Page 139 of The Way We Score

“My son-in-law has a dually, but he’s out on Fort Morgan Road.”

“Can you give him a call?” Aubrey squints up at him, and he nods, pulling out a cell phone.

“I guess I’m going fishing.” I grin, walking out to where the massive reptile is napping on warm asphalt.

“If it hisses, just back up slowly,” Aubrey advises me.

My eyes are fixed on the creature, and I approach carefully, dangling the chicken from the metal pole in front of me. “Should I whistle or something?”

“They’re not really domesticated.”

“Tell me about it.”

Naturally, my phone starts vibrating as soon as I’m five feet from the gator. Whoever it is will have to give me a minute. I take a few steps closer, monitoring the beast for any signs of irritation. As big as these creatures are, I’ve seen how fast they can move.

The sound of a phone ringing goes off behind me, and I hear Aubrey answer quietly.

“Here, boy,” I say gently, lowering the chicken near its head. “Have some chicken.”

It doesn’t move, and I’m not sure what to do now.

“Garrett?” Aubrey’s voice is level. “I’m coming out there to take over.”

“It’s okay, I’ve got it.” I swing the pole slightly, so the chicken bonks the reptile in the head.

That gets its attention. It lets out a low hiss, and my stomach drops.

“Garrett?” Aubrey tries again, but I shake my head.

“Don’t come over here…”

All at once, the big guy lunges, and I toss the pole, digging in my toes to sprint back to the truck like I’m on the football field. The old-timers all do the same, darting in every direction, and I run straight to my truck, grabbing the side and jumping into the bed before looking back to see the alligator finishing the chicken in two big chomps.

I take off the gloves, muttering adamnwhen I see Aubrey in the cab behind the wheel.

“Get in the truck, Garrett,” she shouts, and I frown. “We’re leaving!”

Glancing at the alligator, I see it’s lying on the road again in the same position, and I climb out of the back of my truck to get in on the passenger’s side. “What’s up?”

Aubrey gives me a worried look, and my stomach drops. “What is it?” My voice grows louder.

“Nothing to worry about, but we need to get to the hospital. Your wife’s having the baby.”

I grab the seatbelt, pulling it over my shoulder. “Step on it, Aubrey.”

She floors it, and we squeal tires. “That was your brother Jack. An old lady found her on the walking path having contractions.”

“The walking path?” My head hurts, and I grip the top of the dashboard. “Is she okay?”

“She seemed fine, but he said the baby was coming fast. Olivia was calling for you, and they were searching for you everywhere.”

“I should’ve stayed home today.”

“To be fair, you’ve been staying home a lot of days.”

“Of course we’re as far out in the country as we can be.”

“We could be a little farther.”

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