“Here.” I turned the camera. “Let’s send him a group selfie.” They all straightened their hair, checked each other’s teeth and then we took six pictures before we got one where everyone was happy with their appearance, and no one was cut out of the frame. I hit send and set my phone down.
Kate looked at the others. “I saved Anna mid-initiation.” Her tone said they should all know what she meant. From the shake of their heads and pity smiles it was clear they did.
Alexa gave me a soft smile. “Don’t worry about those girls. They’re just jealous you’re the one who finally got Blue to settle down.”
“Okay,” I said but it came out small and worried.
Kate patted my hand. “Try to forgive his past. He was lost there for a little while. But he pulled it together. A lot of them go through that. It’s hard when girls are throwing themselves at you left and right. But now he has you. He’s going to be just fine.”
I decided to trust her confidence. At least for the moment.
Mariana’s eyebrows wiggled. “So, have you and Blue talked about the future?”
I nodded. “Yeah. It’s pretty much all we talk about.”
“Aww,” Alexa said. “That’s how Easton and I were. When you know, you know.”
The women smiled, maybe remembering their own love stories.
Mariana wiped a piece of lint off the table. “Blue’s probably going pro in the spring. Are you ready?” Her tone was excited but she looked sad. “We’re sure gonna miss him.”
I felt myself scowl. Blue hadn’t said anything to me. Not a word about it. I pasted on a smile. “I’m not really sure what to expect.”
Kate settled into her seat. “No one does.” She pointed back at the house. “Those jersey chasers in there think they want that life but they don’t have a clue. Brock’s first year in the NFL, he was traded twice in one season. We brought our baby girl home from the hospital to an extended stay motel that smelled like cigarettes and sulfur.”
“Indiana,” the other two said in unison.
“Their water is disgusting,” Kate said. “It took months to wash the smell out of our clothes after we moved to Oregon.”
Mariana nodded, a wistful look in her eyes. “I made the mistake of making friends with the other wives when Al played for the Broncos. Two years in and he got traded. It felt like my heart was being ripped out. I never let myself get attached again.”
“And let’s not even talk about the press or social media,” Alexa released a small shiver.
“Absolutely vicious.” Kate’s lips pinched. “A bunch of bloodhounds.”
I knew about the social media part already. But the rest of it was eye opening. From the way I’d heard it described, being married to an NFL player sounded pretty dreamy to me. Hot football husband that the country loves, a big house for the off-season. Retiring in ten years with more money than you know what to do with.
“You go to school in Virginia?” Alexa asked, sipping whatever was in her glass.
“Yes. At James River College. It’s a small private school about five hours from here.”
“Five hours?” Mariana said. “That must be hard.”
My nose crinkled. “It is. But what choice do we have?”
“Oh, girl,” Alexa waved a lazy hand. “That’s nothing compared to what it’ll be when he’s drafted.”
“Really, Lex?” Kate said, lips pursed. “Don’t you think you could be a little more encouraging? They haven’t been together for two months yet.”
Alexa shrugged. “She may as well know what she’s getting herself into now.”
“She’s not wrong.” Mariana turned to me. “What’s your major? Your plans?”
I bounced in my seat a little, happy to talk about something less heavy. “Biology. I’m applying to vet school this year. I just got notification that I got an interview spot.”
“I thought you were only nineteen,” she said.
“I am, but I graduated high school with my associates, so I’m done at JRC after this year."
