Lindy flaps her arms into the air. “Why are you always the one giving something up? Why couldn’t he?”
I choke. “Give up his pro soccer career? For me?” The thought is preposterous.
Something he’d never do.
Something I’d never allow.
Thirty-Six
The benchin the locker room grows hard beneath me. I bounce my heel over and over again, staring at my phone, waiting for a reply. Not from Maggie—she sent one more message after she cut me off on Monday.
Maggie: This won’t work.
None of my replies or pictures of Nanners stirred anything out of her. So once again, I’ve asked for outside help. And I’ve given up on my friends. They are useless when it comes to women. However, their significant others are much more helpful.
“You look nervous,” Tru says.
“Lucca doesn’t get nervous.” Wade peers from Tru to me.
“He’s fine,” Zev says, slapping a hand to my back. “Go find your warmup kit.” He tells the others. His fingers squeeze my shoulder. “Areyou okay?”
I pause the bouncing of my leg. “Like you said, I’m fine.”
Then finally, my phone pings with a text.
“Excuse me.” I walk to a lonely corner of the locker room. I’ve got time. We don’t warm up for another hour. I breathe and take a minute for this text.
One more ping before I can pull out my phone.
Fran: So, you’re going through with it?
Rosalie: Oh boy.
I’m assuming the girls all sit together in the stands, like normal, but still we’re discussing this in our group text.
Fran: I think it’s a good idea.
Me: I think it’ll work.
Stella: It’s risky, Lucca.
Rosalie: It’s insane. You remember who pays you, right?
Me: I do.
Stella: I’m not even certain what’s going to happen…
Me: You’ll see.
Rosalie: What does that mean?
Rosalie: Are you sure she’s even interested in you?
Stella: She’s right, Lucca. You could cause a whole lot of trouble for yourself. Is it worth it?
Fran: ARE YOU TWO SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? IS LOVE WORTH IT? IS THAT WHAT YOU JUST SAID?
Me: She’s interested. And she’s worth it. Wish me luck.
