“Opportunities I rarely take.”
“True.” She’s quiet for a minute. “And what does Vince say about her?”
I pull into the sports complex, park, and sit for a moment. “He’s not happy. You know him. Worried about me preparing for this fight and…”
She rolls her eyes. “Please tell me this isn’t about that bullshit you can’t be with someone and still win a fight?”
“You know last time I was with someone I lost. So if I’m with Nikki at the fight, then—”
She throws her hands in the air. “Then nothing. You know I believe in signs, but that one is superstition and stupidity. You deserve to be happy, Logan.”
“I’m not sure she sees all the great qualities in me that you do.” I chuckle.
“I saw the interview. She seems sweet, and I liked the way she glows when she looks at you.”
“It’s all an act, Mom.” There have been times over the past week when I thought maybe she was feeling something, especially after the dinner at her mom’s, but I must’ve been wrong since she hasn’t spent one night hanging out with me all week.
She opens her door. “I guess we’ll see about that.”
I fly out of the SUV. “What does that mean?”
“You know me, I have a sense about these things. I’ll be able to tell if she’s playing you or not.”
I catch up to my mom. “Her entire family will probably be here, so don’t question her in front of everyone.”
“Oh, give me some credit.” She opens the door of the sports complex and heads in.
I take a deep, cleansing breath, hoping she doesn’t embarrass me.
We walk in and there are parents everywhere. I spot Marla and Hank and I’m about to approach them to introduce them to my mother, but Ethel steps in front of us.
“Logan,” Ethel says and wraps her arms around my waist. “Good to see you.”
“Is this Nikki?” my mom jokes.
Ethel looks at her. “Who are you?”
“Ethel, this is my mom, Pauline. This is Nikki’s grandma, Ethel.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” my mom says. They shake hands.
“And this is my friend, Dori. Her great-granddaughter plays with my grandson, Rylan,” Ethel says of the blue-haired woman who’s always hanging around her.
My mom gushes hellos and can’t stop smiling.
“Did you talk to Logan?” Dori asks Ethel, and I remember what Jed told me at Pump It Up.
“You know what? My mom’s dying to meet Nikki. We should go.” I urge my mom away by placing my hand on the small of her back and ushering her to start walking.
“She’s not here yet.” Dori steps in front of my mom. “Probably getting all done up for you.”
Doubtful.
“We were talking to our community director at the retirement home, and some of us are feeling unsafe around the area,” Ethel says.
“Is there a lot of crime around here?” my mom asks.
“Oh no. Well, I mean, we’re old, so it doesn’t take much,” Dori chimes in.
“Logan could help you with some moves.” My mom looks at me. “Teach them some self-defense tactics.”
“I appreciate you thinking of me, but I can’t be throwing any of you over my shoulder or back. I’m not sure I’m the right person.”
As for Nikki, I’d love to show her a move or two.
“Nonsense. We can’t trust just anyone, and you’re a professional. You’d be doing a great favor to the people of Northern Lights Retirement.” Ethel gives me a look. If I had a grandma, I’d never be able to say no to that look.
“Oh, he’ll do it.” My mom pats my stomach. “Tell these sweet ladies you’ll do it.”
I give my mom a look to tell her to stay out of this, but what choice do I have at this point? These three women will hate me—and I suspect they won’t stop pestering me—if I don’t agree to this. “Sure.”
Dori punches me in the arm. “I knew you’d agree.”
This should be fun. “Can’t wait.”
“I’m going to go call everyone.” Dori walks away but is quickly swallowed up by a group of small kids.
“Those are her great-grandkids. Did you know that I don’t have any great-grandkids yet?” Ethel says to me. “I’m sick of not having anything to brag about at the retirement home. Do you get what I’m saying?” She nudges me with her elbow.
“She wants you and Nikki to have kids, Log,” my mom fills me in as though I can’t figure it out on my own.
“I get what she’s saying,” I say to my mom, annoyed over how this entire conversation is going.
“Don’t worry, I understand you can’t be using all your energy to get Nikki knocked up right now. After the fight, I’ll really start putting the pressure on. Which reminds me, Earl wanted to know if you have a bookie down in Vegas. He wants to make a wager.”
I shake my head as my mom laughs. I say, “Let me get some names for Earl.”
Rylan runs over to our little group. “Coach said you can sit on the bench with us so people don’t bombard you with questions. Want to?”
I look at my mom.
Ethel slides her arm through my mom’s. “See an old woman to the bleachers?”
My mom smiles and nods for me to go ahead with Rylan. “Ethel and I will be in the stands. Good luck.”
“Pass Calista the ball like a good boy,” Ethel says.
I hear Rylan blow out a breath as I follow him toward the field. “My coach was a professional soccer player, and he says he knows what it’s like with the moms and stuff. Plus, he knows Grandma and Dori can be a handful. Figured if you really want to watch my game, you’d need to be on our bench.”
“Oh really?” I bite my lip to stop from grinning. This kid is cute.
Rylan runs onto the field, and his teammate kicks the ball to him and Rylan kicks it in the net. I sit on the bench, loving the up-close look but wishing I could sit next to Nikki. Especially since my mom is over there unsupervised. Who knows what will come out of her mouth?
Chapter Fifteen
“You have no idea the torture you put me through.”
Nikki
Molly and I walk into the sports complex where Rylan plays soccer. We’re a little late because Molly changed her outfit so many times. She’s never been this concerned when going to Rylan’s games, but she hardly ever attends them.
We walk over to the bleacher my entire family has taken over. I have no idea how Rylan handles all of us cheering for him while other players have one or two parents here. Then again, the Baileys from Lake Starlight are a big group. The only time I see Dori and Ethel not sitting side by side are at these games.
I scan the bleachers for Logan because he said he’d be here after picking up his mom, but there’s no sign of him.
“Sit down guys,” Adam says.
We slide into the bottom bleacher because the game has started and Rylan has the ball.
“Will he just pass it to Calista? She’s wide open,” Mom mumbles to herself.