“Because you’re the only one who gets to be a hero?” Lindy stares at me, unwilling to back down. She’s not deferring to the big sister today.
My arms fall from their fold and flop at my sides. “I’m not a hero.” My voice shakes, and I peer down at Wyatt. “I just did what had to be done. This is a completely different situation.”
Lindy stands, meeting me eye to eye. She doesn’t back down, and her tone doesn’t waver. “It sounds like the exactsamesituation. You quit because you loved me and Wyatt. He wants to quit because he loves you.”
The room goes deathly quiet. I cannot believe my sister just said that—that she would even consider that notion.
“Aunt Maggie quit soccer because she loves me?” Wyatt says, his sweet face tipping up to me.
“No, baby,” I say. “I quit because it was time for me to quit.”
“Yes, Wyatt,” Lindy says, her tone strong. “She did.” I want to slap my hand over her mouth. Don’t put this on him. Don’t make him feel guilty for my choices. “Your aunt loves you andme so very much, and she puts us first. Just like she always does.”
He grins. “I love you, too, Aunt Maggie. And I’d pick you over banana cream pie. Almost every time.”
My chest heaves, and I cry out a breathless laugh. “Thanks, bud.” He looks proud. He looks happy. He doesn’t look guilt-ridden.
He simply looks as if he feels loved.
Because that’s what he is. I love Wyatt more than anyone in the world. And I’d never take back the decision I made then. It came with sorrow and heartache and a small identity crisis. But he was worth every bit of trouble and grief. He is our greatest gift, given in the hardest of times, and I’d never give that back.
“I think you need to let Lucca do whatever he wants to do,” Lindy says.
“Me, too!” Wyatt chimes, rolling onto his side. “We can still play soccer in the backyard together.”
“Me, too, my sweet girl.” A tear streaks Mom’s cheek.
Dad nods. “You’re worth it.”
I shut my eyes. This conversation did not go as planned. They were supposed to help me know what to do. Their solution is to do nothing? To just let Lucca give up all he’s worked for.
I grind my teeth and say nothing as my family disperses back to their summer day. It doesn’t take long, and in the end, I am left with my sister.
“I can’t let him, Lindy.” I stare at the ground, my heart thumping, my throat aching.
“There is another option.” She tips her head to meet me eye to eye. “You know that, right?”
I peer back at her pretty face. I don’t know that. What other option?
“Lucca wouldn’t have to make a change if you didfirst.”
My brow narrows. “That’s true.”
“Do you care for him enough to do that?”
I think I do. It’s a scary thought. Scary and wonderful all at once. “Yes.” And yet, when I lost playing with my team, when I lost my identity as a soccer player, I lost myself for a time. It was hard and painful. Would I be doing that all over again if I lost officiating? “I’m not trying to be completely selfish here—but I love my job. I love still being a part of the game and…” I shake my head. “I don’t know if I can lose myself again, Lindy. Does that make me terrible?”
“Loving someone doesn’t mean losing yourself.” She smiles at me. “And last I checked, you had turned down a promotion to ref in the major league.”
I nibble on my lip, my brows pulling together. “I turned that down to make sure I had more time with Wyatt.”
“You did, you angel sister. But Wyatt has me, and Mom, and Dad, and I’m pretty sure Wyatt even has Lucca now. So, maybe it’s time to step up your game.”
My heart thunders in my ears. “I’d be busier.”
“Yes, you would,” she says, smiling at me.
My breath hitches. The majorsandLucca? That sounds a little like a fairytale.
