“I was a little busy,” I say, but I’m grinning too.
“Against your old team!”
“They taught me well.”
“Yeah, but we’re better,” Fletch adds.
Everyone cheers.
As the guys peel off their sweaty gear, replay keymoments, and argue about whether we should create an official victory dance, I check my phone.
April texted during the third period.
April: That save was RIDICULOUS. How did you even see that?
April: You WON!
April: You’re probably busy celebrating. Text me later!
Still in my hand, it vibrates.
April: Congrats on the win! Moose, Scout, Buster, Purdy, Lulu, and I were rooting for you.
Yes, Lulu found her fur-ever family. After the adoption event at the Botanical Garden, I checked to see if she’d been matched with a home and since she was still with Love at First Wag, I couldn’t help but add her to the pack. Plus, April loved her. Yes, I also need to start looking for a place with a yard. An entire field. Acreage at this rate.
And yes, April celebrated with a gotcha party, including pupcakes for all our four-legged family members.
Me: See you Friday night.
April: Our date at Spaglietti’s. Right. Yeah. I’m not nervous.
Me: It’s just pasta and me.
April: With cameras and the entire town watching.
Me: What if I promise a chocolate pistachio truffle from that new confectioner place in my building?
April: That’s tempting.
Coach Badaszek appears in the doorway, arms crossed, but there’s a twinkle in his eye. “Good game, gentlemen. But don’t get cocky. We’ve got three more to win before we even think about celebrating.”
“Yes, Coach!” we chorus.
“Practice tomorrow. Bring your A-game.”
A collective groan goes up, but it’s half-hearted. We’re too happy to really complain.
Coach adds, “Culpepper, nice save tonight.”
“Thanks, sir.”
“Get some rest. Oh, and maybe invite that girl of yours to the next game. Team morale is better when the WAGs are in the stands.”
I stare at him. “April comes to most of our games.”
“Invite her as your girlfriend.”
“But, sir—” How do I explain that it’s fake?
