Behind the Camera (Love through a Lens, #2)

by Chelsea Curto

I smile at the three stick figures. It’s a loose interpretation of the three of us from the eyes of a preschooler. There’s a sun in the upper right corner and a bunch of different colored scribbles that take over the rest of the page. JB asked me to write a message across the center: HAVE A GOOD FIRST GAME, MAE MAE. With a little pink heart under it done by June herself. “She worked very hard on it.” “The penmanship is impeccable and her spelling is top notch.” Maven folds the note back up and slips it in her pocket. She tips her chin up and beams at me. “This is so sweet. Thank you.” “I was also tasked with inviting you over for pizza after the game. Please don’t feel obligated to say yes. I know you’ve been spending a lot of time with us, and I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of your time or anything like that.” “Of course I’ll be there. There’s free food—if anything, I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of you.” Her attention drifts across the field. She brings her camera up and presses the shutter button. After snapping a couple pictures, she admires the shots with a soft, proud smile. “Are you ready for today? The Renegades are good.” “Very good. We’ll see how it goes. I’m sure it will take a little bit to get our nerves out.” “I’m rooting for you.” She reaches out and squeezes my arm. Her fingers curl around my muscles, and her thumb drags across my jersey. It’s nearly eighty degrees out, but I shiver at the contact. “I hope you have a great ga...