Page 36 of Why We Break

“None of that nonsense now,” he tells me, reaching out and squeezing my hand as I sit beside him. “You have way more to worry about than visiting an old man like me.”

“But, Gramps, I love spending time with you. This competition season on top of playoffs has just been a lot,” I admit, leaning my head against the back of the chair. “I’m sorry I missed our usual visit.”

He waves me off, obviously deciding he’s done with that line of conversation. “Tell me about this competition. Are your girls ready?”

I smile at the question, knowing Gramps doesn’t know the first thing about cheerleading, but he genuinely cares because it’s something I love. “Yeah, they’re getting there. I definitely don’t know if we’ll win, but they’re excited and I think they’ve had a lot of fun getting everything together.”

Gramps nods before saying, “Oh, y’all are gonna win. I just know it. I hate that I can’t travel to see it, but make sure you get a video to show me, okay?”

“Pretty sure you sat through your share of these when I was in school, so I think you’ve more than filled your quota, old man. But I’ll get a video if it makes you happy.”

He smiles, rocking back in his chair before asking, “So, Saddle Ridge tonight, huh? You think we’ll move on after this one?”

“I think so. You know we went and watched them play last week since we had a bye, and they were pretty good. But I still think Will and the other coaches have it under control.”

“Speaking of Will, how’s he doing?” Gramps asks, and I swear he narrows his eyes at me in suspicion, but I know I’m just being paranoid.

“Uhh, he’s fine, I guess. A pain in my ass as always,” I tease, even though I know that’s not the truth.

“Hmm, whatever you say, granddaughter. I always thought there was something between you two, but I guess I was wrong, huh?”

“What?” I stammer, completely caught off guard by that statement. “No, there's definitely nothing between us. At all. Ever. Nope.”

He raises his eyebrow at my babbling before just nodding. “Okay, my mistake.”

“Yeah, so, how’s Gladis doing?” I ask, needing to change the subject.

“Oh, she’s okay. She’s been having trouble with her hip in this colder weather after her hip replacement last spring, but other than that she’s good.”

“The two of you have a hot night of bingo ahead of you, right?” I tease, and he laughs at my question.

“Yep, there’s a twenty-dollar prize this week, and we’re teaming up to take Silas across the hall down.”

“Look out. Isn’t he the one with the leg cast all the way up to his thigh?” I ask, shaking my head, not surprised to see his competitive nature hasn’t changed over the last few months.

“So what? He’s still going down, Hannah Banana.”

“I’m sure he is, Gramps. I’ll need a full update on that one this weekend.”

“Black, blue, white! Fight, Saints, fight!”I cheer along with the squad, looping my arm through Caroline’s as the ball flies through the air at the end of the second quarter.

It seems like the whole stadium holds its breath as we wait to see if Blake's pass to one of his receivers is good. We’re already up by one touchdown, but it’s been a rough fight, with both teams fighting hard. The receiver catches the ball, and the Springside sideline cheers at the sight of another touchdown.

“Oh my God, he did it!” Caroline cheers, throwing her arm around both me and Margaret.

The squad below us dances to the fight song, and we shake our shakers with the beat. I’m trying to focus on the game as the kicker lines up for the extra point, but I can’t stop myself from letting my gaze stray to the sideline where Will’s standing with Theo and a few of the other players. He’s so focused during these games, and I feel the same pull I've been trying to ignore for the last several years toward him as I watch. But this time’s different because I know that tonight, I’ll get to be with him again. It doesn’t mean anything, but the thought of having him inside me after all this time has me thinking about…

“Earth to Hannah,” Caroline says, waving her hand in front of my face. “You good? I’ve been calling your name for the last few minutes. It’s time for us to go down for half time.

“Oh, yeah, sorry. Lost in my own little world,” I say, forcing an awkward laugh.

Caroline gives me a funny look before just nodding and leading us down to the field while the team runs into the locker room for half time.

“All right, girls, are you ready?” she asks as Saddle Ridge’s squad takes the field.

“I feel like I’m gonna throw up,” Maggie says, and the rest of the squad laughs.

“You’re all gonna be great. This is your last trial run performance before state next week, and you just need to go do everything like we’ve practiced,” Caroline says, and I nod my encouragement.

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