Page 41

hawke

. . .

“I can just patch the tire, and if you bring it in when you get back, we can get that tire changed then so you don’t miss the big game,” the mechanic tells me, going over the quickest options.

I made it back to Michigan in time to meet up with my team to fly out for our bowl game.

As much as I wanted to stay in Ohio with Emmarys and her family, I had other obligations, which they were all really supportive of.

To my surprise, Emmarys had talked with her mother and mine to coordinate the holiday season around my bowl game.

I was able to see everyone over a span of two weeks at various times.

Everyone was excited for our football team advancing this far, and my girl was proud of me.

Emmarys came with me to my family’s home before stopping to see her family as well.

She didn't get mad or complain about our time being limited; she was just there for me, cheering me on and making sure I felt remembered this holiday season. It killed me to be away from her knowing this next series of college football playoff games for the national championship which would lead up through the new year and if we saw each other at all we’d be lucky.

When Emmarys wasn’t in my life, I never had to factor a girlfriend into my plans and games.

I was suddenly nervous that if I wasn't with her, she would think this whole relationship was a bad idea.

My schedule was crazy and this was only half of what it would be like once I was playing professionally.

The only thing keeping me calm was that she was checking in with me through texts, video calls when I was available, and making sure I knew she cared even if we missed a day of talking.

I never loved her more than in these two weeks when I could see how our lives were going to go, and she was a fucking angel.

On my way back to campus, I had a random flat tire, and Emmarys had even been able to contact an open garage in order to help me get it fixed on time so I made the bus.

She said she knew the guy and that he would help out.

At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about her passive comment, and jealousy burned in my gut.

Standing here now, the guy looks familiar.

“Thanks man,” I tell him. “I really appreciate it.”

He nods, his head a dark, unruly mess of brown hair. My eyes flick to his name tag.

“You played hockey in Crimson Bay, right?”

The guy’s head lifts and something passes in his eyes before he nods. “Yup. For the Pirates. Although you skipped town if I remember correctly.”

My nerves buzz for a second and I try to place where I’ve seen him and with who. How is he important to Emmarys?

“Yeah,” I grit out, “Although it's all working out now.”

He nods and goes back to typing on his computer.

My eyes roam over the walls and then his work station, looking for any hint as to their connection again.

A picture catches my eye and I do a double take.

It's of a toddler, she's dressed in pink from head to toe, her hair a blonde mess sticking up all over.

Instantly I recognize her and then the past slides into place.

“You moved here for them?” I tip my chin at the picture and the guy goes rigid.

His gaze moves to the picture and then to me. “They’re my life.”

“I get it. I came here for my girl and nothing else,” I tell him, letting him know he isn’t alone but that these Pirate girls are worth it in the end.

He goes back to typing before grabbing my tire and taking it behind the closed door. I take a deep breath and pull out my phone, sending a quick text to Emmarys.

ME: They were open. Getting a patch for today and they can get me a new tire later.

MY SWEETS: Good! Text me when you get there. I’ll be cheering you on in just your jersey ;)

ME: Em, don’t tease me when I can’t touch you…

MY SWEETS: I just wanted to give you something to think about while you’re playing. For good luck.

ME: Being hard during the game isn’t going to help me.

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 buying into 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?”

My grandfather's eyes roam over my face before he looks off into the distance. “I thought for sure once you had the girl, all your focus would be off your game. You were so blinded by her when you were young. Obsessed. I worried about what it would do to your ability to make plays, to your talent. I know you don’t agree with me, but I was thinking of you when I decided for us to leave.”