“When is it?”
“I don’t know. I’ll get the date from Coach or Martinez and let you know.”
“OK.”
“Good. How’s your week going?”
“Crazy, as usual. It was nice to get out tonight.”
More noise and camaraderie in the bar distracted Robert from their conversation. He wasn’t usually the jealous type, but he strained to hear the voices in the background. “It sounds like the place is packed.”
“It is. Hang on a sec.”
Shuffling sounds came through the phone, the voices dissipated, then disappeared. A car horn blared loudly, which meant she had moved outside.
“That’s better,” she said. “I could barely hear you. Are you guys off to celebrate?”
“Yeah. In a bit.” He looked down at his muddy, grass-stained clothes. “I didn’t even shower yet.”
“You must be a sight.” A smile was prevalent in her voice.
“I’m filthy.” He looked toward the showers and around the locker room. Players were in various stages of dress, and he knew he needed to head out soon, but he wanted to talk to Amber. He’d forego tonight’s foray if he could spend the next few hours talking to his girl, but he knew that wasn’t possible. He needed to be there for the team. Besides, she was out with her friends.
“Let’s go, Blade!” Coach bellowed in his usual gruff voice. “Hit the showers!”
“Right,” he told Coach. “Sorry, Amber.”
The line was quiet.
“You still there?”
“Yes. Of course. I’m just sad we can’t talk longer. Go. Celebrate with your team. I’ll celebrate here. Raise your glass, and we’ll share a toast together.”
“You’re so cool. I’ll call you tomorrow before I catch my flight. I miss you.”
“Miss you too. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Heavy hearted, Robert headed to his cubby to shed his uniform. He’d never missed a girlfriend like this before. The high of the game always outweighed the distance it presented in the relationship. Maybe the longing in his chest was so strong because this thing with Amber was still new. Although he’d known her for over a month, they technically only started dating about two weeks ago. Was it too soon to call her his girlfriend? He didn’t think so.
“What gives?” Lewinski asked, rubbing his hair dry with a towel. “We won. Why the sad face?”
“I’m just missing my girl.”
“Your girl?” Lewinski dropped the towel onto his shoulders. “Since when does the team stud have a girlfriend? And why didn’t you tell us about her?”
“It’s new. We’ve only been dating a few weeks, but it seems like so much longer. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah. I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been married for five years, and it feels like 10,” Lewinski joked.
Robert laughed. “I can’t wait until we get to that point.” Not that he wished time with Amber would feel like an eternity. He wanted the longevity of a relationship. He wanted to know someone was there waiting for him whenever he came home from an away game. He wanted the ease that came with knowing someone better than you know yourself. Someone to finish each other’s sentences.
He fantasized about all of it while he showered and envisioned a future with Amber. Again, he knew it was too soon, but the idea sounded like a dream come true and something he never craved before he met Amber.
“Blade!” Coach’s voice echoed off the tiled walls in the shower. “My wife gets ready faster! Light a fire. I told Gibsons the Bucks are on their way and we’re hungry.”
Gibsons Steakhouse was a quick bus ride from Soldier Stadium. Considering the Bucks just beat the home team on their own turf, Robert expected a mixed reception, but the top-of-the-line treatment proved him wrong. A banquet table set up in one of the private dining rooms accommodated the entire team, and tomahawk steaks the size of Texas were served, along with a huge spread of side dishes.
