Page 95 of Just One Season
Lucy shrugs. “I haven’t heard anything from my father or my ex. So I’m not sure.”
“Me neither,” Atticus adds, running a hand through his red waves. “Not that my father would ever think to call or textme.”
“Hmm.” Harley nods thoughtfully. “You three leave this week for D.C., right? What’s the plan?”
“We fly out Wednesday afternoon, spend the night and most of Thanksgiving Day with my mom, then meet up with my father later that evening.” Lucy pushes back a chunk of red curls. “We fly back early on Friday morning since you guys have a home game that night.”
“Should be fun.” Atticus rubs his hands together and grins.
“You just want to piss off Dad.” Lucy rolls her eyes at her brother.
“Yup, sure do.”
“I’m not as worried about my father these days,” Lucy says. “As long as we’ve convinced Savannah and Paul. That’s more important.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I turn to her.
“Convincing your father is important too, Lucy,” I say quietly.
“No, it’s not,” she says and shakes her head. “Truly. I care more about Ava.”
I nod and swallow a lump in my throat. Everyone’s watching and listening.
“We’ll finish the job in D.C. and convince Richard.” I keep my eyes on Lucy. Side conversations pop up around us.
“It’ll work.” Her eyes go to my lips, and I wonder if we can slip away together. “And thank you.”
“For what?”
“I guess for helping me piss off my father, but really for distracting me for the past few months. And making me realize what’s actually important in life. And spoiler alert, it’s not pissing off my father.”
“Lucy…” I swallow a lump in my throat. I’m glad no one’s listening to us right now.
“Seriously. Your focus on your daughter and your family and your team is so sweet. It’s been lovely to get to know you all.” A sad smile comes over her face, and something in me sparks and glows.
“One last agenda item,” Lachlan calls and the conversations die down. Lucy and I look over at Lachlan. “It’s a sad one.”
“The breakup,” Harley says.
“Awwww,” Raleigh says from the phone.
“Mid-December, right?” I look over at Lucy, and she nods.
“I’ll go to a home game and talk to Savannah about how we broke up,” Lucy says.
“You can’t be devastated. Nonchalant would be best,” Harley says. “You don’t want Paul reporting back to your father that you’re sad.”
“You don’t think she’ll be devastated to break up with me? I’m hurt.” I grin, butI’mhurting inside. Hurting from the idea of a breakup with my fake girlfriend.
Who is not really fake.
Lucy huffs a laugh and pulls at her hair. “I understand the assignment.”
“Well, I think that’s the whole agenda.” Lachlan claps his hands together.
Talking and laughter erupts in the room, and I turn to Lucy. “You okay?”
“I’m good,” she says, her cheeks still flushed.
