Harris turns toward me and nods solemnly. “Yeah, nothing I can’t handle.”
I glance at Crew, and we both give each other a look that says we aren’t buying what he’s selling, but neither of us presses him.
“Dude, it’s fucking crazy we’re not going to be here next year,” Harris says, changing the subject.
I nod slowly as the reminder hits me straight in the gut. “It’s crazy. It feels like yesterday we were dragging Riggsby’s hungover ass to weight training.”
Crew groans, and Harris and I laugh at the memory. “Fuck you both. I blame Q for that.”
“You can’t blame someone who isn’t here.” I chuckle.
“The hell I can’t. I swear it was an initiation into the football team. Let’s see how much Crew can drink the night before conditioning.”
“You ran around the Football House buck naked,” Harris adds.
“And then puked all over Coach Martinez’s shoes at strength training.”
Crew shivers at the reminder. “Then I had to attend five a.m. workouts for two weeks on top of everything else.”
Our laughter fades away as the front door creaks open. Savannah steps in with her hair piled messily on her head and wearing one of my hoodies. She gives us a small, sleepy smile. While we had game night, she had a movie night with my sister. Judging by the lines creased into her cheek, she didn’t make it past the opening credits.
“Hey, Peach,” I greet.
“Hey,” she replies, moving farther into the room until her hands land on the back of the couch behind my head. She leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “You boys can keep playing. I’m heading to bed.”
“Night, Sav,” Crew and Harris say at the same time.
The three of us fall quiet, watching her disappear into her room. A few moments later, John Lennon filters faintly through the walls. She chose her room tonight instead of mine. Lately,her sleep’s been unpredictable—nights of insomnia, followed by binge-watching at two a.m., then restless dozing between bathroom breaks. I’m giving her the space she needs, but God, I miss her in my arms.
My eyes bounce between the two guys who’ve been my brothers for the past few years. The ones who’ve held me together after losses and stood next to me after wins. There aren’t many memories of college that don’t include these two—and the guys who have already graduated.
Along the way, we’ve gone from teammates to family.
This time next year, they’ll both be in different cities playing in the NFL. I’ll be here, coaching and cheering for them on Sunday mornings. But instead of being alone, I’ll have Sav and Baby Lennon.
“Don’t forget us little people when you both become celebrities in the league.”
Crew tosses a pillow at my face. “You're stuck with me, motherfucker.”
Harris laughs. “Good luck with him.”
I roll my eyes.
We shoot the shit for another thirty minutes before Harris declares it’s time to get focused on tomorrow. He never takes his job as the captain of the team for granted.
With the two of them gone, I clean the apartment, throwing out empty pizza boxes and empty water bottles. I wonder if this is one of the last nights like this. Pizza and video games. Laughter and easy memories. Soon, a baby will be crying for me, pulling me into a new phase of life.
Tonight, we were just the guys. The remaining three.
Tomorrow, I’ll be next to them. Only this time, I’m helping call the shots.
The office is quiet, but down the hallway, the pregame music is echoing inside the locker room. I’ve reviewed the game plan twice today. Studied film until the players turned pixelated. Still, I can’t focus.
Not with my nerves eating away at me and the reminder of this morning fresh in my mind.
I came out of the bedroom expecting a quiet apartment or a sleeping Savannah passed out on the couch, but she surprised me. Standing in front of the stove in nothing but one of my hoodies, barefoot and radiant in her pregnancy glow, her eyes heavy from lack of sleep. She was flipping a pancake as a full plate waited on the counter for me. Eggs, bacon, toast, and pancakes. It was a full spread that caught me off guard.
She didn’t say much during breakfast, letting me be alone with my thoughts. As I finished the last of my coffee, Sav smiled at me, kissed my cheek, and whispered, “Good luck, Coach. I’ll be cheering you on.”