15. Zack #2
Rookie: Yup, just like our itty-bitty little Everett.
Nate: Congrats!
Rookie: Thanks! Everett, son, you should stay out late tonight. Don’t want it to be awkward if you come home too early…
Marsh: Brent, is your garage unlocked?
Brent: No…
Marsh: I’ll buy you a new door.
Nate: Run, Rookie, run!!!
Rookie: Brent, my captain, my pal, help a guy out!
Brent: You dug your own grave. RIP
Me: WTF guys?! I'm a little busy here.
Brent: Well????
Me: Just got to the orchard.
Nate: And????
Me: Don’t take this the wrong way…I love you guys, but don’t you have anything better to do?
Nate: Nope.
Brent: Your life is more exciting. So….?
Me: So, you’ll see me on the plane tomorrow. You don’t need hourly updates.
Me: And also you need to find a new rookie. We can’t be short a winger this early in the season.
Brent: True story. It was nice knowing you, Bax.
Nate: If you have to go on the run can I have your stick? I also like that gym bag you have. Just sayin’. Oh, and I’ll miss you. You were one of the best rookies.
“What’s so funny?” Evvy approaches me with a bright smile.
She looks so beautiful today. The trees and mountain backdrop have nothing on her.
Her hair’s pulled up into that messy bun I love so much, and her bright blue eyes are sparkling in the autumn sun.
She’s wearing the clothes I bought her too.
A casual black T-shirt dress and gray leggings highlight all her gorgeous curves.
“Oh, just Bax telling Marsh he’s his new daddy because he’s marrying his mom and pretending she’s pregnant with his child. Totally normal, y’know?” I grin, shaking my head.
“Aww. I liked West. I’m going to miss him,” she says with a laugh.
“As much as you like me?” I’ve decided to adopt the you only live once mentality when it comes to Evvy.
“Hmmm. West made nachos and danced with me, so I think he wins this one. Sorry, that’s hard to beat.”
“I tried.” I shrug, pretending to admit defeat. “The rookie’s a popular guy.”
Evvy smiles. “Well, planning all these fall activities does earn you some points.”
“Really?” I say slowly, raising a questioning brow. “Then we better get started. Hop back in. We need to drive a little further. “
Evvy gives me a confused look but climbs back into the truck.
I slide into the driver’s seat and start the short drive up a steep hill.
The owner told me exactly where to go when I called ahead.
After reaching the top, a giant field of apple trees comes into view.
We drive to the very edge of the property before parking the truck between two rows of trees.
I race around the truck to open the door for Evvy.
She steps out and her eyes go straight to the view behind us.
From the top of this hill there’s a spectacular view of the mountain range in the distance, framed by the beautiful apple trees.
It’s stunning up here, but my eyes are still drawn to Evvy.
“Zack, this is beautiful. How’d you find this place?” She looks at me quickly before returning her gaze to the view.
“A guy on the team recommended it. I hope you like it. It’s not the same place we went to before…”
“No, this is incredible.” She smiles before walking a bit further down the row of apple trees to get a better look at the view.
I take the opportunity to set up a picnic lunch in the back of my truck. Throwing a blanket down, I unpack the cooler that’s filled with sandwiches and fruit. It’s a simple lunch, but it’s similar to what we had during our first road trip, back when I didn’t have as much money.
Evvy returns, and without thinking, I boost her up into the truck bed. She lets out a small laugh and her head falls to my shoulder, sending a jolt of electricity down my spine.
Every time I’m near Evvy it feels like I’m close to combusting—like she’s the final spark of flint needed to send a campfire raging. I crave the closeness, but these small doses of her are making me ache. I think my balls hate me at this point.
We both sit with our backs resting against the cab of the truck, facing the view. “Peanut butter and jelly or turkey and cheese, madame?” I hold up plates, showing her the two options.
“I can’t say no to a PB&J or your cooking.” She laughs, grabbing a plate from me.
“You realize I didn’t cook these, right? I take a big bite of a turkey sandwich. “I’d say it was more of an assembly job.”
“You’re telling me I’m not supposed to cook my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Zack! Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Just…wow! How embarrassing.” She snorts a little as she takes a bite of her sandwich. “Great assembly job though.”
“I’m touched.” I place my hand over my heart. “Thanks for the recognition.”
“So, are you excited for the first exhibition game?” Evvy angles her body toward me, watching me take a bite of my sandwich.
“For the game, yeah, but not the traveling.” I crack open a can of seltzer and take a swig.
“You don’t like traveling?”
“Sometimes it’s exciting, but it gets old living out of a hotel.
Plus, I don’t want to leave this time.” I let my foot fall to the side, giving her boot a little tap.
My stomach feels sour just thinking about getting on that plane tomorrow.
Maybe that sounds dramatic, but I’m afraid of history repeating itself.
Last time I left I didn't get to see Evvy again for thirteen fucking years. “Will you be here when I get back?”
Evvy’s eyes flick from our feet to my eyes. “Of course I’ll be here. I don’t think they’re going to have a cabin available for me anytime soon…” Her smile falls. “…or at all. But I don’t want to think about that right now, okay?”
“Yeah, but can you just promise me one thing?”
“Anything.”
“If it does happen…will you wait until I get back to leave?”
“Of course. I’ll be there, Zack. I’m not going to abandon my house-sitting duties while you’re away. I’ll watch over it.” She smiles. “Ready to go pick some apples?”
“Right, thanks. Yup let’s go.” As if my house is what I’m worried about. If that’s what she thinks, I clearly need to step up my game.