Drew smiled. “I sure am. And who might you be?”
“I’m Sam, and this is Bennett,” Sam replied, pointing to Bennett.
“Hi, Sam and Bennett. I like your hoodies; I have one just like that. You guys Rangers fans?”
The boys nodded vigorously in delight at seeing Drew, who was very clearly one of their heroes.
Their nerves seemed to vanish as they answered in unison. “Yes, you and Felix Cleverley are our favorites. We practice hard so we can be like you when we’re older.”
Drew chuckled. “Oh yeah? Well, keep practicing hard and make sure you eat properly and I bet I get to play with you one day.”
My head passed back and forth between the three of them, watching this interaction with fascination. Drew, an immense giant, easily double their height, was talking to these two boys with inherent gentleness. And he almost seemed more excited at meeting two genuine fans than they did at meeting him.
“We will!” Bennett replied, bobbing about from one foot to the other. “Um, also, do you think we could have a picture with you?”
“Yeah sure, buddy. I can sign your hoodie too if you’d like me to.”
“Yes, that would be awesome!” exclaimed Sam, his eyes big and wide.
Drew pulled a Sharpie from his pocket, throwing a wink at me as he did. The boys pointed to where they wanted it and he scrawled his name.
I held my hand out. “Would you like me to take the picture?”
As though they’d only just noticed I was standing next to Drew, their nerves reappeared as they took me in, silently handing me their phone. Drew bent down and put one arm around each of them. I took a couple of shots before handing it back.
“Thank you, Mr. Crawley.”
“Hey, it’s Drew.” He reached into his pocket again, pulling out two business cards. “Are you coming to the game tomorrow night?”
They shook their heads, each taking a card. “No, sir. Not this time.”
“Well if you want to, or want to come to another game, you email this address.” He tapped the card. “Put your details in the email, and in the subject line you need to write Lucky Charm Tickets, and my team will get them sorted for you. You got that?”
I jumped slightly at the mention of my name.
They looked at it with reverence. “Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“Good. Lucky Charm Tickets, don’t forget. I hope to see you there. It was great meeting you both.” He reached down and took my hand back in his. “See you around soon.”
They turned and walked away, their heads together, whispering.
I ran my hand around the back of his neck, stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. “That was amazing.”
He smiled, wrapping his arms around me.
“I like to give back to genuine fans.” He shrugged like it was nothing, but I noticed the edges of his neck flush. “Your brother must do the same.”
“I’ve never seen kids come up to my brother. I think they’re scared of the tattoos.”
Drew threw his head back laughing, maneuvering us to start walking again. “Yeah, I can see why.”
True story. Jupiter was covered in tattoos, usually wearing a scowl, intimidating to anyone who didn’t know him, and to most people who did. But what was never publicized was the amount of time he spent in the local communities, helping children find sports through grass roots. He made sure everything was kept private and low key so that his tabloid life never overshadowed it.
I’d begged him to change his mind, but it was an argument I never won.
We turned left at the end of the street, away from where the car was parked, heading toward the beach. The salty sea air hit us with a gust of wind, blowing away the sluggishness from our massive pancake feast.
It was still warm enough for kids to be running along the water’s edge without their shoes on, while more built sandcastles nearby. Seagulls were diving onto the water, carrying lone fish away in their beaks, taking what was left from the hauls brought in on the fishing boats anchored offshore.
