“So, how was your first road game as a Viper, Marylin?” Flech asks our rookie.
“Yeah, good,” he says, shrinking a little under our attention.
“Wow,” Fletch laughs. “I’m glad it left an impression on you.”
I think back to my first week of preseason. It was the most overwhelming week of my life.
Just like our rookie, I had all the confidence, and I knew I had the skill. After being at the top of my game at college, it was unnerving to suddenly become the bottom of the pile again.
There’s something about our rookie, though.
He’ll be fine. Give it a month or two, and he’ll have found his place.
I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the team.
I’ve watched his college games; I know what he’s capable of. I’m sure everyone around the table does as well.
“Right,” Fletch says after finishing his beer. “I’m heading back to speak to Reese.”
We stand to allow him out. He says goodbye to everyone before turning to me.
His hand wraps around my shoulder, and his eyes find mine. “It was good to see you tonight, Big D.”
My lips purse at the nickname.
Unlike what people assume, it actually stands for Big Daddy.
Which…honestly, I’m not sure is better or worse.
“You should hang out with us more; I know it would make Coach happy.” I swallow thickly as that guilt returns. “We’re going to the playoffs this year. But to do that, we’ve got to do it together,” he states with a look that makes me want to return to my hotel room with my tail between my legs.
Instead, I force a nod. “Yeah.”
“Great. See you in the morning. Enjoy the rest of your night,” he calls to everyone before he disappears.
“So whipped,” Linc says as I lower myself beside him.
“Yeah,” I agree. Although really, is that a bad thing?
For the very briefest of moments, I wonder what it might be like to have a woman waiting for me at home after a game.
No, not a woman.
Casey.
“You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you?” Linc teases.
Shaking my head, I reach for what’s left of my beer and try to focus on doing what Fletch just said: enjoying my night.
Thankfully, Linc doesn’t mention my mystery girl again until we’re back in our hotel room a little over an hour later.
“You need to find her,” he says as the door closes behind us.
A laugh spills from my lips.
“I don’t need a woman in my life. And I certainly don’t need to run around town looking for one.”
“Did she leave a glass slipper behind?” Linc asks unhelpfully. I shake my head as I toe my shoes off.
