Page 101 of Endgame

Burger Bros must bethe place to be tonight because everyone with a healthy appetite is here.

Teal vinyl booths and a black and white checkered shake bar set in the center scatter the retro diner. You can tell the floors in this place are washed once a year, and the walls are covered with Atlanta’s history.

This place is a city staple.

For being such a large city, Atlanta has proud roots. I can remember when my parents used to take Navy and me here after I was adopted. It was our Friday night spot. Mom and I would order pancakes for dinner with extra chocolate chips, while Navy and Dad went for the whole feast: bacon, eggs, toast, grits, hash browns, the works. I had never ordered off a dinner menu until coming here with the team—they have the best burgers in town. You can’t go wrong either way.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been here before.” Dakota picksnowto tell me she’s been deprived as a child. I decide to keep that to myself.

Opening her door, my hand finds the small of her back asI guide her into the packed diner. Lucky for us, Kingston got here early to secure a booth for the gang.

“The peanut butter burger is legendary.” Her face is immediately plastered with drama and disgust. “It tastes almost as good as you,” I whisper in her ear. Goosebumps erupt across her skin, making me look forward to the day I get to watch her fall apart beneath me.

“Shut it down, you incorrigible man.”

She’s going to feel like heaven.

She tasted like heaven.

Lock it down, Cal.

As we enter the diner, my eyes spot King instantly and his goofy as fuck fade.

King habitually gets the most random designs outlined into his cut. At away games, it's a lightning bolt for the Strikers, and any other week, it’s whatever his mood calls for.

This week, it’s a butterfly.

I can almost guarantee there’s zero purpose behind it. He most likely saw one on a wall and thought it was the best choice. He’s constantly surprising all of us. I’ll give him that.

“Mom, Dad, there you are!” He’s jumping and waving like a circus clown.

“Mom and Dad? Really? Cute, King. Cute.” He’s shouting across the restaurant, causing heads to turn. If we weren’t in the day and age where everyone has a smartphone, I’d flip him off for all to see.

As we make our way to the table, I greet him with a fist bump, then turn my attention to the rest of the group. “Look at us, having dinner together and shit.”

It’s true. We haven't had a family-style dinner in what feels like forever. It’s about time we made our team family a priority.

Looking around the table, my eyes find all of my favorite people; the sight of Bodhi directly next to Navy is not lost on me. Luke is nowhere to be seen, and she’s smiling, so that counts for something. Lingering stares from fans surround us in the distance. I always make a point to greet them; however, it seems to be a way of respect on this side of town to let us eat in peace. It’s a relief to know the team can sit and enjoy a meal without interruptions. Thankfully, those tend to come afterward, which is cool with us.

I can’t help but feel like shit sitting here enjoying my people while Leggins is at home caring for his sick wife. It makes me uneasy.

Trying to find the best time to bring it up to the team, Mack beats me to it. “I gotta say, the news about Leggins and Taylor doesn’t sit well with me.” Mack isn’t one to say much; he’s such a good dude, and it means everything when he chooses to speak up.

Doing my best to give them my undivided attention, I slide Dakota into the booth beside Tenley and shuffle in behind her; Mack is seated directly across from me.

Coach Leggins pulled the team aside after practice letting them in on his family situation. Being the selfless guy he is, he hesitated. He didn’t so much as ask for anything, but he wanted to make sure everyone knew in case his attendance was sparse. Telling the team is also a way to avoid speculation.

Rumors fly when you’re in the public eye.

“I don’t know, man. I hate this for him and Tay.” King chimes in. We don’t know much about Taylor, but we do know Coach, and this is killing him.

Maybe there’s a way we can help.

Dakota breaks the moody silence, almost reading mythoughts. “Why don’t we do a fundraiser? Taylor is starting chemo next week, and although I know they don’tneedthe money, it’s at least one less thing for them to worry about so they can focus on her care.”

My sweet and thoughtful girl. I’m gonna marry her one day.

I’m waiting for the second Navy catches up; planning is her jam, and this sounds right up her alley. There she is.

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