AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She bows down her head and takes a while to respond.
“I want it more than anything, Ethan,” she finally whispers. Our sandwiches arrive, but she ignores hers. “But before we make it official, there’s something I need to tell you. Something important, Ethan.”
I see her bite her lip, and I lift her chin to look into her eyes.
“What is it?” She’s been acting strange lately. I feel like she’s been holding back, but I’ve been trying to give her space at the same time.
Mia sighs deeply, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m not ready to tell you yet. Would be too much of a distraction for you, and you have a championship to win,” she smiles sadly.
“Are you saying you won’t tell me until after the Cup?” I ask, caressing her cheek.
“Maybe sooner,” Mia nods. “I don’t know yet. Like I said, give me some more time, okay?”
I smile softly, brushing her hair away from her face. “Of course, Mia. I'm here whenever you’re ready.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
MIA
Everybody returns to the wives’ room to pick up their kids, and poor Amanda looks overwhelmed helping to manage twelve energic youngsters of all ages.
“You’re relieved of your duties, my friend!” I place a hand on her shoulder, and she lets out a huge sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness their moms are back. I was going nuts,” Amanda laughs nervously. “At least at a slumber party, I can make them go to sleep!”
I offer her a grateful smile as we watch the families reuniting. Senna is still bouncing non-stop on the trampoline. Ethan joins in, kicking off his shoes and hopping on.
Amanda and I approach, finding Simon trying to persuade Ethan to get out. “Sir, it has a weight limit,” Simon explains, trying to be polite.
“If it breaks, I’ll buy you a new one,” Ethan says with a shrug, exerting his billionaire powers.
When Simon looks at me with exasperation, I just give him a smile and a shrug. “Ethan, can Senna stay with you tonight?” I ask him. As he turns to look at me, he loses his balance and plops down in the trampoline.
“Why?” Ethan asks, righting himself and bouncing up and down with Senna.
“I need a night out with Amanda.” I gesture towards her. Amanda looks surprised to be invited out.
“Do you want a sleepover with daddy, buddy?” Ethan asks Senna in mid-jump.
“Sure!” Senna says, out of breath.
“Is this to make up for me not being included at the players’ party?” Amanda teases, raising an eyebrow.
“A little,” I admit, wrapping my arm around hers. “You’re far better company.”
I turn around, spot Simon, and wave him back over.
“Yes, ma’am?” he responds promptly.
“Can you handle closing up? I think I’m going to go ahead and take some extra time,” I request.
He nods immediately. “Of course. I’m happy to see you finally taking some time off. You deserve a break.”
Relieved, I thank him and guide Amanda out of the wives’ room and away from the bustling crowd.
“How was the place you guys went to?” Amanda asks as we stroll through the now-empty hallways of the arena.
“It was great, actually. The food was delicious,” I reply, and then feel a pang or guilt. “It sucks that you couldn’t go.”
