He smiled and walked into his kitchen. His mouth watered at the turkey sandwich on the island. Settling into one of the bar stools, he bit into the soft bread. He moaned in satisfaction, and the gnawing in his stomach ceased once he swallowed. Then his cell rang. He dug into his back pocket and answered.
“What’s up?” He put the person on speaker phone.
“How was your trip?” Grant asked.
“Nothing much. I have to close this deal whether or not I like it.”
“What's holding it up?”
“People losing their jobs. You know I don’t like that. People work hard for what they have.”
“Says the man that grew up with money.” Grant chuckled.
Lance didn’t laugh.
“Sorry, man,” he said. “Only a joke.”
“Don’t.”
“Lance? What’s up? Is this getting too much for you?”
He rubbed at his eyebrow. “Sorry, I guess it is. Andrea and I don’t seem to agree much either.”
“She’s not back yet?”
“No. You know her modeling gigs keep her busy, but she’s working on it. I’m trying to get her down here.”
“You need a guys’ night out. I’m calling Pete and Craig.”
“Grant—”
“Think of it as your ‘pre-bachelor party.’ It’ll be fun, and since Pete owns the bar in town, the drinks will be on him.”
Lance chuckled at his friend. Once he hung up, he headed for the shower to wash away the flight. Changing into jeans and a t-shirt, he walked back to his room. He didn’t have to go into the office today. Staring around his bedroom, he spotted his laptop on his desk.
He could read over the contracts, but he pinched the bridge of his nose as the clock ticked on the wall. No work today. So, Lance changed into his gym clothes, grabbed his phone and keys, and headed out the door.
Driving to the community center, he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. There would be more kids at the center since school was officially out. Lance could play ball with them. It would relieve the tension in his neck. Pulling into the parking lot, he cut the engine and jogged to the door.
The heat beat down on his head, but the rush of cool air once opening the front door relieved him. Lance greeted Sadie in the hall, who was pinning a flyer to the board.
“Lance.” Her eyes beamed. “I didn’t expect you today.”
“I just flew back from New York.”
Sadie rubbed her bump. “Why are you here? I would get some rest.”
Lance stared at her stomach, but diverted his eyes back to her. “I wanted to stop by. I won’t stay too long if you want to get rid of me.”
She giggled. “No, I’m glad you’re here. We had uh... an incident.”
Lance raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
“Zane. He’s in the office. He started a fight.”
Lance wrung his hands together. “Want me to have a word with him?”
Sadie gestured to the room. Lance walked over and opened the door, noticing the eleven-year-old boy sitting in the corner. His knees were to his chest and his head hung low.