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TOM

I hadn’t expected everyone to come out tonight, but seeing that the team had all come out tonight was great.

So far, the final roster had promise, and we’d been playing better than expected together.

With Callie and Crew at home and travel not starting for a few weeks, it was easy to be lulled into a false sense of security.

Better yet, having my mother in town as a built-in babysitter allowed us to act like a normal couple for a few days.

Callie opened with one of her original songs, one I hadn’t heard before but was a mix of country and pop.

Our core group had already heard her sing by the fire the night of the cookout, but the rest of the guys were more than surprised when she began her set.

She offered requests, and I watched in awe as she played a song she’d never played before, and it sounded almost as good as the original artist.

I finished my second beer, barely taking my eyes off Callie to make small talk with the rest of the crew. A few glares at Lukas; one of the rookies shut him up after he made a few off-color comments about Callie. Alex had even knocked him in the back of the head for me.

“I wanted to thank my fan club for their support tonight,” Callie said, gesturing to us. “I’ve heard that the boys have a soft spot for one of my favorite artists, and I figured I’d play my last song of the night for one guy in particular.”

I laughed when I realized she’d picked Taylor Swift’s Lover , but my humor faded when I realized she was singing it directly to me. As she finished up the song, I formed the shape of a heart with my two hands, and the rest of our group followed my lead. Yep, they got the memo.

When Callie joined us, I pulled her into my lap and passed her the tequila and soda I had ordered for her while she sang.

Our server had come over and told us several people had bought Callie a drink.

Her tip jar was overflowing, and her phone lit up with notifications of electronic payments for other tips.

“Feeling good?” I asked.

Her face was flushed, and shit, she fucking glowed. “I do,” she said, her fingers threading through my hair as she leaned in and kissed me quickly, looking around cautiously.

Gwen, Bridget, and Mariana scooted over to talk to her while Britney stayed back with Jonah. I watched her interact with the women, folding in with them perfectly, but then again, Callie got along with everyone.

“What are you wearing to the game?” She asked.

“Well, the boys will all be in their suits, so I plan to wear some fuck-me shoes, and depending on the weather, I’ll either do a skirt or dress,” Gwen said.

I watched Callie as she nervously cataloged the clothes available for her to wear in the house. “You know who has a reputation for personal shopping? Your friend Monica,” I whispered.

She turned in my arms, “How’d you know what I was thinking?”

“You’re easy to read. I know you left your pencil skirts in Boston, but you have plenty of time to shop with my mom in town.”

Mariana watched our interaction. “Can I come? I haven’t gone on a kid-free shopping spree in a while.”

Gwen jumped in, “If we’re all going shopping, then we need to make time for a boozy brunch.”

Callie moved off my lap and sat with the women as they made plans. Britney eventually warmed up, and they gracefully included her in the plans. I slid into the seat next to Damon, noticing his wistful stares as the women made plans.

“Any word?” I asked, knowing he hadn’t heard from Kayleigh since she ran off.

“Nope. I think it’s done this time.”

Just like last time, Kayleigh left without a word. Damon came home from practice expecting to join her for dinner, but instead, he found an empty home; she’d packed up all her belongings and left town.

“Was it jealousy again?”

“I think? I don’t know. She should know me, man. She’s the only fucking woman I’ve looked at. We’ve been through everything together.”

Callie looked over at me, sensing the depth of our conversation and not understanding what the hell happened with Kayleigh.

Granted, she didn’t know her well, but when we’re away from our family, these guys, the WAGs, become your family.

She watched as we talked, offering us space and only interrupting once she saw that the subject had changed to the game and the team dynamics.

“Are you almost ready?” She asked. We’d had Lukas pack her equipment in my truck; we weren’t hazing him, but it didn’t hurt to make him earn his place in the hierarchy.

“Yeah, and just so you know, my mom sleeps like the dead.”

“Are you telling me this so I don’t stifle my reaction when I pull out my favorite toy tonight?”

“Nope. Not thinking about your toys at all. And you won’t be either,” I said, pushing her towards the door and turning back briefly to say goodbye.

“Gumby!” I shouted across the bar, “Don’t you dare come pick up your kids until the morning!”

Mariana caught my meaning ahead of her husband, “Ok. Your mom said they were asleep in Crew’s room on his extra bed. Call us at any time if you need us.”