Page 87 of The Chemistry Coach
Daisy rolled off the couch, going into fixer mode.She pulled on some shorts and tied her hair into a messy bun, slipping on her Birkenstocks and grabbing her keys.
“I’m on my way,” she told Sarah.
During her drive it dawned on her that Sarah and Dylan didn’t know about the trade.It wasn’t her place to tell them.This would rock their world.
Sarah ran out of the house when she arrived, giving Daisy a quick hug and saying, “Thank you so, so much,” as she passed, hustling to get to work on time.
Daisy shuffled into Sarah’s house, thankful it was a Saturday and she didn’t have to figure out school drop-off.Sadness tinged her affection for Dylan as he threw himself into her arms.
She feigned enthusiasm as he talked her ear off about all the new things he’d gotten to put in his slime recipes.The coffee machine worked nonstop.Daisy choked down cup after cup, hoping that if she consumed enough caffeine, she’d feel alive again.
In the afternoon, her phone rang, and she sprinted across the house to answer it.Hope died in her chest when she saw Hazy’s face on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?”Those words had been exciting when spoken by Roxie the previous morning.That day, they evoked dread.
“I’m at Sarah’s, watching Dylan.Connor was supposed to be here, but...”she trailed off, trying to avoid saying too much in front of Dylan.
“Gotcha.We’re coming over.”
“Okay, please bring food.”
Hazy and Valentine arrived soon after that, bearing burgers and milkshakes.Daisy met them on the porch when they arrived, telling them to keep the trade a secret because she wasn’t sure if Sarah knew yet.She sipped the thick vanilla shake Hazy handed her and forced back tears when Valentine hugged her.
Hazy followed Daisy’s instructions and helped Dylan make a big batch of purple slime.Her boys played action figures with Connor’s nephew, and when evening came, they turned on a movie.Dylan curled up on Daisy’s lap, and she rocked him like a baby until he fell asleep.It was more for her than for him.
After they put Dylan to bed, Hazy started their reality TV show.Daisy didn’t have the heart to tell him she was four episodes ahead.It didn’t matter; she wasn’t paying attention.She should’ve spent the day recording a podcast episode.This was big news.Roxie asked to meet, but Daisy told her the situation, and Roxie agreed to record an episode by herself.Daisy wouldn’t be able to communicate the information without blubbering like a fool, anyway.
The three of them waited all day, checking their phones for a message from Connor that never came.
Daisy sent the boys home before Sarah returned, wanting to make sure Sarah knew the situation without a big audience.She needn’t have worried.The second Sarah got home, she hugged Daisy, sobbing into her chest.Daisy stroked her hair and reassured her, offering babysitting services from her and the Connors whenever they could.Sarah had a village outside of Connor.
The next few days went by in a blur.Daisy watched Connor’s games, relieved to see him playing well with his new team.Yellow wasn’t his color, but nothing could be done.She held out hope he’d reach out.She didn’t expect his message to destroy her so thoroughly.
Chapter 28
Connor
NashvillewelcomedConnorwithopen arms.He fit seamlessly into the team.In the first game he had three points.Their fans were cheering his name, the team accepting him, no questions asked.
He stayed with Casey and Cora, and the following evening he stood on their patio and watched Casey grill.The kids were enjoying a warm day by running around the backyard and climbing on the jungle gym Connor got them for Christmas.
Evan chased Casey’s squealing toddlers.Casey drank from his water bottle and flipped the steaks.The moment felt so natural, yet so foreign.
Evan’s fiancée, Demi and Cora sat at a glass patio table under a giant beige umbrella and chatted, both of them keeping one eye on the kids.
Connor tried to be present.He wanted to enjoy this.But the hollow ache that had started the second he got news of his trade never dissipated.Physically, he existed in Nashville, playing the best hockey of his life, surrounded by people who loved him and wanted him to succeed.Mentally, though, he stayed tucked up inside himself, doing anything to stay numb.
Getting out of Casey’s way, he joined the women at their table and tried to channel the Connor they knew and loved.He was pretty sure he’d gotten the smile right.
“Whatcha talking about?”he asked.
Demi handed her phone to him.She’d pulled up pictures of the mock-ups of potential playoff jackets for the WAGs.
Connor’s heart clenched.He’d never cared about the WAG outfits.Never had a reason to.He’d dated Roxie in college, but then Dylan had been born and he’d structured his life around supporting his sister and nephew.
Apart from the occasional hookup, Connor didn’t date.He also played for a team that never made the playoffs.So no need for pomp and circumstance.Now though, scrolling through pictures of yellow and black jackets, he couldn’t help but picture Daisy in one.
