Page 124 of The Hearts We Fumble
She sets two glasses of ice water in front of us, leveling Zane with a raised brow. “I was starting to wonder if the two of you were ever gonna make it out tonight.” Her smirk deepens. “For a second, I thought my daughter moved back in with me, but she’s over at your place so often, you’d never know it.”
Zane presses his fist to his mouth, trying to hide his grin. “Yeah, uh… sorry about that, Mrs. Vaughn.”
“You’re forgiven,” she says, flicking her gaze between us. Her expression softens, and I know exactly what she’s thinking—how long it’s been since I’ve smiled like this, since before my dad passed. “What you can apologize for is not using the damn door for what it’s intended for.”
Zane chokes on his drink, sputtering as water sloshes over the rim of his glass.
Mom pats him on the back, her grin widening. “You all right there?”
I bite my lip, barely stifling my laugh, but before I can respond, a flash of movement catches my attention. Over her shoulder, I spot Ava bouncing toward us, her face beaming. Right behind her, Colter follows at a more measured pace, his broad frame making her look even smaller beside him. It’s hard not to think of Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope when they stand next to each other.
Ava’s excitement draws my mom’s attention away from Zane’s near-death experience. She turns, arms open, pulling Ava into a hug that has Colter smirking.
Zane slides out of his seat, shifting next to me as Colter and Ava settle into the booth across from us.
“I’m so glad you suggested we come here tonight,” Ava says, practically glowing. “We haven’t been here in way too long.”
Mom tugs her notepad from her back pocket, nodding. “It’s not like you two haven’t had a packed schedule.”
Between Ava’s dance team, Colter’s football schedule, and their jobs, making time for each other is already a challenge. With the guys leaving for Texas soon, and the possibility of making it all the way to the championship, things will only get crazier. Tonight is one of the few moments we’ll have to sit back, breathe, and enjoy each other’s company.
And as Zane’s arm drapes over my shoulders, his fingers tracing lazy patterns against my skin, I know I wouldn’t want to spend it anywhere else.
The bar hums with the familiar buzz of conversation, the warm glow of overhead lights casting soft shadows across the wooden tables. Mom wraps an arm around my shoulders, her cheek pressing against my head.
“I have to admit,” she says, her voice gentle, filled with something that sounds like nostalgia. “I’ve been waiting for the day you two would finally see what’s been right in front of you.”
I freeze, my water glass hovering just short of my lips, momentarily forgetting about the sip I was about to take. But Zane, steady as ever, reaches beneath the table and gives my knee a reassuring squeeze. The touch anchors me, melting some of the tension in my spine.
“You and me both,” I admit, finally setting my glass down and glancing at Zane, whose smirk curves slow and knowing.
Mom studies the two of us, her expression softening into something more thoughtful. “And you’re happy?” she asks, looking between us.
I exhale, my shoulders easing. “Yeah,” I say, meaning it. “I really am.”
Her lips curve into a satisfied smile. “Good.”
Across the table, Colter scoffs. “That’s it? No grilling him? No threats?”
Mom and I arch a brow at him in perfect synchronization before she asks dryly, “Would you like me to?”
Ava, sitting beside him, barely smothers her laughter in her hand. Colter lifts his hands in surrender, leaning back against the booth.
Mom gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze, then shifts her attention between Colter and me, her voice dipping into something softer. “Your dad would’ve been proud of you,” she murmurs. “Both of you.” Her gaze lingers on Colter. “And I think he’d be happy to see you both surrounded by good people.”
A lump rises in my throat, but I push past it, squeezing her hand in return. Her certainty settles something inside me, making breathing a little easier.
Mom’s smirk deepens, a knowing glint in her eye. “Now, about this game…” She folds her arms, leaning in slightly. “I’ll be there in the stands, loud as ever, and I expect you boys to light up that scoreboard. Colter, make sure that line holds strong. We need this win.”
Colter groans, tossing his head back. “Oh, come on. You’ve been talking to Coach again, haven’t you?”
Mom lifts a shoulder, feigning innocence. “Let’s just say I know how important your job is. Keep the quarterback upright, open up the run game—basically, don’t let the whole offense crumble.” She tilts her head, eyes twinkling. “Think you can handle that?”
Colter grins, draping an arm over Ava’s shoulders. “Always.”
Ava nudges him. “You better be because if anything happens to Beckham, Hallyn’s gonna be on your ass.”
I smirk. “Might as well add Zane to that list, too.”
