Page 63 of Hometown Halftime
She glances up as I carry in the last case of water.
“Morning, Rookie. Ready for Cedar Falls to witness your yoga skills?”
I set the water down and brace my hands on the table.
“This felt like a great idea during the planning phase. Then I saw Haddie and her entire bunco squad signed up, and I briefly considered faking an injury.”
She walks toward me, laughter already building in her eyes, then leans in just close enough that I catch the warmth of her skin. “But I thought you liked older women?”
I angle my mouth toward her ear. “I do. But I only have eyes for one. Besides, Haddie doesn’t have any tattoos, and I really like tattoos.”
My gaze drifts down her arm, slow and intentional, and I don’t miss the way goosebumps rise along her skin.
“Tragic for Haddie,” she says, smirking.
I point toward the front. “Are we ready?”
She nods, all business again. “Mats are ready, music is prepared, and the donation jar is center stage. We’re officially organized.”
“I’m grateful my college coach forced us into yoga,” I mutter. “At least I won’t embarrass myself completely.”
Her eyes flick over me, amused. “Oh, I cannot wait to see you in action, Weston.”
Before I can respond, the front doors swing open.
Brynn walks in first, with Knox right behind her. Kate follows with a diaper bag and Luke on her hip, while Cam trails in with a travel mug and Evie right beside him.
Evie spots me. “Coach Riley!”
She breaks free and sprints across the room, her sneakers squeaking. “Mom said there might be snacks!”
“There are absolutely snacks,” I confirm, pointing to the table.
Kate laughs. “Good morning, I’m so excited for this.”
Brynn spins in a slow circle. “This place is adorable. I feel horrible that I haven’t been here since they opened.”
Knox scans the room. “There’s a lot of mats.”
“They’ll need them,” Brynn says sweetly. “Haddie and I recruited half the town.”
Knox freezes. “Haddie’s going to be here?”
Cam claps his shoulder. “We should sit in the back. I don’t want Haddie and her friends staring at the back of our heads.”
“They wouldn’t be staring at our heads,” Knox mutters under his breath.
Brynn snorts while Kate nearly loses it. Kinsey lowers her clipboard and gives me a look that says, here we go.
Luke squirms, and Kate sets him down, which was a mistake because he immediately beelines for a potted ficus.
“Nope,” she says, swooping in. “Absolutely not. We’re not starting the morning with plant destruction.”
Then the doors open again. And again. And suddenly it’s not a trickle, it’s a flood. Parents and teachers from the high school. Ty and Levi walk in a few minutes later, then a couple of women I vaguely recognize from Emma’s school, but can’t for the life of me remember their names.
And then—Haddie Carmichael enters.
Bright pink tracksuit, a rhinestone visor and nine women behind her in formation, each holding floral yoga mats and wearing lipstick bright enough to be seen from space. Every single one of them locks eyes with me at the exact same time. It feels like I just stepped under ten separate spotlights.
