Page 125 of Any Second Now
Kellen casts a side glance at Harley’s cubby. He showered and sped out of here so fast. Barrett and Lachlan followed shortly after.
“I’m afraid everyone’s heads aren’t going to be in these games.” Kellen sighs. “I might have to give a bunch of pep talks.”
I nod. Kellen’s good at that kind of stuff. Better him than me, especially in my condition. It’s one of the reasons he’s our team captain.
Kellen stands and grabs his phone and wallet from his shelf. “You’re doing okay though? Mentally?”
“Course. I feel one hundred percent.” I pretend not to know that he’s really asking about Raleigh. I don’t want to talk about her right now. But I won’t be able to avoid spilling my guts to him for long. We always share a room when traveling, so for the next two nights it’ll be just us for at least some amount of time.
“Right.”
I don’t add more or look at him, but I can feel Kellen’s gaze on the side of my face as I slip on my shoes.
“I’m gonna go hang with Lucy and Ava before we leave. See you in a few hours.”
Kellen leaves to go see my sister and his daughter.
I let out a deep breath.
I’m never going to have what he has. I’ve known my whole life that it’s not in the cards for me.
I can’t wait to hear how Kellen tries to convince me I’m wrong while we’re in NYC.
CHAPTER 27
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RALEIGH
Friday, August 1
I’m almost caught up with my cross-stitch orders. And the good news is I’ve started to sell some of my kits, which require much less effort on my part. I added a new one today that has a cute chicken design and simplyboc boc bocas the quote. I have a big enough following now, thanks to that viral Atticus video and continuing to post on my socials. I did manage to put a max number of orders per day on my account so there’s an actual wait list. I’m less freaked out about falling behind now that I have more of a control on the business.
I knock on the door to Kellen’s house, and Lucy opens it seconds later.
“Hey!” She throws her arms around me like she didn’t just see me yesterday. Waffles—her adorable Boston terrier—tries to run out the open door, but Lucy reacts fast and scoops up the adorable little escape artist before he succeeds. “Come in. I can’t wait for you to meet my new friends.”
Lucy spent most of the day traveling to and from the Denverairport to pick up the couple she met overseas. While Lucy was in London, January introduced her to a bunch of friends, including Reese, who is American but lives in Scotland with her Scottish husband, Oliver.
Turns out Reese’s daughter—who plays college soccer but has professional ambitions—has a big tournament outside of Denver, so the couple is visiting pre-tournament.
I follow Lucy down the stairs and take in the enormous television and big sectional couch. There’s a row of leather reclining chairs that give movie theater vibes, and the walls are lined with framed signed hockey jerseys with famous last names.
A pretty brunette woman in her late thirties or early forties is sitting close to an attractive blond man. He’s athletic looking, but not as bulky as the hockey guys.
“This is Reese,” Lucy says. Reese stands and reaches over to shake my hand, her long, dark hair falling over her arm.
“So nice to finally meet you! Lucy and January would not stop talking about you in London.”
Lucy laughs. “What can I say? It was weird not having her there while January and I were spending so much time together.”
“I’m Oliver,” the man says. “Nice to meet another one of January’s American friends.” He’s got a thick Scottish accent. I know from Lucy’s earlier description of the couple that Oliver is an ex-professional soccer player.
I’d love to hear the story of how an American single mom of a teenager and a Scottish ex-pro soccer player with a young son got together. Seems like something that would be impossible to make work.
I follow Lucy to the fully stocked bar in Kellen’s basement.
“Remind me why you don’t just live here with Kellen and his daughter?” I stop as she steps behind the counter and examines the tabletop wine rack. There’s also a wine cellar room on the other side of the bar, because of course there is.
