I Wish You The Best

36 - Mason

"Are you guys married yet?"

I look over to where Shawn sits next to Darius and flip him the finger. The three of us are out celebrating the win.

Just twenty-four hours ago the New England Warriors took on the Arizona Falcons in the big game, Superbowl 57, and won. I had been on the sidelines with the team every step of the way. Watching them play without me stung, and fucking sucked, but being back with my team again made it a whole lot better.

The interim quarterback did his thing and if I wasn't so secure within the team I'd be worried he's going to take my job. I know he will be picked up to play starter for someone else, and I'd be happy for him. He's got a ton of talent that deserves to be front and center.

"Have you learned to count to ten yet?" Darius jokes to which Shawn throws a cashew across the bar. "Leave him alone. I know it's hard to grasp in that head of yours, but some people like to take it slow with the one they love." Darius says.

I pat his back. "Thanks, bud."

My shoulder no longer hurts whenever there is any sharp movement of my right arm. It's a bittersweet feeling because it means I'll be cleared to start throwing soon but that also means I'll have to move back up to Boston for physical therapy with the coaches. Which means I'll be away from Delilah, again. I'm hoping she takes this weekend to see that no matter where we are in the world she'll always be close to me. She is ingrained on my heart and with every pump she runs through my veins.

I love that girl, I don't think I ever stopped.

"One day. We're taking it slow. She needs time after how things ended the last time. But I'm all in and after this weekend I hope she realizes that." I take a sip of my Corona and shrug. "I hope at least that she does." If she doesn't I'd be gutted. I don't even want to entertain the possibility that for the second time, she doesn't see us making it through the distance.

"She'll realize it, man. I promise you. From what you told us about the last time, this isn't the same. Y'all are older, more capable of juggling two things at once." Darius, always the level-headed one, says as he grabs a handful of cashews from the bowl.

"Yea totally," Shawn adds.

I look over to Shawn and can tell this whole conversation bores him. He hasn't opened up much about his dating life in the past tense but from what I've gathered he was hurt in the past by a girl and ever since has avoided commitment like the plague. He sees some girls on the regular and they all know what's expected. No commitment, just sex.

I know the day is coming when some girl will rectify that wound and have him enthralled. I can't wait.

"But seriously, what are you going to do about the living situation? Assuming you're moving back home and she's still got a few months left of school? And when the season starts?" Darius questions with a lift of his brow.

I've thought about the logistics for a while now. Sleepless nights trying to come up with a scenario that doesn't end in either of us sacrificing. I'd never ask for her to just up and move her entire life for me. It wouldn't have worked before and it won't work now.

"Right now, I'd come back every chance I could. We won't be back to full practices until the summer and even then I might not be cleared. I'll take it day by day but until she graduates, I will go to her." I will explain. "And then after she graduates, we talk. We talk about where she hopes to work, where she wants to live and I pray it's somewhere on the East Coast, but if it's not I make do." I finish with another gulp of beer.

"I just make do. I want her, I don't care where I have to go to get her. I just want her in my life." I say.

They both nod this time in agreement. I know Darius understands how it is and how it feels to be in love, and I know Shawn is doing his best to understand. I appreciate the both of them always being there even if they got to play this superbowl and I did not. Bastards.

I spend the rest of the night making a dent on my monthly spending limit but it's worth it to celebrate the team and their win. The bar slowly gets busier as the night goes on and I debate leaving but it wouldn't be fair.

I'm slouched over a chair with my hands in my face when a body slides up next to me.

"We missed seeing you on the field this time around, Mason." I look up to see a girl who looks oddly familiar. She's wearing big framed red glasses and a sly smirk. She's edged her way in between the bar and the chair next to me. "The team did pretty good without you, worried about your future?" She asks.

I know she's trying to get a reaction out of me and I know why. I recognized her from the time she screamed questions at me after I was exiting the team building. She knew who Delilah was.

"Nope." I sit up straight and cross my arms. "Not worried at all. But I think you should be considering the fact you're trying to be a journalist at a bar celebration." I track her brows when they shoot up in surprise.

The girl with no name shrugs as if she's completely uninterested but I know that's not the truth. Her eyes scan the crowded bar like she's searching for someone and when they stop her back straightens and her composure drops.

"You're right. I'll leave. Good luck, Jones." As quick as she's here she's gone. Shooting back a shot of whatever she ordered at the bar, she bee-lines for the exit. I watch her rush out of here wondering what she saw.

I turn towards the direction which got her attention and I almost choke on the beer I'm guzzling. Shawn stands in the corner with a girl he's been seeing lately but his eyes are trained on the hot-headed girl with tattoos who's rushing out of the bar.

Busted.

I make my way over to where they stand, Shawn already pushing away from the girl on his arm with an apologetic smile. Instead of going to follow after the girl who's racing for the exit, he heads for the bathroom, and I follow.

He's splashing cold water on his face when I open the door.

"Hey, you good man?" I ask, hoping to get something from him without pushing him into not talking about it. I can tell something's up with both of them, I just don't know what.

"Yea, yea." He stands to face me, crossing his arms. I watch him shift from serious Shawn back to his carefree nature. What the fuck is up with him.

"Are you sure? I saw what happened out there. Did something happen between you and that girl?" His smile falters before setting itself back in place.

"Nah man, nothing. Let's go." He rushes past me, the door swinging on the way out.

Something is definitely going on between the two of them. I'm not one to pry but it's only fair considering I don't think I've ever seen a girl get him so off of his game.

Speaking of girls, I miss mine.

—-

"Do you miss me?"

I try to tease Delilah through the phone, laying back in bed. We got home from the bar only 30 minutes ago but I've been dying to talk to her since. I knew I said I'd give her the weekend to decide, and I will, but I want to hear her voice.

"Nope. Not at all." She says back, a rustling noise bleeding through the background like she's rolling over in bed.

"I can hear the lie in your voice." I do the same, turning over to my good shoulder and dropping my phone next to my pillow. The drinks mixed with the excitement of the win have my body begging for sleep.

"Mhm." Her response is tired.

"Mhm." I mimic back. "Have you read that note yet?" It's silent again as I wait for her to answer, hoping I didn't say the wrong thing. More rustling comes through the speaker for the next minute.

"It's right here." She says breathlessly. "I haven't yet. Want me to read it now?" She asks. As much as I want her to read the note and what I had to say at the time, I don't want it to be over the phone. I want her to be alone and have time to think it over herself.

"No. Do it without me." I pick up my phone again. "Sleep with me, baby," I say. I can hear a soft groan in agreement break through her lips. I set my phone up on the charger, roll over and close my eyes. I can hear her as she does the same and as I fall asleep to her own soft snores I can't wait to get back home to her.