Page 124 of You Found Me
Ward gave his brother a thumbs-up. “What makes you say that?”
Della saw how that one tiny gesture puffed up Mason’s chest. He stood a little straighter, and he slapped a teammate on theback in celebration. “He competes with the idea of you every day, doesn’t he. Like Pi…like all siblings.”
They all sat down again.
How could she get her point across without giving herself away? Family was messy and complicated. “It’s not easy when someone else always has the spotlight. He has to live up to your reputation, right? Especially in a small town. That gets frustrating. It eats at you. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.”
She could hear Piper’s bitter voice in the back of her mind.You always steal the microphone. You never share the spotlight. Did you think about us at all?
She hadn’t. She could admit that now. She’d almost lost her family because she hadn’t paid attention to what Piper had tried to tell her for years. She’d been a selfish little shit.
Once she’d opened her eyes to that simple truth, she was able to mend fences and hearts.
She kept her voice low, so Elyse wouldn’t hear. “You cast a long shadow here. You don’t mean to, but you do. It would go a long way with your brother if you tell him you know that.”
He stared at the field like he hadn’t heard, but his jaw twitched, so maybe he had.
The after-game atmosphere at Sevens rivaled some of the biggest parties Della had ever been to. People high-fived and laughed so loud it that was impossible to worry about stalkers or rule-obsessed bodyguards.
Della, Cherry, and Ken worked their asses off to keep up with drink orders, along with several other part-time helpers.
Mason strutted in a couple of hours later looking like king of the world as he shouted for a free round for the house.
“Hell yeah!” someone shouted in the middle of cheers.
“Not unless you donate your month’s paycheck.” Ralph ruffled his son’s hair. “Fantastic game, Mason.”
Ward emerged from the crowd and slapped his little brother on the back. “Way to go, Mace. That long pass was perfect. Better than any I ever delivered, that’s for damn sure.”
“It was, wasn’t it.” Mason preened invisible fluff off his shoulder. “NFL, here I come.”
“Your options are wide open, kid. Whatever you end up doing, you’ll be great.” Ward gave his brother a bro-hug. “I’m proud of you.”
Della pushed Ward out of the way and held her arms out wide. “Thanks for such a good time, Mason.”
“Um…you’re welcome?” Mason looked startled.
Della giggled as she pulled him in for a hug. “Seriously, you looked great out there. I’m glad you were my first game.”
“Me too,” Mason said in her ear. “Hey, can you sneak away later? The show’s tomorrow and I wanted you to hear the final version.”
“Absolutely.” Della kissed his cheek. Then, so nobody would wonder what he’d said to her, she added louder, “Of course I’d totally throw over Donovan for you, Mason.”
Everyone laughed except for Ward.
He scowled at his little brother and pulled Della tight against him. “Hey, get your own.”
“I plan on it,” Mason said with a laugh.
Several of his teammates came in to a resounding round of applause.
Just before closing, things had died down enough that Della was able to slip away to the storeroom.
Mason joined her a few seconds later. “Can’t stay long. I just wanted to run through one time, see what you think.”
He grabbed the case from the corner where he’d stashed it and pulled out his guitar.
“It was ready two days ago,” she said, her heart warm with affection. He looked so much like Ward, if her warden were younger and less emotionally scarred. “You got this, you know. You’re good.Reallygood. And she’s going to love it.”