Page 84 of Draft Pick
“Looks like royalty to me,” Mom tells her. “I think that makes you one lucky girl, Your Highness.”
“She called me ‘Your Highness,’” Addie whispers, her voice muffled, tugging on the sleeve of my shirt. “I think I’m supposed to curtsy.”
“Go for it, babe,” I encourage her, loving the freedom Addie feels to be herself. Without needing further instruction, she stands on the couch cushion and curtsies to my mother on the phone, her flower dress with ruffles on the hem making her look like the coolest queen I’ve ever seen.
It’s probably the pink-and-white Blazer tennis shoes she wears, too.
I’m obsessed with this girl’s style.
Mom emanates excitement in the best way, and it warms my heart to see the shock meeting Addie was for her tonight. Her spirits are up, and that’s a win in my book. “I remember when you did the same thing, sweetie. You loved pretending and playing dress-up. I used to tell my sister you’d be on Broadway someday,” Mom says, reminiscing on old times.
Her sister.All these years later, the death of my Aunt Mallory still stings. She was Mom’s sister and best friend, who lost her battle to cancer too young. But there’s something different about today and the mention of her…Mom doesn’t look so sad. There’s a light in her eyes—although small—it’s still there. There’s no way I could possibly miss it.
“I remember,” I whisper, feeling like a teeny-tiny prayer has been answered. Maybe it’s the change in me being away or maybe it’s simply divine timing. Whatever it is, I’ve got no business questioning it. “Before my Broadway obsession hit, I was convinced I’d be just like Jewel someday.”
“Or a Spice Girl,” Mom laughs, the nostalgia hitting me big time.
“Who’s Jewel?” Addie asks curiously.
“Only a popstar legend!” I tell her, inwardly proud she would ask. “Wanna listen? I can teach you all the dance moves.”
“Then we can surprise Daddy!”
I nod. “Sure can.”
“Who is this Daddy you speak of?” Mom doesn’t miss a beat, her brows lifting in curiosity.
“He’s a very good friend,” I tell her, and almost get away with it. Addie likes to put all her favorite people in boxes, and undoubtedly, it’s my turn.
Well, mine and Crew’s.
“Daddy is my daddy,” she cheers. “And Daddy loves Dr. Juniper so, so, so much.”
“Does he now?” Mom side-eyes me with a smirk. “Is this the baseball player, honey?”
I’ve mentioned Crew a few times to Mom in passing, but frankly, her moods are unpredictable, and it’s always been easier to keep our conversations light. But she seems to be interested in remembering all the things tonight. Yay me.
“He is. He’s a very good man.”
There’s this feeling that comes over me when talking about Crew, and I’m pretty sure it’s written across my face.
Happiness. Bliss.Love.Maybe so.
“Daddy has the biggest muscles ever! He can lift me over his head with one hand!” Addie jumps in.
“I’m assuming he’s a very good man you also happen to care deeply for? That look in your eyes tells me everything I need to know.”
“And what makes you say that?”
Mom blinks. “Because I haven’t seen it before, Juniper. I only ever hoped.”
“Mom,” I sigh, suddenly getting emotional.
“I’m going to do better. Your dad and I both are. Just give us some time, okay? We just need time.”
“Time,” I repeat, breathing in her words of hope. “I can give you as much time as you need. Always.”
She nods, and I can tell right away the conversation is ending. “I should be going now. Your father is out clearing the garage and probably searching the streets for me.”
