Chapter 9: Kyle - Recruiting Season

The humidity from the morning had largely burned off and it was a pleasant fall Sunday in Houston by the time Lexi and I got cleaned up. We left to meet Reed at the sports bar with a patio we liked to watch football at when the weather was nice. It was just around the corner from Reed’s place, so we made the short drive back over and I left my car parked in his guest spot.

The early games were approaching halftime, but the Texans were playing in the late window so it was not too crowded and we were able to grab a good table on the patio. Lexi held it while I ordered our beers at the bar - a pumpkin ale for her; I was in an IPA mood.

“Thanks,” Lexi said when I handed her her beer.

“A toast, to glorious victory and our upcoming holiday sipping wine in lovely Northern California sunshine,” I proposed, raising my pint.

“Cheers! That was such an awesome game, I can’t wait to play more,” Lexi said after we touched glasses.

“I can’t believe how well our little ploy went in the first set.” I smiled at how surprised Reed and Katrina had been.

“I told you it would work to sandbag,” Lexi said. It had been her idea that morning to see if we could trick our opponents.

“I never questioned you,” I said. Which was true, I’d embraced the idea immediately.

“Yeah the only downside was how muggy it was. At least the humidity is mostly gone now. I can’t wait for next weekend! What’s the weather typically like in NorCal this time of year?” Lexi asked.

“Like this but probably 15-20 degrees cooler. Sweatshirt weather,” I told her.

“Nice! I miss sweatshirt weather. Pass on Chicago winters, but I loved those crisp fall days before it gets really cold where a hoodie is just right to stay warm.” We were dressed in jeans and t-shirts, it was just a touch too warm for anything more.

“Yeah I mean in some ways that was all year round in the Bay Area. I always took a hoodie when I went to A’s games, even in July, because if you got the breeze off the Pacific it could get chilly. Moving away from Houston certainly is on the table you know, in our new circumstances,” I pointed out.

“Yeah, I figured. Where would you go? Back to California?” Lexi asked with a bit of hesitation.

“Wrong pronoun,” I said, smiling. I was going to remain firm about my desire to have Lexi along for the ride.

A shy smile crept across Lexi’s face. “Ok, there is still a lot to figure out, but for now I’ll play along. Where do you think WE should go?” Lexi asked.

“Well I’ve always thought the idea of owning some land would be cool. Like remember that wedding we went to last spring at a ranch? Something like that would be cool,” I said. I was envisioning myself sitting on my front porch sipping a cocktail and watching the sun set behind the trees across my field with not another soul in sight. Except maybe Lexi. She was cool.

“I’m not really sure I see you as a farmer, no offense,” Lexi said.

“None taken, I’m more interested in peace and quiet and not being able to see my neighbors from my front door, you’re the dirt nerd,” I replied. Lexi had been an environmental studies major at Northwestern and worked in the sustainability department at one of the oil and gas supermajors.

“I know the basics, I suppose, although I have not touched much agriculture stuff since college,” Lexi said. Her work was primarily focused on management and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Anyway, that was one thought. As you know I do kind of like city life too, I mean you do too, right?” I asked.

“Yeah 100%, I mean, I agree with you the idea of idyllic rural living always sort of has that appeal, but realistically I’d ultimately get bored, same as you probably,” Lexi said, sipping her beer.

“Right, exactly, same. So I’m thinking maybe somewhere where we could have like a nice condo or something downtown but also have something decently rural where we can hang out when we’re more in a mood to relax, that’s not a crazy drive away, would be my ideal. Oh and it would need more sweatshirt weather, of course.” I smiled and took a sip of my own beer.

“Well I guess that rules Houston out,” Lexi said, smirking.

“It would. I mean, I don’t really feel like I have strong roots here. It’s cheaper than California, which is nice, but humidity sucks. We’ve got some decent friends, but outside of Reed is there anybody you’re really close with?” I asked.

“Not really. Like I have friends, but they’re all people I met through work or rec sports. Present company excluded, I don’t consider any of them deep friendships. Plus there’s no pro hockey,” Lexi said. Lexi loved hockey.

“Well put, any thoughts on where would be fun to move to?” I asked. Before she could answer I noticed Reed walking up and waved to him. Lexi turned in her seat and waved as well.

“He’s looking rather pleased with himself; last time I saw him acting this way was the night he hit a senior associate,” I observed.

“Is that the night he declared himself the legal authority on morality for the evening?” Lexi asked, vaguely remembering.

“It was,” I confirmed.

“Good lord, he can be ridiculous,” Lexi said, recalling his drunken shenanigans.

“You’ve never had any trouble holding your own,” I pointed out. Lexi’s banter with Reed always amused me. They had sort of a sibling rivalry type of relationship and bickered frequently, although always good naturedly.

“Thanks, I’m surprised he showed up. I figured he’d want more time with Katrina,” Lexi said. She blushed slightly.

“Oh he did, but she was already pushing it claiming she played tennis for nearly four hours, she had to get home to Jimbo in order to avoid making him suspicious,” I explained. I had asked Reed the same thing over text.

“Good day, my racquet-wielding fellows,” Reed said in a smug tone as he strode up to our table and took his seat next to me.