Page 201 of Made Better Together

“Um…” Awkward. “Yeah?”

Just then, Connor comes out of the bathroom, and I wave him over.

“Can I talk to him?”

“Sure.” I put him on speaker, realizing only a second too late that maybe he wanted it to be a private conversation. Oh well.

“I’m here, Coach.”

“Hi, I’m sorry to…interrupt your morning.”

Connor bites his lip. This has to be about the Waves? I grab one of his hands with both of mine, and squeeze it tight.

“No problem, I’m due in the facility soon anyway.” His voice tight. He must be dying inside to hear what Dad’s got to say.

“I thought this would be something you want to know, sooner rather than later.”

God, Dad, spit it out…

“I’m happy to share that the coaches have decided to keep you as the starter for the playoffs.”

I think I shriek. Connor lets out a “holy shit,” I know that much. A split second later, I’m jumping in his arms.

“Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod.”

Dad starts laughing on the other side of the phone. “I’m glad you’re both excited.”

Connor joins him with a half-chuckle, but disbelief coats his voice. “It’s just…the best news I’ve gotten in a long time, other than some other news I got this morning.” He looks at me intently, and I know he means my return of his “I love you.”

Dad, however, assumes it’s about my grades. “I know, I’m so proud of Eden too.”

“Yes.” Connor kisses my temple. “Coach, is it okay for me to tell my brothers? Or should I wait for a team announcement?”

“It’s not a secret. You can share the news.”

“Awesome. They’re going to lose their minds.”

“I bet. Why…why don’t you two come over for dinner tonight? We’ll toast all of your accomplishments. Tina and Nat will love it too.”

“Sure, Dad, we can do that.”

He signs off, and Connor swings me around in a big hug.

“You’re starting in the playoffs! AHHHHHH!”

He puts me down. “Okay, gonna call Rawls now. Hopefully he’s up.”

He is, and there’s a lot of “oh my God” and “holy shit” for the next ten minutes. Then he calls Landon, and his reaction…

“What? WHAT!! Connor, I can’t believe it…” His voice gets audibly choked up. “Hold on, I need to get a tissue.” I can almost hear the tears start falling from his eyes.

“Don’t worry, this is normal for him in big moments,” Connor whispers to me.

“I, man—all three of us on the team. Plus Johnson.” His tone is still gravelly, like he’s pushing through his emotions to talk. “And for a playoff run.”

“I know. It’s incredible. I—Landon, thank you so much for introducing me to Del all those years ago. This would never have been possible without you.”

“Connor, you did this yourself, truly,” Landon sniffles.