Page 22 of The Quarterback

A photo appeared in the group text, sent from Wes. He had his sunglasses on and was grinning, his hat tipped back to show off his face. Next to him, Justin was passed out and slumped against Wes’s shoulder, his mouth loose and open, sunglasses and hat askew. Wes had typed a quick caption:six hours into the drive.

I can hear the snoring from here, Colton texted. He sent a crying-laughing emoji.

Heart reactions appeared from Nick, and then:Please don’t text and drive, Wes.

I’m stopped. I just made the turn off of I-10 at Fort Stockton.

Thank you, Nick typed.You boys are precious cargo. Heart emoji.

Wes hearted Nick’s message and typed,Back onto the road now. Text y’all later.

A separate text message appeared, and Colton switched over. Nick was texting him directly.Are you home?

Yeah, got back a few minutes ago. I’m putting stuff up. You?

Left the office about half an hour ago.He sent a picture, the view from his balcony, complete with his shoes up on the wicker ottoman, crossed in front of a setting sun.

Colton grinned.Beats my view.He sent a picture of his closet but scribbled out his new clothes before he sent it.

Did you buy red squiggly lines? :)

No.

Not going to show me?

You’ll see on Monday. :)

He typedDo you want to come over—

And then mashed the backspace button. No, Nick didn’t want to leave his million-dollar balcony and come hang out with him and play PlayStation. Nick was a grown-ass man. Don’t ask. Don’t even bother.

How’s your shoulder? Any pain after your stretching?

He squeezed his muscles. Something burned. The last time he’d straightened his elbow, his bicep felt like a banjo string twanging deep in the valley of his arm. He’d put his simple sling back on and tried not to move too much. Hanging clothes one-handed wasn’t easy.

It’s sore. I’ll take a painkiller soon. Then probably do some PS4 until I pass out.

Too bad I don’t have a PlayStation here. We could play online.

You could come over if you want?Like his runaway mouth, the words were typed before he thought about them, sent before he could double back and stop himself. Damn it.

I think I’d fall asleep on you if I did. I’m beat from the trip today.

See? He knew it was a mistake to ask. Before, he hadn’t been flat-out rejected. Now he had to know Nick said no, not just think it was a possibility.

Rain check?Nick texted before he could reply.

Sure. I’m always down.

The controller still working out?

It’s awesome. Thank you again.

Nick thumbs-upped his thanks.Well, he texted, after a long minute passed.I’ll leave you to your Halo. See you Monday morning.

See you Monday.

He dropped his phone in his lap and stared at his half-full closet and his bags of clothes. Music rattled through his bedroom, shaking the walls and vibrating the floor. His thoughts unfurled, spun out in loops and tangles like falling thread.I wanted one more year with the team. One more year with my best friend.