Page 68 of Draft Pick
I’m serious.
Tenley Graves
August is thrilled. Already told him. Oh, btw. You should come to the game tonight. For once, I get to be a bystander and watch. Kodi and Navy are working but I’m cooler so who cares!
That’s right.I remember Crew mentioning the game at some point yesterday. The whole day felt like equal parts a blur and a fabricated dream. A very good dream. One I’d love to relive again, please.
Home game?
Tenley Graves
Sure is.
Okay. I’ll come.
Tenley Graves
Well, that didn’t take much convincing…
See you there, Tenley.
Tenley Graves
We’re VIP so call me when you park. I’ll sneak you in through the clubhouse.
And to think it only took me thirty-two years to be somebody.
Looks like I’m going to a Strikers game tonight. And without my right-hand woman, Val. She’s busy. I know this. But god, I’m going to miss her wingwoman skills and ability to talk to a wall when I can’t.
I guess I’m also afraid to be left alone with Crew, knowing good and well Tenley will encourage it. Not prevent it. It’s not like she knows what happened at Boone yesterday.
Hell, Crew disinfected every inch of the kitchen, likely leaving zero remains of our heated kiss. And what a kiss it was.
The selfish part of me wishes I had the nerve to ask him to switch doctors so that I could be a part of his and Addie’s lives in a more permanent way. But Addie is finally thriving. I won’t take credit for it; I just used my knowledge to give her the proper resources.
Crew and Hilary are the ones who have advocated for her to get here. To this point of success despite her difference.
Because that’s exactly what it is. She has adifference. There’s no hindrance or malfunction to the design of how perfectly that little girl was created. If anything, ADHD makes Addie brighter than the rest.
Kicking myself into gear, I run through my mental to-do list for the day, knowing I have only a handful of hours to get stuff done until the game. On my off time from work, I’ve been meeting Hilary for yoga, spending time with Wynonna and Jed, and working on some house projects. It’s wild to think I’ve already lived in Atlanta for almost three months now.
So much has changed—I’ve changed.
One thing, though, that hasn’t is my relationship with my parents. And as much as I’m trying to be here without worrying about them, it’s impossible not to. I just wish they would visit. Even if it’s just for a day or two and see that I’m safe and happy. That would mean everything to me.
Missing them, I decide to text my mom, knowing she’s likely at work and will see the message when she gets off.
I’ve got some free weekends coming up. Any chance you reconsidered visiting? I’d love to have you and Dad. There’s a really great craft style restaurant here you guys would love.
I set my phone on the kitchen counter and exhale. I’m trying, and that’s what counts. They’ll come around eventually. Taking a look at the clock, I now have a total of two hours until I’m supposed to meet Tenley at the field for the Strikers game.
After working all day, I came right home to shower. I’ve got just enough time to do my hair and makeup, get dressed, and hopefully stuff my face with greasy food in order to get through tonight.
Here goes nothing.
“Ready to reap the benefits of being my friend?”
“Let’s see it, Ten. I’m here for the full Strikers experience.”
