Play:Here Comes Your Man by the Pixies
Isincerely regret this big gesture.
Two beady eyes stare into my soul, chewing their cud and standing in front of the Wentworth house. I’d rather slay a dragon to get to the princess than deal with this. Why couldn’t overcoming my anxiety and confessing my true feelings to Aulie be enough for today? Did I seriously have to confront this damn goat, too?
Grady’s shoulder brushes against mine. “He’s—”
“Creepy as fuck,” I say.
“Does he do anything else?” Grady whispers.
“No. This is it.” I rub the back of my head. The embroidered waistcoat I’m sporting pulls taut as I raise my hand. Shit, I’m going to have to get closer to Gio than I ever have if I’m going to pull off this big gesture.
A shadow creeps over Grady and me. “Why are we standing here?” Big Ed asks.
I cross my arms and nod toward the wether. Who’s currently looking at me likewhere are my balls, Jack? They took them, and I want them back.“Goat.”
Tiny giggles follow. Coop bounces his way to us with his little one in the carrier. “Oh, he’s so cute. Can we pet him?”
“You thinkthat’scute?”
“I mean, he is a very nice-looking animal. Here, I’ll get him for Baby Carson.” Big Ed walks over to Gio and tucks him under his arm in one swift motion. Stunned, Gio lets out one tiny maa but seems content to be in the arms of the defenseman.
He shuffles back over the rolling hill, scratching Gio’s chin. “See? He’s a good little goaty.”
I shudder down the fear Gio’s casting a curse this close to me. Maybe it’s his fault I’m in this ridiculous costume, dressed like a duke, absolutely demolished by a woman instead of running around Boston with the freedom I used to enjoy.
“Right. I guess I should—I should go in now.”
“You’ve got this, bud.” Grady pats my back. “Just remember, no more keeping how you feel inside… any instinct you have, do the opposite.”
“Opposite, right? Tell her the truth. But where should I start?”
“Tell her about the tattoo that shit made me weepy,” Wes says.
“And obviously, tell her about your sweater number, too.” Coop adds. “Look, Carson, Uncle Ed got a goat for you to pet.”
A poot emits from someone in the group. Followed by a disastrous odor.
Coop wrinkles his nose in disgust while Grady gags nearby.
I’m blaming the goat. There is no way a human could produce that smell.
“Jack?” A delicate voice wafts through the haze of our stink bomb. I gaze to where the sound initially came and see Aulie with her head out the window, brow furrowed.
My heart thumps, this close to its other half. I haven’t seen her in two weeks, only talking to her on the phone, and being here now makes me realize how hollow I am when she’s not around.
“Oh, hey, Aulie.” I wave at her, unsure how being dressed like a duke, surrounded by my teammates, one of whom is currently holding a goat, is being perceived by her from up high.
“What are you doing here?’
“I’m big gesturing you.” I shrug.
Her face scrunches in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m not particularly good at it.”
“Yes. I believe we established that once before, but you rallied beautifully the last time, if I remember correctly.” She smiles at me. It’s radiant and blinding. The sun’s rays seem frigid compared to the warmth that radiates from seeing her with that expression.
