Chapter Two
Andrew sipped on a cup of sweetened coffee, he would need the energy to get over to the stadium. It was the first game of the season and Aaron had promised the girls he would take them.
Finishing his coffee, Andrew pulls his laptop from the table onto his lap and begins typing. A magazine, of all things, wants a written interview from him and his PR told him he had to do it. The magazine writers sent over a few questions and Andrew has to email them back his answers.
A sharp knock at the door has him grumbling, putting his laptop to the side and shuffling his way over to the door. A package is left on the doormat and Andrew bends to pick it up.
Nicky thought that by sending Andrew a care package every month he could stay in touch better, since the latter refused to video call everyday.
Setting the box onto the counter, Andrew changes into a pair of black sweats and a long sleeve with the teams logo on it.
He grabs his backpack, locks the door, and is on his way to the stadium within moments.
—
Andrew didn’t particularly care for any of his teammates, choosing to ignore most of their bickering before the game.
Andrew huffed, the urge for a cigarette making his hands jittery. It had only been two weeks since he had decided to quit, knowing it wasn’t good for the girl’s health.
Matt Boyd, starting backliner and possibly one of Andrew’s biggest headaches, suddenly appears to his left. He is still as tall but maybe not as muscular as he had been in his college days. Wrinkles are beginning to show around the man’s eyes and smile.
“I heard Aaron mention he was bringing the girls to the game?” Matt speaks low, as to not catch the attention of their other teammates.
Andrew shrugs as he crosses his arms. Matt and Dan had taken a special liking to the twins, always encouraging Aaron or Katelyn to bring them over for play dates with Amelia.
Amelia was a mini Dan with Matt’s wide smile, always bossing whoever was in her presence around and never taking no for an answer. Dan had become a stay at home mom for the first few months after she was born. Afterward having jumped right back into the Exy world as an assistant coach at Belmont.
Andrew hears the warming buzzer go off and soon the rest of the team, along with Andrew and Matt are escorted to the court. The lights and loud cheers never bother Andrew as he entered the stadium.
He takes a few moments to search the home crowd for Aaron and the twins and a small smile graces his lips when he finds them. But nobody has to know that but him.
—
After the game, Andrew is greeted by two screaming girls. Claire and Lucy latch onto his sweaty torso, jumping up and down.
“You did so good Uncle Andrew!” Claire says, continuing to jump around. Lucy nods in agreement, smiling up at Andrew.
“Look! I lost a tooth!” Only it comes out a bit wispy with the now missing top tooth.
“Did the tooth fairy come see you?” Andrew plays along.
“Not yet! I haven’t left my tooth under the pillow yet!” She giggles, energy much higher than last week when she had the cold.
Matt walks up and high-fives the two girls. “Awesome game or what?”
“Awesome!” They both days at the same time causing Matt to chuckle.
Dan Wilds-Boyd is upon them in no time, jumping into Matt’s arms and giving him a kiss. Andrew leaves for the locker room.
Interview duty is left to two of the newer players so Andrew takes his leave, packing his bag with his dirty uniform and heading for his car. Sweat still lingers on his neck as he drives into the night towards his apartment.