Making the Play Read Free

standing in front of her.
    â€œMom?” Grant asked, arching a brow.
    His brother laughed. “What were you, twelve, when you had him?”
    Bethany crossed her arms over her chest defensively. She had always looked young for her age but if this was an attempt at starting a conversation, this guy sucked at it. “Not that it’s any of your business but I was twenty.”
    â€œSorry, you just don’t look much older than twenty now.”
    Jackson nudged his brother but Grant glared at him and looked back at James. “When did he get his C.I.?”
    She tipped her head to one side, surprised he knew anything about cochlear implants, let alone the abbreviation for them. “When he was an infant.”
    â€œI guess that explains why he can speak so clearly.” Grant nodded. “So why go through the extra work to teach him to sign too?”
    While she was touched by his acknowledgment of the hard work she and James had put in on his speech, she arched a brow, wondering what made this man feel he had the right to question the choices she’d made for her son. Just because he was some sort of star didn’t make him entitled to answers about her parenting decisions. Before she could answer, Grant awkwardly signed hello and introduced himself to James in ASL. James face lit up with excitement.
    â€œHe knows how to sign, Mom,” he whispered loudly.
    â€œYes,” she agreed. “And he can hear you too.”
    James giggled at her and introduced himself to Grant in sign language. The irritation she’d felt a moment ago disappeared as her son’s boyish laughter filled her ears. She had no idea how Grant knew ASL, or why, but neither mattered right now.
    Thank you , she mouthed to him, her heart swelling with gratitude at the fact that Grant had gone out of his way to meet James on common ground.
    Grant grinned. “I haven’t had anyone to sign to in a long time.”
    Bethany ruffled James’ hair before returning Grant’s smile. “I admit I’m impressed you know any. Not many ­people do.”
    He shrugged. “I used to be better when I was volunteering at the children’s hospital back in Memphis. I’ve gotten rusty.”
    â€œWe can help,” James chimed in. “Right, Mom?”
    â€œOh, um . . .”
    James wasn’t about to be deterred. “And you could teach me to be better at football.”
    Bethany felt the panic rising up in her. So far, she’d been able to confine her son’s love of football to a safe, controlled version of catch with her. She knew it meant the world to him to meet his favorite player and, from the look of pleasure on his face, Grant McQuaid enjoyed spending time with his fans, but he couldn’t possibly understand the precautions she needed to take with her son, especially where contact sports might be concerned.
    â€œJames, I’m sure Mr. McQuaid doesn’t have time for that. He’s an important part of the team. He’ll be in training again soon and it takes a long time to learn to sign, remember?”
    â€œActually—­” Grant began.
    â€œWe should probably get going,” Jackson muttered to his brother, jerking his head toward the parking lot. “Gotta get a fence fixed. It was nice to meet you, Bethany. You too, James. Maybe next time we come out here, you can come play ball with us.”
    James immediately looked up at his mother. “Can I?”
    â€œWe’ll see,” she answered, humoring him as Jackson left the three of them and headed toward the parking lot. The two men were just being polite and didn’t really mean it, but James was still too young to understand that.
    â€œYay!” James scrunched up his face, looking up, and a bright smile spread as he got an idea. “Then you could come to my house for dinner and call my Grandpa and tell him I played football with you.”
    A blush covered Bethany’s