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Ford put the undershirts into the duffel. “You’re playing better now than you did at twenty-four.”

“You didn’t know me then.”

“I’ve seen tape.”

Cole sat on the edge of the mattress. His knee pressed against Ford’s foot under the blanket.

“I can’t remember what I came in here for.”

Ford looked at the dress shoes on the floor. “Socks.”

Cole followed his gaze. A laugh escaped him, thin with nerves. “Right.”

“Three pairs. And the other suit.”

Cole stayed beside him for another second, then went back to the closet.

Ford folded the rest of the socks and underwear. He left Cole’s sleep shirt in the drawer.

His phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Nadine

She wants to call before Cole leaves. Keeps telling everybody at my house he’s going to Chicago.

Ford held the phone out when Cole came back.

“Call her.”

Cole took it and sat beside him. Charlotte answered on the first ring, her face too close to the camera.

“Cole, Mom said you’re playing in the big one.”

“Maybe,” Cole said. “I’ve got to get there first.”

“Do you get your own hotel room?”

Cole glanced at Ford. “I don’t know yet.”

“You should take the green tie. You win in green.”

“Your dad picked that one.”

“I know.” Charlotte shifted the phone and showed them half the ceiling. “Are you coming back after?”

Cole stopped working the knot in his tie.

Ford shifted closer until their shoulders touched.

“That’s the plan,” Cole said. “I don’t know what day yet.”

“Okay. You have to call me after you play. Even if it’s late.”

“We’ll work it out with your mom.”

“She’ll say yes. Bye. I love you.”

The screen went dark before either of them answered.