Page 58 of Learn the Play

“Can we do dinner, or maybe lunch?”

She glances at me, and I shrug. “Your decision, Bell. I’m behind you no matter what,” I tell her.

“I’ll think about it.”

Coach is dejected, but he nods. “Anytime, anywhere,” he says with conviction in his tone.

Bellamy doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t even nod as she turns back and steps out of his office, with me hot on her heels. We reach the door to the locker room, and I stop her. “You okay?”

“He’s about fifteen years too late,” she says, wiping at her eyes.

“I know, baby. I know he hurt you, and you owe him nothing, but maybe keep an open mind? People can change.”

“He’s not getting close to our baby until he’s proven that,” she says, her voice strong.

“That’s fine by me, but if you’re considering that, you have to give him a chance.”

“Ugh,” she groans, resting her forehead against my chest. “Can we go now?”

I know she’s reached her limit. “Yeah, Dream Girl, we can go.” When I push open the door, we’re greeted by our friends, our family by choice. The ladies swarm Bellamy and take turns hugging her.

“We’re going to dinner, catch up,” Corie calls over her shoulder.

“I’m going to head home. You good?” Baker asks.

“We’re good,” I assure him. “Thanks for sticking around.”

“I want to hear all about it,” he tells me, picking his bag up off the floor.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I assure him.

“I’m following my wife and the food,” Landry says, walking away in the same direction as the girls.

“Yep,” Knox says, trailing behind him.

“What about you?” I ask Foster.

“Everything good?” he asks.

“Yeah, he was pissed, but my girl put him in his place. Lots of anger there,” I confess.

“You stand beside her. She’s what’s important now.” There’s something in his eyes, as if he’s trying to tell me without saying the words.

“I know, my man.” I clamp a hand down on his shoulder. “I don’t know who she is, or what happened, but it’s not too late to make it right.”

Foster doesn’t acknowledge my words. Instead, he says, “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

My friend has something he’s holding close to his chest, and one day, he’s going to let us help him through whatever it is. I want him to get his girl, the one who makes him as happy as my dream girl makes me.

Foster walks away, and I pull my phone from my pocket to text Landon.

Me: Thinking about scaling a wall.

Landon will know what that means. He scaled that wall at the stadium during a game to get to his now-wife, Tessa.

Landon: My man! I can’t wait to meet her.

Me: We’re having a baby.