“Worked her ass off for that,” I found myself saying.
“Oh, I know it,” Weaver murmured. “Eddy’s proud as fuck of her.”
A few minutes in, Magnolia lobbed a ball from the back of the field, over everyone’s head, and landed it right at Nettie’s sprinting feet.
I sat forward, waiting and ready.
Nettie attacked, but never once lost sight of the two wingers on either side of her.
As the defensive middle back challenged Nettie directly, Nettie passed to her left winger who crossed the ball beautifully.
The right winger was there in perfect position and shot.
The goalie blocked the ball by hitting it out with her fists, but Nettie was ready for that and launched herself into the air. The ball hit her head and sailed into the goal opposite of where the goalie was standing.
“That’s why you always catch the ball,” I murmured, excited.
The crowd went wild.
Margie screamed loudest of all, though she had no idea why she was screaming.
In the end, the team came up with only a one-to-zero win, but a win nonetheless.
My girl was in my arms as we waited at the bottom of the stairs for Nettie to notice us.
When she turned and saw us, her entire face went soft.
She jogged over to us and climbed onto the bench again, reaching for our girl.
I offered her a kiss first, leaning over the railing like earlier, and Margie giggled at the weird position.
When Nettie’s lips left mine, she reached for Margie again and pulled her into her arms.
“Mamamama!”
“Oh, Margie girl.” Nettie showered her with kisses. “I love you.”
Nettie had Margie all of two seconds before Magnolia arrived and stole her out of Nettie’s arms.
She walked away with her, heading toward her own daughter who was on the field.
“Well then.” Nettie laughed.
I crouched down so we were eye to eye. “You did great, baby.”
Nettie’s cheeks heated. “Thanks, Boone.”
I winked. “Go celebrate. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
“Meet us at the car?” she asked.
“I’ll be there.”
Always.
I was her biggest fan.
Where else would I be?
