Drew’s mom gave Seth a hug. “I baked a chocolate cake,” she said.
“I’ll be there,” Seth said. “Thank you for the invite.”
Drew’s mom was beaming. “Why don’t you invite some more of your teammates, honey?”
“I’m not sharing your chocolate cake with anyone else, Mom. Let’s get out of here,” Drew said. His dad took Bonnie’s arm and propelled her toward the parking lot.
“We’ll see you at home in about half an hour or so,” Drew called after them.
DREW, SETH, AND Derrick headed toward the team bus. They’d pick up their cars at the Sharks’ training facility. Drew hoped his mom had made a side of beef or something. She was used to how much he could eat, but she hadn’t fed these knuckleheads for a couple of years. Maybe she forgot what it was like. Maybe he should pick up some more food at the store or something.
Derrick must have read his mind.
“We’d better stop on the way to your place and get some flowers and wine or something, man. My mama would kick my ass if I showed up empty-handed,” Derrick said.
“You know what’s going to happen if we walk into a grocery store together,” Drew said.
“It won’t be that bad,” Seth said to Drew. “The wine department is right by the flowers at that store near your house. We’re in, we’re out, no problemo.”
“Oh, sure,” Drew said. “Like you know what to buy there.”
“Your mom’s serving red meat,” Seth said. “I’ll be buying red wine.”
“Where the fuck did you learn that one?” Derrick said.
“My mom told me.”
“Well, then,” Derrick said. “You’re just a goddamn somi . . . soma . . . what the hell are they called? Wine guys who tell you what to get?”
“Sommelier,” Drew said. “Plus, there are tags on the wine displays giving hints on what might be best to buy and drink with the food you’re having.”
“Oooh. Aren’t we fancy?” Derrick said. “Did your mom tell you that too? She’s a nice lady, so I’m not going to kick your ass for that.”
Seth rolled his eyes, and Drew laughed. Derrick had meted out some punishment on the field today, but he’d be in a much better mood after he had something to eat.
The three men were back in their vehicles and speeding down 405 to Drew’s house minutes later. They pulled into the lot outside of the neighborhood grocery store, and Drew gestured for them to gather around.
“Listen. We’re asking for it,” he said. “Derrick, you grab the flowers. They have those pre-made bouquets, and my mom likes pretty much everything. Seth, you get a couple of bottles of wine. I’ll keep us moving. Remember, get what we need and head to the nearest checkstand.”
“Got it.” They all did a fist bump and half-jogged into the store.
Seth’s optimism wasn’t rewarded. Three Sharks in one grocery store less than two hours after a team victory was a recipe for bedlam, and this was no exception. Seth darted into the wine section, Derrick headed toward the flowers, and Drew heard the first shouted “Go Sharks!” less than thirty seconds later as he tried to head to the ice cream section. He was surrounded by fifteen autograph seekers almost immediately.
“Great game!”
“Will you sign this, ‘To the hottest woman I’ve ever met’?”
“My son’s school is having a fundraising auction. Would you donate a game-worn jersey to it?”
A little girl was tugging on his pants leg. “Would you sign this for my daddy?” She held up an issue of Sports Illustrated with the Miners’ QB on the cover.
The grocery store manager arrived on the run. Drew glanced up from signing autographs and said to him, “Would you please grab a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry’s for me? Something that goes with chocolate cake would be nice.”
“Sure,” the guy said. Seconds later he heard an announcement over the store’s intercom. “Customers, please allow our special guests to get in line at a checkstand. Thank you for shopping at the North Bellevue QFC, and Go Sharks.”
Derrick and Seth had emerged from the floral and wine departments and were attempting to steer a cartful through other Sharks fans who also wanted autographs. Drew managed to pull his phone out of his pocket, punched in his home number, and waited until his mom answered the phone.
“Mom, we’re at the store. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“What’s going on there, honey? It sounds like a mob scene.”
“It’s fine. I’ll be there soon,” he said and ended the call.