Overnight Sensation(54)
“In that case, I’m in,” Silvia says. “I spent sixty bucks on a ticket in the nosebleed section, and all because I can’t plan my life.”
“You know I woulda got you a seat…”
“I know,” she says, looping her arm in mine. “But I asked for the night off and I thought they turned me down, but I didn’t read the schedule closely enough.” Silvia works as a nurse in a Wisconsin hospital. She’s also getting a graduate degree in public health, because we’re a family of overachievers. “This afternoon when I realized I had the night off, I just got in my car and drove.”
“Where’s your car?”
“Parked at your hotel.”
I laugh. “So that’s how it is, huh? Your plan is to get drunk and crash in my hotel room?”
“There a problem with that?” she asks.
“No. It’s great to see you,” I say, because it is. The shittiest thing about professional sports is that it keeps me on the road so many days a year. Dinners with my family are scarce.
“You looked fantastic tonight,” she says. “I’ve been worried.”
I groan. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” If you can’t count on your family to point out your failures, who can you count on?
“Look, I don’t care if you ever score another goal. But I know you care. And you’re a very grumpy bear when things aren’t going well.”
“Things are fine,” I grumble.
“I noticed. We all worry about you more in the fall, anyway.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I insist.
She gives me the side-eye, implying that it’s not. “Mom and Dad are planning a surprise visit to Brooklyn, too. To check up on you.”
“They’re visiting me? When?”
She shrugs. “I didn’t listen to the details. But you’ve been warned.”
My family is great, but I don’t like them to worry about me. Although it’s true that autumn is not my favorite time of year. Ever since Lissa died on a clear November day, I’ve never been a fan of the season.
And then it hits me like a six-foot-six defenseman. “Oh, shit.” I forgot all about the call from Jolene last night. “I’m such an asshole.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
Ignoring her, I pull out my phone. I’m sure it’s possible to send the money via a website or an app. Except I can’t remember that number Jolene gave me identifying the right drugstore. It’s still on my coffee table, scrawled on a magazine…
Oh. And now I know how I’m going to solve the problem. “Silli, I need a minute.” I push open the stadium door, finding the team bus ready with its door open.
“Hi Silvia,” Jimbo says with a smile. “You guys need a car?” Jimbo asks me. Sisters aren’t allowed on the team bus.
“We sure do. I’m heading to that ribs joint where we went last year. You in?”
He checks me off on his tablet with a stylus. “Sure. I’ll be late, though.” The transport guys aren’t done for the night yet.
“Come whenever. I’ll buy you dinner.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll grab you a car. Prolly take three minutes.”
“Awesome. I’ll be right over there.” I cross the asphalt to the stadium wall and then look up Heidi’s phone number. As it’s ringing, my sister sidles up beside me.
“I need a minute.”
“Yeah, but I like to eavesdrop.”
“You’re a pain in the—”
That’s when Heidi’s phone picks up. “Belle Pepper’s Delivery Service. How may I direct your call?”
“Can I, uh, speak to Heidi?” I ask.
“It’s me, genius!” She laughs. “Just playing with you. What do you need?”
“In the first place, I just wanted to say hi.” My sister is staring at me, and it’s throwing me off my game. “How are you doing? I should have, uh, called you earlier but…”
“You were busy beating Chicago! Nice goal, by the way. I was so excited.”
“Well, thanks?” She sounds completely upbeat. And that’s terrific, right? I want her to feel cheerful. But her tone is so casual.
But didn’t we have earth-shattering sex less than twenty-four hours ago? Did she not notice how amazing it was?
“Just do that eighty more times, okay?” Heidi babbles. She’s still talking about the game, and I’m distracted by the way her voice vibrates through my soul. I can picture her tilting her head to the side and smiling. “Maybe Denver won’t stand a chance.”
“Right. Okay. You’re worse than Coach.” I lift my eyes and find my sister hanging on every word. I shoo her away with a wave of my hand, and she moves maybe six inches.
“Is there something you need?” Heidi chirps. “Because my bubble bath is waiting.”
Bubble bath. An image of Heidi lying naked in my bathtub assaults me, and I close my eyes.
“Hello?” she prompts.
“Um…” My concentration is shot. “A favor. I was hoping you could help me with something I forgot. I wouldn’t ask but someone’s depending on me…”
“Sure! Name it! While I’m still young, though.”