Jared Clemmins and the rest of the coaching staff and organization already believe in me. It will always be important that I play hard and give it my all, but if we lose, it’s not the end of the world. There’s always a ‘next game,’ and for them, the onlyquestion they ask is whether we’re proud of the show we put on for the fans.
“And I’m sure you will. Just keep practicing, and you’ll be a Honky Tonk in no time,” I assure him. “And hey, how about I teach you a quick trick that can help get you there?”
He eagerly nods as he bounces up and down. “Really? That’d be so cool!”
His excitement is contagious, and for the first time today, I’m no longer worried about my future.
I’d be absolutely crazy to leave this behind. It might not be my original dream, but the one I’ve discovered here is so much better.
33
Hollis
Science might not have figured out the cure for heartbreak just yet, but I’m fairly confident it’s by watching chick flicks while stuffing your face with cheese and cured meats alongside your best friends. My only rule tonight? NoWedding Planner.
“I’ve got the Pinot!” Candice sings, as she slides three glasses of wine onto the coffee table.
Oh yes, the wine helps, too. The real MVP for curing a broken heart... or is it the crying? That’s been pretty helpful, too.
“Thank God,” I say, grabbing mine and immediately taking a large, much-needed gulp.
Logan giggles. “By the looks of it, maybe you should’ve just brought over the entire bottle.”
I look down at my already half-empty glass. She might have a point.
“In that case...” Candice says, heading back into the kitchen before returning with the bottle in hand. “You just have to promise to pace yourself. We haven’t even started our chick flick marathon yet.”
“Oops, sorry,” I apologize, setting my glass back on the table and offering a sheepish grin. “I’ll be good. Promise.”
Candice’s face softens. “Hey, don’t apologize. We know why we’re here, which pretty much gives you a free pass. I just hope you know this also means we’re here to listen if there’s anything you need to get off your chest.”
“Okay, well, obviously.” I playfully roll my eyes, then sigh. “My problems just seem so... pathetic. The last thing I want to do is trauma dump on you guys.”
“First off,” Logan says, spinning to face me as she tucks her legs beneath her. “It’s quite literally impossible for you to ever be too much when it comes to us. And second, you do realize who you’re talking to, right?” she asks, sneaking a quick glance at Candice. “We live for the drama. Why else do you think we still watchThe Bachelor?”
Leaning forward, I start piecing together the perfect bite from the charcuterie board. “Okay, but manufactured drama and what I have going on are two very different things,” I argue, popping a combination of cheese, jelly, and prosciutto into my mouth.
“I don’t know, at least your man is a walking green flag,” Logan offers, piecing together her own bite. “And hell, you think your love life is complicated? Try managing a classroom of six-year-olds who all have crushes on each other. I’m practically hosting The Bachelor Jr. over here.”
I chuckle, nearly choking on my cracker. “Well, as long as no roses are involved.”
“Do glue sticks count?” she asks before taking a bite. “Because yesterday Ryder let Ava borrow his beloved purple one yesterday, and in kid language, that’s practically a proposal.”
“Wow,” Candice says between sips of wine. “That does sound pretty serious.”
“Oh, it is. I should probably start working on the wedding seating chart,” Logan jokes. “Although, given the way Ava also seems to have something for Devin, I’m not so sure the relationship is going to last.”
“Bummer,” I sigh, knowing exactly what that’s like as I once again reach for my wine.
“Speaking of relationships, can we go back to what Logan said about Fletcher being a green flag?” Candice asks.
I groan, sinking further into the couch. “Do we have to?”
“Why not?” Logan asks. “We know you haven’t really wanted to talk about things with Fletch, at least not really,” she hesitates, but finally presses on. “But come on. You practically glowed whenever you did bring him up. So what if he got a few different offers to play for other teams? Why does that automatically mean things have to end?”
“Because they do!” I take a long drink, downing the rest of the liquid in my glass. “I refuse to do the whole long-distance thing. And let’s be honest, we probably wouldn’t have lasted anyway.”
Candice lets out a disbelieving huff. “Sorry, I just don’t buy it. What you have with Fletcher is real, and I hate to say it, babe, but I think you’re purposely trying to sabotage things.”
