Page 82 of Rain Delay

“Right,” I roll my eyes and sit back up, grabbing my laptop. “I need to get work done before you even think about starting anything. And you also need to get to the ballpark for the family breakfast thing.”

Wyatt looked at the time on my phone and his eyes widened. “Shit, I totally forgot about that.” He said before he nearly sprinted out of my bedroom to go get himself ready for the game and ending activities for family weekend.

I looked at the time, figuring I should probably get ready as well. These days, it didn’t take me long to get ready. As long as I was sporting something Milwaukee Crafters related, I think I was fine.

I slid a pair of flared leggings over my legs and a quarter zip over my head before grabbing my laptop to shove it in my backpack.

Wyatt came down the stairs, his footsteps loud and prevalent. “Alright. I’m ready.” he says, almost breathless. “I didn’t realize I was running late.”

“I mean, it’s not terribly late. The thing doesn’t start until 10, and it’s only 8:30.” I tell him, filling up on my water bottle. “But it’s also kind of funny to see you in a time crunch like this,” I smirk at him. “Glad to know I’m not the only one that looks crazy when they’re in a frenzy.”

* * *

I SHOULD’VE KNOWN THIS WAS GOING TO BE CHAOS.

I should’ve expected the chaos and buzz with all of the players and their families taking up the meeting rooms on the loge level. The fact they were even able to corral all of these families in here before 10AM was actually impressive.

Coffee stations lined the walls, some stations had fruits, pancakes, sausages, any breakfast food you could think of, the Crafters’ kitchen probably cooked it up.

Yet, despite all that chaos, I was still very hyper aware of who was around us.

“Hi, sweetheart,” a voice said to me as I turned to see Elena approaching me. She embraced me in a hug as she pecked my cheek.

I’d always loved Wyatt’s mom. Seeing her the other day and her acting like five years hadn’t passed was wild to me. I guess I was more nervous than I should’ve been.

“You look beautiful, hon,” Elena said warmly as she pulled back, her hands still on my arms. “I feel like we’ve barely talked since I’ve been around.”

“We’ve both been busy bodies!” I tell her, smiling despite myself.

“Well, now we can! Come, sit with me.” She linked her arm through mine before I could even prepare for it.

Jesus, take the wheel.

I barely had any time to glance toward Wyatt before his mother was steering me toward one of the tables by the windows.

His eyes met mine from across the room, and judging by how his eyebrows were raised? He had no idea this was happening.

But then, he smirked. The motherfucker smirked. He’s been waiting for this to happen.

Elena stood on the other side of the table from me, coffee in hand while the conversation started flowing. For a minute, it was super simple. She asked about my work, how my family was doing, whether I was still doing pilates and all that jazz.

“You know,” she said after a moment, stirring her coffee. “I’m really glad you’re back in Wyatt’s life.”

I nearly choked on air. What a turn of events. And what a conversation to have in the ballpark. So casual!

“What?”

Elena smiled softly into her cup. “He seems to be…less…tensy.”

My pulse immediately sped up. “I mean…I think that just might be because he’s been doing so well since his injury,” I spit something out, trying to get this awkward taste out of my mouth.

“Mhm.” She hummed.

It was one little hum that mothers had somehow had down to a T – the one that said I know more than what you’re telling me.

I stared down at my coffee. How the fuck am I supposed to continue this conversation?

“He talks about you a lot, y’know,” she added gently.