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One thing became clear as I lay awake that night. No matter what had sent her spiraling years ago or what had brought her back, my Mama no longer needed me. No one did. I could probably take off tomorrow without them noticing I was gone. That was a tough pill to swallow, but it was true.
Despite how tired my body was from the hits I had taken during Saturday’s game, I didn’t fall asleep until after 4 am. That meant that I wasn’t awake by 9:00. It was a phone call at 9:15 that woke me. I didn’t need to ask why Cage was calling. So, I just picked it up and said,
“I’m leaving now. Where am I going?”
“I texted you the address.”
I looked at my screen. “Got it. Be there in 10.”
I recognized the address. Being a small town, there weren’t many really nice neighborhoods. The house I was headed to was in one of them. The house closest to it was owned by Glenn, who owned the local general store, and his husband Dr. Tom, the town’s only doctor. That meant that Quin’s house had to be nice.
Pulling up to it, I turned out to be right. The place was two-story with a huge veranda and an equally large yard. The ceiling of the veranda was shiny cedar. As were the floors in the giant kitchen and dining room.
Actually, there were two dining rooms, as well as two living rooms, even though Quin called one a family room. There was also a three-car garage.
On top of that, there was marble and chandeliers everywhere. The bathroom attached to the master bedroom had a claw-foot tub in it. And where there weren’t the nicest hardwood floors I had ever seen, there was brand new carpet.
This had to be the most incredible house I had ever been in. I had thought Dr. Tom’s house was fancy, but there was no comparison. This place had to cost half a million dollars. The rent for our mobile home was $300 a month.
“You can just buy this place?” I asked Quin.
“I mean, my parents will help me out with the down payment. But, I’ve been working for my father this semester.”
“While taking classes?”
“Yeah. And, the investments I’ve identified for the company have paid off. I’m lucky.”
“Must be nice,” I told him still floored by what I was seeing.
“Yeah, Nero, nice for us, because we’re the ones who are going to get to live here,” Cage said giving me a look as he grabbed Quin and kissed his head.
“Yeah,” I said half-heartedly. “Listen, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you guys about.”
Cage let go of his boyfriend and both moved in front of me.
“What’s up?” Cage asked.
“So, you guys know that I’ve been playing well.”
“We know. Your game last Saturday was insane.”
“Yeah. Yesterday wasn’t that good, but it was close,” I informed them.
“That’s fantastic. I’m proud of you, bro.”
“Yeah, me too,” Quin said enthusiastically.
“Thanks. But, you know how after someone has a few good games, people start talking about you going pro?”
Cage chuckled. “I remember it well.”
“That’s started happening to me.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. And, I’m considering it.”
“You mean this year?” Cage asked surprised.
