Chapter 33 Falling In Love With All Of Them
FALLING IN LOVE WITH ALL OF THEM
Best Day Of My Life by American Authors
Holden
“That, back there, was good playing. Not because you won, but because you took everything you learned from our game last week and put it into play in this one,” Liam tells the girls. They’re beaming with excitement, taking his words in.
“I saw teamwork and calculated risks. Less of you were horizontal this time around.” They giggle. “And more of you were focused. I’m damn proud, always, but tonight especially.”
“I don’t think you’re supposed to say damn,” Ella mentions, making the rest of them giggle.
“We’ll give him a pass this time,” I add.
“Look around. Yes, you won, but you know what else I see in this room? Players with heart, love, and hustle. I see fearlessness, girls who were playing for the name on the front of the jersey.” I tap my chest with my hand.
“Not only the one on the back. I knew you would be a special group, but tonight, you proved it to me. I don’t want you to think of the score, though.
When you go home tonight, I want you to think of how hard you all worked, together, as a team. ”
They nod in understanding. Liam looks surprised, but I continue.
“I want you to think about how much fun you had tonight. Think about how it felt to give it your all and lean into your teammates. You all have the skill, you all have the heart, and tonight, you showed you also have the guts. You’re all a triple threat, each one of you, and I’m damn proud to be your coach. ”
They giggle.
“What a team!”
“What a team, indeed,” Liam adds. “Now, go! Go celebrate. See you next week.”
They rush out, leaving us behind with giant smiles on our faces. “Way to go, Coach Clay,” Liam says.
“Likewise.”
“It’s good to see you back in the rink, even if you’re not the one playing.”
I nod. Liam and I shared more days than I can remember out on the ice. “There’s nobody I would rather share this experience with.”
“Any plans tonight?” he asks, fishing for answers, but if this thing with Natalie is getting serious, I need to be upfront to my people about it.
“Actually, yes. I’m having dinner with Natalie and her girls.”
His jaw drops. “So it’s serious, huh?”
I shrug. “I want it to be.”
“I’m glad. You deserve it.”
“Thanks. How about you?”
“Just home with the kids. Someone moved next door, and I’m trying to figure out what’s going on.”
“To Willow’s old house?” Nobody has lived there for years. It has been empty forever, and the mere mention of Willow makes him look haunted. “It’ll be fine.”
“We’ll see.”
In no time, I make it to the pizza place. They’re already sitting at the back table like we agreed. We knew we didn’t want to leave the game together to avoid gossip.
Natalie’s eyes lock on mine as soon as she sees me. She waves, drawing Bella’s attention. Her face lights up as she waves too, making me the happiest I’ve been in a long time.
“Hello, Bradshaw girls,” I greet them, and although Bella smiles bigger, Natalie flinches. I want to hit myself immediately for it. Why would I do that? Bradshaw was Nick’s name; I created unnecessary tension.
“Coach!” Bella shouts, scooting over and patting the empty seat next to her.
“You can call me Holden, Izzy.”
She rolls her eyes. “You can call me Bella when we’re not playing. It’s so confusing being Izzy and Bella at the same place. Think of Izzy as my alter ego!”
I chuckle. “Sure.”
“I hope you’re not picky, because we already ordered,” Natalie interrupts. “This little monster was starving.” She ruffles a smiling Vero’s hair before turning my way.
“As long as it’s not pepperoni, I’m fine.”
They all gasp.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding. That’s fine by me.”
“I lof pepewoni,” Vero says in her cute voice.
“Oh, me too.” I offer her my hand. She studies it at first, but then she places her delicate one on mine. It’s incredible how small it is, how this tiny hand belongs to someone so vibrant and who means the world to people. So small and so full of possibilities, hopes, dreams.
Kids are truly miracles.
"So tell me, Coach Clay: what are your intentions with my mother?” Bella asks.
“Bella!”
I smile softly, letting her know I take her question seriously. I respect that she’s not beating around the bush; she’s going straight for what she wants. It’s admirable that, at fourteen, she’s so assertive.
“Well, I like your mom very much.”
“Holden,” Natalie whispers, pulling my eyes to her.
“Can I tell her? Please?” I don’t want to say I love Natalie or anything like that. I won’t say anything I already said, but it’s important for Bella to know I’m serious. And even if it won’t be a forever thing, which I kind of hope it will be, I want her to know I’m all in right now.
Natalie gives me permission without uttering a word.
“Like I was saying. I really like your mom. I think she’s incredible. She’s a good friend and I like spending time with her.”
Bella nods. “She’s pretty badass, right?”
Natalie grunts.
“Sorry,” Bella whispers.
“She is,” I reply.
“Are you two dating?” At Bella’s question, my eyes meet Natalie’s, and with them crinkling at the corner as she dips her face, I get the confirmation I was looking for.
“Your mom and I are dating, yes, but we’re taking things slow, okay? I don’t want you to think I’m coming in and changing anything. I respect her and you two as well. I want to get to know all of you better, let you get to know me too.”
“Cool, cool. Do you have kids?” She fires back, letting me know she has questions and she needs answers. I’m happy to provide them.
I shake my head. “Nope. But I like kids.”
She smiles. “You’re good with kids, which gives you points.”
Natalie gasps. “What points?”
“That’s for me to worry about, Mom.”
This girl. It brings a smile to my face to see them interact but also to see how comfortable they are with each other. Bella is such a great kid. I’m honored I get to spend time with her.
“Do you know about my dad?” Bella asks. I was not expecting this line of questioning to go here so fast, but now that we are, there’s no turning back.
I nod. “And I’m very sorry.”
“Most people are unless they’re sociopaths.”
“Bella, that’s enough,” Natalie scolds.
“It’s okay. I promise.” I squeeze her hand gently under the table, careful so Bella doesn’t notice. There’s nothing wrong about it, but I don’t want to put more strain on this moment.
“I know about your dad passing, and I am truly sorry. I lost two people very important to me too, and although it’s not the same and I could never understand exactly what you all went through, I’m no stranger to loss and grief.
I understand that part. I’m not trying to take his spot or anything like that.
I know he’s irreplaceable.” A breath escapes me as Bella tilts her head.
“I want you to be comfortable to speak as much or as little as you want about him at any given time.”
She swallows hard. “Who did you lose?”
“My mom and my sister.”
“Oh.” She studies me, searching for what I think is the right thing to say, but knowing there’s nothing we can do, she asks, “It sucks, doesn’t it?”
“It does.”
The server comes with a giant pizza, places it on the table, and asks the typical questions.
I let them do their thing and just observe.
They move in synchrony, grabbing slices, cutting pieces, some for Vero, some for Bella, and Natalie even puts a piece on her plate.
They do it automatically, and I’m here, taking it all in.
The pizza is half pepperoni, half white, bringing me back to memories of my family.
Goosebumps spread all over my skin; this is the exact combo we used to order.
It’s almost as if this simple thing, the ingredients on a pizza, were sent right from Mom and Liz to my heart. As if they also approve of this moment.
“My mom used to love white pizza.”
Natalie blinks rapidly, and Bella narrows her eyes. “It was my dad’s favorite too. We actually don’t love it, but we still eat it in his honor.”
I’m biting into the white slice of pizza in my hand, frantically looking to make sure it’s okay.
“Go ahead. I’m glad someone actually likes it,” Bella says, pulling a chuckle from my throat.
“What about you, Vero? Do you like white pizza?”
She shakes her head. “Peppewoni.”
“Got it. Pepperoni only.”
“Did you mean it?” Bella asks between bites.
“What?”
“That you don’t mind us talking about him?”
I shake my head. “Not at all. I would be honored to get to know him too.”
“Don’t say things like that, or she won’t stop crying.”
I look at Natalie for the first time since we started this conversation, and, like Bella said, she’s wiping away a tear.
Bella and Vero talk about the pizza while they eat. Natalie and I are silently having a conversation, one where I ask if I overstepped, and she makes me feel at ease with a simple smile and a nod. I find myself dreaming this could be my new normal.
These three girls are incredible, and I can see myself falling in love with all of them.