Page 49 of Tough Guy and the Show Off

“Okay.” He nods, but makes no attempt to walk away.

“Okay.” My eyes well with unexpected tears that I hastily wipe away.

“Beau…”

“Trav.”

He steps toward me, and for a moment I wonder if he’s going to kiss me right here in the middle of the airport. I want him to. Desperately.

“Oh my god, Travis Showalter and Beau Bozeman.”

We both turn at the sound of the young voice. A kid stands behind us, wearing a Magic’s coat, his shaggy hair covering part of his eyes. He’s beaming.

Travis goes into fan mode, offering a kind smile. “Hey there.”

“Oh my god. Show-Off is talking to me.”

“Magic fan?”

He nods, his eyes shifting back and forth. “You weren’t playing last night, Bozy. Are you okay?”

“I am. Thanks for asking.”

“Can we sign something for you?” Trav asks.

“Oh god.” The kid looks, around panicked. “I-I don’t have anything.”

“What about your coat?” I offer. “That would be pretty cool.”

The kid’s face lights up. “Seriously? Yeah. That would be awesome.”

Trav digs a marker out of his coat pocket. We always have them with us, then he signs the kid’s shoulder and hands me the marker. I sign the other side and we take a selfie with him before he thanks us and catches up with his parents.

“Always feels good,” Trav says.

“It does.”

“Coat’s gonna be worth something now. Got the last signature of Beau Bozeman as a Magic player.”

“Except I’m not anymore.”

His face falls. “This sucks.”

“It does.”

Trav throws his arms around me and I hug him back, resisting the desire to sink into him, bury my nose in his neck, kiss him.

Reluctantly, I step back. “I have to go.”

“I know.”

“I’ll call when I get there.”

“You better, or I’ll get on a plane to Chicago and hunt you down.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

He smiles, which was my goal. “See you later, Beau. Don’t you dare say goodbye to me.”