“No. I want to go,” she says, bouncing from side to side.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Fine. Just … Let’s go.”
Mia’s not usually in a rush to go, especially not when there are other children around. I almost ask her if she’s okay again. But then she looks up at me with a giant smile, so I drop it. Besides, I’m tired, so going home sounds just right.
“Okay,” I say, glancing around for Mom and Avery. I wave to them and walk over toward the spot where they’re standing around chatting with a few other parents and Mrs. Kinkaid.
I turn to watch Greyson walk toward his Jeep. Players and families stop him and he pauses for each one, talking and smiling and saying something to the player that brings out a smile. I grin to myself, a warmth filling my chest. Even after over a year of dating Greyson, he’s still able to make me practically lightheaded.
Despite Mia’s seeming urgency to leave, she runs off, shouting, “Whitney! Whitney!” Her friend turns and they start talking.
“That’s one good man,” Mom says, walking up beside me with Jonathan right behind her.
She stares off toward Greyson, where he’s smiling down at yet another player.
“He is,” I say with a sigh. “So good.”
I yawn and Avery asks, “Are you okay?”
“I’m just tired from the calls we went on overnight last night. I think Mia and I will head home so she can clean up. She hugged Greyson and got all sticky and glittery.”
Avery laughs. “Well, don’t take too long at home. We’ve got the thing at Mo’s.”
I glance around for Mia. She’s saying goodbye to Whitney, waving and running back in my direction.
“Ready, Mommy?”
“I’m ready,” I say.
Mia’s eyebrows lift and she tucks her lips in. “We need to go. Okay?”
She’s acting odd. Maybe it’s the win?
We gather her glove and equipment and load up the van. Back at home, I send her straight to the bathroom. She sheds her sticky, glittery uniform and hops into the shower while I collapse on the couch. Last night was long. And we got up early for the game. I’m beat.
When Mia’s showered and dressed, she comes out to the living room where I’m flat on my back, a throw pillow under my head and my eyes shut.
“Mommy! Did you fall asleep?” Her voice rises with a note of panic.
“Not asleep,” I tell her. “Just dozing.”
“But you have to take me to Mo’s! My team will be there celebrating and it’s very, very important.”
I yawn and sit up. “What if Aunt Avery takes you and I just take a quick nap and meet you over there? That way you can get there on time.”
Mia’s brows draw in with a look of concern.
“I’m not sick,” I promise her. “I’m just really tired. I won’t be long. I just need a little nap.”
“But Mommy …” Mia’s lips pinch in.
“You’ll be okay, sweetheart. I promise to come as soon as I rest, and I won’t rest long.”
I pick up my phone off the coffee table and call my sister.
“Hey, what’s up?” Avery answers on the first ring.
