Page 119 of Defend Her Heart

SMITH is in big bold print with the number 89 below it. I smile and shake my head because honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better gift. Without hesitation, I lift the jersey over my head and slide it on.

I put my hands on my hips and turn dramatically like a model at the end of a runway. “How do I look?”

Sloane fans her face. “You look hot, Mrs. Smith.”

The five of us laugh, and I feel my emotions getting thebetter of me. I take in the four remarkable women surrounding me and my throat tightens with the gravity of it all.

“I don’t think I ever properly thanked you all.” The laughter quiets and every set of eyes land on me. “Not just for the jersey, but for taking me in when I was a stray. When I moved here, I was a mess. Like, a complete mess.” I laugh through the tears, and Sadie’s hand reaches out to squeeze my arm. “I was trying so hard to pretend I was okay and had everything under control, but half the time I could barely get through the day without feeling exhausted or overwhelmed.”

I loop my arm through Sadie’s now, needing her to ground me.

“I didn’t know anyone except Tamara, but she was gone most of the time. With no family nearby and my health was deteriorating by the second. Honestly? I was scared all the time.”

Sloane moves to my other side and wraps her arm around my lower back, resting her head on my shoulder.

“But then I met you all. You stood by my side without hesitation and opened your arms and doors to me. You checked in with every doctor’s appointment and asked what I needed. You learned all the warning signs before I ever even opened up about my illness.” I look at Sadie, remembering how she was there each time I fainted, bracing herself for my fall. “And not once did any of you make me feel like I was too much or a burden.”

My eyes sting as they fill with more tears.

“I don’t think you realize what that did for me. What it meant to have a group of friends who made this strange place feel a little bit like home before I was even ready to admit I needed one.”

Sadie and Ellie wipe at their eyes, while Katie sniffles across from me. Sloane laughs to herself at all the emotionhappening around her and I smile at each and every one of them.

“So, thank you. Seriously. I don’t know what I’d do without you girls.”

The four of them all converge on me at the same time and wrap me up into a group hug. We squeeze each other tight for a minute before Sloane breaks the moment in a way only she could.

“Okay, enough crying. Fuck. I want to know everything there is to know about how number eighty-nine bagged himself the hottest commentator in the league.”

The girls laugh and I join, but her question makes one of my own resurface from years ago. I tuck the question away for when I’ll see Connor later and join the girls on the yoga mats on the floor.

And then I tell them our story.

“Connor. Remember what Jerry said. Be nice to these reporters. They’re just trying to do their job.”

He grunts next to me in the driver’s seat, and I chuckle before resting my hand on his thigh. He places his hand on top of mine without hesitation.

“I heard what he said. I just don’t get why asking me about my life is a part of their job. Can’t they do something better with their time? Like, I don’t know, go question the players who get away with domestic abuse and sexual assault like it’s just another Tuesday?”

I inhale deeply but stay quiet. Because he’s right. There is so much going on within the league that demands more attention, but these reporters are here questioning us about our personal life? It’s bullshit.

Turning in my seat, I squeeze his thigh, trying to get his attention. “Hey. Stop the car.”

Connor eases the car to a stop about fifty feet away from the parking lot exit that is still swarming with reporters.

“There’s nothing we can do about that today. When we get home let’s look up local organizations and women’s shelters that we can donate to and spend our energy there. We can only control what we can control. As for these reporters…” I turn and look out the windshield where they’re all waiting for us. “Let’s just do what Becky said. We don’t have to comment on our marriage, but we do have to be respectful.”

Connor leans across his seat and kisses me quickly on the mouth. “This is why I married you. You make me a better person.”

I flip my hair dramatically. “What can I say? I’m pretty awesome.”

He reaches across his seat and starts tickling me in the side until I’m a squirming mess.

“Ah! Okay, stop! You’re awesome, too!”

We both laugh, and Connor inches his vehicle forward, stopping at the gate while we wait for security to buzz us through.

As soon as we’re out, reporters make their way to the car. There’s so many of them and only a few guards trying to control the crowd. Connor looks over at me and raises his brows in question.