“Yep, good game,” is my response.
The girls have a small fire pit going and there’s a table set up with beer, turkey sandwiches, and some other snacks.
I rarely indulge in alcohol because of my strict diet, but this reminds me so much of the old times I indulge.
The guys are asking me about questions about what the NFL is really like when I receive an incoming call from Joyce. I’ve been avoiding her for days because this time I’ve spent home has been a step away from reality, but I can’t escape forever.
“Hello?”
“Brick!”
“Hey, Joyce.”
“Don’t hey Joyce me. I’ve been calling you for days. Are you okay out there?”
“Perfectly fine, Joyce. I’m home.”
“I wish you would just respond when I call so that I don’t worry.”
“The whole point of me being here is to spend some time out of the spotlight and enjoy a friend’s wedding.”
“Right.”
“Has that happened yet?”
“No, next week.”
“You’ve already been there for a few weeks.”
“Per your recommendation.”
“I know but–”
“But what, Joyce?”
“Contract negotiations are heating up and Phillip may want you to fly back for an in person meeting.”
I take a swallow of my beer and watch out of the corner of my eye as Tre creeps over to where Kaya’s sitting.
“I can’t leave,” I tell Joyce.
“Maybe you can fly back for a quick meeting and then go directly to the wedding next week?”
My throat tightens up as Kaya’s head falls back in laughter at something Tre said.
“No.”
“I’m not sure Phillip will like this.”
“Then Phillip should have called. He always sends you to do the dirty work, Joyce. I hope you two are splitting my commission evenly.”
The silence on the other line is deafening.
“Enjoy the wedding, Brick. I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Great, talk to you then,” I say as I stand to walk over to Kaya, but before I can take another step, Kyle stops me.
“Holy shit, Brick, is that your father walking over here?”
