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He’ll get the message.
Since I won’t be driving far, I polish off two beers while watching Conner tear Miami a new asshole. Alta grows bored and decides to leave in the middle of the fourth quarter. I never take it personally when she fails to say goodbye.
The Cyclones win by a score of forty-five to seventeen. A reporter tries to corner a sweaty, grinning Conner for some lame questions but his teammates keep stopping by to smack his back.
Then the reporter asks him THE question.
“Last year you were shot by your own mother moments before her death. How has this affected your ability to focus?”
“Son of a bitch.” Gage throws a wadded napkin at the screen.
Conner’s smile falters and I crush the beer can between my palms because I can’t crush that damn reporter’s head. No one should have to answer a screwed up question like that. The constant remarks about Aunt Edie have subsided over time but now and then these nasty fuckers sneak one in.
Conner’s never one to let his temper show. “I just do my best to get the job done.”
The reporter tries to squawk out another question, but Conner steps back from the microphone and retreats into his sea of teammates.
Tess is careful to avoid looking at me as she gets to her feet. “Thanks so much for hosting. I had fun.”
Dani jumps up. “You’re leaving?”
“Yeah, I should.”
Now they hug. I don’t know what the deal is with women and hugging. Gage doesn’t expect a hug every time we run into each other for fuck’s sake.
“You didn’t walk over, did you?” Dani asks when they’re finished with their Best Friends Forever embrace.
“I did.”
“Let me get my keys. I’ll drive you home.”
“No need. It’s two blocks.”
“It’s two blocks in the dark, Tess.”
“I’ll do it.” I shake my keys and give everyone my best‘Look at me not being an asshole’face. “Tess, I can drop you off on my way out.”
Dani smiles, pleased with my sudden aptitude for politeness.
Tess also gives me a smile but it’s a different kind. “If you’re sure it’s no trouble, Micah.”
“No trouble. I don’t mind giving you a ride anytime.”
Gage nearly strangles on his laugh. He receives a warning glare.
Tess is also having trouble keeping her composure.
Only Dani is clueless as she picks up the empty chip bowl. “Good night, you guys.”
I motion to Tess. “After you.”
Chapter8
Micah
Iwas probably in grade school the last time I set foot in Tess’s house.
Thinking back, I believe I was banned after ruining one of her birthday parties. The boys and I had a good time freeing the petting zoo and popping the inflatable slide. Matilda yelled for about six hours.
