Page 37 of Fly's Path

“Good for them.”

“Why aren’t you?”

That’s a good question. “Because a man who saves lives doesn’t waste them on something frivolous.”

“Just because I was wounded in action doesn’t make me a hero.”

I stop and turn to him. “Tell me you aren’t one.”

He blinks.

“Exactly. Now, unless you came up with a crazy plan in the last ten feet, I need to go meet a total stranger and fend off any advances he might make.”

Deacon chuckles. “You’re a nut.”

“For that, I’m just going to send you plain, boring chocolate chip cookies.”

“I like chocolate chip cookies.”

It’s hard not to roll my eyes.

We’re now too close to have a side conversation. Which means I should try to figure out where I know Viola’s grandson from. He looks so familiar. It feels like the memory is right there, waiting to be pulled out of my brain.

He’s just as fit as Deacon, but maybe a little bit leaner. He’s got an olive complexion and a face any sculptor would like to preserve in stone.

Where do I know him from?

“There you are, Sheridan. I was just telling my grandson Gabe that you cooked for him.”

Gabe…No.

It can’t be. “You’re Gabe Vincenti.” Why didn’t I realize who he was immediately?

Because who would have thought this superstar is actually someone’s grandson? Gabe Vincenti is standing in front of me…well, more like leaning heavily on some crutches in front of me.

Gabe Vincenti…

“You watch football, I take it.” He sounds just like he does on television.

Of course, he does. That’s his voice. “You can’t be born down south and not love football. It’s more than a law. It’s a religion.” Even in my house, where we couldn’t afford a television, we found a way to watch the game.

My brother and I would either watch through a window from a spot up in a tree or at a friend’s house. Not that I had many friends…

Pull yourself together. Gabe Vincenti doesn’t need some silly twit fangirling when he’s in pain. “It’s nice to meet you.” Wow, that almost sounded normal.

Gabe reaches out and takes my hand in his. It’s a nice firm grip. But his hand is massive, which is probably why he’s able to grip and throw a ball so well. They should include in his stats the size of a player’s hand.

I want to ask him who is going to replace him now that he’s out for the next season, but that would be more than a little rude. Manners are important.

Wait, I didn’t introduce him to Deacon. Do they know each other? They’re currently giving each other a stare-down. “Have you met Deacon?”

“No. We’ve passed each other occasionally.” The two men shake hands.

“I had just mentioned to Deacon that your grandmother brought you some amazing treats and thought he might join us.”

“Nonna always cooks enough to feed an army.”

***