After the interview and debriefing with the team, I head back to the RV to change and try to relax. I’m reading in bed to force myself to focus on a small town with cowboys when my phone pings.
Dean
You fought hard today
Me
Thanks. Sorry that Hicks passed you in the points
Dean
it is what it is
Me
There’s still a chance for you to win it
Why am I encouraging him to win the championship that I want to win? For a brief moment, I imagine Dean winning, and it’s not anger that I thought I’d feel, but pride and happiness. That realization shocks me.
Dean
Sure. But you’re not easy to beat
Me
Nope. You’re going to have to earn it
Dean
I wouldn’t expect anything less
I miss you
I pause, rereading that text over and over again, just to be sure I read it correctly. Did he mean to send that to me? No other text has been sent to correct it. I miss him, too. If he were here, I’d probably be inhis RV, naked.
Me
I miss you too
Dean
Meet up for dinner when you get back?
Me
Absolutely
Dean
Great, Can’t wait
My thoughts are starting to spiral again as Dad comes into the RV and knocks on my door before entering.
“Hey, kiddo. Doing alright after today?”
“Been better,” I admit.
“We’ll need to bring our A game next week. Can’t be distracted like today.”
