Page 79 of Winning Play
“Thanks—a complete team effort.”SpencepulledKimagainst his side. “Howmany guys have asked to see your scorebook?”
Kimlaughed. “None.Davemay have intimidated them, but they also seemed anxious to get to their celebration.”Shenamed a pub near campus.
Sheheard the relief in his voice. “That’sgood—the manager’s strict about checkingIDs.”
“Yourduties as captain include keeping teammates out of trouble?”Daveasked.
“Theseniors discourage underage drinking—or public inebriation.”Spenceshrugged. “Sometimeswith success, but there’s always a few that push the limits.”Helooked atKim. “Howdo you feel?Anyissues with the sounds or bright sunlight?”
“Nottoo bad—except whenIgot a little excited about your home run.Gavemyself a headache.”Sheleaned her head against his shoulder and smiled at him. “Butit was worth it.Dave’soffered to take us to dinner unless you’re wiped out?”
“I’mfine,Popcorn.Soundsgreat if you’re feeling up to it.”
Kimnodded, andDaveadded, “Wecan crash the party at the pub if you want.Mightencourage good decisions?”
Spencerolled his eyes as he suppressed a laugh. “Sure, sounds great.It’sa five-minute walk if you don’t want to hunt for a parking space.”
“Icould use the exercise,”Kimoffered.
“Decided,”Davesaid. “Leadon, captain.”
Assoon as they entered the restaurant,KimwatchedSpencescan the crowded space, quickly locating his teammates who’d pushed several tables together on the far back side of the room.
“Doyou want to sit with them?”Kimoffered, but he shook his head.
“I’llstop by for a minute.Let’ssit where we can talk.”
“Soundsgood,”Davesaid. “Ineed to update you on our friend inVancouver.”
Spencenodded toward an empty booth near the front. “Meetyou there.”
“Whatdo you want to drink?”Daveasked. “Beer?Coke?”
“Water’sgood,”Spencereplied.
KimfollowedDaveto the booth and watchedSpencegreet each player and guest at the team table.
“Takeshis role as captain seriously,”Davecommented a few minutes later when he returned to the booth with pitchers of water andCoke.
“Heworries about the underage guys on the team.Hesaid a few got kicked off the team within the last couple of years.”
Davepoured three glasses of water and thanked the server, who placed menus on the table.HemetKim’seyes.
“I’vehad to play babysitter on more than one occasion,Kimmy.Evenat the pro level.”
“Seriously?Howdo you babysit a teammate?”
“Onthe road?Roomwith him.Includehim in dinner plans.Ifwe go to theCenterIceLounge, ensure the bartender knows who’s a minor.Butthat’s only when the players have created problems for the team—more often than not on social media.JohnPetersonhas had to go to bars in the middle of the night to pick up the inebriated and belligerent, even sometimes guys picking fights.”Daveshook his head as his eyes drifted towardSpence.
“He’sa good one,HalfPint.Takeshis responsibilities seriously.”Hisbrown eyes metKim’s. “So, how are you doing?Feelingstronger?”
“Mostof the time.Somedays,Ifeel great, butIcan’t predict when exhaustion will hit.”Kimshrugged. “We’llsee how it goes with midterms coming up.”ShegreetedSpencewith a grin as he slid into the booth beside her. “Everythinggood?”
“Yeah, perfect.”Heglanced at the menu, then set it aside. “Thanksfor coming to the game,Dave.”
“Enjoyedit.Couldn’task for a better match-up.”Davedrank some water and then nodded toward the server. “Youknow what you want?”
“Youwant to split a veggie wrap?”Kimlooked atSpence.