Endgame (The Atlanta Boys)

41. Callaway

41

CALLAWAY

Burger Bros must be the place to be tonight because everyone with a healthy appetite is here.

Teal vinyl booths and a black and white checkered shake bar set in the center scatter the retro diner. You can tell the floors in this place are washed once a year, and the walls are covered with Atlanta’s history.

This place is a city staple.

For being such a large city, Atlanta has proud roots. I can remember when my parents used to take Navy and me here after I was adopted. It was our Friday night spot. Mom and I would order pancakes for dinner with extra chocolate chips, while Navy and Dad went for the whole feast: bacon, eggs, toast, grits, hash browns, the works. I had never ordered off a dinner menu until coming here with the team—they have the best burgers in town. You can’t go wrong either way.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been here before.” Dakota picks now to tell me she’s been deprived as a child. I decide to keep that to myself.

Opening her door, my hand finds the small of her back as I guide her into the packed diner. Lucky for us, Kingston got here early to secure a booth for the gang.

“The peanut butter burger is legendary.” Her face is immediately plastered with drama and disgust. “It tastes almost as good as you,” I whisper in her ear. Goosebumps erupt across her skin, making me look forward to the day I get to watch her fall apart beneath me.

“Shut it down, you incorrigible man.”

She’s going to feel like heaven.

She tasted like heaven.

Lock it down, Cal.

As we enter the diner, my eyes spot King instantly and his goofy as fuck fade.

King habitually gets the most random designs outlined into his cut. At away games, it's a lightning bolt for the Strikers, and any other week, it’s whatever his mood calls for.

This week, it’s a butterfly.

I can almost guarantee there’s zero purpose behind it. He most likely saw one on a wall and thought it was the best choice. He’s constantly surprising all of us. I’ll give him that.

“Mom, Dad, there you are!” He’s jumping and waving like a circus clown.

“Mom and Dad? Really? Cute, King. Cute.” He’s shouting across the restaurant, causing heads to turn. If we weren’t in the day and age where everyone has a smartphone, I’d flip him off for all to see.

As we make our way to the table, I greet him with a fist bump, then turn my attention to the rest of the group. “Look at us, having dinner together and shit.”

It’s true. We haven't had a family-style dinner in what feels like forever. It’s about time we made our team family a priority .

Looking around the table, my eyes find all of my favorite people; the sight of Bodhi directly next to Navy is not lost on me. Luke is nowhere to be seen, and she’s smiling, so that counts for something. Lingering stares from fans surround us in the distance. I always make a point to greet them; however, it seems to be a way of respect on this side of town to let us eat in peace. It’s a relief to know the team can sit and enjoy a meal without interruptions. Thankfully, those tend to come afterward, which is cool with us.

I can’t help but feel like shit sitting here enjoying my people while Leggins is at home caring for his sick wife. It makes me uneasy.

Trying to find the best time to bring it up to the team, Mack beats me to it. “I gotta say, the news about Leggins and Taylor doesn’t sit well with me.” Mack isn’t one to say much; he’s such a good dude, and it means everything when he chooses to speak up.

Doing my best to give them my undivided attention, I slide Dakota into the booth beside Tenley and shuffle in behind her; Mack is seated directly across from me.

Coach Leggins pulled the team aside after practice letting them in on his family situation. Being the selfless guy he is, he hesitated. He didn’t so much as ask for anything, but he wanted to make sure everyone knew in case his attendance was sparse. Telling the team is also a way to avoid speculation.

Rumors fly when you’re in the public eye.

“I don’t know, man. I hate this for him and Tay.” King chimes in. We don’t know much about Taylor, but we do know Coach, and this is killing him.

Maybe there’s a way we can help.

Dakota breaks the moody silence, almost reading my thoughts. “Why don’t we do a fundraiser? Taylor is starting chemo next week, and although I know they don’t need the money, it’s at least one less thing for them to worry about so they can focus on her care.”

My sweet and thoughtful girl. I’m gonna marry her one day.

I’m waiting for the second Navy catches up; planning is her jam, and this sounds right up her alley. There she is.

“Ahh, yes! Let’s do a Strikers car wash. The ladies can bikini up and assist in the rinse, while the players can scrub. We can totally bank off of this with the team alone. Anyone want a hot professional baseball player to wash your car? Yes, please. Trust me, this will work! ”

She might have something here. I’m not thrilled at the thought of my little sister and Dakota strutting around in skimpy bikinis, but if it's for a good cause, what the hell.

“That sounds amazing, Navy. I’m in!” Tenley offers her acceptance, and the rest of the group throws out possible date ideas that would work with the team's schedule. She tells us she will report back when all the details are sorted.

I know this isn’t a cure all for Taylor, but I hope it shows Jack they have a village supporting them.

Seated next to Mack are Bodhi and Navy. Bodhi is quiet, per usual, while Navy is rattling on about random business. What stops me is that he’s listening. He’s listening like there’s nowhere else he’d rather be. I’m not some protective asshole brother, but seeing her open up to him makes me miss her.

Before the team and Dakota, she’s always been my steady.

My day one.

I decide to bribe her with milkshakes to get her alone for a second. I need to thank her for officially giving me my girl .

My eyes find Navy’s across the booth, “Little sister, let’s get milkshakes.” Throwing my thumb back toward the shake bar, she takes my bait and all but runs towards the sugary concoction.

Predictable.

“Hell yes, brother. I’m in dire need of a blood sugar spike. What shall we feed the guilt with tonight? I’m thinking strawberry.”

I kiss Dakota on the cheek before following Navy to the shake bar.

I’ve learned a thing or two from Navy and now Dakota: women love sugar. They need sugar. It’s necessary, and you’re setting yourself up for failure if it’s not accessible at all times. They have a one-track mind when it comes to sweets.

It’s a life lesson at this point.

Thankfully, I’m easy to please.

“Strawberry sounds good.” We place our orders and find the nearest bar stool to sit at while we wait.

In the midst of being here, Navy looks tired. I know my sister, and I know the front she puts on for everyone to see. She looks like she’s got it all together, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth.

“So, how’s my little sister doing?” I could cut to the chase and ask about Luke, but Navy can read me better than that.

“I’m fine,” I cut her a death glare, showing her I’m not stupid. “I’ve been better.” She changes her tone and slumps in her seat.

It fucks with my head to see her like this.

“What’s up? I know you, Navy, and I can read between the lines. What’s going on?”

She exhales a long breath. I almost think she’s gonna do me a disservice and lie, but that’s not us. Thankfully, she lets me in.

“I feel like I’m drowning, Cal. And I couldn’t for the life of me tell you why, other than the fact that my boyfriend since high school sucks. I’m not all glued, sticky, and put together. I’m just not.”

Looks like I need to have a little chat with Luke. It’s long overdue.

“Did something happen? It’s bullshit if he thinks he can get away with treating you like that.”

I can see her thinking through her response before she speaks up, “I honestly don’t know. He’s made it clear he hates Jared since I started working for the Strikers, but it’s my job, Cal. I can't, no I won't, quit because his pride is too big. Ever since then, he’s made coming home a nightmare.”

I’m fighting every murderous thought in my head to refrain from castrating Luke. I know that’s not what Navy needs, so I decide to go with a better route.

“Navy, I want you to listen to me. Luke is not the end-all-be-all. He doesn’t have your future mapped out or your babies premade. He’s one man and barely one at that. If he wants to treat you like you’re disposable, then fuck him. You’re better than that.”

She’s silently crying, her sniffling slowly shattering my heart, but at least she’s feeling and seeking help.

“It’s not that simple. I live with him, Cal. We’ve lived together since we were so young. He’s all I’ve ever known.”

I get that. Dedicating all your time and energy to a relationship with no future or reciprocated respect.

“I know, Navs. I know. Change is hard, but please promise me when I say this—it gets better. You can stay with me and the guys if you need to. We’ve got you. ”

God, I’d give anything to see her happy. She’s got so much to give. But she’s also a grown woman who can make her own decisions. I need her to know I’m here, and that I care.

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. So, how’s it going with you and my best friend? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her so hung up on anyone. I’m here for it. It took me a minute, but I am.”

Hilarious. I’m laughing because I couldn't agree more. It has nothing to do with me, but Dakota is nothing like the cold and shut-off woman I met months ago. She’s spectacular in every sense of the word now, yet I’m pretty sure I was as crazy about her then too.

“We’re figuring things out. I’m crazy about her, Navs. So fucking gone for her. I never got a chance to thank you. I’m sure that was hard for you, and I promise to take care of her. We’re gonna make it, Navs. I’m sure of it.”

She sends me a reassuring smile, slurping down the last bit of her milkshake.

“She needs people. You’re the best kind of people I know. I trust you’ll be what she needs. And I get to see my two favorite people happy. It’s a win-win.”

I start to clean up my space on the counter and lift Navy to stand, bringing her in for a hug.

“You know I’m always here for you, right?”

She nods into my chest. “I do.”

I’m thankful for my sister. Her selflessness is one of her best qualities, but it’s also the one that can be her biggest downfall.

She needs an advocate.

My offer will stand as long as she needs it. I hope she takes it.

A small part of me thinks there’s a possibility she has a better offer. Although, if it’s who I’m thinking, we share a home, so that will be interesting to say the least.

And it better not look like our team catcher and my best friend.

“Love you, little sister.”

“Love you too, big brother.”