Me
Does anyone have someone watching practice today?
Spring
Nope.
Donovan
Looking for an audience?
Colt
Are you going to make us do TikToks?
David
Hell no.
To both.
I get three more NOs before Darren calls.
“What’s up man? Did this become a closed practice or do you want people?”
“Is Lacey coming?” I ask hopefully.
“No, she went to that haunted house on Chestnut.”
“True, that was today.” She’s been talking about it for weeks, because they go all out for Halloween, and today is her only chance to see it in daylight, which I feel ruins the magic, but she’s always liked peeking behind the curtain.
“I can try to get her to come, but it’s a ways, and?—”
“No, it’s fine, don’t worry about it,” I stop him from ruining her day. She probably wouldn’t get here in time anyway.
“You sure?”
“All good,” I lie. “See you soon.”
I hang up and am about to suck it up and go ask Coach if Izzie can hang out in the penalty box, but I haven’t heard her since I left his office. I round the corner to say I’ll be another minute, but while the princess bag is still there, my sister isn’t.
Chapter Three
Savannah
Baby James
Back on campus, Anna is napping in our dorm, and I don’t want to wake her, so I bring my backpack to the library instead. It’s mostly deserted, so my favorite table by the fireplace is free. The cackle of the flames eating the wood is the only sound I hear, which is perfect for homework, but I’m up to date on that, even ahead on some readings, so I take out my leather notebook. I got it for my birthday, with a card telling me to fill it with my stories, but so far it just has a bunch of papers slipped into the back pocket where I scribble down ideas and plotting attempts. There are a lot of scraps.
Dallas
Just landed. Loved seeing everyone. HBD Dad, and see you all again soon.
I heart Dallas’ message in our family text chain. I miss having him close, because I love him and all, but I also liked hanging out in the stands during his practices. There was always something going on if I wanted to daydream or figure out a plot hole, but there was also something about being out there with nothing better to do than write that got my creative juices flowing.
It isn’t too cold out today, and Sunday afternoons usually had football practices, so I pack everything up and make my way to the field.
* * *
