“Both. All of them really. Coach Wraith certainly has a charm about him. And Nash is just as sexy as his brother.”
“Mom!”
“It’s just an observation. We Witt women have excellent taste in men. Well, most of us.”
I covered my mouth with my hand and tried to stifle the laugh.
Time was ticking down, and the score was still tied 1-1.
“Let’s go, ladies!” Wraith shouted.
I saw Waylay glance our way, caught the tiny smile on her face, and I felt the tingles again. She had a cheering section waiting to celebrate with her, and it meant something to her.
“You’re doing an amazing job with her,” Mom said.
“Really?”
“Look at that smile. Look at how she keeps glancing over here, reassuring herself that we’re all still here. Say what you will about Tina, but giving you her daughter was the best choice she’s ever made.”
My eyes clouded with tears. “Thanks, Mom,” I whispered.
She looped her arm through mine, then tensed. “She has the ball again!”
Wraith’s granddaughter had gotten tangled up with two defenders and sent the ball sailing to Waylay’s feet.
“Go!” we shouted as one, the crowd coming to its feet.
Mom and I clung to each other as Waylay dribbled around the last defender between her and the goal.
“Oh my God, I’m going to be sick.”
“Let ’er rip, Waylay,” Mom shrieked.
So she did. I held my breath as we watched the ball sail in slow motion toward the goal.
The crowd was screaming. I could hear Stef over everyone yelling, “Get it in the net thing!”
The goalie dove for it.
But the ball spiraled just past her fingertips into the back of the net.
I screamed along with Mom as we jumped up and down together.
“That’s my granddaughter!” Mom screeched.
“Fuck yeah!” Wraith bellowed.
“You’re damn right,” Liza shouted.
Sloane and Stef were hugging each other.
The ref blew the final whistle. “That’s game!”
Waylay stood stock-still, staring at the ball in the back of the net as if she could
n’t believe what she’d just done. And then she turned. Her teammates raced to her, shrieking and giggling. But she was looking beyond them. She was looking at me. And then she was running.
And so was I. I caught her when she jumped into my arms and swung her around.