Page 160 of Most Valuable Players
“I’m going to find Reagan and Dakota. See you later?”
“Ride over with me.”
“But?” She glances around. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, no one will notice or care. Just give me a couple minutes to say goodbye to my mom.”
“Okay.”
My mom walks over to us before I get the chance to go to her.
Ginny smiles at her and then me. “See ya.”
Mom watches her leave, only speaking once we’re alone. A sad expression on her face as she lowers her voice. “I should have come alone and not brought Kevin. I wanted you to meet him to see that I’m happy. I thought it would give you some peace, but I see now that was my own selfish reasoning and I’m sorry. This isn’t how I wanted this weekend to go.”
“It isn’t Kevin. It’s us. I don’t know how to do this with you.” I motion between us. “Everything is so different.”
“I know. But I still love you just the same. I’m so proud of you.”
Love. I hate that damn word. Why does it always feel like it’s an excuse? When she says it, all I hear is, I love you, so it’s okay that I screwed up.
“Thanks, Mom. I am glad you came.”
Kevin steps up behind her. “Nice game, Heath.”
“Thanks.”
The hall has cleared, and we start toward the door. Mom hugs me tightly before we head our separate ways. “Be safe.”
I hug her back. She’s heavier now, no longer the small, fragile thing she once was. “I will. I’ll call next week.”
She nods and smiles, maybe a little disbelieving that I really will.
Ginny leans against my vehicle, her phone in hand. It’s dark and she’s all alone and I feel like an ass for making her wait for me out here like this.
I hit the unlock button and she looks up, those light brown eyes meeting mine under the fluorescent parking lot lights. Instead of going to the driver’s side, I go to her, kissing her hard out in the open where anyone might see us.
She doesn’t seem to care either, though, because she wraps her arms around my neck and presses her body to mine. And it’s the best damn part of the day. Well… unless she lets me hat trick her later.
23
GINNY
The following weekend the guys are gone for two away games. I sit on the floor in Reagan and Dakota’s apartment. Reagan brings two bags of chips and a platter of dips and sets it down between me and Dakota.
Dakota stands. “I’m going to grab the bottle of wine so I don’t have to get up again. You’re staying over, right?” she asks.
“Yeah, might as well. Ava’s out of town visiting Trent,” I say before digging into the queso.
She grabs the wine and we all settle in.
“Does Heath stay with you then on the weekends or are you two getting it on with your brother on the other side of the wall?” Dakota asks.
I make a face and toss a chip at her. “Gross, and Adam isn’t on the other side of the wall, thankfully. Maverick is always hanging in the living room, though, and sometimes has girls with him. I have no idea why he doesn’t go to his own place.”
Reagan scrunches up her nose.
“Yeah. I’ve heard entirely too much of his sex talk for my liking.”
