“Present sir.”
He smiles. “You going to bring home another Stanley for us this season?”
“Trying, sir.”
He nods. “Good. Now let’s talk about the trouble that you’re in.”
Thirty minutes later, we’re back on the sidewalk outside of the circuit court. The snow is starting to fall again and there are soft flakes swirling around us in the cold February air.
“That went great,” Cain says, pulling out his phone to fire off a few texts without even glancing my way.
“Did it?” I ask, skeptical. The hearing was way shorter than I’d expected, and though the judge seemed supportive, I had a hard time reading him.
Cain nods, still typing. “Yeah. Your final appearance is scheduled for three weeks from now. We’ll get this case dropped, no problem. Should be easy. Just keep your nose clean during these next games, alright? Don't get knocked back in the sin bin. I need you on your best behavior.”
I roll my shoulders, already tired of being told what to do. “Sure thing, boss.”
He spins on his heel without another word, striding off down the street like he’s already got five more clients to save before lunch.
I wonder if this is how Rosie feels when she's working. She certainly has Cain's mannerisms and professional demeanor, but now that I've held her in my arms, I know inside she's softer than she illustrates to the outside world.
I stuff my hands into my coat pockets and pull out my phone. Another text message from the group text I have with my brother’s.
Levi: I’m coming to your next home game to meet your wife.
Seth: I still can’t believe he’s married. This must be some sort of joke.
Levi: Boone, what do you have over her? How much did you pay her?
Seth: Does mom know?
I roll my eyes.
Boone: Fuck off and yes, mom knows. She can’t wait to meet her new daughter-in-law.
Levi: Call us soon, asshole.
Game day is Wednesday, which means there’s no practice today. Coach is giving us some slack to stay limber; he’s been all about preservation now that the tournament is creeping up in April. Especially for “old men” like me, as he so kindly puts it.
With no meetings, sponsorship obligations, or management calls on my calendar, I decide to take a walk around the city. Clear my head. Maybe unpack the weekend bag that I’d packed for Brookhaven but didn’t end up needing.
And then I’ll figure out what the hell I’m going to say to Rosie when she gets home tonight. Because it’ll be the first time I’ve seen her since that night.Thenight.
My breath fogs in the icy air as I shove my collar higher around my neck, trying to shield myself from both the cold and any unwanted recognition.
After a block of walking and no coherent thoughts, I pause to pull out my phone to text her. Because there’s no way I’m going to get her off my mind.
Boone: Court went great. Cain thinks he’ll get me off the hook in three weeks. When will you be home tonight?
Home.
That’s what her apartment feels like to me now. It’s ridiculous, really. Temporary, sure, but it’s still the closest thing to home I’ve felt in years.
The thought twists something in my chest. Maybe she doesn’t see it that way. Maybe she doesn’twantit to feel like that.
I watch as the message goes to “read” but no reply comes. She’s probably in court or busy. I tell myself not to overthink it, but I still feel the weight of the silence.
With a sigh, I punch in another number and wait as it rings.
