5. Foster
5
FOSTER
F oster! Yo, Foster! Over here!
I turned at the sound of my name and spotted a few of my teammates sitting on a couch in the room I was passing through.
Hey, hey ! I called back, grinning big as I lifted my Solo cup in cheers. You three behave over there, ya hear?
When they promised not to, I laughed and shook my head, only to carry on until a light flashed from a phone as someone else took a picture of me.
When I glanced in that direction, a pair of girls waved.
We love you, Foster! they sang in unison before the photographer took another picture, nearly blinding me with the flash.
Love you too, I answered, hitching up my chin in acknowledgment as I kept going, leaving that room and entering another in search of the party s host.
As I blinked the flash from my eyes, I got a fist to the shoulder in congratulations and a slap on the back. Yo, man, great game. You did awesome.
Thanks. I lifted my cup to them as well.
Stallions rule, the shout went up as I escaped that room, nearly bumping into someone entering as I was exiting.
Whoa! Hey, sorry about that. I lifted my cup quickly and turned sideways to avoid a collision.
No worries, Foster. Great game.
Thanks, man. Checking my drink to make sure none of the contents had sloshed out, I exhaled in relief and found myself in the kitchen.
I used to carry around a bottle of water during all the parties I had to attend, but too many people had pestered me to take a shot or chug a beer with them. Eventually, I learned to pause by the keg when I first arrived and pour myself a frothy brew. That way, everyone thought I was already drinking, and they didn t encourage me to get drunk quite as often.
Sometimes, I could claim that it was football season—I had to keep my body in pristine condition for the next big game—in which case, I didn t have to carry anything around. Except the season had ended this week, so here I was. Faking it.
But I just couldn t imbibe in big crowds that weren t in a perfectly controlled, safe environment; I d never been able to shake the fear that someone I loved would die again if I did. I knew no one had been drunk when Hayes had died, but still. I couldn t help but worry that something would go wrong during the revelry if I didn t keep a constant, sober vigil.
Over by the island, people were cheering on the legs of some fella they were holding upside down in the air as he did a keg stand. Spotting the guy I was seeking, holding up one of the legs, I started that way.
A roar went up as the drinker finished his feat and popped upright again, wavering unsteadily, even as he hollered with everyone else and spiked his arms into the air victoriously.
Lifting my hand, I waved toward the host. Yo, Witt.
Javonte Witt was the team s first-string running back and a social media sensation. Rich as hell, he and his family owned a mansion on the beach, and this was where he threw every party he d ever hosted.
When he caught sight of me, his face lit up, and he yelled, Eighteen, calling me by my jersey number. You made it!
I laughed as he lumbered over to embrace me in a bear hug. Of course, man. I said I would.
This is great. Pulling away, he motioned toward the keg. Hey, you need a drink?
Naw. I lifted my Solo cup. I helped myself out front when I first got here. Taking in the keg five feet away, I had to ask, Just how many of those things do you have tonight?
Five, he answered with a laugh. All placed strategically around the property. Two out front, two inside, and one out by the pool.
Eyebrows lifted over the pure volume of alcohol flowing through this place, I nodded and said, Wow.
I know! Genius, right? Throwing his arm around my shoulders, he motioned toward the professional-looking cameraman he had following him around. So I swore to my fans that I d shave off all my dreadlocks if we won the national championships, and we won the damn championships. Pulling up a pair of scissors from I-don t-know-where, he clipped them at me teasingly and announced, I want you to make the first cut, Fos, since we wouldn t be here without you, man.
Oh… I pulled away, waving a hand in refusal. No, I—I couldn t. I let my cosmetology license expire.
Javonte burst out laughing. Dude. You are too funny. But for real… He thrust the scissors at me. This would be the biggest honor.
From there, people started to egg me on, the camera light blared at me, and Javonte shook my arm until I lifted my hand and relented, Alright, alright.
A roar of applause went up, and that s how I found myself with a pair of scissors in hand, trying to saw through a braid of my teammate s hair. Damn, that s really on there.
While my audience laughed, Javonte lifted his fisted hand, encouraging, Just give er hell, Eighteen. You ve got this.
Not wanting to scalp the poor guy, I shook my head and kept working the scissors until the hair came away in my hand.
A chorus of clapping and cheering ensued, so I held up the dreadlock in victory while Javonte popped to his feet to hug me.
We had to take a handful of pictures together afterward with that first detached lock, but then others swarmed in, wanting to take a turn, and I was finally able to pass the scissors on to someone else and back my way out of the limelight, where I could escape and get myself some fresh air.
Just as I found the door to the back patio, my phone rang from my pocket. I pulled it free to check the screen, and when I saw that the caller was Parker, I started to move away from the crowds gathered around the pool and DJ station, where a dance floor had been set up, so I could hear him.
Hey, I answered, relieved to finally talk to someone who actually liked me for me and not just to take a picture or video of me or congratulate me for my football skills.
Yo, man. Where the fuck are you? he demanded in his usual Parker way that was refreshing as hell.
I m at Javonte Witt s place, I said, spotting a door in the tall, brick fence that led out of Witt s backyard area. He s the team s running back.
Setting my drink down on a nearby table, I unlatched the gate and pushed my way straight onto the beach, where a sudden sense of muted solitude almost immediately overwhelmed me.
Why the hell are you there? Parker demanded, almost sounding offended that I would dare attend another party since I knew he had to be at Archer House with the others. You re supposed to be here.
I would ve much rather blown off every other place tonight and just gone straight there, but… I promised him I d make an appearance, I explained as I checked my watch. So I figure I ll be here for at least another hour or two before I bounce.
In that case, drop me a pin, he commanded. I m going to send a present your way.
A present? I asked with lifted eyebrows as I started down the beach toward the water. Like a bottle of whiskey?
When I did drink, I usually went for a Crown and Coke, and Parker was quite the alcohol connoisseur, so whiskey was the first thing that came to mind.
But he only laughed. No. It s not a bottle of whiskey. His voice sounded amused as if I d made a joke. You re gonna like this so much more, bro. Trust me.
Okay, then, I said, intrigued by his elusiveness. Parker might be even richer than Javonte, so there was no telling what he d bought me. I ll get you my location.
Alright, man, he told me in gratitude. Take care.
You too. See ya.
After he hung up, I dropped my pin and then tucked my phone away, hoping maybe he and the crew were simply heading here themselves, so I could fulfill my obligations to Javonte but also be surrounded by my best friends.
Whatever the gift was, it was going to take at least a couple of minutes to arrive so I kept strolling down toward the edge of the tide. Stopping just out of the range of the surf, I shoved my hands into my pockets and inhaled the fresh, breezy scent of the Gulf.
This right here used to be my absolute favorite place on Earth. I mean, not this exact beach per se, but any sandy areas where water met land. I could ve lived on a beach and been perfectly content.
Unable to help myself, I plopped down onto the sand and rested my forearms on my bent knees so I could enjoy the sound of the dark water surging back and forth in front of me. Each wave came closer, striving to reach me before it fell away again, unsuccessful.
My brother was still out there somewhere, his bones probably overgrown with algae and mangroves by this point—if some sea creature hadn t eaten those as well.
A bubble of pain worked its way up my throat and lodged itself there. I dropped my attention to the sand surrounding me and ran my fingers through the loose grains before smoothing down a small canvas and drawing a little castle.
I hadn t been able to build a true sandcastle since that day. It just didn t feel right, anymore.
A lot of things had changed since then.
Heaving out a sigh, I glanced up at the water again. I couldn t even remember the last time I d visited the beach. Between football, school, work, family, and friends, I d barely had time to take a breath for myself.
Which made me abundantly aware of just how alone I was right now.
It was nice to have a minute to simply recharge with my own thoughts. It was peaceful.
When a boom, like something large falling and crashing to the ground, exploded from behind me in the direction of Javonte s place, I spun in instant worry, but the screams of laughter and cheers that followed had me exhaling in relief before facing the sea again.
Freaking parties. I was so not in the right frame of mind to kick loose and get wild tonight. My four-year-old sister had been begging me to stay home and play tea with her as I d walked out the door only an hour ago, and that had actually sounded preferable to this.
God, I was becoming a bitter, grumpy, old man, wasn t I? At freaking twenty.
Determined to get back in there and do my duty, I pushed my way to my feet and wiped the sand off my backside, only to face the house, and…stall short.
I really did not have the get-up-and-go to head back into the fray. And the beach stretching out in either direction beckoned me.
Unable to ignore the draw, I glanced both ways, then turned right because it seemed darker and quieter and more peaceful.
I d return in five minutes, I swore to myself. And then I d slide back into the role that everyone expected me to fill. I just needed a little bit more of a break.
But my walk was so nice and quiet, and the lulling sounds of the waves kept me going, probably farther than I should have.
I was trying to convince myself to turn around and head back when I swore I heard a voice.
Squinting, I cocked my head and lifted my ear until the faintest, ...Help… on the breeze reached me.
Shit. Someone was in trouble.
Perking to attention, I glanced around but I only spotted more beach.
Hello? Over here!
There. Narrowing my attention on one of the cottages straight ahead, I started to jog through the sand, hurrying forward.
Up here, the voice shouted, so I lifted my gaze until I could pick out the silhouette of a figure on a roof waving its arms at me. She had a feminine shape and seemed to be wearing shorts and a tank top.
What in the world? I shook my head as I reached the cottage. It was a cute place that had a wraparound porch with plants hanging between each pillar and brick siding, decorated with white trim and a viridian green roof.
Oh, thank goodness, she told me as I drew close enough for us to converse. I thought I was going to be stuck up here forever.
Shaking my head in amazement, I asked, How did you get up there in the first place?
That s just the thing. I honestly have no idea. Pressing a hand to her brow, she grumbled, I swear to God, I m never drinking again.
I snorted out an amused laugh, even though it alarmed me to learn she was intoxicated and could therefore fall much easier. Well, you had to get up there somehow , I reasoned. Probably by ladder, so…
Except I don t see a ladder, she moaned pathetically as she turned in a small circle, looking around, only to begin to lose her balance and windmill her arms to catch herself.
Watch out! I called, feeling my heart lodge in my throat as I dashed forward to catch her. Except she never fell.
Oh… Whew! No worries. I m okay, she answered cheerfully a moment later. I could tell she was grinning wide as she sent me a thumbs-up.
Jesus, I breathed and pressed a hand to my chest, shaking my head past the scare. Do you have some kind of death wish or something?
No, she answered, sounding confused as if she couldn t figure out why I would even ask that. Then, she sounded much more upbeat as she countered, I think I m going to be more like my sister from here on out. So I have a life wish. I want to finally live free of my own fears and insecurities.
Don t we all, I grumbled before I glanced around and lifted my hands toward her. But until then, how about you just stay put. I ll find the ladder and bring it around to you, okay?
Okay. She bobbed her head readily before adding, Gosh, that s so sweet of you. Thanks.
I wasn t sure if sweet had much to do with it. I mostly just didn t want to have to deal with a stranger plummeting off a roof right in front of me and breaking her damn neck. But I answered, Yep, before adding, I ll be right back.
I hurried off, hoping she didn t die while I was gone. But after doing a complete circle around the entire house—with no ladder in sight—I scratched my head in confusion. She must ve gotten up there from somewhere inside, probably through the big dormer window out front.
I m sorry, I called up to the roof as soon as I returned to the place I d last seen her. I couldn t find a ladder.
But when I squinted, I couldn t see the girl anymore.
Before I could begin to scan the area for her, a voice directly to my right said, That s okay. I made it down on my own.