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“Well, maybe we’ll get lucky, and it’ll be over by Christmas.” Abby smiled, picturing Christmas morning with Scott and Dylan.
It had been a long time since she’d celebrated with more than a couple presents on the floor under the one potted plant on her bookshelf. Her parents always sent something, no matter how chilly their relationship had turned in recent years, and Will’s parents did, too—one of the few ways they’d remained a part of her life after Will’s death.
While her own parents had struggled to understand the depths of Abby’s grief, Will’s parents had wanted to share theirs all too viscerally. When she couldn’t reciprocate, they’d given her space, but made sure she’d known she never left their hearts.
For years, their gifts had threatened to drown her in fresh waves of devastation, but maybe Dylan’s custody hearing being over by Christmas would make this year different. Maybe, for the first time, she’d be able to open their gifts without suffocating in the guilt of having failed their son. Maybe she’d even find it in herself to send them something, too.
Twenty-Six
THE RAPTORS WON on Sunday but lost on Thursday, a brutal defeat, at home, against a team with a worse record. A slew of injuries in the first half left them limping through the second, and the short few days since their last game wore on them. Scott threw one interception that came back for a touchdown, then the rookie, Jordan Highcastle, fumbled on a catch and turned it over again.
The defense, too, struggled. One defensive end had already been replaced a few games before and was starting to find his stride, but a hard hit during a blitz put the other defensive end, Mike Clemens, into concussion protocol. Fortunately, he’d be good to play again for the next game, given the ten-day break; unfortunately, with him out for the remainder of this one, the Bills offense proceeded to decimate the Raptors, finishing with a blow-out score of 42-17.
With a win, no one worried Scott’s personal life impacted his playing. With a loss, the recent article about Abby wound up front and center during a brutal press session.
“Do you think the recent controversy regarding your girlfriend distracted you?”
“No,” Scott shook his head. “Clean ball handling hurt us tonight. We need to do better next week against Miami. We’ll work on it.”
Before the same guy could ask a follow-up, someone else piped up with the team motto. “Work harder!”
Scott nodded, picking the speaker out from the crowd. He looked familiar, and in a moment, Scott placed him. He’d been part of the team that had covered the Raptor’s visit to the hospital. Relief flooded his veins. They had at least one friend in the room. “Yep. The Raptors are always trying to find ways towork harder,and we’ll do the same this week.”
Another question popped up. “What do you have to say about last week’s article in theHerald?”
Scott blew out a frustrated breath. “Listen, guys, we’re here to talk about football. If there are no more football questions...?”
Jesse in publicity jumped in then. “You’ll notice in tonight’s press kit an article referenced from last spring that should answer any additional questions you may have about Ms. Barclay. We expect a forthcoming retraction fromThe Charleston Herald, who has clearly been misinformed.” She nodded to Scott. “Thanks, Scott. Jordan, you’re up.”
Scott exited the stage and slid out the back with a sigh of relief and an internal promise to send Jesse a thank you gift for the holidays. Then, he reached Abby, waiting in the ready room with Kelly and the other WAGS, face pale and eyes pinched.
“You heard?”
“How could I not?” She shook her head and tucked her chin, eyes on the floor, but he caught the tell-tale shine of tears.
“Hey, hey, it’s fine. We’ll win next week and this will all blow over.”
“It sucks, people saying I’m some kind of... parasite.”
In the tight space, privacy wasn’t possible, and several of the other women glanced over. Apparently, they, too, were divided on what to think of Abby. Fortunately, she’d gotten to know several of them over the course of the last few home games, and Kelly’s vote of confidence had paved the way for her acceptance, but after the article, their opinions might change.
WAGS were a tight-knit group; they had to be. No one else could understand their lives. Having the team accept or reject your girlfriend wasn’t the be-all or end-all of a relationship, but it could have an impact.
They’d reached the tipping point. Kelly’s credibility, Scott’s judgment, and Abby’s acceptance all hung in the balance.
Then, the wife of one of the offensive tackles approached.
“Oh, hon, we’ve all been called that, or worse.” She hugged Abby. “You have to let it slide off.”
“Yeah, screw them and what they think.Weknow you’re the real deal.” Jif, impulsive and reckless and loyal to a fault, crossed the room and threw her arms around Abby, who belatedly hugged her back.
Scott let out the breath he’d been holding.
He and Kelly locked eyes across the room, and Kelly smiled.
Abby had been accepted, and that meant the Raptors would stand behind her, no matter what the press, or anyone else, said.
Once again, Scott wore his best suit.