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“No, you didn’t. Just get over here already.” She walks around, placing the ball back in its place, and lies on me, resting her head on my chest. “I used to do that when I needed to think. I guess since it was sitting there, I grabbed it out of habit.”
“What were you thinking about? Did it help?”
I glide my fingers up and down her spine. “Maybe. Ms. Cynthia suggested I tell my siblings this weekend. Let’s talk about that later, okay? How was your day? I thought you would be gone longer for tutoring.”
“It didn’t take as long as I thought it would. I had a good day. You?”
“No complaints. Yoga or dinner first? I thought we could go out to eat.”
“Yoga first then. What’s the plan for tomorrow?” At this, she lifts her head to look at me.
“We’ll pack tonight. After I get off work, I’m going to get my bags and you, then we’ll be on our way.” I already booked a hotel since Grant lives with them now and Olivia is with me. We’d rather have a hotel room over the fold-out bed in the couch.
“Okay. Let me lose the hoodie for the hoodie-hater.” She smirks as she gives me a pointed look.
“I’m not a hoodie-hater. I’m a fan of being able to see what’s underneath it.”
She rolls her eyes at me with a grin. We do yoga at her place, shower, and then I drive us to a nearby steakhouse. Olivia wears her hoodie, too. I’m ready for warmer weather, so I can see her without it. After we order, Olivia begins to tell me more about her day.
“I shouldn’t have scheduled the tutoring session today, because I have to cram to study for my midterm tomorrow and so does the other student. I was stressed out because he knew it already! That’s why we ended early. We did a mock test, he passed, and I sent him on his way. I’ve done good so far on mine, but tomorrow’s is a big one.”
“You’re too smart not to pass. I can quiz you after we pack if you want.”
Olivia smiles. “Thanks. What did you do at work?”
“Installed countertops, the sink, and started building the pantry.” I pause, wondering if I want to bring this up or not. “I don’t think I’ll go back to school in the fall. Or at least, not to continue with that degree. I talked to Hank some today and this is what I want to keep doing. Maybe I’ll go somewhere for programs with other similar work and then I can be an all-around handyman.” My smile falters for a moment. I went from the track to being a professional athlete to a handyman. Shaking my head, I get rid of those thoughts. I love carpentry more than football, so it shouldn’t be a bad thing that my path has taken a turn.
“That’s great, Corey.” Olivia’s words and smile makes me shove any negativity into a corner far away from us. Dinner is spent laughing, debating who we think will ultimately end up with who on One Tree Hill, and learning more about each other. Afterwards, we go our separate ways to pack before I help Olivia study for her midterm tomorrow.
These are the kind of nights I love.
“HEY, CAN WE meet up with my brother tomorrow?” Olivia asks, turning down the radio. We’re en route to my siblings and Olivia has been singing at the top of her lungs for the past twenty minutes. She’s not bad, but she’s not good either. All I can do is chuckle, smile, and try to ignore her when she reaches across to slide the back of her fingers along my cheek as she sings to me. “I’ll see him over spring break, but you could meet him this way.”
“Yeah, sure.”
She turns the knob on the radio, the music growing louder. She bobs her head and starts singing as dramatic as she was moments ago. I’ve never seen this side of
her, but we’ve never been on a “road trip” either.
“Corey,” she begins, the volume lowering again.
“Yeah?” I flick my eyes her way before focusing on the road again.
“You’re boring. I’m singing and you’re not. You should sing with me.”
I bark out a laugh. “No. I can’t sing.”
“Neither can I, but that’s not stopping me. C’mon. I’m the only other person in the car, so it’s not like you’ll embarrass yourself in front of a group of people.” She starts searching the stations and squeals when she hears a song. I’ve heard it before. Something about girls wanting to have fun. “This is the perfect song, Corey! Sing!” The chorus starts and she dances in her seat, which is really her wiggling.
My laughter can’t be contained as I switch my attention back and forth between her and the road. She pokes my arm, still wanting me to sing. She’s crazy. Maybe I am too because in a low voice, I sing the chorus. She better be glad I like her enough to do that, because it’s a one-time thing for her only. Her eyes widen and she starts giggling between words. I shake my head at her, a smile playing on my lips.
We check in to the hotel around 8:30 p.m. since we left a little late and stopped to eat on the way here. After dropping our bags in the room, we make it to the house around nine. Cars are parked up and down the street and I wonder which house on this road is throwing a party.
All the lights are shining through the window as I hold Olivia’s hand and walk up the steps. When I open the door, Lucy is standing there with a big smile on her face as all my former teammates who haven’t graduated yet stand behind her, including Jamal.
“Surprise!”
My lungs stop working while my heart pumps as fast as it can, rushing the blood to my head. I start to feel dizzy. My chest tightens and my hands start to sweat. Right there in front of me is everything I lost. Friends, teammates, and the game.
