onto it for as long as I can.

“—but even then every time I'm around her, all I can smell is the stupid orange cleaner she used on the entire house. It's too much.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“We really need to work on your listening skills if you're ever going to find yourself a girl,” she says, rolling her eyes before turning to head into the bingo hall.

It's a cute building they have in the middle of the retirement community, designed to look like a little log cabin. It’s awesome, and pretty much anytime you come in here, it'll be filled with people having fun. We've come for bingo, swing dancing, line dancing, and even a very intense game of checkers that happened here on a random Tuesday. It's always fun, even though Delilah, the grumpy lady who lives next to my nana, always complains about me. No one listens to her, but sometimes I want to tell her to stop being petty and show her I have a girlfriend just to really get under her skin.

Maybe I'm the petty one.

As we head in, it's already starting to fill up, but thankfully we snag a couple of seats in the back, far enough away from Delilah hopefully not to get yelled at.

“Why are you so quiet?” my nana asks as she lays down the bingo cards and pulls out her favorite purple dauber, like always.

I'd make fun of her for being superstitious, but I'm a hockey player. That'd be like the pot calling the kettle black.

“Just strategizing how to beat everyone today.” I smirk.

“Damn it, Levi, just answer a damn question for once.”

“You're pushy, but fine. Just a lot going on with the season starting, and based on the email our owner, Declan, sent out earlier today, there will be some changes.”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember the coach before this one?”

“The dickhead coach with the niece you tried to marry, even though it’s the sister you want?” she bites out, proving that her long-term memory is definitely better than her short-term—at least at this moment.

“That's the one,” I say with a grimace.

“Couldn't forget them; trust me, I've tried,” Nana says, spitting each word out like it tastes bad.

“Apparently, he’s coming back. Or at least that’s what it sounds like,” I tell her, waving at Delilah and Brenda as they walk past us to their usual spots.

“Go on.”

“Quinn had mentioned to me that her uncle would be coaching back in Nashville, but I didn’t believe her. I figured if there was going to be a change, Coach would let us know. Only, earlier today, I got that email from the owner. Putting two and two together, it sounds like Sullivan will be our new coach.”

“And Quinn told you this?” she says with a knowing smirk. Damn, in this moment, I wish I hadn’t told her everything when Ally and I broke up.

Why isthiswhat she remembers?

“Yup.”

“So, you two are still friends?”

I feel my cheeks heat, and I immediately look down at my bingo cards, staring at the letters like they’re going to turn into something really interesting, just to avoid her eye contact.

“Yeah, we hang out now and then,” I say vaguely. “But she knew I never planned on leaving Nashville, so I think she thought it was important enough to let me know. Or at least that’s what it seemed like,” I tell her, rambling on, trying to get her off the scent of secrets. She’s like a bloodhound and will follow the scent until she gets what she wants. I’m just not in the mood today. She eyes me for a minute, then lets out a little “hurumph” before nodding.

“Well, I say just see how it all plays out. But this time, maybe follow your heart instead of your head,” Nana says with a smirk right as Delilah comes over to our table.

“Kimberly, are you ever going to stop inviting your grandson to our bingo days? It’s really obnoxious losing to a cheater all the time,” Delilah says while refusing to look at me.

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