“Yes, Mom,” Archer said.
“My mother told me the same thing,” Liam said.
“Can I call you when I want?” Archer asked.
“If you’re allowed, but I’m sure you’re going to be too busy during the day. Remember, I’m at work too. And there are rules on phone use while you’re here. You might have to keep it in your room.”
“I know,” Archer said. “You told me.”
They got in line and waited, Jayce looking around at the chaos but not affected either. He was used to things like this. Or was at his last job.
After twenty minutes, the kids were getting checked in when he heard his name.
He turned. “DeVone,” he said, moving toward the tall man. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m going to be an instructor for the week. My nephew is here and talked me into it. What about you? You don’t have any kids, at least not that any of us knew of.”
“We are dropping off my girlfriend’s son and his friend. Farrah, this is DeVone Smithers, he’s an assistant coach with the Hornets. And this is Farrah’s son, Archer Lane, and his friend, Liam Mathers.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand.
Archer and Liam did the same. “What age group are you working with?” he asked.
“Sixteen and up,” DeVone said. “My nephew is fourteen, so best not to work with him, though I know he’ll be letting everyone know.”
“You’re just keeping an eye out for future recruits,” he said, slapping DeVone on the shoulder.
“That too. There will be a few UNC players here for the week too,” DeVone told the kids. “And maybe some guest Hornets toward the end of the week.”
“Oh, my God,” Archer said. “Jayce knows lots of players. He got me a personally signed birthday gift from Nino Meyers.”
“I’m sure he did,” DeVone said. “You in town for the night? Meeting up with anyone?”
“We are here for the night, but I hadn’t planned on meeting anyone.”
“I get to sneak off tonight since it’s just registration day and getting the kids settled. I won’t start and stay until tomorrow. Why don’t I get a couple of people together and we’ll go out to dinner with our wives and girlfriends?”
Maybe he wouldn’t mind showing Farrah off some.
In his mind, he had one of the hottest chicks around on his arm, with the best personality ever.
Could be he wanted a little approval from people to know he landed on his feet damn well too.
Which felt small in his mind, but he couldn’t help himself.
“I’m good with whatever you want to do,” she said, putting her arm through his.
“You’ve got my number, DeVone. Reach out with what you’ve put together.”
“Will do. Even if it’s just me and Katrina, it’d be nice to catch up.”
They brought the boys to their room after, helped them unpack, showed them where the bathroom was and anything else they needed, then deposited them out on the front lawn in the group they’d belong too. There was only an hour left of check-in and the kids would start to get shuffled off and shown where everything was on campus.
“I’ve got two bands,” Archer said, holding up his neon green one that matched Liam’s, then the white and red one for his allergy.
“That’s right. Those bands don’t come off and that is how each counselor keeps track of who belongs to them,” he said. “Like a dog. You’re their pets for the week.”
Archer giggled and nudged Jayce with his arm, then barked.
