Jefferson ran off the field. He seemed less out of breath than usual.
“Water?” Nigel asked.
I turned around. Nigel had set up a little stand filled with cups of water. All within 10 minutes of us stepping out here. Where had he even gotten the water?
“Thanks,” Jefferson said and grabbed the little cup Nigel handed him. But instead of drinking it, he just lifted up the glass to inspect it. “Is this crystal?”
“Only the best of the best for Master Matthew’s team.”
Wait, he was serving water in crystal glasses? “Nigel, that’s a little fancy.”
“Oh. Is it too fancy? Did I do a bad job? Maybe I need to be punished.”
Everyone was very silent all of a sudden.
I cleared my throat. “No, Nigel it’s perfect. But in the future, paper cups are fine.”
“No, paper cups are for paupers and vagabonds.”
What?“I don’t think that’s a thing.”
“It is.” He went back to filling up more of the crystal glasses. I guess we’d just be very fancy from now on. Wait…had I accidentally just asked Nigel to come back? I needed to stop doing stuff like that.
I watched as Jefferson sat down on the bench and some of the guys started talking to him right away.
“It’s really working,” I whispered to Kennedy. “I think we made him some friends.”
“You meanIdid that. BecauseIhelped him learn how to kick.”
“Is that so?” I looped my arms around her and pulled her in for a kiss. But before my lips met hers, Nigel chucked the water out of two glasses at us. And then he chucked the crystal glasses at my chest.
“Nigel, what the hell?”
“Sorry. They slipped.” He shrugged. “Oops.” That last word came out very sarcastic.
That was the second time this week he’d thrown water at me and Kennedy. What the hell was his problem? We’d been having such a nice day together.
But Kennedy was laughing, wiping the water from her eyes. And I found her laughter quite contagious. So I started laughing too.
Nigel shook his head and went back to his water boy position.
Homecoming - Chapter 24
Thursday
Brooklyn
“Brooklyn,” Tanner whispered. He lightly touched my arm. “We’re here.”
I slowly opened my eyes.
Tanner was crouched in front of me in the limo. Jacob was still fast asleep behind him.
“Where are we?” And why did Tanner look so serious?
He put his hand on the side of my face before I could turn to look out the window. “I need you to know that I’ve done a lot of these. More than I ever dreamed I’d have to endure. But you have to face this head on. If you let the loss of someone close to you linger in your heart, it’ll make you sick. Trust me. I’ve made that mistake. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. You have to set the pain free with the wind. You have to.”
I didn’t need to look out the window. I knew where he’d taken me. I could already feel the tears welling in my eyes. “I’m not ready.” My voice cracked.
