Page 20 of Sidelining the Safety

Mac’s smile grew ten times. “That’s a-dork-ably sweet of you. And Drew. He texted he’d be by to check up on me later this morning, and I hadn’t even mentioned last night to him.”

“Aww. He likes you.”

“I know he does. He loves me, but not like… you know.”

Lee widened his eyes. “Do I? Best friends… but nothing more?”

Mac shrugged again. “We tried, but it felt weird.”

“When was this?”

“High school.”

Lee rolled his eyes. “Ages ago. You’re grown men now. You could try again.”

Mac scratched his neck. “I suppose so, but if it didn’t work out, where would that leave our friendship?”

“I see your point.” Further conversation stopped when Amy, his waitress from the other day, brought his food over with some disposable cutlery and the bill. “Guess that’s my cue.” Lee eyed the check and pulled out a twenty to cover the meal and tax, plus he stashed another ten in the “college fund” tip jar. Thanking Amy, he took his meal, then turned to Mac. “I’ll see you later?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Good. Hope you have an easy day.”

Mac’s laughter chased him out along with the returned sentiment. Lee rolled his eyes. Practice? Easy? Not likely, but maybe fun if Yowie had something insane up his sleeve.

Lee was pissed. Cutter had lied. Coach kept them late, wanting to try some specific plays. By the time they finished and he’d taken a quick shower, he’d gotten stuck in rush hour traffic. It was hard to believe any place could have worse traffic than North Jersey and the Big Apple.

He hadn’t been home but a few minutes when there was a knock on his door. He cursed a blue streak. Streams of fuck, damn, and shit fell uncharacteristically from his lips.

“I hear you,” Drew shouted through the door. “You want me to give you ten minutes and come back? I can do it. You just need to come get this food and get it in the fridge.”

Lee scrubbed his face, drew in a deep breath, and slowly blew it out. “No. I’m coming. Just give me a sec.” He took a couple more cleaning breaths before pasting on a smile and opening the door.

Drew leaned against the wall, scrolling through social media… Troopers’ social media.

“Put that away and come in. Sorry. I just got home.”

Drew picked up one of the grocery bags and handed it to Lee before grabbing the other one himself. “Cutter said you’d be done by four. What happened?”

“I’m here!” Mac shouted before Lee could shut the door.

He held it open as Mac hurried along the hallway from the elevator. “Hey. Glad you could make it.”

“Told you I would.”

“You did. How was the rest of your day? Not as crazy as last night, I hope.”

“Last night?” Drew asked, his gaze bouncing back and forth from Lee to Mac. “What happened last night, and why didn’t you say something when I stopped by earlier?”

Lee glanced at Mac as he shrugged. He’d assumed the two would have talked that morning. “Don’t know, but Mac promised to tell me. Us.”

“I brought cake,” Mac offered, deflecting the topic. “What are you making for dinner? Drew’s a great cook.”

“Yeah, na-uh. That ain’t gonna fly with me, Macaroon. Both of you get your butts in here.” He pointed at the kitchen stools. “Sit and start talking while we prep.”

Lee thoroughly did not laugh at Mac when he offered flavored or plain waters, apologizing that he’d hoped to hit the liquor store before getting home. Macaroon… If anyone was adorkably cute it was these two. “Practice ran long and then I got stuck in traffic. Had I realized how late I was going to be, I would have let you both know.”

Both men waved off his apology. “Don’t even worry about it,” Drew answered. “Mac is barely ever on time.”

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