Page 124 of Playing to Win
Me:Shouldn’t I be the one wishing you luck today?
I accompany it with a bunch of heart emojis and pocket my phone.
“What friend has you smiling like that?” Mom asks, her tone curious.
My face flushes. I can feel the heat sweep over my skin and God, I hate myself right now. “It’s no one.”
She just looks at me.
“Seriously.”
“Uh huh.” She leans forward, resting her arms on her thighs. “Is it a boy?”
The look on my mother’s face has my resolve weakening into dust. Just like that, I open my mouth and the story pours out.
I tell her everything. Well—I leave out the sexual stuff because yikes, I’m not going to admit all that to her—but I let her know that I’m involved with Ace and we’re totally into each other, but we can’t be because of that stupid agreement I signed.
“You really like him,” Mom concludes when I finish speaking. I can’t believe my dad is still outside talking on the phone.
“I do,” I say, vaguely miserable.
“You always said you wouldn’t date a football player,” she reminds me.
“I guess I lied.” I shrug. “He’s just so—ugh. There’s something about him. He’s confident and sweet and kind. He’s the reason we have all of those sticks or whatever in the windows. He’s protective and he’s nice and we have fun together. He makes me laugh. He’s a good kisser.” Mom laughs and I think my face is now on fire. “I think he cares about me.”
That’s a lie. Iknowhe cares about me.
“Are you in love with him?” Mom asks.
The door slams open before I can answer, Dad striding inside with Knox still on the phone. Dad switches it to speaker and says, “Go ahead and tell them what you did last night, Knox.”
“I asked Joanna to marry me,” my brother announces.
“Oh my God!” Mom squeals, leaping to her feet and rushing toward Dad so they can both crowd around the phone. “I need every single detail, Knox. Where’s Joanna? Can you FaceTime us? I want to see the ring!”
Within minutes we’re watching Knox and Joanna on my father’s phone screen, Joanna holding up her hand and showing us the giant diamond on her finger. Mom is practically crying, she’s so excited. Knox and Jo can’t stop smiling at each other and Dad is proud.
“Congratulations, you guys,” I say, thrilled for them. Envious that they can bask in each other’s love and don’t need to hide it.
“Thank you, Ruby. Where’s Natalie?” Joanna asks me. “I keep trying to call her and she won’t pick up.”
“She’s at work, but she should be off soon,” I tell her. “Text her and tell her to call you later. She’ll want to hear this.”
“I will.” Joanna pauses, her gaze sticking on me. “Ruby, would you be one of my bridesmaids? I know I should do some elaborate thing where I send you all gifts with my request and I’ll do that eventually, I swear—”
I interrupt her, unable to help myself.
“Are you serious?” I rest my hand against my chest, honored. “I would love to be.”
There’s more excited-talking about a wedding and what time of year is best. The call ends pretty much after that, Joanna eager to try to get a hold of her best friend. I sneak a glance at my phone while Mom and Dad are still chattering away about the upcoming nuptials and I read Ace’s response.
Acey Baby:We’ve got this game in the bag, just like you do. You’re going to do great.
Me:So are you.
Acey Baby:It’ll be nice to have you on the field with me.
Me:You have to ignore me. Pretend I don’t exist.
