“Hey, hang on, I’m elbow-deep in a poopy diaper.” Maggie’s voice carries through my speaker, and just hearing it relieves some of the homesickness. “Ok, I’m here.”
“Aiden or my little Quinny?”
Besides caring for my three younger siblings, Maggie and her husband, Shane, have two children. Aiden is two, and Quinn was born over the summer. I haven’t met her yet, and I want to punch myself for not flying out for the weekend when I had the chance.
“Quinny. This chick can’t keep it in the diaper. She had poop all the way up her back.”
“Mags, that’s gross.”
She scoffs. “Just wait. It’ll be you one day using a thousand wipes on a twelve-pound baby.”
I miss her sass and her fight.
“What the hell is going on with your team? Seriously, it’s like watching a bunch of slobs.”
I let my head fall against the back of the couch and stare up at the ceiling. “I don’t know. Our defense doesn’t seem to understand that dedication and focus lead to winning.”
“Well, keep doing what you’re doing. You’re the only thing preventing them from losing every game.” Her voice is softer now, and something pinches in the center of my chest.
I inhale through my nose. “Yeah. I’m trying.” I jump into why I called. “So, you and Shane need to be extra careful and ensure the kids’ school is taking security seriously.”
Everything on her end goes still. I check to make sure the call didn’t drop.
“Mags?”
“Cole, what’s going on?” Her voice is tight now. All joking is pushed aside.
“I’ve had some threats, and I just want to be sure you guys and the kids are safe. They’re only aimed at me, and extra security measures are being taken.”
“What kind of threats?”
I knew she’d have a thousand questions. “It appears someone would like me off the team.”
“Annnnnddddd in what fashion are they suggesting that happen?”
I don’t answer, and she sighs.
“Cole?” Her tone is softer now.
“Yeah?”
“You ok?”
I think about it for a second. For the first time, I’m not sure I know the answer. “Yeah. I’m good.”
If she thinks I’m lying, she lets it go. “You get back here for Thanksgiving. Whenever bye week is, that’s when we’ll have it.”
A few days with my family sounds like a dream.
“It’s late this season. I’ll let you know.”
“No excuses this time.” She’s putting on her bossy pants now.
“I’ll talk to you soon. Love you, Mags.”
“Love you, too. Cole.” She catches me before I hang up. “Don’t sit in that big apartment by yourself watching hours of game tape. Have some friends over.”
The concern in her voice causes that ache in the center of my chest to spread.
