Page 46 of Nailing Heat
He grins. Danny, a former highly decorated former swimmer, recently picked up the job of working of for the University of Tampa as a swim coach. He was fired from the paper he worked at for mixing business with pleasure with Mac, I was told by August.
“It’s looking pretty good. It’s September so my season is going to be getting underway here pretty fast. I had this opportunity while my assistant was running the practice, so I figured why not get out here for her while I could. I knew this was going to be a rough one for her if they lost.”
I nod. “We tied.”
He shakes his head. “It feels the same as a loss for them. You’ll see, the more you’re around the sport or the team. Ties are fine for some things but not all. This is one of those times. They allwantedKansas City bad, so this one will sting.”
I nod. “Thanks. I’m still learning.” I shrug; I have no idea what to say. I feel like an ass. I was thinking that the tie would be a better option than a loss.
“I know. It takes some time is all. You’ll pick it up. Plus, I see Mac a lot and we have a lot of conversations about the games and the competition. So, I might know more than you do in some aspects.”
“Yeah, I would say so.”
“How’s that going by the way? You living with Amelia?” He cocks his head and studies me carefully.
I break into a smile at the intensity of his gaze and shift uncomfortably from foot to foot. “It’s going alright, I guess.”
“Uh-huh,” he breaks into a wide smile. “I really like Amelia. She’s one of Mac’s friends. She’s been to my house a few times for swimming and a barbecue. One of the quiet ones; doesn’t say too much but when she does it’s funny and witty. Can’t stand still to save her life.”
I nod. That sounds like her.
He waits and watches me before he speaks again. “She’s a sweetheart too. I feel a little protective of her because I know that Mac is, especially with you living with her.”
There it is. The lecture about behaving myself that I have almost been expecting, since they are all so close.
“I get it. But I’m behaving myself. We’re talking a bit, getting to know one another and figuring out how to live together. I can appreciate that this is not what she would have wanted. I was forced upon her and now she’s dealing with it to keep August happy. But I’m doing my best not to cramp her style, and to be thoughtful and respectful of her while I am there.”
Danny nods and there’s bit of finality in it like he got exactly what he hoped from me. I guess I passed whatever test he laid out for me. “Good,” he replies and then I changes the subject. “The team is going to have a low-key night. Pizza and hanging out at the hotel. Thankfully, Coach Watts will let me come along for that.”
“That’s good. I’m sure it’s great for Mac to have you there.” The topic change is like whiplash, but I let it go.
“Yeah, it helps.”
August comes over and claps me on the back. “We’re getting ready to head on over. I have to go pick up the pizza, if you want to ride along with me.”
“Yeah, sure, I’ll come with you.”
“Great, we head out in five.” He turns to Danny, “What’s up, man, we’ll catch up at the hotel.”
“You got it.” Danny reaches out and the two bump fists.
I follow August so we can head out whenever he’s ready. The Kansas City stadium, like the Blaze’s, is a bit of a maze. I like the way the colors line the walls, all the way around it. New England had that too, and the similarities make it feel like home.
“I’m surprised that you are the one that is picking up the pizza for the team,” I tell him as soon as we hit the street and jump into his rented SUV.
“It’s the least that I can do for the team right now,” he admits, starting up the car and heading out.
It’s very unlike August. The August that I knew in college did nice things for the people that were closest to him. I was one of those people. But doing things for the team wasn’t something he was big on. Just his O-line and those that protected him on field. He’s really evolving and it’s actually nice to see. The frat boy that I grew to love is still there but everyone else is seeing that softer side.
I decide not to say anything further and shoot for a topic change. “I may have to head back to New England at some point, to grab a few things that I left with my mom. I didn’t take a lot when I first came here, and it’s a lot to ship them.”
I glance over and hate that I’m adding to his load right now. But for whatever reason I’m at a loss as to what to say to him.
“Yeah, no worries, man, do whatever you have to do. We’ll make it work here,” he replies.
“Thanks,” I reply, and we fall into a comfortable silence.
August’s phone rings and I can see from where it rests on the console that it’s Maxwell.
