Atlas
The hotel roomfeels like a cage.The bed’s too stiff, the air too stale, and my brain won’t turn off.Dinner with the guys was hours ago, and now it’s just me and the ceiling.
Every time I close my eyes, Maddie’s voice is there.I don’t have the ability to give you what you want.
My chest burns with it, equal parts anger and despair.
I need to get out of here.Get some fresh air.
I lace up sneakers and tug a hoodie over my head.It’s one Grayce liberated the pull string from and it makes me miss her desperately.
Downtown Detroit is quiet this time of night.A neon diner sign buzzes across the street, casting red light over empty sidewalks.The arena’s only a block away from our hotel and the cool bite of early spring cuts through it.
Tucking my hands in the pockets of the hoodie, I hunch my shoulders and press into a determined walk.My posture would advertise to anyone observant enough not to approach me.Not that anyone would.It’s close to midnight and although this area of downtown is fairly safe, the streets of Campus Martius are dead.
I’ve gone maybe half a block when I hear the rhythmic slap of shoes behind me.I glance back, ready to brush off some late-night stranger, and nearly choke.
It’s Kace.
Sweatshirt dark with perspiration, earbuds tucked into his ears, legs eating up pavement.He slows when he sees me, eyes rounding with the same surprise.
“What are you doing out here?”He jogs in place a few seconds, catching his breath.“It’s almost midnight.”
“Walking,” I answer.As simple as that.
“At midnight,” he repeats, incredulous.“In Detroit.Alone.”He grins.“You planning on intimidating muggers into better life choices?”
“You’re running,” I counter.
He laughs and shrugs, bending to stretch his calves.“Fair.Guess we’re both restless.Want some company?”
“I’m not running,” I reply with a smirk.
“Good, because I’m tired.”
We fall into stride together, streetlights casting our shadows long and thin over the pavement.The occasional car passes us but mostly, the only sound we hear is the slap of our sneakers.
After a while he nudges, casual.“So.You always take moody midnight strolls the night before a game, or is tonight special?”
“Just clearing my head.”
“Yeah, you’re full of sunshine.”He shoots me a sideways look.“Something’s eating you, man.”
I don’t answer.Hands stay jammed in my pockets.
Kace whistles low.“All right.Not hockey—you’d be cursing by now.Family?”
My jaw ticks.
“Bingo.”He lets the silence stretch.Another block, and he’s poking.“Look, I know I joke a lot, but I’m not without depth.”He taps his temple.“I’ve got a decent mind and I’m a good problem solver.”
I grunt.“Things are complicated.”
“Is Grayce okay?You’re not having second thoughts on fatherhood, are you?”
He almost sounds panicked at the thought, and for someone who just said he has a decent mind, that’s a stupid assumption.“No, I’m not having second thoughts.I love that little girl more than life itself.”
“Aha,” he drawls.“Girl problems.”
