Page 15 of The Way We Touch
Now he’s standing in front of me in the flesh, smiling, fine lines creasing the corners of his blue eyes, and I’m a freshly extinguished mess.
“Logan, good to meet you.” He holds out a hand, giving mine a firm shake. “I’ve watched you play. You’re a helluva receiver, and fast… Damn, that catch in the third quarter against Oregon…”
Shyness is not in my wheelhouse, but Jack Bradford saying these words to me is kind of blowing my mind.
“I couldn’t have done it without your brother,” I deflect, but it’s true.
The ball was right on the tips of my fingers, but that cornerback was right on my heels, until The Grizzly took him down.
“You boys gonna come out and help me field a team?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Garrett reaches for the little girl riding his sister’s hip. “Like I wouldn’t miss seeing this peanut.”
“Uncle Grizzly!” she yells, climbing onto his back.
“Who told you it was okay for you to get big?” he teasingly fusses. “I told you to stop growing when I’m out of town.”
The little girl frowns. “It just happens! I don’t do anything.”
“It just happens?” he mimics her, jogging around the room while she squeals, her brown ringlets bouncing. “I’m going to come back and find you a grown-up girl.”
“Can I still ride piggyback?” Her tone is worried.
Jack turns to his sister while the two of them make the rounds. “Sure you don’t mind watching her today? I know it’s last-minute.”
“Of course, not. She’s a good helper.”
He looks over at his brother. “Kimmie Joy!” The little girl’s head pops up, and he points to her. “You mind Aunt Dylan, and don’t talk back.”
“She never talks back.” Dylan walks over to take Kimmie from her uncle.
“Cooters & Shooters’ famous three-egg Mediterranean omelet with fresh spinach, Roma tomatoes, feta cheese, and a side of buttery toast.” Allie sets two plates on the table where I’m standing, and Garrett immediately takes a seat.
The savory scent makes my stomach growl loudly. “Damn,” I mutter under my breath.
Garrett is three bites in when he sits back and hollers, “Allie Sinclair, you are the queen of my double-wide trailer!”
She sasses right back. “You know I wouldn’t live in a trailer, Garrett Bradford.”
“If you change your mind, the offer stands.” He returns to his breakfast, and I’m right behind him.
“You’re just hungry.” Allie laughs, and I catch her gaze drift shyly to Jack. “Need some breakfast, Coach?”
“Ah, thanks Allie. I’ve got to take Zane to physical therapy in Mobile.” He doesn’t even notice her doe-eyes blinking up at him. “I’ll be back around three.”
“Wake me up if I’m still asleep.” Garrett says through a mouth full of toast.
Craig rolls the mop bucket out to clean up the milk mess while I pull out a chair.
Taking the fork and knife from the napkin roll, I exhale a laugh. “I can’t get over the name of this place.”
“How so?” He doesn’t even look up.
I glance at him the sideways. “Cooters?”
“Are you insulting Snappy, Happy, and Earl?” He nods at the sign with three turtles on a log in front of crossed pool cues.
“Nobody calls turtles cooters anymore.”