A light laugh leaves her when she finishes, and I shove mashed potatoes in my mouth to hide that I’m becoming more uncomfortable by the second. But blue and I agreed we’d only linger long enough after dinner that we won’t seem rude. Then, our plan is to get the hell out of here.
Before shit has a chance to go sideways.
I’m reaching for the gravy when I notice Meg’s eyes glued to Blue, and I can feel it in my gut. Meg’s about to do it. She’s about to fuck up our plan.
“I hate to bring this up so soon after the two of you walked through the door, but… I’m worried about you.Bothof you,” sheadds, shifting her gaze to me next. “We’re not on social media, and we don’t follow that godawful Pandora person, but… news travels fast.”
She stops there, and I know what she’s getting at. That even without following Pandora, word got back to her and Coach.
Blue opens her mouth to speak, and I hold my breath, knowing her emotions are still raw after having put treatment on hold for a bit. But Meg interrupts again, stalling Blue’s response.
“Now, before you say anything, I just want you to know that I understand what you’re going through. We needed help getting pregnant with Kasey, which is why she’s an only child. But I cannot evenimaginefacing something so sensitive, sopersonal,only to have some evil, attention-seeking devil telling it to the entire world.”
Her lip trembles, tears pool in her eyes. Blue reaches across the table and grips Meg’s hand, and the silent moment shared between them is intense, raw, saying so much more than words.
“I insisted on you two coming over for dinner simply so I can say that you’re not alone in this. And if there’sanythingwe can do to see you through it, please,pleasedon’t hesitate.”
She squeezes Blue’s hand tighter before letting go.
“Yes, ma’am,” Blue answers, and I don’t realize she’s shed a tear, too, until she brushes it away with the back of her hand.
“Used to be a time when a couple could keep things private. Just between them,” Coach chimes in, his tone soundingmore gruff than usual. Apparently, Meg isn’t the only one upset by Pandora’s latest antics.
“Yeah, well, neither of us really know what that’s like,” I say with a quiet laugh, but there really isn’t a damn thing funny.
“That Pandora’s been on you two for years now,” Coach acknowledges.
“Seems like someone would be able to stop her,” Meg says, “but considering how the world thrives on gossip and drama these days, I don’t imagine she’ll be going away anytime soon.”
Hearing her grim prediction makes me sick to my stomach, frustrated by the truth within the words.
“But enough about that,” Coach jumps in, and I breathe a sigh of relief, hoping he’ll suggest a lighter dinner topic.
One that won’t have me losing my appetite.
“I’ve been meaning to check in and see how the guys are coming around. I know they can be a bunch of hard-asses, but I’m hoping they’ve started acting like grownups now.”
I’m torn between possibly disappointing him with the truth and lying.
I push a piece of broccoli around on my plate while I think, and apparently my silence is all the answer he needs.
A deep, frustrated sigh leaves him. “Trust me, I get that Reed is a bit wounded by the changes I decided to make, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why he’s taking it out on you and not me. I mean, for Pete’s sake, I’m the one who made the decision, and if he digs deep enough and gets brutally honestwith himself, he would’ve jumped to accept my offer if he were you.”
“What my husband is too polite to say is that Reed Lawson is a total ass, and you taking his place is just giving him ample space toshowcasethat he’s a total ass,” Meg clarifies, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard her swear.
But apparently I’m not the only person Reed rubs the wrong way.
“I’ll talk to ‘em,” Coach offers, but that isn’t the solution.
“No. Respectfully,” I add, hoping he understands I’m not trying to overstep.
Coach tilts his head. “You’re sure? I have no problem telling those guys to get their heads out their asses and back in the game.”
I’m already shaking my head, disagreeing with his idea. “It’ll do more harm than good. The guys will think I came to you crying because I can’t handle things on my own, and that won’t help build trust. And that’s what we’re lacking right now. More than anything.” When I pause, Coach still looks concerned, but he nods.
“Okay. We’ll do it your way.”
“Thank you. This is just one of those situations that’ll have to work itself out. With time.”
