“Oh my gosh! Nathan Campbell! Hi!”
“Hi,” I say, grateful for the woman’s enthusiasm. It’s a perfect distraction from my crash-and-burn conversation with the team manager.
“I’m May, April’s sister. I’m a huge fan.”
“Thanks.” I accept the hand that she sticks out and shake it.
“Is April here yet?” Max asks, his voice much warmer than it was before.
“She’ll be here in about ten minutes. Rebel and Cordelia texted me when I walked in. I couldn’t do the girl’s day with them because of the job hunting, but I did bring dad.” She spins around, pointing to a feeble-looking man with a walking cane who’s sitting with Mauve.
When May spins back around, her eyes zero in on the food in Max’s plate. “Ooh. Jalapeño poppers.”
That’s exactly what I said, but Max starts grinning at May as if it’s the best joke he’s ever heard.
“Let me get a plate,” May says, launching at the buffet. As she reaches for the tongs, it drops to the ground. “Drats. Clumsy me.”
When May bends to retrieve the utensil, Max places his fingers around the edge of the table to protect her from bumping her head. May doesn’t notice and rises without skipping a beat.
“Nathan Campbell, I’m going to tell you a secret,” May says as she hands the tongs to one of the caterers who promptly presents her with a new one. “There were all these ‘who’s hotter?’ quizzes online comparing you to Chance McLanely last year. And don’t tell April…” The young woman winks over her shoulder. “But I chose you about fifty percent of the time.”
“Wow. Fifty percent?” I laugh because I can sense that she’s sharing her story in good fun. However, when I glance at Max, he’s glowering.
Maybe I should make my exit now.
Thankfully, Chance walks in at that moment with a video team. I can feel the energy shift in the room.
And Riley still isn’t here.
Nat: Chance just arrived and April will be here any minute. Where are you?
Riley: I’m on my way, but someone’s cow is blocking traffic on the highway.
A cow?
I frown at the message.
Nat: Call me if you need me.
Riley: The cows are safely on the other side now. Traffic is moving again.
Renthrow and Kinsey yell my name and I tuck my phone away. We chat about tomorrow’s game until Chance gets to us.
“Campbell, you made it!” Chance says.
I grab his outstretched hand, pulling him in for a quick hug. The video production team crowd us in a way they didn’t with his family members. I wonder if it’s because we were compared to each other so much when I was in the league?
“What’s with the camera crew? Won’t that give you away?” I ask.
“I told April we’re recording for a documentary about my life.”
“That’s a good cover story.”
Chance hugs Renthrow and Kinsey too. When he pulls back, his hand is shaking.
“You good, bro?” I ask.
“Oh yeah. I knew April was the woman I’d spend the rest of my life with from the moment I saw her. I’m not nervous about that part at all.”
