I look around the room, finding all but three of the locker bays filled with one of the guys. All of them did as requested and are wearing team-issued clothing. I didn’t think that was a hardship, seeing how many different items they are given.
Two of the three empty lockers don’t surprise me, as they are for guys that are out injured, and they were given the option to be here today, rather than it being mandatory. The one that has my blood pressure rising is none other than my thorn of a player, Lucas Black.
Ian must realize my assessment of who is missing, as he’s quick to speak up. “I’ve called Lucas already, telling him he needs to get his ass here. So far, he hasn’t replied, but I assure you, he’ll be appropriately disciplined for missing a mandatory team event.”
“Of course he isn’t here,” I mutter under my breath. “Thanks for that; I’ll make sure his station gets covered until he arrives,” I tell Ian.
I watch as he slinks away, probably to go call Lucas again. I don’t know why I believed him when he told me he’d be here and on time. I guess, fool me once, shame on him. I won’t let him fool me twice, that’s for sure.
I quickly go over everything with the guys. What I’m asking them to do isn’t much different than any other fan event; this one just happens to have everyone here at once rather than just a few of them at an hour-long appearance.
Before I know it, the first few hours have passed by in a blur of laughter and fun. Everywhere I look, kids are having a blast, as are the players. Lucas still hasn’t shown up, and the last I heard from Ian, he won’t be here anytime soon. I’m not sure what was so important, but Ian assured me that he’s dealing with the situation and I don’t need to worry about it. That has my mind spinning, wondering what trouble he’s gotten himself into and what mess I’ll be cleaning up in the press later today or tomorrow.
We lead the kids up to the concourse and through the lines so they can all get their lunches. Much like down on the field, this space is filled with so much chatter and laughter that I can’t wipe the smile off my face at what we’ve accomplished today.
“Hey, Carmen,” Derek Smyth calls out from down the hall once almost everyone has left. I stop and turn in his direction as he approaches.
“What can I do for you, Derek?” I ask, giving him a polite smile.
“I just wanted to tell you how much fun I had today. As wary as I was about having so many kids here at once, it was a really well-planned out and executed event, all thanks to you,” he compliments.
“Th-Thank you.” I get a little choked up at his praise. “I really appreciate it. I hope that we can continue this each year,” I tell him honestly.
“After today’s event, I don’t see why it can’t happen. Did you see the smiles on all those kids' faces? Hell, even all the guys had smiles plastered on all day.”
“I did, plus, we got some great video and photographic evidence of it,” I tell him. “Thanks for believing in me. We took an idea and ran with it. I’m just grateful that it turned out as good as it did.”
I make small talk with Derek for a few more minutes. He fills me in on how his daughters are doing, as well as his wife. He’s got a cute little family, and I’m happy for him that he didn’t lose it all when they had a slight bump in the road last year. Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom for people to realize everything they have and how important it is to make changes they need.
Five
Lucas
I load another fifty pounds onto the barbell before assuming the position so the bar can rest across my shoulders. I lift it off of the rack, getting my feet set correctly before I start my set of squats. I’m already halfway through my workout for the morning and feeling pretty good today.
“Lucas!” I hear my name being barked from the doorway. I almost missed it since I’ve got my earbuds in and music pumping to keep my focus. I finish my set of ten squats before placing the bar back on the stand behind me. I grab the towel I have draped on the bench, wiping at my face as I walk toward the door and the two people standing there waiting on me.
If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under the ground already, based on the daggers Carmen is shooting at me. I know I messed her little event up yesterday, but I had more important things to deal with, things she doesn’t need to know about. I already talked to coach about it, and he understood my reasoning for missing it. While I know it wasn’t a smart move to not call him beforehand and to go so long before I returned his many calls, he didn’t bench me or send me back down to the AAA team, so I’m taking that as a plus in my book.
Before either of them can start talking, I decide to control this conversation from the get-go. “Listen, I’m sorry I missed the event yesterday. Coach and I have already talked it out. I know it was an asshole move to miss, but I had something come up that I couldn’t get out of that was more important,” I tell her without giving her any details about what I was
