“Zack and I broke up,” I blurt.
Pops takes the orange juice from me and sets it on the counter before wrapping me in his warm arms.
“I’m sorry, honey,” he croons as I rest my chin on the top of his head. I’m the second tallest in my family, behind Bubba, and had outgrown Pop when I was in junior high.
“It’s okay. I was upset last night, but I feel better this morning.”
Pops releases me and pats my cheek with his warm, soft hand. “Sit, baby. I have breakfast ready for you. We can talk if you want.”
“Actually, I thought I’d go to Juliette’s after I’m done at the field house.”
Juliette is an amazing big sister, the oldest of us four siblings, and we’re really close, despite our huge age difference. Bubba, at age thirty-one, is second oldest and the typical big brother, sweet and overprotective. Xander is the third child, and I adore him, but we love to bicker since we’re only two years apart. I hadn’t realized how much I’d miss him when he left for college.
“Of course, Jordie girl,” Pops says, nudging me toward the table where there are plates of biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs, and savory sausage patties. “You’re lucky to have Juliette in your life.”
“I am,” I agree as he hands me the glass of juice he just poured. “Jules is the best.”
He sits beside me, and we both fill our plates. “I’m happy to listen anytime you need me, but I know a young girl needs a woman to talk to when it comes to these things. I’m sorry you don’t—” His eyebrows dip low, and he shovels a bite of eggs into his mouth.
I know he’s thinking about me growing up without a mother, so I pat his hand. “I love our family, and I haven’t missed out on a thing,” I assure him, sincerity ringing in my voice.
I don’t remember my mother at all. From what I’ve been told, Delphine was married to my dad, Emmett, and had Juliette. Then they divorced and she married Isaac Ward—the man beside me—who we all call Pops. They had Bubba, and Mom left shortly after that to God only knows where. Over a decade later, she returned and remarried my father, having Xander and then me two years later.
Soon after I was born, she took off again, so I was raised by Dad and Pops, who shared fifty-fifty custody of me and my siblings. Yes, it’s a bit of a strange situation, but they didn’t want to separate us kids, and I’m glad they made that decision. We’re just one big, crazy, blended family now, and we all celebrate together for every birthday, holiday, and accomplishment.
Pops smiles through his chewing. “I have the best kids in the world.”
Though Jules, Xander, and I aren’t his biological children, I dare anyone to say that to his face. My sweet, gentle Pops will turn into a fierce papa bear at any insinuation that we’re not a real family, blood be damned.
I meant it when I said I haven’t missed out on anything. Both our houses were filled with nothing but love, and I never even thought about my absentee mother.
Well, to be honest, sometimes I did have thoughts, wondering where she was and if she ever thought about me. But it doesn’t matter. I have all I need.
“Hey, McNamara,” Coach Cooper says, sitting beside me in the film room where I’m once again going over past games of West Creek, our upcoming opponents in the playoffs. The rest of the team left thirty minutes ago.
“Sorry, sir, do I need to go?” I ask, pausing the video on the screen.
“Nope, just wondering how I can get you added to the payroll as part of the coaching staff,” he jokes. “You put in more work in the film room than half my coaches.”
“I enjoy it,” I tell him honestly.
Coach starts the video again. “Tell me what you see here.”
I check my notes. “Well, they have a really good cornerback, number twenty-seven. He has eighteen interceptions so far this year. He’s big and fast, so they’ll probably put him on me or Tyrell,” I recite. “Their other corners are slower and smaller, so that will leave one of us always open. West Creek’s offensive line is pretty good, but not good enough to hold back the Ram,” I say, referring to Jay Ramsey, our fullback with legs the size of tree trunks.
Coach Coop smiles and nods. “I agree with all that.”
“Knock, knock!” a cheery voice says as a sliver of light widens from the door. “Jordie! I was hoping you’d still be here.”
Coach Cooper’s wife enters on a cloud of energy. That’s the best word I can think of to describe Lainey Cooper. Energy. She’s brimmingwith the stuff. It seems like even her curly blonde hair is alive, bouncing with every step of her petite frame.
“Wow, it’s like I’m not even here,” Coach teases, and his gorgeous wife laughs before dropping a kiss on his head.
“Oh, I guess I’m happy to see you too.”
“Hi, Ms. Lainey,” I say, rising to accept her hug. She’s a big hugger.
“Girl! Great game last night. It was so exciting,” Lainey gushes, talking ninety miles an hour like usual. “I know we won by three touchdowns, but it was still a thrill just to watch y’all play. Here, I brought you these.”
