Eli.
“Sorry, man,” he says, still sounding irritable. “I think the heat is getting to me.”
“Uh huh.” It’s not the heat, but I don’t bother saying that. “It’s all good, bro. I’m not mad.”
“Even if I admit I still kind of want to punch you in the face?” He raises his brows.
I just shake my head. “Come on. Relax. Your best friend is home. We get to chill with Jackson and Ellie tonight.”
“Seeing them just makes me miss my girl even more,” he says morosely.
We enter the locker room, Eli following me since our lockers are near each other. “When do you get a chance to see Ava next?”
“I don’t know, October? If she’s not too busy for me,” he says bitterly.
Shaking my head, I open my locker, my brain scrambling to come up with a new topic to discuss. This guy is not happy, and it shows. He threw like shit today. He’s thrown total bombers all week. Everyone’s frustrated with him, and he’s frustrated with everyone.
He needs a serious reset.
I start talking about this weekend’s game, which helps get Eli’s mind off of his loneliness. I take a quick shower and so does Eli, and after we get dressed, Tony and Diego join us, all of us walking out to the parking lot together.
I have a total moment of gratefulness as I take us all in, walking in a line, heading for our cars. We’ve all been friends now for three years, and while I miss Jackson something fierce, I’m so damn glad to have these guys in my life. Especially Diego and Tony, who I’ve known for what feels like forever. We go way back, and I didn’t ever give it much consideration before, but I’m realizing now that having tried and true friends who stick with you is valuable. These fools slap me into shape when I’m acting like an asshole or when I’m fucking up.
And right now, someone needs to be slapped into shape. For once, it’s not me either.
Eli shoots off toward his car first. “I’ll be over around eight,” he tells Tony. “Maybe a little later. I’m hoping to talk to Ava first.”
The moment he’s gone, I turn to Diego and Tony. “We need to help him.”
Diego frowns. “What do you mean?”
“Guy is suffering hardcore. I think he’s on his way to become a founding member of the lonely hearts club.” I think of The Beatles and their Sgt. Pepper album. My mom loves them because my grandma loves them too.
Tony nods. He knows where I’m coming from. “Being apart from Ava so far has been worse than it was last year.”
“I think it’s because she’s become busier and it seems like she doesn’t have as much time for him,” I say.
We all stop in front of Tony’s fancy schmancy Range Rover. Rich fucker. “Remember how you guys talked to me about all the partying and my grades suffering? And how much that could affect my chances to stay on the team?"
They both nod.
“I think we need to have that same conversation with Eli. He’s throwing for shit.”
“Intercepted twice today at practice,” Diego confirms with a nod.
“Right. He’s in a bad headspace. We need to help him out,” I say.
“Look at you, ready to help when he was dying to plow his fist in your face today,” Diego marvels.
I make a dismissive noise. “That’s just because he’s tired of watching Gracie and I hang all over each other in front of him.”
“Maybe you should hang all over each other in the privacy of your bedroom,” Tony suggests.
“We’ve tried being more discreet, but it’s like we can’t help ourselves,” I admit. I don’t mention how thin the walls are. I’m sure he can hear us going at it. Maybe that’s why he always has his AirPods lodged in his ears.
I just want to touch her. She just wants to touch me. It’s as if we can’t resist.
“Never thought I’d see the day.” Diego shakes his head, grinning.