Page 70 of Play Maker

The time without her was making me grumpy. Shaw and RJ didn’t notice, but Noah pulled me aside after morning conditioning. He tossed my water bottle at me, then waited until I was drinking to ask his question.

“What are you doing with Blue?”

I almost spit water right in his face. He would have deserved it. “Man, I know you don’t need me to explain the birds and the bees to you. Then again after last semester’s baby scare maybe you need a refresher.”

He crossed his arms and raised a brow, serene in the face of my teasing. “I meant why are you sleeping in your bed instead of hers. Are you okay?”

I wasn’t. I very much wasn’t. I was in over my head, and I needed help. Maybe it was time to admit the truth. “Fuck. No, I’m not. Blue is going to her mom’s wedding party thing tonight, and I’m supposed to be her date.”

He tilted his head. “Why is that a problem?”

I sighed, running my hand through my sweaty hair. “I’m also supposed to perform for a singing competition tonight. Her future stepbrother is a sleazy asshole who keeps trying to corner her, and the dad isn’t much better. If I can protect her, I want to be there, but she told me I couldn’t come with her. I’m worried if I show up anyway it’ll drive her away because I didn’t listen.”

Noah clapped me on the back. “I know what I’d pick, but you know her better than any of us. If you need backup, I’m there. And next time you’re in a competition, let us know. I want to make sure I set aside time to make glitter signs with your name on them.”

“Thanks, man.” I should have known better than to think these guys would do anything other than support me completely. We were family.

He nodded and headed off toward the showers. As much as I appreciated the reminder that I should trust my friends, I still didn’t have a solid recommendation. Noah would go to the party. One hundred percent. If Chloe asked him to dress up in a chicken suit and dance the hula, he’d do it, despite his extreme dislike for being the center of attention.

The difference was Blue had asked me to stay away.

I made my way home and sighed as I realized I only had one option left for unbiased advice. Graciela Alvarez Mackenzie. Momma Mac.

After parking my Jeep, I dropped my head back on the rest and sent her a video request.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, before her face had even appeared on the call. She’d cut her hair since the last time I’d seen her, so now the dark locks stopped bluntly at her chin.

“Why does something have to be wrong for me to call you?”

“Because when I ask for proof of life, I get a text of you flexing like a clown. Is this about the Blue girl?”

My mind screeched to a halt, unable to process how my mom could pick that information out of thin air. “Wha…How?”

She sniffed. “You think you’re the only one who talks to me?”

Eva. I should have realized. “How much did she tell you?”

The camera jostled as she sat down at the kitchen table. “Enough for me to know it’s serious. I’ll forgo the guilt trip this time for not telling me about her, but I expect you to bring her home next time I see you. Now, how can I help?”

“I need advice. Blue needs me to come as her date to an event, but it’s the same night as a music competition that could jumpstart my career.”

She frowned. “You’re finally pursuing your music?”

“Yes.”

“Why does Blue need you at the event?”

“It’s complicated, but the short version is I’m trying to protect her against a guy who’s been harassing her. I have this plan for the competition that I’d put at a fifty-fifty chance of success, so I can be with Blue like I promised.”

Mom propped her chin on her hand. “This girl means more to you than your music?”

I nodded.

“Your football?” she asked, her voice going up an octave.

“She means more to me than anything, but she told me to go to the competition.”

Her eyes widened, and she made the sign of the cross over her chest.

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