Later that evening, the boys hosted Gordon to show their appreciation for saving their necks. "I gotta say, I didn't think this would actually work for all three of you!" He laughed while taking a sip of his drink.
"Yeah...though now I'm not so sure we're fit to be professional athletes anymore…" Michael sounded discouraged.
"Mikey, do you think we'd be the first or last athletes to do something dumb like this?" McGill teased him. "
He's right.' Gordon nodded. "I've done some pretty dumb stuff myself."
Just then, the phone rang."
"I'll get it!" Larson said, already having gotten up for more food. "Hello?"
"Larson? It's Joey."
"Joey!" Larson beamed, the others becoming excited.
"It's Joey, let me talk to him!" Stickler jumped and rushed to the phone. "Joey!"
"Hey, Nate, how are you guys doing?"
"We're great, you'll never guess who we're having dinner with!"
"Who?"
"Gordon Bombay! He's right here in our house!"
"Oh...well, that might be a good thing, considering what I have to tell you…"
"Huh? What's wrong, Joey?"
As Joey informed Nathan of the tragedy that had occurred back in their hometown, the latter's facial expression changed from elated to serious.
"What's wrong, man?" The others asked him.
"I see. Thanks for letting us know, Joey. Talk soon." Stickler put down the phone slowly, taking a deep breath.
"Say something!"
"It's Riley...he's...passed away."
"What?"
"When"
"What from?"
"Cancer, apparently."
"When's the funeral?" Gordon asked.
"In 3 weeks." Bombay nodded.
"I think we should all be there."
"Are you sure? Riley wasn't exactly nice to you, either."
Gordon sighed. "That's true but without him, I wouldn't be where I am today."
"I guess we should make arrangements to fly home." Adam said.
"Leave the tickets to me, you guys settle it with your coach. I guess I better get home, thanks for the invite and once again, I'm happy to know you guys will be playing in the pros, they'll be lucky to have you!"
The guys nodded 'thanks' and waved goodbye to Gordon.
"Well, I'm gonna go out, there's something I need to do!" Larson informed the others and picked up his jacket.
"Where the hell are you going at this time?" McGill demanded to know, grabbing his arm.
"None of your business!" Larson pushed him away.
"Are you gonna go break up with Jake?" Larson flared his nostrils but didn't reply.
"Then we're coming with!" Stickler got up from his chair.
"There's no need for that!"
"Fuck yeah there is! You don't know how he's gonna react, we're gonna be nearby!"
Larson sighed. "Fine, but only you two. And wait for me in the car!" McGill and Stickler nodded at each other.
When they got to Jake's house, Larson got out of the car and approached the house, remaining on the sidewalk. He shouted Jake's name and moments later, Jake appeared, clearly intoxicated, wearing only his underwear and a cardigan.
"What's up, sugar? Why are you calling me and not coming inside?"
"Fuck you! We're done!" Larson tried to remain composed.
Just then, a voice was heard from inside. "Jakey, babe, are you coming back?"
"What the fuck? Who the hell is that?"
"What the fuck? Is that another dude?" McGill stared, shocked.
"I guess…" Nathan replied, equally taken aback.
Larson yelled and was going to go inside when a guy showed up at the door. "Have you been…" Larson clenched his fist and punched Jake in the face, making him fall down.
"Shit! Shit!" Stickler quickly turned on the car and called for Larson to get inside, speeding off. "Dude, what the fuck?"
"I-I...I don't know…" Larson buried his face in his hands, throwing his head back.
"Sorry, bro. That guy was a dick." McGill gave him a sympathetic look.
"Yeah…"
"Isn't Gordon flying with us?" Larson asked.
"No, he's flying out on Tuesday, has a game tomorrow." Stickler explained.
"Well, we better get to our gate, not much time left."
"Do you think anyone back home would have found out about our...you know?" Brown's face twisted into an expression of worry and embarrassment.
"Relax, Mikey, there's nothing to find out about, right?!" Nathan squeezed his neck as if to remind him to keep his mouth shut. "
The flight home was quiet. The guys didn't feel like discussing any of the topics plaguing their minds. Nathan's stomach was in knots - he didn't know how to act or what to say when he met Winnie, he didn't particularly want to go to Riley's funeral and he knew his father was to be soon released from prison. Larson was both heartbroken and furious, Adam was going to a place that was going to remind him of his already non-existent relationship and Michael was worried someone might have found out about their ordeal. Only McGill managed to keep somewhat sane, thanks to the thought of meeting Gina soon.
When the captain announced their descent into Minneapolis, their worries multiplied.
"Not a word to anyone about what happened, okay?" McGill warned the others.
When they collected their luggage and headed out into the main area towards the exit, they heard familiar voices calling their names. "Joey, Chris?! What the hell are you guys doing here?" Stickler exclaimed in disbelief as he rushed to hug Joey.
"Bombay called me to tell me you guys were coming so we came to pick you up." The former captain explained.
"Holy fuck, Brown, you've become taller than everyone!" Chris' eyes widened.
"Yeah right!" Stickler scoffed.
"Don't pay attention to him, he's just feeling threatened!" Larson put an arm over Michael's neck. "Where's Morgan?"
"He couldn't come. So, tell us everything! How's the big game?" Chris asked, curious.
"It's okay…" Adam replied, reluctant to talk.
"That's all, Banks? You guys were gone for more than a year! Come on, nothing fun or weird happened? You were in LA after all! Shit, you guys got tanned!" He continued to tease his friends.
"Nothing happened, man, leave it!" Brown snapped, nervous from all the questioning.
"Alright, dude, chill, I was just asking."
Joey intervened. "Alright, alright, let's go. Chris, we're gonna drop Adam and Larson first, then Mikey and McGill, then we're gonna go back to my house."
"Roger." Chris nodded and got into his car with Adam and Larson.
When they got to the Banks residence, Adam's mother was waiting outside, eager to meet her son. He rushed out of the car and hugged her. "Oh, honey, you've grown up even more since last time I saw you!"
"I missed you, mom!"
The others also came out to greet her. Nathan's stomach was turning at the thought of seeing Winnie but he wanted to say hi to Mrs. Banks.
"Nate, hi dear, welcome home!"
"Good to be back, Mrs. B!"
"I'm sorry you kids had to come back under these circumstances…"
"Yeah...we better go see Mrs. Riley." Adam turned to the rest.
Stickler instinctively looked up to Winnie's room and his heart stopped. There she was, beautiful as ever, looking at him from behind her curtain. She'd cut her hair much shorter and her delicate frame was now stronger but it was the same girl who made his knees weak and his head spin. He wanted to run up to her and embrace her but something told him she didn't want him to. Winnie felt equally conflicted. She was embarrassed at the way she'd behaved towards him and wanted to be with him but part of her was scared that her fears might have been realized. Winnie placed her hand on the window while Stickler was still looking up at her.
"...so I guess we should head home first then, right Nate? Nate?" Joey tried getting his attention but then noticed him staring at Winnie.
"Uhh yeah, ok." Stickler replied, distracted. After saying goodbye to Adam and Mrs. Banks, he looked up once more but she was already gone.
Nathan and Joey finally made their way home. "Welcome home, bud!" Joey put an arm around Stickler's shoulders.
"Hmm, weird, feels like I've been gone for years."
"Yeah, it's been too quiet without you!"
"Yeah yeah I know you missed me so much you probably cried!" Nathan teased his friend. "Where's your mom?"
Joey sighed. "She's at the prison, seeing my dad. By the way, your dad is due to come out any day now, you know right?"
"Yeah. Can't say I haven't been thinking about that. Any word on my mom?"
"She's at the women's shelter. I went by a few times."
"How does she look?"
"I won't lie to you, man, she's not doing well. You should go see her."
Nathan nodded. "Thanks for keeping an eye on her."
"Yeah, of course, man."
"Well, I'm gonna shower and go over to Mrs. Riley's house, I guess."
"Yeah, ok." As Nathan was going up the stairs, Joey spoke.
"Uhm, Nate...is everything between you and Winnie alright? I noticed your weird staring contest earlier."
Stickler's facial expression changed. "I-I don't know, Joey. Things are complicated, I guess."