Page 12 of The Surprise Play

“Thank you.” She winks at me, then blows a kiss before patting Dad’s shoulder. “Wrap it up, or we’re gonna be late.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grins and watches Mom clip away, obviously checking out her ass and loving the view. I wait him out, laughing when he finally turns back to acknowledge me. “What? She’s one sexy lady.”

“Okay.” I wince. No one wants to hear that shit about their mother.

His smile grows a little wider. “You have a good day, son. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“You’re going to do great things on that field on Thursday. I’ll be there cheering you on.”

Don’t I know it.

Since their son joined the Nolan U Cougars, my parents have only missed one game, and that was because Mom was rushed to the hospital with appendicitis. Other than that, they’ve been in the stands no matter where I’m playing.

And they won’t fail me this coming Thursday either.

The semifinals. Holy shit!

Are we actually gonna make the finals this year?

That would be fucking epic!

“I’ll catch you later.”

“See ya, Pops.” I wave him off, dropping my phone on the bed and grinning down at the floor.

Damn, I can’t fucking wait!

Gotta get through tomorrow first, man. Hand that assignment in, and then you can breathe again.

“Until my next round of classes start.” I snort, shaking my head and getting off the bed, only to be interrupted by an enthusiastic knock that can belong to one person alone.

“Wywee!” Zoey raps on the door again.

“Hey, Cowgirl.”

“You wake?”

“I surely am, little missy.”

She lets out a squeal and the door punches open, her cute face appearing. She’s all dressed up to go outside in a snow bib, mittens, and a beanie. “Wanna pay?”

Oh man, I want to say yes so badly!

I glance at my laptop, the screen saver image of me grinning at the camera next to the legendary Broncos player Peyton Manning morphing into a shot of Blake and me by the Statue of Liberty.

I really should get back to my assignment, but?—

“Snowman?” Zoey walks into the room, stopping between my legs and resting her tiny hand on my knee.

I glance down at her, fighting a grin. “You wanna build a snowman?”

“Uh-huh!” She nods enthusiastically, totally missing my movie quote. I don’t think she’s seenFrozenyet. Sienna’s kind of strict on the whole screen time thing, and Zander’s followed her lead. This kid’s allowed like twenty-minute bursts of kiddy games on the iPad, and that’s about it.

Which is why she can be fully dressed in her snow gear and ready to play at stupid o’clock in the morning.

“Less go, Wywee!” She tugs on my hand, and how can I possibly say no to that cute little face?