4. Lennox
Chapter 4
Lennox
“What the hell is wrong with you, Clark?”
My best friend and tight end, Evan Ellis, looked over at me from his seat on the plane. We were returning to San Diego after the Governor’s Gala, where we were honored for our Super Bowl win.
“What do you mean?”
I shifted in my seat to look at him, then leaned in.
“You’re crushing on the Governor, aren’t you? For fuck’s sake. He’s straight, Clark.”
I’d given my friend that nickname because he looked like Clark Kent from Superman, with that chin dimple and wavy brown hair. It just fit him.
“I know he’s straight, idiot. We’re friends. And we’re,” he waved his finger between me and him, “going to help Jack. Hudson and I are just friends.”
I narrowed my eyes at Evan. I knew that look. Last night I caught him staring at the governor after he came back from changing his shirt. Not to mention he coerced me to go over to the man’s house this morning.
“I think you’re full of shit. And I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Evan chuckled. “I have zero expectations about anything other than friendship with Hudson. I feel bad for him. But I also have a feeling Jack could use a friend or mentor in his life. It has to be difficult being in the spotlight at fifteen. And he could be a hell of a player with the right coaching. We have nothing to lose but time.”
“Just be careful, Evan. I don’t need a mopey wingman on my hands this offseason.”
Evan shoved me with his shoulder. “I appreciate you looking out for me, but it’ll be fine. Why don’t you tell me about this volunteering you’re doing.”
I smiled, thinking about the kids at the Youth Center. That was easy to talk about.
When we landed back in San Diego, we grabbed our stuff and headed to my Porsche.
“Wanna go to the Squid this evening?” I asked, opening the back hatch.
Evan shrugged. “Sure. You feeding me dinner?”
I grinned. “Yes, asshole. You need to learn to cook.”
Evan smiled. “I can cook a little. Preston has been teaching me a few simple things.”
I shook my head as I climbed into my car. “You are the only person I know who’s friends with his ex. And the guy’s husband.”
“He’s a good guy. He makes Nick happy, so I’m good with that.”
We pulled out of the private airstrip and headed toward his house on the beach. I’d chosen to live a few streets back from the ocean, so going to his house was something else to do.
“I’m going to the grocery store. Any requests?” I asked as I pulled into his driveway.
“Nope. Whatever you want to cook is fine with me. What time?”
I looked at my phone.
“About six?”
“Yeah, that works. See you then.”
I grinned as he unfolded his six-foot-eight body out of my car and went to get his bags.
“Don’t be late, Clark.”
He shot me the bird as I pulled out of his driveway, making me laugh.
The next afternoon I pulled into the Youth Center, ready to go hang out with the kids. I was an hour late after stopping by the PR office to pick up some sweatshirts this time. The weather was always comfortable to me year-round, but the early mornings and evening hours could get pretty cool for kids.
Popping the hatch on my Hummer, I lifted out the box and shifted it to my hip while I closed the back. When the car was locked up tight, I headed toward the building.
Just before I reached for the door, a beautiful woman with shoulder-length dark hair came out holding the hand of my new favorite buddy.
“Well, hey buddy. I guess I’m too late to hang out with you today.”
Daniel looked up with wide eyes and excitement.
“Mom! This is him. My new friend.”
The woman looked down at her son, then back up at me.
“The him you’ve been talking about?”
Daniel’s head bobbed excitedly.
I laughed and sat the box down. Extending my hand, I waited for her to take it. “I guess I better introduce myself. I’m Lennox Sanders.”
Her eyes sparkled with recognition. “It’s nice to meet you, Lennox. I’m Camile. My son is a big fan of your math skills.”
I grinned down at Daniel, then met her gaze. “He’s a great kid. Super smart. I enjoyed getting to know him last week.”
I squatted down in front of him and held out my hand to fist-bump it.
“I’ll be here earlier next week, so we can hang out.”
“Okay. I gotta go early today. My daddy is taking me to soccer practice.”
I smiled and stood back up.
“Well don’t let me keep you. I’ll see you next week.”
Before I stood up, Daniel reached out to hug me. His little arms wrapped around my neck and squeezed, making me smile. I never saw myself as a dad, but maybe I was wrong.
“We’ve got to go, baby.” She ran her fingertips over his short hair.
I pulled back and looked at him. “How did you know I needed a hug?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want you to be sad.”
This kid was wrapping me around his finger, and he didn’t even realize it. “Thanks, Daniel. I won’t be sad now.”
I reached into the box and pulled out several until I found one that looked like his size. I handed it to him. “Here ya go, buddy. That will keep you warm.”
His eyes went even wider at the gift. “Thanks, Lennox!”
He held it to his chest, then smiled up at his mom. “Can I wear it to soccer?”
She smiled down at him. “Sure.” Then she shifted her gaze to me. “It was nice to meet you.”
“You too,” I said, standing up. I picked up the box and headed to the door.
Daniel dropped her hand and ran ahead to open it for me, still holding his sweatshirt.
“Thank you.”
“Bye Lennox,” he called.
“Bye, buddy,” I replied.
I watched as he ran back to his mom and then hurried off to the car. She opened the back door, and he climbed in. She smiled and waved, then got into the driver’s seat and pulled away.
“Hey, Lennox.” Susan’s familiar voice drew my attention away from the window. Turning, I held up the box.
“Hey! Sweatshirts from the PR department.”
She didn’t need to know I’d bought them all.
“That’s very generous of the Storm. Thank you.”
I smiled. “Same place as last time?”
“Yes, please. You can put them on the table.”
When she didn’t move to walk toward the conference room, I headed there alone and deposited the box where she’d asked.
“Is it okay if I go hang out a bit?”
“Sure. Trevor has been watching for you.”
I grinned and rubbed my hands together. “Awesome. That kid has talent.”
Heading to the usual area, I was met by the regulars I’d come to love and Trevor. He was holding a football, just as I’d hoped.
“Think you could toss the ball with me a little?”
The kid looked so hopeful, there was no way I’d refuse. “That’s why I’m here. Lead the way.”
After I taught him a few little things, we headed back inside. When I looked up, my attention snagged on a familiar navy blue jacket that was draped over the chair Daniel sat in last week.
I grabbed it and headed toward the front after saying goodbye to Trevor.
“Hey, Susan, I think this might belong to Daniel.”
She looked at it and smiled. “Yes, that’s my nephew’s jacket. I’ll keep it for him.”
“He’s your nephew?”
“Yeah. Camile’s my sister.”
I held up my hand. “You know, I can drop it off at their house. I just met her outside and I’ve got nothing else to do.”
She looked at me warily, and I smiled. “Why don’t you call her, and if she’s okay with it, I’ll drop it off.”
Susan looked relieved at my suggestion. “Normally, I’d say no. But give me a minute and I’ll check with her.”
She went to the phone as I folded the little dude’s jacket and draped it over my arm. When she returned a few minutes later, she handed me a piece of paper.
“Here ya go.”
I looked down at the address. “Thanks. I’ll see you next week.”
Susan smiled as I headed out the door. “Thanks, Lennox. And good luck.”
I wasn’t sure what she meant, but okay.
When I reached my Hummer, I got in and plugged the address into my GPS. Pulling out of the parking lot, I headed to Daniel’s house.
Ten minutes later, I pulled up to a craftsman-style home and parked. I got out and walked up to ring the doorbell, and waited for an answer.
Looking around, I took in the nice neighborhood that reminded me of my old one. The door swung open, drawing my attention.
Camile smiled up at me. “You didn’t have to drop this off,” she said, taking the jacket, “but I appreciate it. It seems like he loses one every other week.”
I laughed as she glanced to my left. Out of my periphery, I noticed a vehicle pull into the driveway but kept my eyes on her.
“Hang on one minute.” Camile turned back inside the house and called for Daniel.“Your dad’s here.”
Before she finished her sentence, his thundering footsteps tore around the corner, producing my new favorite eight-year-old wearing his soccer uniform. He stopped in front of me and looked up.
“Oh hey, Lennox! I gotta go see my dad!”
“Yeah, yeah.” I smiled to myself as he tore off the porch.
As Daniel ran for his father, I decided to give them a moment without invading their reunion.
“It’s been a while,” Camile added.
The soft grunt, followed by a chuckle, indicated Daniel had hit his mark.
“Hey, bud. I’ve missed you.”
I stiffened as recognition washed over me. I knew that deep, gravelly voice, and my eyes widened in disbelief as a grin spread across my face.
I’d missed his stubborn ass.
Bringing my fist to my mouth, I took a deep breath to stifle the chuckle that bubbled up.
“That’s why he looked so familiar,” I muttered under my breath.
What were the odds?
Turning, I caught a glimpse of him smiling lovingly at his son. But when his eyes landed on me, his expression turned to a murderous glare.
That just made me smile.
“Hey, Dane.”