Nick sucked in a deep breath and held her tighter. “I really wish I didn’t have to go right now.”
Maisie pressed her mouth against his and despite the tackle hug, it was gentle and sweet.
“I’ll be here when you get back,” she whispered.
NICK PARKED HIS VEHICLEin a spot close to the front door of 93.3 Seattle Sound’s station. He’d listened on the way over and was pleased to hear they played a great blend of classic rock.
Walking through the glass double doors, he waited until the receptionist finished on the phone before approaching the front desk. The woman wore aqua-blue, square-framed glasses, bright-red lipstick, and a wide smile.
“Hi. How can I help you?”
He waited a second because if this were San Jose, the receptionist at the radio station would know who he was. Jesus, maybe it was good he was at the tail end of his career so he could shrink his ego a bit. Ellie would have laughed at him for not saying his name quicker.
“I’m Nick King. I’m here for an interview,” he said.
The door behind him opened and a loud, booming voice came straight at him. “The King is in the house!”
Nick turned, a smile already on his lips, to see his old friend, Drew Decker. Running back for the Seahawks for the past five years, he’d joined the San Francisco Renegades at the start of thelast season. They’d met at a charity golf event several years earlier—the same one he’d met Wes Jansen at—and they’d been friends ever since.
The guy was a freaking giant and used his giganticness to pull him into a hug, lifting him right off the floor like Nick—who wasn’t small by any means—was a rag doll.
“Nicky,” he bellowed.
“Well, now I’m deaf,” Nick said through his laughter.
A tall woman with shoulder-length brown hair and dramatically outlined eyes laughed at Drew’s side. “Put him down, Drew.”
Drew listened but probably only because he wanted to and then clapped Nick on the shoulder. “What are you doing in Seattle?”
“Ellie bought a tree farm a couple of hours from here. I was there for Christmas.”
His buddy’s face softened. Everyone had a soft spot for his sister and nephew. “How is she? How’s Asher?”
“They’re good. They’re happy.”
Drew nodded, his smile so wide, Nick could only see teeth. Despite being in Seattle, his normally pale skin was California-tanned and without the goatee, which he’d sported the last time they saw each other, his friend’s face looked younger. A year older than him, Nick couldn’t help wondering if he ever felt his age the way Nick did too often lately.
“Sorry to interrupt the reunion, guys, but we need to get into the booth,” the woman told them. She held up her phone, swiping her finger across it like she was checking off a list, then looked at Nick. “I’m Liv Bennett. I’m marrying his brother and am the only reason he shows up places on time.”
Nick burst out laughing, swung an arm around his friend’s shoulder. “That totally tracks. Nice to meet you, Liv.”
They went down a short, gray-carpeted hallway with privacy glass–paneled rooms. The last one they stopped at, Booth 4, didn’thave its ONAIRsign lit up. After meeting the deejay, Thayer Rain—that had to be a stage name—they settled into their seats across from his command center. He’d given them a lowdown of the questions, but mostly, he just wanted to touch base with the two all-stars and get their thoughts on their respective sports.
“That was one of my favorites,” Thayer said into the mic after pressing a couple of buttons. “That song came out when I was sixteen so that should tell you how old I am. Tell me your age without telling me your age, right? We have a couple of special guests in our studio today. You can call in and ask some questions. Our producer will share some of them and you’ll get the scoop. Here we go.
“We have former Seahawk tight end Drew Decker, or Double D to his fans. He ditched our emerald city for San Francisco at the end of last season, but since his team is looking good for the Super Bowl, maybe it was a good choice. With him is a good friend of his, all-star NHL right wing Nick King. Nick’s been out for the last several games with an injury. We’re happy to have these two here with us today so let’s get started. Say hi to our listeners, gentlemen.”
The light on their side of the high-top table blinked. Drew went first, laughing into the mic. “What’s up, Seattle? Nick, when was the last time someone called you a gentleman?”
Nick couldn’t help but laugh as he responded, “About the same time as you. Good afternoon, Seattle.”
The deejay went through several questions, asking about their current seasons, their predictions for upcoming games, and how they’d met. Nick was easing into it and feeling pretty good.
“Nick,” Thayer said, “you’ve been out with an old knee injury, is that right?”
His body stiffened and he leaned away from the mic a little. “That’s right. It’s been a bit of a longer recovery than I expected but I’m back for the game here.”
Maisie’s words flitted through his head.You also shouldn’t hide itfrom people who care about you the way you say your team does. They could help. You’re assuming the worst of them, thinking they would judge you for something out of your control.
