Six tries.
One assist.
Not to mention the two tries Pony and Timmer scored and the points Wheels kicked for us.
The high I’m riding as we shake hands with the otherteam feels better than any drug I’ve ever taken. I’m proud of what I could do for our team. Proud I could keep my promise to my brother—to my captain. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dane and Rafael so pleased with me. I’ve always chased approval from my older siblings, from Dad... but this game today was some kind of switch.
Maybe they’re finally seeing something in me worthy of believing in.
But there’s someone else I’m dying to hear from.
Three someones, actually.
Dad and Angie try to grab my attention, but I hold a finger up and slip away from the hoard of bloodied and bruised, half-naked ruggers on the sideline.
“Jonah!” Delta squeals as I approach them.
“Hey Ladybug.” I’d love to hug her, but I’m not sure where Renée stands with that. She’s so protective of her daughters and their space, so I don’t want to assume anything.
Lo hands me a plastic container served with a smile as Delta explains. “We made you cookies again.”
“You did? Thank you! This is the best day ever.”
Lo takes the container back from me and opens it, as if I weren’t a split second away from doing it myself.
“I hope you’re not allergic to pecans,” Renée says sheepishly.
The aroma of sweet pumpkin and cinnamon floats to my nose, and I’m certain this is what Heaven smells like. “Oh my God, if I were allergic, I wouldn’t care. These are worth dying for.”
“The recipe was all Loretta,” Renée says, right as I pop an entire cookie in my mouth.
“It’s just like another pumpkin cookie we make,” Delta adds. “But Lo wanted to add nuts and a maple icing.”
I squat down so I’m eye level with the littlest Wilde and speak before I’m able to fully swallow. “This was your idea?”
Blush blooms bright red across her entire freckled faceas she nods vigorously.
“You’re a master chef, Lo. These flavors are insane.” I point one finger at her nose. “You, ma’am, are talented.”
All at once Renée’s quiet little ginger snap leaps forward and wraps her arms around my neck.
I can’t breathe. Not because she’s blocking my airflow, but because I’m too stunned. She’s... she’shugging me. Adorably shy Loretta, who likes to hide behind her big sister, is hugging me!
As I squeeze her in response, I look up to Renée. She’s just as surprised as I am, but nods that it’s okay.
I once heard that the people who work as characters at Disney are never supposed to be the first to break a hug from a child. The cast member must remain there until the child is ready to let go. Lowkey, I sort of cried when I heard that.
If she keeps hugging me like this, I’m gonna lose it right here in front of my team.
“I thought we weren’t supposed to touch him,” Delta says, and Lo releases me before looking up at her mom.
I stand and take another cookie. “Yeah, I distinctly remember you setting that rule.”
The breath Renée inhales is long, like she’s reluctant to respond. “I guess you’re growing on us.”
A charming reply dances on the tip of my tongue, but Delta delivers her interruption like a seasoned heckler. “Yeah, like a fungus!”
The jab is so out of left field it has all four of us giggling. Ecological humor—yep, she’s Renée’s child.
