Page 91 of Comeback
“Good for you.” Knox tips his head to me. “Glad that the dry spell is over.”
“I was not in a dry spell.”
He and Brogan laugh. Fuckers.
“I hate to be that guy, but what if it doesn’t work out?” Hendrick cocks one brow. “Won’t it be awkward? She’s his sister and you two have been inseparable since middle school.”
“Then it doesn’t work out,” I say, though even just thinking about it makes me frown.
“You can’t be naïve to think it’d be that simple,” Hendrick adds.
Brogan considers it for a second. “Sabrina’s pretty chill. I don’t think she’ll hold it against me just because he fucked it up.”
Hendrick doesn’t look convinced, but he goes back to watching the game.
“I am not going to fuck it up,” I say to Brogan.
He laughs. “You really like her, huh?”
“Yeah. I really do. I told you that.” Sabrina and I went out twice this week. I took her out to dinner Tuesday night and we closed the place down. Last night she had to work at Lilac, so I stopped by the studio after practice, and we went to Home Depot to pick up some things she needed. I wouldn’t have called it adate, but Sabrina said it counted since we kissed in the middle of the trim aisle and in the truck. And in the studio.
“I know, but guys say crazy shit before they sleep with a girl. Especially when they’ve been going through a dry spell.”
I rub at my forehead with two fingers. “For the last time, I was not in a dry spell.”
“Good because I wanted to run something by you.”
“What’s that?”I ask, signing too because the music is pumping loudly. I think the White Sox’s media team is making a last-ditch effort to get the crowd riled up in hopes it boosts the players.
“You should bring her to the silent auction next week.”
“The fundraiser at Coach’s house?” I ask, making a face. I’m not an asshole. I don’t dislike the concept of fundraisers and community service, but the formal events are so boring. It’s a lot of polite conversation and handshaking and drinking beer out of a tall glass, so it seems more respectable.
The invite to Coach’s house was optional but highly recommended via Anthony, the Mavericks head of PR.
“It’ll be fun. London and I are going. She’s picked out a dress and shoes and…Just ask her. She’ll be into it, and I wanted to bring her, but I only got a plus one.”
I chuckle. “There it is.”
“What? Like you were going to ask anyone else.”
“I wasn’t going at all, so…”
One of Flynn’s teammates hits a grand slam and the crowd quiets as the Twins players file out to home plate to celebrate.
“Fuck. He might actually do it.” Hendrick leans forward.
Flynn glances up at the stands as he walks back to the dugout. I know he can’t see us, but I swear he looks right at us.
Hendrick is right. He could actually pull off a win for the Twins and give up less than two runs all on his first start. My chest swells with pride.
Flynn and I have always been close. Not in the same way as him and Knox. Knox was like a dad to him, always looking out for him and making sure he, and all the rest of us, had what we needed. I’m grateful for that because it let me have a relationship with him that’s just fun, teasing, all the things you’d expect from a big brother. He used to tag along behind me and Brogan, tossing the football around with us or playing video games. As he got older, he became more introverted and moody. Typical teenager things, I guess, but I’ve missed the hell out of him since he moved away.
When we were growing up, all under one small roof, I probably wished for more space and privacy, but those days were good despite everything with our mom passing and Dad flaking out on us. And as I glance around at myself, Brogan, Knox, and Hendrick sitting together watching Flynn play, it’s just like when we were all together watching Flynn play high school ball.
I’ve missed this. While I’m lost in my thoughts and feeling grateful, I spot a familiar face a section over, one row down. We make eye contact, and I just stare for a moment, thinking there’s no way I could be seeing right.
The man looks away and I nudge Brogan.
