Page 58 of Replay
MY SWEETS: Okay but it is motivation to win. Just think about what you’re coming home to, champ
I’m about to respond when the guy comes back in and hands me the tire.
“This should be good until you get back. If not, just give us a call and I can get you towed from the parking lot to here.”
I nod and hold out my hand, shaking his. “Thanks. I appreciate the help on the holiday.”
He shrugs. “Nothing else to do today anyways.”
With another friendly nod I leave and am able to drive to the sport complex. Riggs is waving me down when I pull up.
“I already had your bag packed and it’s on the bus.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” I grin and bump his shoulder with my fist.
“Thank your girl,” he laughs. “She messaged me to do whatever I could to help you.”
I groan and run my hand through my hair. “I love her so damn much.”
Riggs scoffs and rolls his eyes. He’s heard as much over the years, but now that we’re here and I’m finally with her, he sees it. He gets it. “I’d say she's sickeningly in love with you too.”
I grin wider at him and then we’re boarding the bus heading to the airport. The team is carrying nervous energy. It's the first time they’ve advanced this far in years and felt good about going to a bowl game. Riggs and I can tell that they’re finally catching on and believing me when I say I’m here to win. After playing through my injury and not giving up, I earned some of their respect. The fact that I brought us back multiple times from being down heading into the third quarter and ended up winning earned their admiration. This team is finally buyinginto what I promised and they are starting to care less about my main goal and reason to be on their campus to begin with.
The game tonight is a hard-earned win. It's another advancement, which means our next game is right after the new year. As soon as we’re back in the locker room I get my phone out and go to text Emmarys, seeing when she can get back to campus so we can celebrate New Year’s Eve before things get busy again for the team. I know she has her own back-to-back games coming up as well, but I’m willing to try anything as long as I get to see her. My fingers freeze on the screen when I see my grandfather’s name flash.
We mostly avoided each other over the holidays. If he was around, I was not, and I made sure that Emmarys and I sat at the far end of the table for the big family dinner. In total, I think he and I said five words to each other and I didn't care. Him reaching out now sends a flash of worry running through my body. My thoughts instantly go to Momma or Falcon being hurt. I hit the talk button.
“Is everything okay?”
The old man grunts disapprovingly, “That's a rude way to answer the phone.”
“I wasn’t exactly expecting your call or feeling chatty. Is Falcon okay?” My tone is biting; my words short.
He sighs and there's noise in the background. “Do you have time to grab something to eat?”
I laugh. “I’m in Tennessee.”
“I know, son,” he drawls. “I just watched you play.”
“You’re here?” I ask, not sure I’m hearing him correctly. “At my bowl game.”
“Hawke, repeating things I’ve already said is not a sign of intelligence. Yes, I am here. I saw you play. I know I don’t have the right to ask, but I was hoping I could take you to dinner before you leave in the morning.”
My hackles rise from the condescending note in his tone. As usual, his compliment is wrapped in barbed wire. I should say no; I should tell him to shove the dinner up his ass, but there's also a part of me that can’t believe he’s here. There is a part of me that is intrigued because not once has he ever showed up for a bowl game.
“I’ve got some time.”
“Great. I’ll meet you in the restaurant of your hotel,” he says before hanging up.
I stare at my phone for a few minutes, completely shook and uncertain. I already said I’d do it, so I won’t chicken out now. I wish I knew what he wanted though. I shower quickly and pack up my things, before we’re loaded on the bus and brought to the hotel. Coach gives us a speech about our expected departure tomorrow and what the next few days look like. After that we’re dismissed and I make my way to the restaurant.
My grandfather is already there, easily recognizable in his deep gray, three piece suit and the Old Fashion drink in his hand. He rises to his feet as I approach, holding out his hand. I ignore the gesture and sink into the seat across from him. Being this close after the way things went a year ago brings back all the old feelings. Sure, I saw him two weeks ago, but I wasn’t in his presence and I had Emmarys with me.
“Why are you here?”
He sighs and takes a drink. “Came to see you play, boy.”
“I’m not your boy or your son. You made it clear what would happen if I defied you. You don’t rule my life anymore, so again, why are you here?”
