“Weird,” I say, walking to the bathroom to splash my face with cold water and freshen up.
I stop by my room and switch T-shirts while I’m at it. When I walk back into the living room, Mom and Mia stop talking abruptly.
“Okay, you two,” I say. “Spill it. What is going on?”
“What do you mean?” Mom says, an exaggerated expression of innocence on her face.
“Yeah,” Mia says, popping her hand on her hip and standing side-by-side with Mom in a show of allegiance or conspiracy, I can’t tell which. “What do you mean?”
“Ugh. Nothing,” I say, giving up. “Let’s go celebrate you, okay? You played a great game! Your team won the championships!”
“Are you excited, Mommy?”
“Of course I am. Very excited. And proud. I’m sorry if it didn’t seem that way. I’m just tired from my work last night. But I couldn’t be happier or prouder.”
“Okay. That’s good. Let’s go celebrate,” Mia says. “I think Coach G is really waiting for us.”
I chuckle and walk out past Mom, who is holding thedoor open for me as if I’m about to change my mind and bolt back through the house in an attempt to stay home.
“You don’t have to kidnap me and drag me,” I say to her under my breath.
“Are you sure about that?” she asks, shutting the door behind us.
I climb into the back seat of Mom’s car. Mia sits next to me and once Mom is in the front passenger seat, Jonathan puts the car in drive, taking us out through Downtown Waterford and then out the country roads that lead to Mo’s. I close my eyes as we drive, resting for a few minutes.
“This place is darling,” Mom says as we pull up. “Just like I imagined it.”
Greyson’s Jeep is in the parking lot—and Dustin’s truck, Patrick’s sports car, and Avery’s car. There are a few other cars parked around, but not many.
“Where’s the rest of the team?” I ask. “I thought I was making us late.”
Mom mumbles something and gets out of the car.
“Let’s go, Mommy,” Mia says, smiling widely.
“I’m coming,” I say, climbing out behind her and walking toward the front door of Mo’s.
Mia’s practically skipping. She gets to the door first and opens it.
I walk up and Mia waves me in like one of those characters from Beauty and the Beast—the clock or candlestick, acting outBe Our Guest. I think,weird, but I don’t say anything.
Mo’s behind the counter. When he sees me walk in he says, “Ah! Hallie! You’re here!”
“I’m …” I look around, my crew is here. My family is here. Mrs. Kinkaid is here. But Mia’s the only player in the restaurant.
“Where is everyone?” I ask. “I thought this was a team celebration.”
“They're at the Pizza Den,” Greyson says with a broad smile.
My face draws in with confusion.
I glance over at Mia. She’s smiling one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen. Then I look around at Avery, Mom, Jonathan and my crew. Everyone’s beaming like they’re in on a secret.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
The room stills. Everyone glances around at one another.
Before anyone can answer me, Greyson steps forward, grasps my hands and drops down in front of me on one knee. My mouth pops open and I raise one of my hands to my face to cover my gaping expression.
