Page 58 of Lemon Cake

Gemma set her phone aside and with a warmth spreading from her heart throughout her body, she easily drifted off to sleep.

Gemma sat in the bleachers with Dan, combing her fingers through his hair during the coin toss. Unlike the other games, this one gave an air of apprehensionthroughout the crowd. This game would set the tone for the season. Rider had grown increasingly more tense, and the last few days had been especially hard. Though he made sure to check in on her, the texts were few and far between. Though Gemma understood, and didn’t press.

“Just in time.”

Gemma turned, finding Sarah pushing her two girls into the row. “Hey! I was worried you wouldn’t come anymore. “

“We had some trouble getting out of the house.”

Gemma pulled her into a hug and introduced Dan to Clara and Ina.

“Oh, what happened to your leg?” Clara asked, her eyes fixed on Gemma’s prosthesis.

It was a warm night, so Gemma had chosen to pair the jersey with a skirt, leaving her legs visible. She knelt on one leg, letting Clara and Ina inspect her prosthesis. “I was in a motorcycle accident and lost my leg a few years ago. Now, I have this cool new one to help me walk.”

“Does it hurt?” Ina asked.

“Not anymore,” Gemma chuckled.

“Can I touch it?”

Sarah clearly was about to protest, but Gemma didn’t mind. Children were typically more understanding than adults, so she wanted them to know it was okay to ask questions. It had always felt easier talking to children about it. “Of course you can.”

Ina and Clara spent some time carefully inspecting it before their attention was pulled back to the field.

The game was exhausting, grating on the nerves ofevery person watching. She was only reminded that she hated standing on the sidelines when something big was at stake. Her heart raced, palms sweating as she helped the kids cheer the team on. Sarah made sure snacks were always filled up and drinks never ran empty.

When the game ended in a tie, the mood amongst the crowd was palpable in the air.

Gemma masked her own disappointment and tried to console Dan, who seemed far more shattered than she’d anticipated. Though a stop at Chick-Fil-A seemed to soften the blow—a little. Gina was already waiting for them at home, eyes lighting up when she saw a bag of food just for herself. Once Dan was content in front of the TV, Gina pulled Gemma into her bedroom under the disguise that she needed help folding the laundry. At least, Gemmathoughtit was a disguise.

But when the bedroom door shut, Gina handed Gemma a basket of clothes before working on a second. “How is Rider holding up? He seems quite competitive. I remember how horrible it was being around you after a loss.”

“It was a tie,” Gemma corrected.

“That’s just as bad for people like you.”

“I haven’t texted him yet. I’m not sure what to do. I always just wanted to be left alone.”

“Maybe let him know you made it home. It would give him the ball to decide what he needs.” Gemma froze, and Gina burst into laughter. “You hate how much you lovemyidea.”

They finished up the laundry, then Gina kicked her out, but not without a kiss to her cheek and a hug to thank herfor watching Dan. Once in the privacy of her car, she took Gina’s advice.

Dan is safe and sound and I’m heading home.

Come to my place instead?

On my way.

Gemma barely had her car parked in Rider’s driveway before the door opened. Once she was in arms’ reach, he picked her up and carried her inside. He hummed as her nails scraped over his scalp, and she nuzzled into his neck.

He kissed her hair, set her on the couch, and covered her with a blanket.Game of Throneswas already queued up, and Rider ducked into the kitchen and returned with his arms loaded with drinks and snacks. He sat next to her, making sure everything was within reach.

Gemma then patted her thighs, and Rider needed no further instruction. He laid across her lap, letting Gemma spoil him with a scalp massage. Not even halfway through the first episode, Gemma let her head fall back, unable to keep her eyes open any longer.

“Will you stay the night?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she giggled, kissing his nose.