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I consider my answer a moment while scanning my yard. How many times have I wondered if I’ll catch a glimpse of Tilden walking out of the trees?
Too many to count, and it never happens. She has no reason to walk through there since I’ve effectively put a stop to her plans for now.
“I love it,” I tell him honestly. “I felt a lot of weight lift off the minute I drove out of Pittsburgh.”
“I’m glad,” he says, hoisting his bottle toward me. “You needed something that no one else on that team could give you,so while I hate we lost you the last part of the season, I’m beyond happy you found something good.”
I tap my bottle against his. “Thanks, man.”
“What’s the social scene around here? Coudersport is a small town.”
“I pretty much stay home. I’ve been working to clear some of the property, and I do a lot of hiking, some fishing. I’ll head into town for groceries or sometimes I’ll have a beer at this bar called Masha’s. It’s more of a local hangout than touristy. Low-key.”
“Been recognized?”
“Oh yeah.” I chuckle at my attempts to stay in disguise when I go out. It’s not working anymore. “Had a few requests for autographs or pictures. Most people give me space, though. It’s not bad. How’s everyone else been?”
I mean the team. I can’t help my curiosity. I might not have bonded with any of them, but I’m well aware they all wanted the best for me. It’s also a safe subject to talk about because I know Gage has a purpose in being here.
“We’re headed to Colorado next week. Jett’s proposing to Emory, and Jenna and I will be there as a surprise to her.”
Jett plays for the Arizona Vengeance, and Emory is Jenna’s sister. “That’s cool. Love that area… spent quite a bit of time skiing out there in the winter.”
“Baden and Sophie found an old Victorian house, and they’re spending the summer renovating it.”
I wrinkle my nose. “That sounds horrendous.”
“Not to Baden.” Gage laughs. “As long as he’s with Sophie, he’s happy. And Stone and Harlow are getting serious. I doubt it’s long before he pops the question.”
“I’ve actually been in touch with them. Harlow helped me out of that New York arrest, as well as with the purchase of this place from Stone.” I don’t mention that she’s also going to help me with the sale of my condo in Pittsburgh, because that’s a frankadmission I’m not going back, and I haven’t had enough beer to cope with Gage’s pitch not to quit. I know it’s coming.
I ask about the other players, and as we finish our first beers and start on the second, he tells me about Coach Keller. He was fired before the season ended for a myriad of reasons, but mostly because he’s an asshole.
“Heard he’s taking a job coaching a minor league team in Michigan,” Gage says. No mistaking the loathing he has for the man within his tone. “Bill did a solid job stepping into the head coach position.”
He’s talking about Bill Perry, the assistant coach. “I watched all the games. You guys held it together well in the playoffs.”
“Not good enough to make it past the first round,” he muses.
“No one ever expected the team to make it to the playoffs. That was a win.”
“True,” he says with a laugh.
Movement catches my eye, and I see Chip bounding toward the deck. Any time I’m out here now, he approaches and easily takes food from my hand. Yesterday, he actually perched on my shoulder as he tore into a peanut. I’m surprised he’s coming, though, with Gage here, but I’m guessing he’s more interested in filling his belly.
I reach over to the sealed container of nuts I keep by my chair and pull out a few. I have them in my palm by the time he’s scampering up the steps.
“Holy fuck,” Gage exclaims as Chip scurries up my jean-clad leg and onto my thigh where he pulls a peanut from my hand. “You’ve got a chipmunk on you.”
Laughing, I glance over at him. “This is Chip. We’re buddies.”
Gage doesn’t respond but grabs his phone and takes a picture of us. “I’m texting this to the team right now.”
Snickering, I use my thumb to stroke Chip’s shoulder gently. It’s the first time I’ve attempted to pet him, but he doesn’t move a muscle, merely concentrates on shredding the peanut shell.
“Seriously,” Gage says, tucking his phone back in his pocket. “That’s the damnedest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Not so strange. I’ve got peanuts. He’s hungry.”
