Page 169 of Finding the Forward: Part One
I love them. Now you can carry me everywhere.
Me
Awww. Love that.
Grif
Love you.
The teen girls at the other table were in a heated whisper-debate. Yep, Mercy was about to get asked for a selfie. It was cute. I liked how Mercy’s story was being used to empower teenagers.
“I’m so glad you liked them.” Mercy beamed.
The two girls came over to us, very shy-like. “Um, Have-No-Mercy, can we get a picture with you and Team Mom?”
“Me?” Usually, I snapped the picture.
“Yes. You’re so inspirational. I don’t think my sister would upend her life so I could play pro sports,” one laughed.
“Sure, bitch. You make a pro anything, and I’ll move to the end of the world for you. We loved that cake pop tutorial. We’re making them for our cousins.” The second bumped the first with her hip. They might be twins.
“Thank you.” My heart was full as we took a picture. I was inspirational? While people waved to me at games and asked to trade bracelets, no one had said anything like that. Sonny had asked me to make a video tutorial of skate smash helmet cake pops, but I hadn’t expected people to watch them.
“We love thestudying in stadiumspictures that the team posts of you–and all the other ones people post,” she added.
“I love those, too.” They were silly. Just Sonny taking pictures of me studying in the different arenas they’d played in and posting them on the team’s social media. It had taken off, and people all over the world were now posting pictures of them studying in the bleachers while waiting for siblings, children, and significant others to finish practicing.
“I only have one of these to spare, so you’ll have to fight over it.” Mercy pulled out a trading cardwith my picture on it.She handed me a pen as she took another and signed two of hers.
I signed it, and they thanked us and walked off, giggling. “They remind me of Creed and I when we were that age. Why is my face on a trading card?”
“Sonny had them made for something we’re doing next month. He let me take a few. I thought they’d be fun to hand out to the fam.” She shrugged. “Why the surprised face? There’s a reason Sonny posts pictures of you–the fans love you. People relate to having that person who brings your ass places and makes the snacks. Also, Kaiko babbled about you majorly in her latest interview.”
“I had no idea.” My hand went to my heart.
AJ strode through the restaurant. He wore a fancy suit and sunglasses on his head. Why was he here? I waved him over.
He stood there awkwardly, holding a bag. “Hey, Princess. I know we’re doing presents later. But it’s supposed to snow hard in Rockland, so you might need these. I’m sure your sneakers are comfortable, but they’re not good for ice and snow, and neither are your little ballet flats.”
“Oh, thank you, that is a lovely gesture,” I told him, taking the bag, surprise coursing through me.
“You sent the cows presents.” He gave me an exasperated look.
“They needed hats to match their sweaters.” I smirked. I’d traded one of the department admins cake pops for her kids’ class parties to crochet them for me.
He took my hand and tugged me to him. His vetiver scent swirled around me as he hugged me tightly.
“Are you okay?” AJ whispered in my ear. “Jonas takes himself too seriously sometimes. I’ll make him back off if you need me to.”
I squeezed him; the offer warming my heart. “Thank you. But I’m okay.”
“Okay.” He squeezed me hard, then let go of me. “Anyhow, have a safe trip.” Without waiting for me to open the bag, he left.
The bag was from a very fancy shoe store. “I’m so curious.”
“Princess?” Mercy snorted.
I sat back down and withdrew a shoe box. Inside was a pair of boots. Cute lined ankle boots with tread for ice and snow.
