In the locker room afterward, Marcus cornered him.
"So. You did it."
"I did it."
"How does it feel?"
"Like I just made the biggest decision of my life and I have no idea if it was right."
"It was right," Marcus said confidently. "I've never seen you this present. You're actually here—in this locker room, in this town, in this life. Not waiting for somewhere else."
"What if I'm making a mistake? What if—"
"Jake. Stop." Marcus grabbed his shoulders. "You're allowed to choose this. You're allowed to want something differentthan what you planned when you were eighteen. That's called growing up, not giving up."
"My dad—"
"Your dad would want you to be happy. Trust me on this. Parents want their kids to be happy. Even the ones who push hard."
Jake nodded, not quite trusting his voice.
"Now," Marcus said, releasing him, "tell me about tonight. What's the plan for this date?"
"I'm cooking. Or attempting to cook."
"You? Cooking?"
"Lucy's been feeding me for three years. I figure it's my turn."
"What are you making?"
"I have no idea. I thought I'd stop by the grocery store and... figure it out?"
Marcus looked horrified. "Jake. No. You can't just wing a first date meal. You need a plan. A recipe. Backup options in case you burn everything."
"I'm not going to burn everything."
"You burned ramen last month."
"That was one time!"
"It was ramen, Jake. It comes with instructions."
Owen, who'd been eavesdropping shamelessly, chimed in. "My mom always says the secret to cooking is butter and salt. Just add those to everything and it'll taste good."
"That's actually not bad advice," Ryan said. "Also wine. Cooking wine makes everything better."
"I'm not serving Lucy burned food swimming in wine and butter."
"Then what are you serving her?" Marcus asked.
Jake ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know. Something that says 'I'm trying really hard but also I'm not trying too hard because that would be weird.'"
"That's not a food, that's a psychological state."
"Exactly. Which is why I'm asking for help."
The team spent the next fifteen minutes debating first date meal options. Owen advocated for pasta ("Can't go wrong with carbs!"). Dmitri suggested his grandmother's pierogi recipe (too complicated). Ryan proposed a philosophical approach ("Cook what speaks to your authentic self"). Marcus just laughed at all of them.
