page21 (1/2)

“Thank you, Doain, then Rafeto be a lot of emotional farewells

I decide to le player and the fa I want to be known as the teaht need

I e to avoid Willow for almost an hour It’s not done with any ill intent I just spent the better part of three hours with her and her faame, and I don’t want to spook her While Willow puts up with so ways because I a if she ever feels too cornered, she’ll bolt on me

I’otten into the race

But when I notice people starting to pack it in for the night, I decide I better uparound the great room, I don’t see her For aattention, but then I notice her parents, Dax, and Regan inching toward the front door

Ieye contact so I’m not waylaid I reach them just as they enter the foyer

“Are you leaving?” I call to get their attention

Willow’s parents sraciously I’ve enjoyedtheir exciteht

“It’s getting a little late for us old-timers,” Calvin says as he sticks his hand out “But thank you for inviting us”

“And we’re heading out, too,” Regan adds “I have an early shift”

Dax doesn’t say a word, but at least his tradelare is absent

But I like needling him, so I force conversation “Where’s your sister? She already head out?”

Irritation flashes across his face, but then his lips curve up in what I’d deem a sinister smile “Actually… she wanted to stay out for a bit Said she’ll get an Uber ho her entertained”

That gives me pause In fact, I whip around to see if I can locate theht, it doesn’ton her There’s a reason he’s considered the playboy of the team

When I return

Asshole

But I don’t play his ga back to his parents “You two are welcoame you come to in the playoffs, whether it’s home or away Okay?”

“You’re way too kind,” Linda Monahan exclaims