Melting the Ice(114)

            “You know it.” Trevor grinned and tipped his beer toward Drew.

            “Have you heard anything new about Bill Briscoe?”

            Trevor’s smile faded. “No. He’s still at MD Anderson in Houston. I talked to Ginger last week and she said he’s hanging in there.”

            Drew nodded. “I was down there about a month ago to see him, but there was no change. I was hoping . . .”

            “Yeah, we all are, man.”

            “Have you seen Haven?”

            “I saw her last time I stopped in to see Bill.”

            “How’s she handling all this?”

            “It’s her dad, you know? But she’s tough, and she’s trying to hold it together for Bill. But I can tell this is tearing her up. Not that she’ll talk to me about it.”

            Drew shook his head. Bill and Ginger Briscoe had been their dorm parents in college. Bill had been their rock, their shoulder to lean on, and the one person Drew had relied on to get him through the rough patches. To see him slowly fading away was so hard. He took a deep breath. “I hate losing him.”

            “Me, too. But there’s nothing more any of us can do for him. This liver cancer is going to take him from us, and we can’t stop it.”

            They both went silent for a few minutes, no doubt Trevor as lost in thought about Bill as Drew was.

            “So tell me about you,” Trevor said, obviously looking for a change of subject. “What have you been up to, other than scoring your ass off? I’ve caught a few of your games on TV. Impressive.”

            “Yeah, the home games. We’re shit on the road so far this season.”

            “That happens sometimes. Road games are tough. It’s still early in the season, though, so don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re working the kinks out. You pulled in some new players, and it takes awhile for the new guys to mesh in with the seasoned ones.”

            “You should be a coach.”

            “I’m better as a player. All these impressive skills of mine, you know.”

            Drew rolled his eyes. “Uh-huh. Plus, all the women you attract.” Drew got his fair share of women’s attention, but even here at the restaurant, Trevor was recognized. Not just by the women, either. Any guy who played dual sports, especially if he did it well, became an instant celebrity.

            Throughout their meal they were watched. Drew was used to it, mainly in New York where he was recognized. But tonight, there were even more people taking pictures with their camera phones. He knew it was because Trevor was there with him.

            “So, any special woman—or maybe women—in your life?” Trevor asked.

            Sufficiently full after downing his steak, Drew pushed his plate to the side and took a couple of swallows from his glass of water. “I’ve been seeing Carolina Preston.”

            Trevor’s eyes widened. “Gray’s little sister? No shit. When did that happen?”

            “A few months ago. She’s launching her own fashion line and wants me to model for it.”

            Trevor snorted. “You’re going to model clothes? I can’t see that.”

            “Hey, I can walk in a straight line. And it’s just once. I’m doing it as a favor.”

            “Good luck with that.”

            “Gray’s doing it, too.”