Brooke:
Good game, All-Star. If you’re back in town, there’s a Halloween party at Kappa Delta on Tuesday night. Either way, convince your sister she needs to come. The team is dressing up as each of Taylor Swift’s eras.
Shaking my head at my sister’s friend and teammate’s antics, I reply.
Me:
Thanks, B. But there’s probably not a chance in hell she’ll go for that. We’ve got trick-or-treating to do with our Wonder Woman.
I smile at that. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I’ve always loved it. There’s something about fall that gets my blood buzzing. No, not something—everything. The way the leaves on the maple trees burn the brightest shades of scarlet, copper, and amber. The way the crisp Minnesota mornings make you reach for your favorite hoodie. And the fact that I’m the most basic of bitches and love every damn pumpkin-flavored thing should be the biggest sign that fall is my favorite time of the year.
I’ve made it my personal mission to ensure we go all out for my favorite holiday—I take dressing up for Halloween very seriously. Last year, Mack dressed as a lifeguard, and Cadence was a shark while I made a costume of a shark attack victim with a bloody bitten abdomen. It was epic. This year, Mack is Catwoman, I’m the Joker, and Cadence is Wonder Woman. I practically begged Dakota to join us as Harley Quinn, but she’s shot me down every time.
Speaking of Dakota, where in the hell did she go? I pull up her contact and shoot her a quick text.
Me:
You joining us for dinner?
My message quickly changes from delivered to read before the reply bubbles appear.
Austen:
I can’t. My brother is in town for his game, and we’re headed to dinner now. Good game, by the way! Nice goal . . . It is a goal, right?
Holy shit. I forgot the Mustangs were playing the Minnesota Voyagers tomorrow.
Me:
Thank you, Super Nanny. Yes, a goal, lol. I’m glad you were here for it. Where are you eating dinner?
Austen:
Nice try! I saw the heart eyes you have for my brother. I’m saving him from the awkward fangirl moment you’d have.
Ha! Of course, I’d fangirl over Brody Meyer. Who wouldn’t? The guy is a legend. But if she only knew the truth—the only heart eyes I have are for her.
Me:
I see how it is. It’s a low blow to deprive a man of meeting his idol and then bash him for a potential, totally appropriate, fangirl moment.
I wait a few minutes, but the text doesn’t change to read, and a reply from my dream girl doesn’t come.Because she’s married and she’s probably eating with not only her brother, but her husband.
A few minutes later, McKenna and Griffin exit the media room. Mack looks exhausted and like she’s about two minutes from withdrawing into herself. I already knew I wasn’t going to stay long at dinner tonight because I’ve got an early morning flight with the team to Dallas for a Monday night game. Now that I see the look on her face, I know the goal is to eat as quickly as possible so we can get her home.
4
October
I’ve only made it three steps into the house when McKenna’s dog, Ranger, comes barreling toward me. He leaps up to stand on his hind legs and assaults my face with kisses. I amsonot a dog person. Or at least I wasn’t a dog person until I met this sixty-pound Golden Retriever whose personality is scarily similar to Carson’s.
Only after Ranger has thoroughly drenched my face in slobber do I hear someone command, “Ranger, down.” The voice isn’t one I recognize, and neither is the man in front of me. “That’s my goodest boy,” he coos to the dog as he pats his head.
The man notices my puzzled expression and introduces himself. “Hi, I’m Griffin. Kenna’s uh . . . I’m Cadence’s dad.” Griffin smiles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
He doesn’t offer his hand to shake, so I wave awkwardly. “It’s nice to meet you, Griffin. I’m Dakota, Cadence’s nanny.” In the months I’ve worked for McKenna, we’ve talked from time to time. A few weeks ago, she mentioned Cadence’s dad for the first time, knowing he would be playing against Carson at his debut game this last weekend. She called last night to inform me that Griffin would be in town for a few days getting to know Cadence before he flies back to Colorado.
“Yes, I’ve heard a lot about you. Kenna says you’re a miracle worker with Cadence.”
