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Hagan
Campus feelssmall when my chest is puffed out like I’m freaking Superman. I’m sky high for Adalee. When she said, “Mine, all mine,” last night, something snapped inside me. Sure, she was talking about bread, but desire rippled through me. She said it like it was a double innuendo. The air thickened so much that Joe and Ginger went to the den.
Adalee and I discussed our engineering project. Neither of us mentioned the kiss, or any topic related to dating. She didn’t even ask about my two-hour phone call. Unfortunately, Joe and I had to leave because my brother Archer and his wife Megan are in town. We went to play escape games with Mac, Archer and Megan. Logan had a friend coming over.
Archer’s a sports agent and so far all of his clients are former baseball players of the Sarasota Sharks. He used to be the President of the team but gave it up for his wife.
But this weekend, he’s here to watch the Stallions predicted first-round draft picks—Logan and Pearse—my roommates. They play number three Ole Miss, and everyone is jacked for the game.
Archer and Megan pick me up early for lunch. “Where to?” I ask.
“Wherever you want, but a friend suggested The Jugger Joint. Have you been there?”
“Nope but everyone raves about their awesome chili,” I say.
The restaurant is what I call southern gourmet. White linens cover the inside tables and are paired with mismatchedchairs.Painted shiplap adorns one wall with exposed brick on the other three. It’s swanky, which is why I haven’t been here. It’s not a place a bunch of guys go—it’s more of a date place or business lunches.
“Hey, can you go see Harper before heading to Chicago for the playoffs?”
Archer’s eyebrow shoots up. Even though he wanted me to transfer to Kentucky, he was visibly unsure about Harper staying at Illinois A&M without me. “We’ll do what we need to do.”
Megan’s eyes narrow. “What’s wrong?”
I butter the cornbread and place it back in the plate. “She’s a nervous wreck. Hap isn’t happy. I’m such an ass for leaving. Some things are more important than sports. I’m sorry I didn’t realize how difficult this would be for her.” I shake my head, hating myself for leaving Harper. I don’t want to alarm them, but I end up sharing my two hour conversation with Harper.
Megan scoots her chair around and puts her arm around my shoulder. “Nonsense. She’s a strong young woman and just needs her friends and family to help her.”
“That’s just it. My friends have always been her friends. She never really had to make friends on her own. If you’re not a twin, it’s hard to understand.”
Megan's eyes dart to Archer’s. They speak telepathically because there’s a long silent stare between them before Archer says, “We’ll leave right after the game, but Hagan, you aren’t responsible for her happiness or her anxiety. I know you both joke about it, but it’s not true.”
“I’ll get Tackett and Talynn to go see her for a visit, too. The four of you spent most of the summer together and there’s no way someone can be depressed when they’re around,” Megan chimes inwith a knowing smile. She’s the new President of the Sarasota Sharks and one of the smartest women I’ve ever known.
“Okay, but I can’t stand to hear her cry. It’s not her fault she was born a twin or into this baseball family. She needs to find something of her own.”
We all agree, and my heart feels a little less tight knowing that Harper will be comforted with company for the next week. Megan is so efficient. She’s already messaged her sister, Talynn, planning for all of them to be at the Kodiaks first round playoff game.
“Hey what about me? I want to come to the playoffs.”
“No can do. You have that big project for the next few weeks. Our plan is for you to be the project manager for the new Kodiak Stadium in five years—if you’re not playing on the team.”
I frown, dipping my French fry into honey mustard. When you’re an athlete, you give up time and important moments in life. It’s a constant battle in my head. Archer says there are scouts interested in me, but do I want this life for the next fifteen years? One thing I’m certain of is I’ll finish my degrees first. “If the Kodiaks make it to the championships, I’m missing class.”
Archer taps his knuckles against the table twice. “Knock on wood.”
Baseball players are superstitious. I look under the white tablecloth and laugh. “It’s wood veneer. Does that count?”
Archer chuckles and says, “Okay, fingers crossed.”
“So, I hope you don’t mind but I’m going to skip out right after the football game. There’s a huge party at the home run house. The baseball players have the parties during football season and vice versa.”
“It wouldn’t be college without parties. Are you meeting up with anyone special?” Megan asks as she smirks.
I scoop up a big spoon of chili and swallow. “Hope so.”
The waiter comes by dropping off the bill. Archer picks it up taking out the pen and taps it on the table a few times. “Are you dating someone?”
“No. I think she hates me. She definitely hated me until yesterday,” I volunteer.
