Page 101 of The Hot Shot

“Manny cuts a finger,” Rolondo says, “and he throws shitty passes, and it looks bad on me when I try to catch them.”

“And North?”

“It’s his first time here. Stop asking questions and cut the damn bread.”

Laughing, I help Dex with the silverware, and we’re sooneating the best Southern-style home-cooked meal I’ve had since I can remember.

“Damn, Ro,” I say between bites of tender ribs, “if you’re in doubt about what to do after retirement, you could easily find work as a chef.”

He grunts, sucking a bone clean. “Me, Dex, and a couple of our friends from college have been thinking about opening some restaurants. Get in it early so we can learn what we’re doing.”

“No shit?” I glance at Dex, who shovels macaroni in his mouth without looking up.

“Could be fun.”

Rolondo’s gaze slides to Dex, and his expression turns thoughtful, but he doesn’t linger. “Yeah. Never too early to plan.”

“I hate thinking about the future,” Jake says, grabbing another piece of cornbread. “Change sucks.”

“Change will happen whether you like it or not, man.” North takes a pull on his beer. “Resist all you want, but it will get you.”

“Like the boogeyman, eh?” Jake says with a snort.

“I think about it,” I say. “The future.”

“Scares the shit out of me,” Rolondo admits. “Not playing ball. But what can you do? Such is life.”

“Not everything good in life revolves around football,” Dex says in a low voice. He glares around the table when we all go silent and stare at him. “Please tell me you chuckleheads know this.”

North sits back in his seat. “What, you mean women?” He rolls his eyes. “Try again.”

“Finding someone to spend your life with matters,” Dex insists in his quiet way.

North snorts. “Met a woman, fell hard. So hard, I insisted we get married. Wanted to lock that shit down, you know.” He flicks a crumb off the table. “Had two good years before she got bored and fucked my teammate. Make that three of them.”

“At once?” Jake asks, almost as if he can’t help himself. But then blanches when North gives him a death glare. “Sorry, it just came out... That’s fucked up, man.”

North sighs. “Maybe she did. Who the fuck knows?”

Rolondo leans in. “So, you think that because your wife ended up being a cheater that it’s all bullshit?” He shakes his head. “Man, do not give her that power.”

“I’m not.” North scowls. “I’m just saying...” He makes an agitated sound. “I don’t know. Just don’t put all your hopes on a woman.”

“I’m not,” Rolondo says succinctly.

“Or a man,” North adds.

Ro shrugs but doesn’t look convinced.

I, on the other hand, am not liking this conversation. My chest is getting tight, and I find myself blurting out what’s on my mind. “Chess and I got together over the bye week.”

“What? Just now?” Rolondo’s brows lift high. “I thought you’ve been hitting that since the beginning.”

“Hey.” I glare at him, and he holds his hands up in peace.

“Sorry, sorry. I thought you were having relations with Ms. Copper since you met her.”

I roll my eyes, and he laughs.