“That’s because you were an asshole leading up to finally asking her out,” I remind him.
He stares at me, as though he’s just had an epiphany. “You haven’t dated anyone since your ex, freshman year. Not even in the off-season.”
“We don’t have a damn off-season. We have an off-week.”
Hudson doesn’t believe me, I know because he remains silent, waiting for me to either divulge the rest of my truth or paint myself into a corner.
The flight crew gets on the intercom though, advising us to prepare for landing, ending our conversation.
“I hate Florida,” Palmer mutters, leaning forward to tuck his bag back under the seat.
He’s referring to their locker room, which is notoriously disgusting. Every college, including Camden, makes the visitor’s locker room a bare and grimy place, but Florida takes it to the next level. It’s always crawling with cockroaches, smells like piss, and most of the lights don’t work.
Hudson commiserates with him while I read Hadley’s message.
Hadley: 1- Laughter. I love the sound of laughter, especially when people have unique laughs, i.e., snorts, gasping sounds, etc.
Hadley: 2- When a recipe no longer needs tweaks.
Hadley: 3- Lanie.
Me: You forgot pranks.
Hadley: I also forgot books, but you said to only list three.
Me: List more. We’re about to land and then we’re heading to the hotel. We’re going to be in meetings for the next couple of hours. I’ll message you later when I can.
When the meeting grows tedious, going over the same damn plays we know inside and out because they haven’t changed since Peters became head coach, I make the excuse to go to the bathroom and send Hadley a text, though I know I won’t be able to see her answer until later.
Me: Who did you do your introductory speech on?
Hours pass. We have dinner, and go over plays and expectations another half dozen times before we’re finally excused to our rooms.
I barely have the door open before I have my phone out, checking for Hadley’s reply.
Hadley: Bessie Coleman.
I kick off my shoes and lie back on the bed.
Me: Will I lose clout if I ask who Bessie Coleman is? Should I google her and pretend I know?
Hadley: You should have.
Hadley: She was the first woman to have African-American and Native-American heritage to hold a pilot’s license. She broke all kinds of records.
Hadley: They nicknamed her “Brave Bessie” and “Queen Bess.” She was a badass. They refused to allow her to get her pilot’s license here in America, so she went to France to get it.
Me: You’ll have to tell Evelyn about her. Did she tell you about the world records she and Hudson have tried?
Hadley: Seriously?
Me: Serious as a hemorrhoid.
Hadley: I like Evelyn.
Me: She’s good people. Why’d you pick Bessie?
Hadley: You’re going to laugh.