Page 55 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

One of the kids shrieks in horror, and we all turn to see what the deal is.

“What in the small-town crazy is that?” I say.

An ostrich charges straight for the piñata with a bloodcurdling screech, and the crowd scatters. Nolan is still blindfolded and keeps swinging cluelessly. The bird pecks at the piñata and creates two holes over Darth Vader’s eyes. Anabelle grabs Nolan, and he pulls down the blindfold as the ostrich full-on attacks the Dark Lord like a Jedi Master.

“He needs a lightsaber!” Nolan calls.

“I think he’s holding his own without one,” Anabelle says.

Candy rains down on the crowd, and kids swarm the area.

“Someone call nine-one-one!” one of the parents yells. She looks like the type to ask to speak to the manager.

“The police chief is already here,” Anabelle says, nodding toward a guy with his arms crossed like he’s in no mood to be bothered. Next to him is Anabelle’s friend, Layla, the flower shop owner. Oh, yeah. I recognize that guy. He pulled me over last month for speeding through town. Figures he’d be friends with Anabelle. She seems to know the entire town.

“Cuddles!” Mrs. Wheaton calls, her voice cutting through all the chaos. “You silly bird. What are you doing here?”

Cuddles runs up to her and greets her with a screech.

“That’s his name?” I ask incredulously. “He sent that piñata to his death, and we’re supposed to call him that?”

“Once you get to know him, you’ll learn he’s the biggest softie.” She says this to me, but she’s facing the bird and patting his head like he’s a dog. It’s a wonder he’s not ripping her fingers off.

“Is he yours?” I ask.

“Oh, heavens no! He belongs to Mr. Maverick, who has a bit of land about a block away,” Mrs. Wheaton explains.

The cop steps forward. “I’ve already put out a call to the animal’s owner, and he should be on his way shortly. It’s not the first time this has happened, so I’ve learned to keep him in my phone.” He waves his device at us as Anabelle approaches.

“Cuddles is always getting out and taking himself on walks around town, so everyone knows him. He’s kind of hard to miss,” Anabelle leans in and tells me. Her hair brushes against my bare arm, and goosebumps raise up. I don’t move away, and the air hangs thick between us.

The chaos, Nolan laughing, and Anabelle by my side warms my heart. What if there is a way I could help her land that antique mall after all? If I pitch the idea to her just right, would she actually accept it?

“Mom! Lucas! Look how much candy I got,” Nolan calls, running up to us, candy spilling from his arms.

Being close to her without having her is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I’m finished with avoiding her.

If only she felt the same way.

The evening after the party, at sunset, I check my phone as I head into the locker room.

Tommy:Don’t blow it tonight. Word is Atlanta will have a recruiter at the game.

I grip my phone tighter, the sounds of the crowd in the distance. Even they’re amped up for this game. I open the door and head toward my locker. Jace is already there, tying his cleats.

“You ready to rock and roll?” He stands and stretches his back before moving his neck from side to side. “I heard you got the green light in physical therapy.”

I nod. “This morning.” It’s everything I wanted a month ago. I rotate my knee, and it mostly feels fine. Just a whisper of resistance—but I’ve been ignoring that for weeks.

“And that means no excuses,” Coach says, coming up behind me, slapping my back. “I need you to give it your all tonight.”

If we win this game, we go on to the Atlantic Cup Championship, and after that, it’s nationals.

Once I’m dressed and taping my knee, Jace sits beside me again, Coach nowhere in sight. “You okay? You seem off.” He keeps his voice low.

“I’ve had a lot on my mind.” What an understatement.

“Have you given the antique mall idea any more thought?”

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