And that’s exactly what I did, taking the next exit, and the slower, but safer, route three to get home.
“No more talk about my coach,” I insisted.
“Will he be there tonight?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“Yasss.”
“Jo,” I warned.
“What? I can’t wait to meet him. And Jace and Axel, and Dane and the rest of the team.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t happen sooner.”
“You were trying to protect me. I get it.”
“How’re you feeling this week? The new medication?”
Even with surgery, Jo would probably be on meds for the rest of his life.
“I’m fine. A bit lightheaded, and I had a headache yesterday. The pharmacist said that’s common until I get used to it.”
“If the rally is too much, you can skip it.”
“No way. I’m not missing that for anything.”
“You can only come for an hour,” I reminded him.
“That’s fine. I’m meeting up with River at Parker’s house.”
“What’s going on there?” I asked as we entered the town proper.
“The usual Saturday thing,” he replied. “Ya know, pizza, video games, smoking.”
“Smoking?”
I hit the brakes a little too hard at the light.
“Kidding.” He chuckled. “I’ll leave that filthy habit to you.”
“I’m only a part-time smoker. And I’m too young for gray hair,” I quipped.
“And that beard.”
Four hours and one nap later, I showered and got changed for the rally. This type of event was not my jam, but considering our big win, I had to be there. Hopefully, not for long. My social battery got drained quickly.
My brother, on the other hand, was excited as hell. He’d changed three times, finally settling for his baggiest jeans, a striped T-shirt, a blue button down—unbuttoned—and a black denim jacket. He wore—stole—my favorite pair of Doc Marten lace ups and added a trucker hat to complete the look. Josiah had style, which was more than could be said for me. I stuck to my usual denims, a plain white T-shirt, and my leather jacket. I gathered my hair up into a bun, ran some beard oil over my face, and decided that was good enough. Since Jo had my boots, Islipped on a pair of running shoes and headed for the front door. Then I remembered to grab my clean jersey and shoved it in my backpack.
We took a rideshare to campus, so that way, I could have a few drinks and not worry.
“When I turn eighteen, can I get a tattoo?” Josiah asked me.
Today was a lot. Me coming out to Josiah. And now this?
“It would be hypocritical of me to say no,” I replied. “I’m good, as long as your doctor okays it.”
“Yes!”
