We follow Officer Melton to his car and when he opens the back door, I stop short.
The backseat is basically a cage. Not only is there a divider between the front and back, there’s also one between the seats in the rear.
Coach Walker notices my stare and shrugs. “Consider it punishment for rash behavior.”
“One ride in this baby and you’ll never want to cross the law again.” Officer Melton chuckles and gestures to Coach Walker. “You’re welcome to ride up front with me.”
Piper and I exchange a look, but she climbs in on the driver’s side, so I circle around the passenger side and do the same.
It’s a tight fit. This car clearly wasn’t designed with a man my size in mind. And forget about my duffel bag.
Officer Melton does a seatbelt check and then we’re pulling out onto the main road, where traffic is moving like molasses.
My gut coils tight, nerves taking root, but there’s nothing I can do except sit back and enjoy the ride. Which is actually impossible when Piper and I are separated by plexiglass like freaking cons while Coach Walker and Officer Melton are up front making small talk like two biddies at afternoon tea.
Officer Walker explains that he moved south after college to be closer to his wife’s family. They’re raising two little Wildcats and I’m shocked he doesn’t bust out his phone and start showing Coach pictures.
I sigh and Piper taps the glass between us, shooting me a look I’m pretty sure means,Like you have room to talk.
I shoot her one back that says,Yeah, but we weren’t in a hurry when I showed you baby chick pics.
At least, that’s what it’s supposed to say. I’m not sure she takes my meaning, but she presses her palm to the scratched glass and I do the same, splaying my fingers to align with hers.
“It’s going to be okay,” she mouths.
“I know.”
My phone vibrates and I contort myself like a pretzel trying to fish it out of my pocket.
There’s a new message on the group chat with my roommates.
Reid: What the hell is going on, Vaughn?
A better question would be why the hell are they texting me when they should be suiting up, but I tap out a hasty reply.
Me: You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.
No way am I getting into it over text. I don’t need that shit getting leaked into the world, and besides, Piper’s secrets are her own.
Parker: You okay?
Me: Yeah. I’m good.
Or as good as I can be, considering the circumstances.
My knee bounces as I watch the clock, every minute that ticks by another nail in the coffin.
Coop: I always thought you’d look good in orange. Can I see your mugshot?
Me: *middle finger emoji*
Coop: Is that a no? Because I’m pretty sure I can get it from public records. I’m going to put that shit on a t-shirt and wear it with pride.
He’s obviously messing with me. Coop may be a jackass at times, but he’s smart enough to know I wouldn’t be texting if I’d been arrested.
Reid: Are you going to make it in time for kickoff?
I glance out the window as we pass another closed road. Red taillights stretch as far as the eye can see and the stadium is nowhere in sight.
