Page 11 of Play Maker

“Rob’s son. He graduated from TU last year. Business major. Finance, I think. He’s working for his dad’s company, and he’s exactly as pompous as all that makes him sound.”

“Who voluntarily calls their kid Shad? His name sounds like it’s in past tense.”

Blue snorted. “You’ll probably get to meet him since he’ll be spending time on campus this summer.”

“Yay,” I deadpanned. “I’ve always wanted to meet someone named Shad.”

“Stop it.”

“I Shad you not,” I muttered.

Blue dissolved into laughter. “This is definitely worth a missed steak.”

Making her laugh filled a part of me I hadn’t realized was empty. “I’m not surprised you chose me over Shad, but you’re not getting off that easily. Tell Daddy Mac what’s bothering you.”

She shuddered. “Please don’t refer to yourself as Daddy Mac. I have enough parental issues without adding you into the mix.”

“We’re getting closer. What parental issues?”

Blue angled herself toward me and studied my face. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Never. Persistence is my finest trait…after my abs.”

Her gaze flicked south, then back up. “I’ll take your word for it. My mom raised me all on her own. Her parents wrote her off when she got pregnant as a teenager, and my dad wasn’t in the picture. Having me made her life infinitely harder, but she never treated me like a burden. She’s always been my best friend, always been there for me, and now she’s leaving Addison to pursue her dream of a fancy yoga studio.”

“Why is that bad?”

“Because I’m still here.”

Her quiet comment sucked all the joy out of the space between us. I drove in silence for a few miles trying to imagine what it would feel like to only have one family member. The ever-present chaos was a hallmark at my mom’s house, despite none of us kids living there anymore.

As the favorite, I’d never thought about what it meant to be left behind. I’d bet it hurt like hell if she thought her mom was choosing not-Archer—or even Dallas—over her.

Kind of like being told by your best friend that you’re good enough for a quick fuck, but not a proper date.

I shoved the comparison away. Blue didn’t need me moping all over her when she was already dealing with shit. Change was hard, good or bad, and it sounded like a major change had just upended her life. Technically, I was a change too, but I was sure as hell going to be a good one.

My headlights hit the Welcome to Addison sign, and I realized I’d let the quiet go on for too long when I should have asked the obvious question. “Do youwantto go with her?”

Blue spared me a frustrated glance. “Not if it means living with Rob and Shad.”

“Why am I not surprised he still lives at home,” I mumbled.

She smacked me in the arm with an open palm. “Do you want an answer or not?”

“Damn, girl. No need for violence.” I was hoping for another smile, maybe a giggle, but Blue remained solemn. At least she was facing me again.

“Please. That probably hurt my hand more than your bulging muscles.”

“I prefer sculpted, but I’ll accept bulging since you’re obviously distraught. Is your mom’s marriage going to affect your last year of school?”

Blue shook her head, pulling her hair over one shoulder. “No. Nothing should change other than my hours at the shop.”

“Are we angry with Yoga Mom? I can call Shaw for some afterhours shenanigans if necessary. He just stocked up on toilet paper.”

She sent me an incredulous look. “You’re a senior in college and you still pull pranks like that? Nevermind. No shenanigans necessary. I’m not mad at her. I feel guilty because I was looking forward to graduating and getting out of the dress shop, but I wasn’t ready for Mom to start the process early.”

“Maybe you should talk to her about it.”

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