The crowd is on their feet to cheer. But it’s not a roar… It’s more like a purr.
I was so absorbed in the game, watching Nash’s every move, I failed to realize that the stands never really filled in as the game went on. On the bright side, the ones who did show up made tons of noise. Hopefully, the Moons were so focused on their foes that they didn’t notice a semi-empty house. Volleyball’s still a new professional sport in this country, so more crowds will come.
Noah can see the crestfallen look on my face and puts a hand on my shoulder as we shuffle out of our row of folding chairs, “It’s just the first game. I’m sure it’ll fill up as the season goes on. Don’t worry.”
I look back at the court where the teams are gathering to head back in the locker room. “I know. It’s just that this is everything to her.”
I can tell by the tightness in her shoulders and the drawnlook on her face that the car ride home is going to be a terse one. I think that’s partly why Nash and I get along so well. Athletes are a different breed. We aren’t happy with just winning if we didn’t play to the best of our abilities. If we felt like we were a hindrance to the team, the win doesn’t matter.
We exit the stadium quickly. Jaden, Noah, and I pile into my truck and pull it around to wait for Nash.
I turn to Jaden. “Get in the back.”
“Why?”
“You know Nash has to navigate.” I can’t listen to directions and drive for some reason.
“Oh, does she? Or doyouneed her to be shotgun?” A sly smile spreads over his face, but when I shoot him a look, he slides out of the truck and shimmies into the back with Noah.
When I spot her lugging her gym bag toward us, I hop out of the truck and take the bag from her. “Good game!” I say, wrapping her in a tight hug.
“The Moons? Yes. Me? No.” She moves around the truck to hop up front while I toss her bag in the bed.
“Great game, Nash,” echo Jaden and Noah from the back. They’re squashed together even though this is a king cab.
“Thanks for coming, guys.” She obviously doesn’t want to continue this conversation with the guys here. If she wants to say more, she will during our post-game ritual. This was something we started sophomore year of college when our season coincided. After either one of us had a home game, we’d head to the local Culver’s for a burger and a scoop of the flavor of the day.
I put the truck in drive and slowly pull away from the curb, steering us toward the city. “Where to first?”
“I’m starving,” Nash chirps.
“Take us to my house first,” Noah says. “Audrey waited for us to eat.”
“Okay, dope.”
We settle in for the drive back to downtown, but the quiet doesn’t last long.
“So you’re going to give me number fifteen’s number, right?” Jaden says, the look on his face like a dog with a bone.
Nash and I groan in unison. She and I are on the same page, as usual. “Not a chance, Jaden.” Nash leaves no room for possibility with that reply and I just chuckle.
When we pull up to Noah’s house, the guys hop out and we wave to Audrey, who’s standing at the front door waiting for them.
“’Night, guys! See you later!” Nash calls from the passenger window as Jaden and Noah let themselves in to Noah’s house. She turns to me. “Thank God. I couldn’t take another second of Jaden wanting me to play matchmaker. Like, no, I do not know what kind of dudes Temi is into and I won’t be giving you her number.”
“For real. The man has no off switch.”
“He’s kind of adorable, though.”
I shake my head and turn the truck toward Whataburger.
Our game day tradition has always been a burger and fries. Here it’s Whataburger, in Wisconsin it’s Culver’s. I’d never admit it to anyone here, but I think Culver’s is better.
“So, how does it feel?” I ask, one hand slung casually over the wheel.
“Honestly, it’s bittersweet. I got used to Rome, but it never truly felt like home,” she sighs. “I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t disappointed in the turnout tonight.” She leans back in the seat, and she looks so small against the size of my truck, despite her long frame. Like the lack of fans in attendance washer fault, that drawing in the big crowds is somehow resting on her shoulders.
“I get that. I still kind of feel that way about Texas. There’s fun stuff here, but it’s no Wisco.”