I can’t help but laugh. The camera clicks as I take a few candid shots. One of Dad handing Thiago a fresh pour. Another of him animatedly talking to Rogue, hands waving like he’s telling some epic football tale. Rogue actually nods, listening intently. The sight makes my heart ache in the sweetest way.
Marianna sidles up next to me, her eyes flicking between me and Dad. “Should we be worried he’s about to get recruited?”
I snort. “Honestly? He’d accept in a heartbeat if they asked.”
She smiles, but I catch the hint of sadness in her eyes. When there’s a lull, I ask, “Hey… I thought Spence was coming today?”
Marianna shrugs. “We’re… taking a break.”
I pause. “Anna.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she says, quickly but not unkindly. “Today’s for you and soccer and sweat and our very famous father living his dreams.”
We look over at Dad, who’s now offering his unsolicited coaching opinions to the captain, Aiden Brooks, who is politely nodding.
“You’re right.” I laugh. “He’s having the time of his life.”
After practice, we grab dinner at a small family-owned Italian spot nearby, our favorite kind of place, with handmade pasta and tiramisu to die for. Marianna and I share dessert like we always did growing up.
Back at the hotel, I’m surprised when she pulls a small overnight bag from the trunk.
“You’re staying?” I ask, touched and excited for the company.
She smiles. “You think I was gonna miss spending time with my sister at this fancy ass hotel? Not a chance.”
Our dad wraps us both in a hug before heading out. “I’ll see you girls at the game tomorrow,” he says, voice warm with pride. “And you”—he points at me— “keep doing what you’re doing, mija. You both be safe tonight.”
He drives off slowly, waving, and I glance at Marianna, shaking my head. “He’s ridiculous.”
She grins. “Ridiculously cute, you mean.”
And just like that, I’m reminded how good it feels to be home with my family, my team, and this strange, spark-filled life I’ve built one frame at a time.
The king-sized bed is a mess of pillows, tangled blankets, and snack wrappers, just the way we like it. Marianna and I are sitting cross-legged with a pile of junk food between us: Nerds Clusters, barbecue chips, chocolate-covered almonds, and two bottles of Topo Chico we snagged from the hotel convenience store.
Pretty Womanplays softly on the TV. Richard Gere is holding out a jewelry box, and Marianna lets out a little dreamy sigh I’m sure she thought I wouldn’t notice. There’s a tired edge to her smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“So,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual as I reach for another cluster. “Tell me what’s going on with Spence.”
Marianna freezes for a second, then lowers her eyes to the half-eaten bag of chips. “You’re not gonna let me off the hook, huh?”
“Nope.” I pop a chocolate almond into my mouth. “Last time we talked, you were trying to pick a wedding date. Now you’re taking a break?”
She exhales slowly and leans back against the headboard, staring up at the ceiling. “He’s been… distant lately. Ever since he got that last promotion at the firm. It’s like he’s in a different world now. You know we don’t live together, but he used to practically live with me, staying over all the time. Now I’m lucky if I see him once or twice a week.”
I nod. “You thought it was just work stuff?”
“Yeah,” she says, her voice small. “And maybe a little my fault too. I’ve been working a lot, all those late shifts at the rehab center, on-call weekends. So I figured, okay, maybe we’re both just… tired. I thought I’d try something.” She shifts, pulling her knees up to her chest. “I went to his apartment just last week to surprise him. Brought dinner, set everything up with candles, music, the works. You know how I am.”
I smile softly. “That’s so you.”
Marianna laughs, but it’s hollow. “He didn’t come home until after two. Completely hammered. Barely remembered how to get his key in the door.”
My heart sinks. “Anna…”
“I didn’t yell. Didn’t cry. I just… cleaned up the table, threw away the food, and left.” She pauses, picking at the label on her bottle. “The next morning, I told him I needed space. I haven’t seen him since.”
I squeeze her hand, and she squeezes back, tight.
