Page 53 of Spotlight
Daaaaamn! A no-hitter??!!!
Archer
I’m kicking myself so hard for not being there.
Hendrick
Congrats, little bro. We had the game on at the bar. Place went nuts. Jane is working on a special drink menu for game days – all named after you.
Brogan
Oh, please tell me one is called The Flame Thrower?
Knox
Damn good game. Hope you have another one in you next week. Avery and I are driving up for the weekend.
Brogan
Dirty Slider?
I close out without reading the next ten drink name suggestions from Brogan. I’m too tired to tap out a reply right now. One person is missing though. My dad is doing a cross-country drive with some friends and the woman he started dating recently. I haven’t seen or heard from him in a month. I thought by the time the season started he’d be back, but still nothing.
* * *
Once I’m showered and ready, most of the team has cleared out of the locker room. It hadn’t occurred to me earlier how I was going to meet up with Olivia, but I pull up my texts again now with plans to bug my future sister-in-law for her best friend’s number.
I glance up as I push out of the locker room and, to my surprise, spot Olivia and Greer. Only family are generally allowed in this area, but however she got here, I’m not about to complain.
“You waited,” I say as a smile spreads across my face. I half-expected her to bolt when she realized I’d won our bet. Then again, I don’t take Olivia as someone who backs down from a challenge.
“Congrats, Hotshot. I underestimated you.”
Greer holds her mom’s hand, beaming up at me. She signs with her free hand to me,Hotshot.
I wonder if Archer taught her that one. Either way, it makes me laugh. I freaking love this kid. She’s the coolest.
“Thank you,”I say and sign.
“We wanted to say congrats, and I thought I should tell you in person that I can’t go out with you tonight.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t have a sitter and it’s a school night anyway. We have a whole bedtime routine.”
“We read books together and sing songs,” Greer tells me proudly.
Right. I hadn’t considered that she’d be busy or not have a sitter. I’m disappointed but at least she’s not bailing for some bullshit excuse.
“Sounds fun.” I tamp back my disappointment and give Greer a small smile.
“Here’s my number. Text me and we can figure something out for next week.” Olivia hands me a piece of paper with her number written in blue ink.
My excitement over finally having her number is short-lived. Next week? No way I want to wait that long.
“Why don’t we just grab ice cream or something quick?”
“Ice cream!” Greer’s eyes light up.
