I heard her rustling around and wondered if her voice was low because the girls had crawled into bed with her. I could picture them, tiny versions of herself and Grayson, all curled up with their arms draped across her body for warmth and comfort. I always wanted children, but the women I dated weren’t exactly wife or mother material. Except one. “My mother has issues with everything I do. The girls want to play sports and she wants me to put them into pageants.”

I gasped. “Like Little Miss Connecticut or Little Miss Bridgemont?”

“Yeah, but they aren’t doing it. I’m not putting my children through the hell I went through.”

I had forgotten that Parker participated in pageants from age five until fifteen. “But think of all the trophies they’d win. Cute little buttons like them.” I laughed.

“Argh. That was horrible. I let the girls do what they want. Right now they are both in soccer, outdoor and indoor, but Vee wants to take dance and Rose wants to play football so this might be it for soccer. And both play the piano and go to French class.”

“Your children are learning French? That’s very cool.”

“It’s so easy for them to learn at this age. They are really like sponges.”

“That’s what Ruby said,” I said.

“Ruby?”

“Yes, the kindergarten teacher at your school.” It never occurred to me that Parker would be jealous, but I heard it in her voice.

“Oh, that Ruby.” I could tell she was biting back a retort. “She’s nice,” she said.

“She says she’s a Cheetahs fan. Her family has season tickets. It’s nice to meet the super fans,” I said.

“You probably have more super fans than you know. I’m sure you get a slew of women trying to hook up.”

“That’s what the spam folder is for.” It bothered me that she thought I was interested in dating. She didn’t know the relief I felt when Lexi moved out. I didn’t care that Lexi cheated. I only cared that she took a lot of my things. I had nice things. I worked hard for my nice things. They made me happy. People didn’t. “Look, I really need to go to sleep. Coaches get in a lot earlier than players. And I hope Grayson shows up on time because if he doesn’t, I don’t even want to know what Coach Tatum will do.”

She blew out a heavy sigh. “I wish I could control him more, but his actions aren’t up to me,” she said.

It was weird and sad that she had no say in what her husband did. Why was Grayson out all night? I was hesitant, but I asked the obvious question. “Why isn’t he home with you?”