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Chapter thirty-nine

Rhett

The skies are grey when I pull up at the Tridents stadium, and it matches my mood. Stormy and grumpy.

But two hours later, when I finish with the trainers, I take a look outside to see rain pelting down.

“Game’s canceled,” Monty calls out as he comes strolling down the hallway, Lark by his side. “Coach and Mike just announced it. This storm is only gonna get worse. They’re even predicting lightning.”

“Shit,” I say, glancing down at my phone for the first time since this morning. Sure enough, there’s a message from Evie. I press play and hear the electronic voice read out her message telling me her ferry has been canceled.

“Fucking hell.”

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Monty and Lark come to stop beside me.

I stuff my phone back in my pocket with a frown. “Evie’s on the island for an interview and her ferry home got canceled.” My teeth grind together. “And my mom decided to show up for a surprise visit.”

“I thought you liked your mom,” Monty says. “And I’m sure Evie’s fine.”

“I love my mama. I just wasn’t expecting her to be here. Evie’s stayin’ where she is, so yeah, she’s fine, but I…” I don’t finish my thought. Because telling them that I hated sleeping in my own bed without her feels wrong.

“But you miss her.” Lark gives me a knowing smile, and I give a brusque nod in return.

“Sure. And I wanna know how the interview went.”

Monty still looks bewildered. “So call her.”

Lark shoves him gently. “Dan.”

“What?” He looks from her to me, shrugging. “If I’ve learned anything recently, it’s to not wait to tell people how you feel. If he misses Evie, he needs to tell her that.”

“I mean, that’s not terrible advice,” Lark says with a laugh, looking back at me. “Go home, visit with your mom. Then call Evie and tell her you miss her.”

“Yeah.” I stuff my hands in my pockets. “I guess.”

They start to walk past, heading toward the parking lot, when Lark calls back at me over her shoulder. “And rest that knee!”

When I get home, I unlock my apartment door, calling out, “Mama? Game got canceled, so I’m home for the evening.”

“Wonderful. Maybe you can explain this.” Mama walks out of my bedroom holding the tiny pair of sleep shorts Evie uses.

“I figured Evie would be in the spare bedroom, so I went to take a nap in your bed. Imagine my surprise to see two toothbrushes next to the sink, and I’m pretty sure these are not your size.” She sets the shorts down on the edge of the couch and puts her hands on her hips. “Seems like Evie might be more than just a roommate.”

Oh. Shit.