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“I know.”
“Is that something you’d like to do? It’s mainly setting up and taking things down.”
“Is it true a few of the Baltimore players are going to be there?” Ryan asked.
“That’s the plan. It was last minute, but I think a few will be there, including Reid Everson.”
Corey’s eyes widened. “That’s cool.”
“I can probably get you an introduction.” Normally, I’d lecture him a bit, but I figured I’d give him the space and the opportunity to step up, to see that he could be part of this community, not against it.
“I’d like that,” Corey said eagerly.
He must like sports. Maybe he’d make some friends along the way and decide he wanted to stay.
“Thanks for letting us know,” Ryan said.
I tipped my head in his direction. “No problem.”
I resisted the urge to tell Corey to stay out of trouble. I thought about what Dexter would do in this situation, and he’d give the kid some credit. Not everyone was doomed to repeat their mistakes.
* * *
The next week, when I wasn’t working, I spent every spare minute with Remi, planning the last details of the fundraiser and enjoying each other’s company. The night before the fundraiser, I stopped by her place after work. It was late, and she’d given me a key, telling me to drop by whenever I could. I’d stopped by my house first, showering and taking Scout outside before heading over to her place.
I’d paid a neighboring teenager to watch Scout for the weekend, to let him out and play with him because I knew I’d be preoccupied with the fundraiser.
Unlocking the door to Remi’s apartment, I expected her to be asleep. Instead, she was sitting on the couch with her computer perched on her lap.
She looked up at me with tired eyes, smiling when she saw me. “Hey, you.”
Locking up, I toed off my shoes and sat next to her. “Why are you still up?”
“I had some last-minute emails to answer.”
Closing her laptop gently, I said, “Everything is ready to go. Stop worrying.”
I motioned for her to turn so I could massage the tension from her shoulders.
She closed her eyes, humming. “That feels great.”
“Everything is planned. It’s going to go great tomorrow.”
“I hope so,” she murmured softly.
“Aren’t you the one who’s usually so positive? What would you say if you were coaching someone?”
I paused my ministrations, and she turned so she could see my face. “I’d tell them to envision the fundraiser running smoothly, the money we’ll raise for the kids, and the supplies they’ll receive.”
“You want to do that now?”
She gestured at me, turning her back to me again. “You continue what you were doing, and I’ll visualize.”
“No problem.” We were there for each other. It was the first healthy relationship I’d had since her sister.
I felt a pang when I realized I hadn’t thought of Delilah in a while.
After a few minutes, I sat back on the couch, pulling Remi with me. “Are you still visualizing?”
