Besides the sounds of Alex Warren playing through the speakers, neither of us say a word until we’re almost back to Green Bay.
“Thank you,” Sadie says.
I turn the music down using the buttons on my steering wheel so I don’t have to move my hand from her leg.
“You don’t need to thank me. I wanted to tell your parents off the moment you told me about them. You did me a favor bringing me to that party. I’m just sorry it had to happen at all.”
Sadie grabs my hand from her thigh and laces our fingers together. She shrugs her shoulders and leans back against the head rest.
“I’m used to it. I’ve been a disappointment to them my whole life.”
Hate is a word I don’t use often. Hell, I don’t even use it to express how I feel about my ex-wife. But I think I might hate Sadie’s parents. How could anyone continuously put down a person like that? Especially their own daughter.
“Hey.” I pull the car to the side of the dirt road we’re on and put it in park. I want to give her my full attention. She doesn’t lift her head but she turns to look my way. “I meant every single word I said to them. You’re the furthest thing from a disappointment. Sophia and I are beyond lucky to have you in our lives.”
She smiles softly at me. “Thanks. I feel pretty lucky to have the two of you too.”
I squeeze her hand and pull back onto the road.
The last twenty minutes of our drive, I’m lost in my own thoughts. If I could hardly stand ten minutes in her parents’ presence, I don’t know how she’s dealt with them her entire life. She’s even stronger and more amazing than I thought.
I wish I could show her how in awe I am of her. That she’s changing people’s lives and making a difference. What she does is important.Sheis important. I want every single one of her dreams to come true.
And I’ll stop at nothing to make sure it happens.
Niko’s been gone for three days traveling with the Bobcats to Milwaukee for round two of the playoffs. They lost both games at home and their first game there, which means they need to win game four tonight or they’re out of the playoffs.
It’s been different this time, him being away for a few days. It’s only been a little over a week since we took the leap to be in a relationship. Are we in a relationship? I mean, those words were never said out loud, but after we got home from the engagement party, he told me I was exactly what he was waiting for. We spent the entire night taking turns worshiping each other’s bodies. We haven’t had sex yet but we’re in no rush. We’re taking it slow. Ish. We also agreed to keep things between us for now, not wanting the outside world to burst our bubble.
He’s texted and FaceTimed with Sophia as he normally would, but he’s also called me every night after Sophia’s in bed. He even called me after their overtime loss, which I was not expecting. I’ve seen him after a loss. He takes it almost as hard as Ellie does, always taking blame. I guess that’s part of the job as a captain. I just wish he wasn’t carryingso much all the time.
To ease some of the burden, I’ve planned the majority of Sophia’s birthday party myself with the help of Niko’s mom, Meri. Niko was more than willing to hand over the reins.
I just got off the phone with the traveling petting zoo to confirm they’ll be here tomorrow at 3 p.m. sharp. I check the time to make sure Niko isn’t in a meeting before his game tonight. It’s just after one so he’s either napping or hanging with Connor. If he’s napping, hopefully his phone is on silent.
I shoot a text to the group chat we created to keep Niko in the loop as we’ve been planning, even though he doesn’t really care aboutFrozendecorations and what kind of appetizers we’ll be serving before dinner.
Petting zoo confirmed tomorrow at 3.
Meri
I can’t wait to see the look on Sophia’s face when she sees the goats tomorrow.
She asks Niko every other day when they can get a goat of their own. I fear this may only make it worse.
Niko
Something to look forward to.
As I’m typing out a snarky response, my screen changes to a picture of Niko, signaling an incoming FaceTime call. I accept it and see that he’s leaning against the headboard in his hotel room, looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
“No pregame nap today, Cap?”
Niko scrubs his hand over his face where a pretty substantial beard has grown. I know playoff beards are a thing, but with how superstitious athletes can be, I would’ve thought the Bobcats would have shaved by now to try to change their luck. Three losses in a row is almost impossible to come back from. I’d be trying every trick in the book to bring some positive juju into my life.
But I gotta admit, Niko looks damn good with a beard. He looks like a sexy lumberjack. All he’s missing is a flannel.
“I’m too amped up for the game tonight. I couldn’t fall asleep and then you texted so I figured it was an okay time to call. Where’s Sophia?”
