Tyler spotted someone from the team across the parking lot and went to say hello, leaving us standing by Seraphina’s car.
“Thanks for today,” she said. “The game. And this.”
“Thank you for letting me crash both.”
She looked up at the sky for a moment, then back at me. “Sunday then?”
“Yes, Sunday.”
She held my gaze for a beat, then reached up to brush something from my shoulder. “Stray pepper flake.”
I moved a little closer, forgetting where I was for a second, my gaze on her mouth. What would it be like to kiss her? Would I ever have the chance to find out?
Tyler materialized at her elbow. “You ready, Mom?”
“Yes, I’m ready.” She opened her car door.
Tyler remained by my side. “Hunter, I know you probably have a lot of places to be, so thanks for coming to my game. It meant a lot.”
“I’ll look forward to the next one.”
“Yeah, okay, cool.” He grinned, then headed around to the passenger side and got in the car.
I stood where I was until the Volvo’s taillights turned onto Harbor Street and disappeared. Then, I got in my truck and headed home, feeling lighter than I had in ages.
As I pulled into my spot in the garage at Wes’s my phone buzzed with a text.
Ivy
Holy smokes. Your new song’s the cat’s meow. Can I have it for real?
Hunter
It’s yours. Make it a hit, okay?
Ivy
I’ll do what I can. I’m glad you’re writing again. Feeling better?
Hunter
A bit, yeah. I’ll tell you everything when you get here next week. But let’s just say, I’m back.
Ivy
Thank the good lord.
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ANYWAY BY HUNTER SLOAN
Verse One
She left a note on the kitchen table
Ten words in her Sunday handwriting
I need a new life
Gotta run to something new
