Mari sighs happily.“I want you to find a good man.Someone who can take care of you.”
My smile fades.“Did it ever occur to you that I can take care of myself?”
“No.From the time we were kids, you’d chase butterflies and sing songs and draw pictures.You got to be careless and irresponsible.It was my job to keep you safe, to protect you.”
It takes a moment for that to sink in.I always knew she was more together than me but hadn’t realized how much that bothered her.
“Not anymore,” I vow.“I know you were passed over for that promotion when you came to help me out last year.You can stop saving me.I want to be here for you.But you have to give me a chance.Okay?”
My sister studies me for a moment.“Okay.”
13
NOVA
The first preseason game is full of energy and promise.Signs and pennants draped around the stadium proclaim "KODIAK NATION!"in huge caps.The stadium is packed with fans, plenty of whom are wearing purple-and-gold team jerseys or shirts with the words "BEAR FORCE" printed across them.
“What’s Bear Force?”I call to Brooke as we make our way into a box in one corner of the stadium.
“That’s what the team’s superfans call themselves.”
“It looks sold out.”
“Yup.The entire city wants to see if your boy’s gonna give us a comeback year.”
“He’s not mine,” I say as we take our seats.
“Right, you go around drawing random guys like you want to bang them.”She shoots me a look.
Well, I guess that answers whether she knew the sketch was Clay.
“Has he seen your outfit?”Brooke gestures to my jersey.
I glance down at the one Miles gave me.“What?It says 'Kodiaks.'”
She laughs silently, but I don’t get the joke.
Since I played with her and the guys, I’ve been busy helping with the wedding.One of the hotels hosting visitors double-booked, so I called around to find a bed and breakfast for some out-of-town guests.We also finalized the invitation list for the bachelorette, which we’re hoping to hold at the Four Seasons Spa.The florist called and said it wasn’t looking good for importing the exotic roses Mari insisted she wanted, but we can figure that out tomorrow.
“It was fun to play basketball with you guys.Nice of Clay to be patient with me.”
Brooke sweeps her hair over her shoulder, brows arching.“I’ve known Clay for years.He’s a lot of things.Grouchy.Unyielding.Un-fucking-believable on the court.Nice isn’t one of them.”
A little thrill chases up my spine.
So yeah, when I think about Clay, I get hot.
Maybe more than hot.
He’s got issues of his own, but hearing him talk about his work with the charity made me realize there’s more to him than the media makes out.
In the past couple of days, we’ve been texting here and there.He says he’s keeping me out of trouble.I say I’m trying to make sure he gets his laugh a day whether he wants it or not.
But I’m excited to see him in person, even if it’s from a distance.I can’t wait to watch him tear up the court, and when Brooke asked if I was planning to go, it was an easy yes.
We’re here a few minutes before tip-off.Apparently, Harlan watches all the games from downstairs, but Mari and Chloe said they’d meet us later for drinks.
The place is already buzzing, and Brooke’s words dial up my excitement another notch.
