Page 34 of Catch
Jamal set a small wastebasket on Grayson’s lap. I’d texted Parker to meet us in case she was at the school or out doing whatever she did nowadays. A quick check showed me that she hadn’t seen my message yet.
“Be careful.” Jamal clicked Grayson’s seat belt into place.
I knew to drive slowly. I didn’t want him throwing up in my car. The office was bad enough. “Grayson, I need you to keep your eyes open.” I plugged his address into my navigation system and groaned. Nineteen minutes.
“Fresh air,” he said and fumbled at the buttons on the car door.
“Let me do it.” I rolled down his window and he stuck his head out and smiled. “You remind me of Crowbar right now.”
“Who…why is your dog Crowbar?” He laughed as though it was the most hilarious name. “It’s so weird.” At least he was communicating.
“He picked his name.”
Grayson frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.” He rambled on about how people should name dogs because dogs couldn’t speak.
“Do you have a dog?”
He smiled again. “I love Buttercup. She’s so good with the girls.”
“What kind of dog is she?”
“A golden retriever,” he said.
Of course, he had a golden. Perfect everything. “Those are great family dogs.”
We were quiet for a few minutes. I looked down at the estimated time of arrival. Twelve minutes. “How are your parents?” I didn’t know anything about them, but it was a neutral topic that we could probably talk about until I coasted into their driveway.
He snorted. “I don’t talk to them much.” Or maybe it was a bad subject. Before I could switch topics, he turned to face me. “I don’t like Parker’s parents. They’re awful people.”
I almost laughed. I wanted to agree with him but I had to keep our conversation from getting too personal. I wasn’t sure what he would share with Parker. “I remember them from high school. They didn’t like me.”
“They didn’t like you because you’re gay and they thought you were trying to convert their daughter. I can’t tell you how many times they brought that up.” He moved the visor down to block the bright sun that had poked its way through the dark clouds. “We’re going to get storms tonight. I studied meteorology in college.”
Three more minutes. My phone dinged and the text from Parker showed up on the screen.I’m home.
I was glad Grayson was slumped in the seat with his eyes closed. By the time we got to the entrance to his development, Parker had texted me the code to open the gates. Their house was gorgeous. I pulled up into the driveway. Parker opened the garage door and waved me inside. That made sense. Privacy. I could control the narrative somewhat at work, but nosy neighbors liked to gossip.
“I’m so sorry about this,” Parker said.
I tried not to focus on her leggings and tank top. She was either on her way to the gym or had just got back. “Where do you want him? I’ll help you drop him off somewhere.”
She might not have wanted my help, but she needed it. Grayson was a big dude and no way could she get him into the house without another person. I opened the passenger door and pulled him out. I put his arm around my shoulders and walked him into the house. Parker walked on the other side of him in case he wobbled. She directed us to the couch. He stretched out and started snoring.
I looked at Parker. “Is this a thing with him? I can’t begin to tell you how much trouble he’s in.”
“No. This isn’t normal for him at all. We’ve just got a lot going on right now.” She sat in the chair opposite him. She looked defeated. Her normally bright eyes looked dull and her features sad.
I wanted to comfort her but that wasn’t my job anymore. We were friends, that’s it. “I don’t want to pry. At all. But as his coach, I need answers. I need to go back and figure out what we’re going to do about this. He needs help. Even if this is a one-time thing, we have to treat it as though he has a problem. Nobody wants an alcoholic quarterback.” Her eyes welled up and I felt like a real ass. “Truly. We only want him to succeed.” Me, for selfish reasons, and the team because they needed a leader to guide them to a winning season.
“His problems aren’t alcohol or lack of commitment to the team. He loves being a Cheetah.” She looked at him slightly snoring on the couch with his forearm covering his eyes and shook her head. “I’ll have him call Coach Pierson later tonight.”
I took a deep breath. “I’m here if you need to talk. Either as his coach or as your friend. Take care of him and reach out if you need anything.” I meant it. Our past was the past and I could put any lingering feelings to the side to help somebody who needed it.
“Thank you.”
I stood and had to brace myself for the giant fluffball of a dog that barreled toward me. “You must be Buttercup.” The dog stopped short in front of me and wagged her tail. I smiled and let her sniff my hand before I petted her.
“You know our dog?”
