“Sure do. Probably should give them to charity or something, since they’re just sitting around collecting dust.”
“Where are they?”
“One of those public storage places. They have a climate-controlled garage for cars attached to the main building. The manager starts ’em and lets ’em run once a month for a little extra cash, but they really should be driven, not just let the engine run idly.”
I pondered that for a few exits. “Maybe we can go see them sometime.”
“The cars?”
I nodded.
“Sure. I’d like that. It’s been a few years.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon for Sunday’s game. Maybe next Saturday? We’ll only have a morning walk-through, not a full practice.”
“Let me check my calendar.” Coach scratched his chin. “Yep, looks like I’m free.”
Traffic was heavy, so we arrived at the football field a few minutes late. I helped Coach settle in his chair, and we headed to the bleachers to look for Bella. She wasn’t hard to find since she was standing at the fence, screaming her head off.
“What’d I miss?” I called.
She turned and smiled. “Oh hey! They called back Wyatt’s field goal for a penalty, but the defense had too many guys on the field, and the ref didn’t notice.” Bella leaned down and hugged Coach but then hesitated, seeming like she wasn’t sure how to greet me. I settled her internal debate by hooking a hand around the back of her neck and giving her a quick kiss on the lips. After, I moved my mouth to her ear. “He knows.”
“Oh…” She nodded with an uneasy smile. “Okay.”
I could see this being-out-in-public thing was going to take some getting used to for her, so I didn’t push it. “Wanna go up on the stands? Coach can see easier.”
“Yeah, sure. I wasn’t sure you’d want to sit with the crowd. It’s pretty packed tonight.”
“It’s fine.”
The three of us settled into the first row of the bleachers and watched the game. By the time the ref blew the whistle at the end of the first quarter, it was almost dark and the field lights were on. That brought back a ton of memories. I looked around, not realizing I was smiling until Bella elbowed me.
“What’s going on in that head of yours? You’re smiling like a cat who ate a canary.”
“Nothing. Just remembering the good old days. I used to love Friday-night games under the lights in high school.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “And under the bleachers after.”
She shook her head. “You know what I did on Friday nights in high school?”
“What?”
“I read books on combinatorics.”
“What the hell is that?”
She grinned. “It’s the branch of math that interested me most.”
Coach was sitting on the other side of Bella, but his wheelchair was positioned in front of the bleacher seats. He leaned back to get my attention. “Where’s that hot dog and pretzel you promised me?”
I smiled and looked at Bella. “You want something?”
“Definitely. A hot dog with the works, please.”
“I’ll take the same,” Coach said.
I stood. “Be back.”
It was mid-second quarter before I returned.
“It’s about damn time. I’m starving,” Coach said.
I handed him and Bella each a box with a hot dog, pretzel, and soda before sitting down. “I had to wait in a long line.”
“Awww…” Bella bit into her hot dog and covered her full mouth with her hand while she spoke. “Did no one let the superstar cut the line, and you had to wait like a mere mortal?”
“Wiseass…”
At halftime, the game was tied. I took a run to the men’s room, and when I came back, Bella was on the phone. She hung up as I sat.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, fine. I was just giving Talia an update on the game.”
“How’s she feeling?”
“Really good, though she’s anxious to be back to work and her regular routine. The doctor said she can go back Monday. Wyatt’s been invited to Ohio State by the football coach to see the school and come to their game next Saturday.”
“Oh yeah?”
She nodded. “I told Talia I’d take him since she’s had to miss so much time from work with her appendix.”
“He’s gonna love it. Those fans are wild. They make the stadium shake.”
“We can probably fly out late Friday evening or early Saturday morning, do the tour and stay for the game, and then I could bring Wyatt with me to the Cincinnati game. It’s only about a two-hour drive.” Bella shook her head. “Oh shoot. I told my grandfather two minutes ago that I’d come with you guys next Saturday.”
“Next Saturday?”
“He said you were going to see a car collection my father left him. He thought I might be interested.”
Fuck. Pretty sure I was out of my mind for thinking what I’d been thinking, but it still wasn’t a good idea for her to come.
“You won’t be missing much.” I leaned close to her so Coach wouldn’t hear. “I’m just trying to get him out more.”