I know he doesn’t want to retire any time soon, and in June I’m going to start negotiations with the Warriors for his next contract, so we’re going to have to have a discussion about it—a real, serious discussion.
But that all has to wait because at just past five, when I finally park in Mom’s driveway and we jump out to meet her, we don’t have much time to show her how wereally are boyfriendssince we need to shower off the plane ride and get ready for the sign-in event, which starts at six.
Mom’s instantly charmed by AJ, which is just how it always goes when these two see each other, but she’s fine with us leaving so soon, which I think is weird because it’s been years since I visited. She comes to LA at least three times a year, normally, and we talk once a week without fail, so it’s not like we don’t spend enough time together, but I don’t love coming to Gomillion, even though she always wants me to.
Sharing a room when we’re only getting ready and taking turns in the bathroom isn’t so bad, but I know the real test will be tonight. I wonder if that’s why I can’t really focus on that, because it’s not immediate? All that’s on my mind is the dread of arriving at the school and...
And what?
I have no fucking clue what’s going to happen.
I need to just get this over with.
Caden will be there, if he hasn’t changed his mind since the last time we texted, and also Shane Bailey, Ray Barker, and Dale Rivers, the other three who played alongside us senior year. It’ll be good to catch up with them. I’m sure in some way it will be like no time has passed, but I’m well aware they’re not the ones I’m worried about.
Fucking Soren. I really want to never have to think about that asshole again.
I drive us to the high school, and finally AJ’s complete silence registers.
“Are you okay?” I ask, and my hands clench on the steering wheel involuntarily. “There’s still time for you to back out, I won’t?—”
“Stop that,” he snaps with as much harshness as he’s able, which isn’t much. “I’m worried about you. You’ve barely said a word in the last half hour, and for me to notice that’s pretty impressive.”
I snort despite myself.
“I guess you have a point,” I mutter. “I’m nervous, but otherwise I’m okay,” I tell him honestly, and since it’s not a huge town, I’m turning into the school’s parking lot already by then, and I turn to look at AJ for a moment after I park.
He looks as good as he always does, though he isn’t wearing the shirt Hawk told him to, and god, I hope he doesn’t wear it tomorrow.
“Let’s do this,” I murmur.
Before I can move, AJ shouts, “Wait, don’t move yet.”There’s enough urgency in his voice that I do what he says, but then...
Well, he gets out and rounds the hood of the SUV, andopens my door.
He’s always been a gentleman.
I smile at him when he offers me his hand, touched that he’s doing this admittedly small thing to add more credibility to our act.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“Come on,” he whispers, and looks around at all the other people arriving at the same time as us, while pressing his hand to my lower back. Yeah, more than a few are staring at us, and they notice that gesture for sure.
It could be because we’re both tall, or men, or it could be that AJ’s bright blond hair always attracts attention, but I think it’s his aura, his charisma, which pours out of him in waves.
We pass by a few of my old classmates as we make our way to the small gym, and I try to smile with enough kindness to not be dismissive but without making it like an invitation to come and talk to us.
Not yet . . .
We get in line at the sign-in table and I force myself to look around.
I see Ray, Shane, and Dale chatting by the bar, but no Caden. I guess he might be running late, that’s fine, but I can’t help wanting to look out for him. This is bound to be as hard for him as it is for me.
I see a figure walking fast, and when he stops I realizeit’s Theo. Someone’s running at him, and shouting “Coach Brooks,” and that has me raising my brows as far as they’ll go.
Damn, he’s grown up a lot.
I wonder if that’s why Caden is late?
