Page 53 of Drop the Gloves
“I overslept,” he grumbled.“I had to grab some fruit from the lobby on my way out.”He held up a banana and an apple as proof, like he needed to show he hadn’t been avoiding Barczyk.
“Hmmm,” Barczyk hummed.“Slept good, huh?You should do whatever you did last night again.Make sure you’re well-rested.”
The bus engine whirring to life saved him from having to answer.Tablets were passed around with their video to review of the Bay Area Brawlers, and Evan found it a minor miracle he could focus on the tiny screen after Barczyk stretched out and laid his leg over Evan’s.It was a good sort of problem, though.He preferred this small acknowledgement that things had shifted between them.
Anything was better than Barczyk sitting with someone else, leaving Evan desperate and lonely and distracted.
Yeah, because having company in my desperation is such an improvement.
“Number 35 is an agitator,” Barczyk said, half to himself as he replayed a video.“You leave him to me.”
Evan’s heart fluttered in his chest.Yes.This was definitely better.
* * *
They were supposed to arrive a full day and a half ahead of their game, but traffic had them getting into their hotel late.Coach Jack seemed harried by the delay, his plans for a team lunch ruined because they’d missed their reservations.He stood in front of the bus, taking off his Riveters cap and running a hand through his hair.
“No curfew tonight, boys,” he said in resignation, like it pained him to make this concession.“Be responsible.I don’t need a repeat of Portland.”
Everyone whooped and cheered.They had the good sense not to make their plans too loudly, instead escaping the bus before Coach Jack could change his mind and disappearing into their rooms to conspire via text.Evan ignored his phone altogether while he settled in.They’d be arguing for the next hour, and he’d rather wait to get the final decision than try to follow along as everyone bickered.There’d be a dozen suggestions, factions forming as the more energetic begged for a trip to clubs while the older crowd looked for fancy steakhouses or cigar clubs.Ultimately, they’d agree on a bar within walking distance of the hotel and break off from there.
Evan wasn’t sure how much he was up for tonight.He never had much social battery, and he was wondering how best to weasel out of the more mentally taxing plans when someone knocked on his hotel room door.He froze in the bathroom, his toiletry bag clutched to his chest.Had he told anyone his room number?Who’d seen him go into his room?
Was it Barczyk?
Another knock.Slowly, Evan put down the bag and walked to the door.He looked out the peephole and was relieved to see Dalton on the other side.
“Hey, what’s up?”he asked as he opened the door.
“There’s a mini-golf place down the street.”Dalton’s eyes were bright.“They’ve still got a half hour before they close for the night.You in?”
Evan relaxed muscles he hadn’t known he was clenching.“Really?That’d be—” He frowned.“I don’t wanna keep you from whatever else is going on.”
Dalton snorted.“You haven’t been reading the texts?Everyone’s busy showering or hanging out at the hotel bar for now.C’mon, we gotta be quick, or they won’t let us on the course.”
Not about to turn down a chance for mini-golf, Evan grabbed his card key and followed Dalton to the elevator.“Thanks, man.I hadn’t even thought of looking up a place.I appreciate it.”
“No worries.I’m not looking to drink much tonight.Besides, don’t thank me.Thank Barzy.”
Evan stopped short and recovered just before the elevator door closed on him.“Barzy?”he asked as neutrally as possible.He didn’t think he could handle Barczyk’s innuendos in front of Dalton.“He’s coming along?”
“Nah.”The elevator doors opened, and Dalton started walking out of the hotel and down the street.“He found the place and said I should take you, but he got roped into some pool tournament once they found out there were tables in the hotel game room.”
Disappointment curdled in his gut, but Evan ignored it.Mini-golf was supposed to be about restoring his equilibrium, and being around Barczyk did the exact opposite.
They got their putters and started the course.Only ten holes, but it should be enough to do the job.Evan shed his baggage and fell into the game, assessing each hole and making his plan.The course wasn’t the best maintained in the world, and it was pretty standard except for one hole that had a weird bump along the main path.
As they started the final stretch, Evan felt his phone buzz in his pocket.Against his better judgment, he took it out.
Barczyk
What’s your room number
Evan looked up.Dalton had just missed a jump, and the ball had rolled back to the start.He had some time.
Abernathy
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