Page 36 of Draft Pick
I need to get out. Time to text Val.
Set up the date, please. I’m ready.
If anything, I now have two great friends out of this connection. And now the chance to pick up an exercise I’ve missed more than anything.
I can’t complain about that. Not one little bit.
When Tenley invited me out for drinks with her friends, I had no idea it would be this fun. Don’t get me wrong, I met Kodi and Navy at Joe’s last week, but they’re much more fun without their husbands.
Aren’t they all? Or is that just amething? Probably is.
We decided to meet at Boone, the same restaurant I remember Crew telling me about the other night. When Navy suggested it in the group chat I was graciously added to, I was already looking forward to it.
I’m a born and bred foodie to my core. Trying new foods is what I live for when traveling to new places, let alone a new city I get to call home.
Boone is supposedly known for its elevated pub-style food. It has an urban bar meets masculine aesthetic. Pillars of cedar wood line the exterior while cedar slats create an awning-like structure over the entrance of the restaurant. The roof is black with accents to match, and string lights hang over the outdoor seating.
Despite being smack-dab in the middle of downtown Atlanta, Boone gives a very “locals only” vibe that, lucky for me, I now fit in with.
Navy reaches across the pub-style table and dips her chip in the salsa. “He just hasn’t been himself lately, and I’m worried, guys.”
“I mean, how do you even recover after losing your partner? I don’t think I’d be able to physically get myself out of bed if I lost Callaway,” Kodi says, and I feel my heart drop. I don’t know Jack Leggins personally, but after hearing countless stories about what kind of stand-up guy he truly is, it makes me deeply sad for him.
Sad for his loss and all of the obstacles with grief that follow.
“I’m not sure you do,” I admit truthfully, doing my best to contribute to the honesty of the conversation. “Has anyone beento his house? At least to make sure he has groceries, his grass is mowed, trash is taken out? You know, the little things that are easily neglected.”
Kodi and Navy look to Tenley. “Why are you looking at me? My name isn’t Crew Briggs.”
Crew? What does Crew have to do with Jack’s house?
“You’re his built-in best friend, being married to hisactualbest friend. If anyone were to know, it’s you, Ten.” Kodi doesn’t waver, and it only proves her loyalty to Jack.
The Strikers are a family. I don’t need to be a part of them to feel it.
Tenley raises her hands, the crunching of her taco interrupting her words. “All I know is that he checks in every Sunday. Jack lives close by, and Crew re-routes his run to stop by his place.”
That must mean Jack lives by me, too.
“Hey, isn’t that where you said you lived, Juniper? The suburb side of Atlanta?” Navy asks me, and I nod.
“Yeah. I live closer to the farmland side. Big houses, lots of dirt roads, easy ways to get lost,” I answer, speaking from experience.
“I’ll stick with my high-rise,” Navy quips.
“So, Crew visits with Jack on Sundays?” I ask, curious to know.
“Well, it’s not as morbid as it seems. From what August has said, he just shows up and does what needs to be done to help. He’s still not thrilled about having visitors, Crew included. I think Jack is doing better than he was, but that’s expected. He and Taylor went through a lot together.”
Nothing about Crew being so thoughtful surprises me.
It’s not my place to know, but it feels a bit superficial to mourn the loss of someone I don’t know without fullyunderstanding what happened. I mean that as respectfully as possible.
So, I clear my throat. “I know I’m not a part of your group, or the Strikers, for that matter, but is it okay to ask how she passed? If not, I totally understand. It’s just that I might be able to provide him with some resources that may help.”
“That would be incredible, actually,” Tenley says, reaching her hand to cover mine. “I don’t think he would mind you knowing, seeing as how most of Atlanta knows. Leggins is kind of a big deal around here, so to see our home team coach suffer such a loss had the whole town suffering.”
“Taylor passed from stage four breast cancer. It progressed quickly. We were grateful to see her suffering end, but devastated knowingwhoshe left behind. It’s all just so sad.”
