a little sad. “I guess she has.” She looked ready to bolt. There was clearly something she tried to hold back when Kona reached down to hug her. Gia looked at the verge of tears as Kona straightened and let the big man squeeze her hand. There was a lot of memory held up in the looks they gave each other and a lot more regret, something that Pukui seemed to notice, too, as he watched Gia and Kona looking at each other, not speaking, not doing much more than letting what must have been dozens of memories move through their heads.
“Gia Jilani,” Kona said, a little amused, a lot amazed. “Eighteen years is a long, long time.”
She managed to compose herself, nodding at him before she returned his hand squeeze. “Congratulations, Kona. I’m so happy for all the good you’ve had lately. You deserve it.”
He twisted his mouth as though he wanted to disagree just because he was humble but couldn’t find it in him to deny how happy he was. “I’m blessed. Very blessed, but then so are you.” His smile widened, and he slipped his attention from Gia, to Pukui, then at Reese as she approached. “It’s awesome what you’ve done and my cousin Puk here…”
“Cousin?” Gia asked, looking a little horrified. Kai frowned at her reaction, but the manager amended, managing to keep her composure. “I…I had no idea.”
“Not something I advertise,” Pukui explained, looking filled to the brim with questions as he watched Gia, his eyes squinting as he examined her face. “I get by on my own.”
“You do,” Kona agreed, slapping his little cousin’s back. “Wouldn’t let me call in a single scout when he was in college or even make any introductions.”
There was an awkwardness in that small group, brought on by Gia’s sudden nervousness and what looked to Reese like disappointment the longer she stood there talking to Kona. But the woman was a professional, even though Reese suspected seeing Kona brought back anything she may have buried deep about his twin Luka. It was clear they both saw something special, something sad in each other’s expressions, as though the memories of the man they both lost were sweet, but still too painful to face even after all these years.
“Well, it…it seems talent runs in your family,” Gia said, pulling the composed, in control manager mask Reese had seen so often from her. Anytime someone pushed Gia a little too much, challenged her to open up at all, she’d don that mask to keep herself protected. Reese wasn’t sure the loss of your high school sweetheart required it, but it was there, hiding Gia from whatever it was had straightened her back and put that worried expression on Pukui’s face.
She blinked, snapping her attention to Reese as though she only just remembered the woman stood next to her and she tugged on the kicker’s elbow, pulling her closer. “Kona, have you met Reese Noble?”
“No, I haven’t,” he said, offering Reese a hand to shake. “You got quite a leg on you.”
“Thanks. Got a second one to match. They come in twos, apparently.”
Kona laughed, and Gia joined in the humor, something Reese was happy for considering how worried Pukui still looked. Some of that worry eased a bit as Kona smiled, looking pleased and proud and a lot of other things Reese couldn’t place.
“Gia, let me take you two out, please.” He looked at Reese, moving his chin to her. “You, too, Noble. I’d love to find out how you’re liking my hometown, maybe see if you wouldn’t want to come by CPU and talk to our team. I’ve been trying to convince Brian to think about opening up the roster to women. Especially the next four years. I’m itching for a bowl championship.”
“Because you coach there now?” Reese asked, liking how excited Kona looked, how enthused. She’d never been to CPU but loved hearing he at least was open to women on their team.
“Nah,” he said, waving a hand. “My son Ransom is starting this fall. It’s total proud parent aspirations.” Smile widening, Kona winked at her, laughing at himself. “So?” he said, looking at the three of them. “Dinner?”
“Sure, brah,” Pukui said, nudging Gia who agreed half-heartedly with a nod.
“I’d love to, Kona, but I have plans tonight.” He caught her smile and his own lengthened. Most did anytime she mentioned plans that might even remotely include Ryder. It seemed the fans and media had become as interested in Ryder and