Page 28 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

“So?” He looks at me like this information is irrelevant.

“I actually need to shock the pool. It’s got some algae growing in there,” Mom says, carrying a tray of fruit to the large wooden table on the deck. She puts her hand on Nolan’s shoulder. “I want to tell you how proud I am of the job you’ve been doing cleaning my bathroom.”

He’s finished his third time cleaning to make up for the fact that he broke her vase.

“Does that mean I get paid from now on?” Nolan asks in a hopeful voice.

Mom laughs. “Nice try, but I don’t think so.”

“The point wasn’t to build you up to a job offer,” I say. “It’s to say sorry.”

Nolan shrugs. “I know, but it was worth a shot to ask.” He grins.

My brothers Grant and Drew flock to the table at the sight of the first food emerging from the kitchen. The sun has just set, and Mom goes over to turn on the overhead string of lighting that always makes the outdoor living space feel intimate. The pool has a waterfall feature that splashes pleasantly in the background, and Mom’s planters are full of blooming tulips, daffodils, and other spring perennials.

“What if I get Uncle Grant and Uncle Drew to watch me?” Nolan counters.

“You think you can convince them to swim in that gross, cold water?” I laugh. “Good luck.”

“How is it any different from swimming in the pond at Great Grandpa’s farm?” Nolan counters.

I sigh. “Ask them that question.”

Grant ruffles Nolan’s hair. “Try some fruit, bud.”

Nolan frowns but takes the plate from him. Grant is clean-cut, practical, and loves to tease with a straight face.

“Hey, you never know. Some people love having green slime all over them,” Drew teases Nolan.

“Yeah, like your ex-girlfriend,” Grant says with a straight face to Drew.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Drew asks skeptically.

“You know, she was always putting those seaweed masks on her face and doing those spa treatments,” Grant says.

“That’s not funny,” Drew says.

“Sounds like you’re still hung up on her,” Grant tells Drew.

“Ooh, burn,” Nolan says, jumping into the teasing. This kid fits right in with my brothers. Too bad he doesn’t see them as much as I’d like because they’d be good male figures for him in his life. Well, sort of. They are questionable at times. But maybe I say that because I’m their sister and have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Dad stacks burgers and hot dogs on a plate, and Mom swoops in to carry them to the table.

“Nolan, let’s help Grandma carry everything out.” We go in the kitchen and grab the buns, potato salad, and dinnerware while my mom carries out a pitcher of lemonade.

“You got anything stronger, Mom?” Drew asks.

“Why? You need to drown out your sorrows after that breakup?” Grant says in a serious tone.

“You’re so hilarious, you should start your own stand-up comedy show,” Drew says.

“Guess he hit a nerve,” I tease.

“I have beer and margaritas in the fridge,” Mom tells him.

Dad stays quiet by the grill, and Nolan runs off to the grassy part of the yard where a tire swing dangles from a branch of a huge oak tree.

“Speaking of hitting nerves, how’s your breakup going, sis?” Drew asks, glancing over at where Nolan is.

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