Page 77 of Rookie Season
“Yeah, man,” I say. “And you can talk to me about anything, too.”
He breathes a laugh. “That’s the thing. I already tell you everything.”
Another fissure strikes through my wall at his statement. I know he’s right. I know about his troubled childhood, I know what he does every summer, I know about his high school girlfriend who broke his heart…IknowPenn.
I try to swallow, but my throat feels thick.This is your chance, Noah.
“Actually,” I say, keeping my voice low. I’m working on opening up to Penn and Fisher…not every man on this damn plane. “I’ve been kind of struggling with anxiety.”
His eyes widen like he’s surprised by my statement. Probably because I never share anything. “Yeah? How long has it been going on?”
I shrug. “Off and on since I was a kid and my parents were killed in a car accident.”
He shakes his head, his dark brows pinching. “I’m sorry, man. I had no idea that’s what happened to them.”
“Well, in your defense, I never talk about it.”
He breathes a laugh through his nose. “True.”
“Anyway, that’s why I have a therapist.”
Penn smirks. “And Ally’s bedroom is the only place in the loft with wifi to talk to your therapist?”
“No,” I admit a bit sheepishly. I’ve opened up enough for today, and I’m ready to get his attention off of me. “So, what’s new with you?”
He slumps back in his seat with a sigh. “Well, there’s thisgirl who lives in our building. Remember that chick who chewed me out after our party last month?”
I chuckle. “Yeah.”
“Well, I’ve seen her a couple of times in passing since, and I remembered her because she’s hot in a nerdy, smart person kind of way.”
He pauses and I nod, showing him I’m listening.
“Anyway, I cranked up some music while I did my laundry a couple days ago and she showed up and started banging on our door. I cracked a joke, asking if she was there to ask me out, getting my flirt on because she was just as hot as I remembered, but then she started shouting at me for being too loud and said she was trying to write a disser—I dunno, some long ass word.”
“Dissertation?”
He smiles. “Yeah! You’re so smart, Downsby.”
I withhold an eye roll.
“Then I saw her in the parking garage, and she was holding hands with that puckwit, Chadwick Weatherby.”
I actually gasp at this, I’m riveted now. “Chad-dick?”
He purses his lips. “Yep. The one and only king of the dicks.”
“Wow. Small world. Better stay far away from her if she’s into guys like that,” I warn him. Chadwick Weatherby is Penn’s high school and college rival. The jerk seduced Penn’s high school sweetheart…Penn was heartbroken. Chadwick now plays for Sacramento, who we’ll play for the first time this season in a couple of weeks.
“Tell me about it,” he agrees. “I don’t even care that she’s got that whole hot nerd thing going on.”
The flight attendant stops at our row to take our drink orders. I always just ask for a bottle of water, but today, I look at my friend. “Wanna have a beer with me?”
He studies me for a beat like he’s wondering who I am and where the aliens hid his real friend. “Puck, yeah.”
He hands us each a Modelo, and we clink them together. Something about this moment feels like a fresh start. A chance for me to do this friendship thing the right way.
Soon after we finish our beers, Penn falls asleep. I take advantage of the privacy to text Ally. I haven’t talked to her all day.
