Page 66 of Wright Together
“I accept that.”
“Wait, you did run this by Isaac, right? I am not going to be the one to tell him…”
“I spoke to Isaac.”
Isaac had put the team together and was the unofficial manager. He was married to Piper’s sister and had played soccer in college. The Tacos team was his baby.
“Phew,” she said, breathing out heavily. “Good.”
I parked my Lexus in the parking lot for the outdoor fields. Already, a dozen teams were out on the pitch, getting ready for the start of the season.
I stopped Eve before she could get out. “And another thing. I heard from Jordan today that he wants us to head back to Midland next weekend. You free?”
She grinned devilishly. “Two rooms or one?”
“One.”
“Good answer.”
She leaned forward and captured my lips for a brief kiss before getting out and grabbing her soccer bag. I joined her on the walk to the open field. Our friends were already in attendance, warming up or chatting. I shook hands with Hollin and West, fielded good-natured ribbing from Isaac, and accepted Julian’s rundown of the season even though I still wasn’t a huge soccer guy. Blaire grabbed Eve as soon as she saw her, and they disappeared onto the field to run drills. Nora kissed West and then joined them in their warm-up.
But no Colton.
I checked my phone to see if I had some shit text from him, but there was nothing. Had Jensen changed his mind? He’d been adamant about Colton not joining the team when I first suggested it. Something about rewarding back behavior. But I’d insisted it’d be good for Colton to direct his feelings of resentment into physical activity. It was like getting the wiggles out of toddlers. Necessary and effective.
Then, I saw Jensen’s truck pull into a spot at the front. Colton hopped out first with Jensen and Emery coming behind him. They must have left the kids at home with a sitter to be here for him. That was the right call.
“You made it,” I said, holding my hand out to Colton.
“Yeah, boss,” he said, slapping my hand instead of shaking. “Can’t believe I’m here.”
“Eve wants me to ask if you’ve played before. As if that didn’t cross my mind in all of this.”
Colton shot me a look that said I was an idiot. “Of course I can play. Watch me run circles around everyone out there.”
“Ah, so the competitive streak runs straight through our family.”
“I take offense to that,” Jensen said, holding his hand out to me.
Emery just laughed. “Uh, there is no offense there. You’re all competitive. It’s ridiculous.”
Jensen’s gaze on her was like the moon turning toward the sun and feeling its warmth for the first time. “You’re lucky that I love you.”
“Ha!” she said, elbowing his side. “You’re the lucky one.”
“Obviously.”
He kissed her, and Colton gagged. “Can you two not?”
I shoved him toward Isaac. “Go meet your team captain and get a jersey.”
“Sure, boss.”
All three of us watched him run toward Isaac to introduce himself.
“Thank you,” Emery said. She touched my arm. “I really appreciate you looking out for him. Jensen said you found him the other night at the party.”
“Yeah, I’m glad that you agreed to have him play.”