Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
I pushed that thought aside and took the opportunity to seek out Silas in the crowd. I’d offered to give him a ride, but he’d wanted to come early to check out the field, and there was no way we’d have been ready to leave the house any sooner.
“Put your sweatshirt on, Chase.”
“Why? It’s sunny and I’m not cold,” he replied, hopping out of the truck.
“No arguing. It’s cooler than you think.” I stifled a sigh as Chase grumbled on cue, yanking the Condors sweatshirt Hank and Denny had given him over his head.
“Can I go find Rhys?”
I spotted Reg’s SUV by the fence. “They’re heading in now. Go get ’em, tiger.”
Chase whooped and raced off just as Ivy stepped onto the pavement, face averted.
“Are you ready to—” I stopped in my tracks, tipping her chin to get a better look. “You’re wearing eye paint.”
“Eye shadow,” she corrected. “Only a little bit. It’s not a big deal.”
“I don’t think your mom approves, and—”
“But you’re my dad.”
Ivy didn’t bother hiding the challenge in her tone. It had been a while since either of them had gone there. But that was because Sarah and I were usually better at communicating potential issues. I’d let this one sneak through the cracks, and I still had no idea how to handle the makeup quandary.
“True. Um…”
“Oh! I see Nora. Can I go?” To her credit, she didn’t bolt off. She held my gaze and waited for permission.
“Sure. Check in regularly. You know the rules,” I said, pulling a bag hidden under the kids’ carryalls out of the truck.
Ivy cocked her head and gave me a head-to-toe once-over. “Are you playing today?”
“Yeah, someone called in sick, and Dex asked me to sub for Fallbrook.”
She squealed and jumped up and down, looking more like the girl who’d drizzled too much syrup on her pancakes while humming along to a SpongeBob doodle on the flat-screen a few hours ago. “You didn’t tell us! Oh, my gosh! This is so cool! Did you tell Silas?”
Heat blossomed on my cheeks, and I suddenly felt like a teenager with a crush. “No, I didn’t. This is last-minute and no doubt will be very embarrassing, so let’s not draw too much attention to your dear ol’ dad.”
Ivy couldn’t stop grinning. “Whatever you say, dear ol’ Dad. Get lots of touchdowns!”
“No pressure, eh?”
“No pressure.”
I huffed. “Yeah, well…lower your expectations. I haven’t played in years.”
“You’re going to be great!” And with that, she skipped away.
I followed at a mindful distance, said hello to Nora’s mom, and noted that her kid was wearing a lot more blush than Ivy. I seemed to recall that Nora was a year older, which hadn’t made much of a difference…till maybe now. I filed that info under “Things to worry about later,” along with a reminder not to drop the ball this time, then greeted a few more friends and acquaintances on my way to the portable tent Dex had rented for the event.
Dex and his committee had gone all out. A balloon arch in Wood Hollow High’s colors—gold and black—was set up next to the deejay playing dance music from the early 2000s. A row of tables situated against the fence were laden with complimentary water bottles and samples from participating eating establishments in town. There was a hot chocolate and mini maple cookies station from Rise and Grind, donut holes from Dexter’s Donuts, and garlic balls from Mike and Sam’s Pizza, just to name a few.
The mood was celebratory and a touch chaotic. Like any small-town gathering should be.
I paused to greet a couple of guys from the mill, laughing at an old joke before turning to see Silas standing on the sideline, surveying the grassy expanse with his hands on his hips looking like warrior…or a model.
God, he was beautiful. A professional athlete, ripped and toned, and confident in his physical prowess amongst a gaggle of kids, parents, armchair sports enthusiasts, and high school has-beens.
The contrast should have been laughable, but Silas emanated a warmth and realness that made me think he’d fit in anywhere. Even Wood Hollow.
“Hey, I know you.” Silas held a hand up for a high five, bro shake combo. “Are you playing?”
“Dex needed numbers, and I’m on the reserve list, so…yeah.”
His sunny grin widened from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat. “Cool. Think we’ll be teammates?”
“Nope, sorry!” Dex popped up between us, clipboard tucked under his arm. “Fallbrook is down a player, and they need Coop. We’ll get started in five minutes. I’ll welcome everyone, introduce our coaches this season, and hand the mic to Silas. Short and sweet is fine. I know I put you on the spot, but I can’t tell you how much we appreciate this.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Silas assured him.
“Let’s hope you still feel that way after you’ve taken a hundred selfies,” Dex called as he strode away.