Tears threaten to spill. My daughter wants to include him in this close-to-our-hearts tradition. A daughter who just first called him by name, as opposed to calling him coach.
55
LIKE THE ADULT I AM
The Light by The Album Leaf
Natalie
“What if hegoes with someone else?” I ask Roe, Allie, Livie, and Cara, who are all sitting on my bed, watching me get ready like four proud moms. With the chaos of the store flooding, the repairs, my fears that pushed Holden away, and then Nick’s angel-versary, I completely forgot to call Holden to make sure the gala was still on. And like the adult I am, I’m not going to. I’m just going to show up, do one of those big acts of love declaration and stuff.
It sounded like a good idea until now. I walk out of the bathroom in the emerald green dress I picked just for this. I love this color, any shade of green really, and so does Holden, so I thought he’d like it. Now, I’m second-guessing everything.
“Holy shit,” Cara shouts when she sees me.
“What?”
“You look stunning,” Livie says.
“No, you look hot as fuck. I would kill for boobs like yours. Damn it.” Roe tries to push up her B cups, making me giggle. The dress is a one-shoulder A-Line, cinched at the waist with a small knot, then falls all the way to the ground.
“You look like a princess. Do you feel like a princess?” Allie asks, and I nod.
“Are you wearing your necklace?” Roe picks it up from the counter. I don’t even have to consider before shaking my head.
I take it from her, sliding it into my jewelry box. “I don’t need Nick’s wedding ring around my neck to remember our love, and I think it’s time I put it away.”
“Oh, Nat,” Cara says. “I’m so proud of you, babe.”
“I feel naked without it already, but it’ll be fine. It’s time.”
“Mom!” Bella shouts, knocking on the door before entering, and her jaw falls to the floor. “Oh my gosh, Mom!” She runs to me, giving me a hug. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
“Wow.” I’ll take it as the highest compliment to know I’ve left even my teenager speechless.
“Did you need something?” I ask her.
“Oh, yup! Coach Clay is at the door.”
What?
“What?” someone from the bed shouts, all of them scrambling to get up.
My stomach drops straight to my feet.
“Holden is here?” I repeat dumbly.
Bella nods, totally unfazed. “Yeah. He said he was here to see you.” She pauses, then grins. “He’s dressed faaaaancy.”
That does absolutely nothing to calm my nerves. Behind me, the room explodes.
Cara is already halfway to the door. “Iknewit. I want to see.”
“No!” I whisper-shout. “Stay here.”
Allie just smiles, soft and knowing. “Go.”
