From across the table, Serena shakes her head. “I think it’s more than talk.” All heads turn to her. “Liv overheard that some of the cheer coaching jobs might go part-time or be cut altogether. I hoped it wasn’t true, but if they’re in financial trouble…”
I sense Serena’s fear deep in the pit of my stomach, knowing how much working with the cheer team means to her. And I know how tight things are for her already. I watch her calculate if she can afford a second iced coffee. I know there are months she barely scrapes by with rent, bills, and groceries. Going part-time would crush her dream. I’ve offered to help her out too many times to count, but she always refuses. It kills me to think her dreams might be crumbling right alongside mine. I love playingquarterback, but the idea of doing it anywhere but my home team feels wrong.
I take Serena’s hand across the table. Her fingers curl around mine. “Nothing’s certain yet,” I say.
“What can we do?” Flic asks, grabbing one of the muffins.
“I’ll do some digging with the magazine,” Harper says.
“Ryan asked to meet about official Stormhawks business,” Serena adds. “He deals with the staffing. I’ll meet with him and see if he knows anything.”
My jaw tightens and it’s a fight not to shake my head and tell Serena,The hell you will.No way do I want her meeting with her ass of an ex. An anger I usually only feel on the field starts to pulse through my body, and it takes everything to bite it back. Serena is a grown woman. She can take care of herself. I would never dream of telling her what she can and can’t do, even if I do want to pummel someone right now. Namely Ryan.
“Call me if you need backup,” I say quietly.
Our eyes meet and something unspoken passes between us. She knows I’ve got her back and she’s got mine.
Across the table, Mama looks thoughtful. “You know, it might not be a conglomerate. Look what happened with the New York Steelguards a few years back. One person bought the majority share of the team.”
“Some billionaire finance man who knows nothing about football or our club. How is that better?” Jake grumbles.
“One thing’s for sure,” Flic says, that glint in her eye again. “If the Stormhawks do get bought by a single buyer, they’ll be the most hated person in Denver. The fans are loyal—to the Huberts and the team.”
Mama nods. “But for now, all we can do is wait. You boys focus on your game. If we reach the playoffs, we might attract new sponsorship, and that could be the lifeline we need.”
We fall silent again, everyone lost in their heads, trying to imagine a future where the Hubert family no longer owns the Stormhawks, where Jake and I play for different teams, and Serena no longer coaches the cheer team.
It takes Madison bursting into the kitchen to lighten the mood. “Flic,” she yells, throwing herself into Flic’s arms.
“Hey, girl, whatcha up to?”
Mad waves a notebook in the air. “Planning our route for the Denver Fall Fair next Friday. Did you know it’s going to be Halloween too? I’m going as a Stormhawks tight end, like Dylan and Jake.”
“No offense taken,” I quip, sticking my tongue out at Mad.
She returns the gesture before turning back to Flic. “I want to go on every ride twice. And the ghost train five times. I think I’m tall enough for Vortex this year.”
“Mad,” Izzy says gently. “Flic might not want to?—”
“Oh, Flic wants to,” Flic replies, winking at Mad. “I’m game for every ride as many times as you want.”
Mad hisses a “Yessss.”
Izzy laughs. “You’re my hero. Have I told you that?”
“Every day,” Flic says with another wink.
“At least I’ve got an excuse to avoid the rides this year,” Izzy adds, patting her stomach and causing a goofball grin to spread over Dylan’s face.
“Everyone’s going, right?” Flic asks, looking around the table. “It’s the one Friday of the year I take off and you know I love to spend it with the Sullivans.”
Jake is first to agree. “It’s tradition. And our game is on Sunday that week.”
“It’s the Tidalrunners, right?” Harper asks. “I’m so coming to that one. What’s the temperature in Miami right now, Serena?”
“You’ll get daytime highs of eighty-six,” Serena replies without a moment’s pause. “It’ll feel pretty humid, but you’ll get plenty of warmth and sun.”
“Perfect,” Harper replies. “We’ll hit the fair next Friday night, then fly to Miami on Saturday.”