“Division game, we need to start the season off strong.” He pulls himself up from his chair and I do the same.
Great, nothing like adding to the pressure that I’m already feeling. He extends his hand out to me as we both stand there. Coach Aarons is a big guy, with one hell of a mustache. He played football when he was younger, only one year in the league before he got injured and never recovered fully. About a decade ago, he became a head coach and I’d say he’s found his calling. He turned this franchise from the laughing stock in the league to Super Bowl winners.
“Yes, sir.” We shake hands before I turn to leave his office.
“You’ll let me know if something’s going on, yeah?” I knew he was questioning my answer earlier. Coach has been almost like a second father figure to me. He’s good to me on the field and honestly, even better off of it. Lying to him feels wrong, but there’s no way I can tell him what’s going on. Fuck, I barely know myself what’s happening to me so there’s no way I can even try to explain it to someone else. But I nod at him before closing his door behind me.
“God damn,” I mutter once I’m back outside. There’s hot and then there’s Florida summer hot. The wave of heat is instant the second I step outside and walk through the parking lot to mytruck. Although, it still beats the brutal winters I grew up with in Wisconsin.
It’s a quick drive back to my apartment, only a few left turns and a couple stoplights. Driving downtown is a colossal nightmare. No one ever knows where they’re going, people dart off in the crosswalk, even when the lights haven’t changed. It’s been like this since I moved here and at first, I loved it. The constant bustle of the city was exciting, but lately it only stresses me out. I’d love to move outside of the city, like my buddy Ford did. But I’d want to be even more secluded than he is.
I pass rows of cars as I drive through the parking garage at my apartment, but thankfully I have my own designated spot.
The comforting smell of cedar fills my senses as I walk into my apartment and toss my keys down. My golden retriever, Hendrix, nearly tackles me before I’m even through the door. Knowing he’s always happy to see me is one thing I’ll never get tired of. My phone dings again so this time I pull up the texts to see what the hell all the commotion is about.
LIAM
Tee time is set for nine tomorrow morning.
I have all of my golf puns ready for your entertainment.
FORD
Please, for the love of God, don’t. I’ll pay you to not say any of them.
CHASE
Catch me ridin’ birdie. I’ll be there.
FORD
Hunt, I’m disappointed in you.
LIAM
Big Caddy gets it. He’s with me. Nate, you can have Anderson.
Shaking my head, I put my phone down and head towards my bedroom. The curtains are open in the back, casting a ray of sunshine directly into the living room as I walk by. When I pass the guest bathroom, I notice a pink hand towel hanging on the hook near the sink. That was definitely Laura’s doing. Her and I dated briefly earlier this year, but I quickly realized it wasn’t anything more than physical. When we met last Halloween, there was an instant attraction. She’s gorgeous and we had fun, but that’s where the connection ended.
Sighing, I walk down the hall with Hendrix on my heels. A golf day with the guys sounds real fucking good right now.
“What a tee-rific day for some golf, fellas.” Liam walks up to me and Chase with a grin on his face.
“Where’s Anderson?” Chase asks.
“Probably with your sister.”
“Honest to God, Liam…What the hell is wrong with you?” Chase shakes his head and walks away from us. I’ll never get tired of watching Chase get uncomfortable when Liam cracks a joke about Ford and his sister.
“Speak of the fucking devil,” I shout as I see Ford step out of his truck.
“What?” Ford questions as he gets closer.
“Liam scared Chase off again with one of his visuals of you and Abby.” I gesture my hand over to Chase sitting in the golfcart on his phone as Liam stands there with a prideful smile on his face.
“Fucking child, Evans.” Ford’s eyes roll and he walks over to the golf cart where Chase is so we can get started.
As the day has gone on, the heat has only gotten more unbearable. It’s a swift reminder that I’m not looking forward to those over one hundred-degree temps on the field we’ll be facing soon.
