Chapter 17

Shay looked at Melissa and said, “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

Randy then looked Shay up and down and said, “I hate you, man! Look at you—you’re still the same stud you were back in high school.”

Shay laughed and tried to make light of the comment as Randy, who had once been solid muscle, was now clearly overweight and balding. “Good genes, I guess. Uh…how have you been?” Shay asked.

“Good, good, work with my dad at the gas station. Was married, divorced. Got two boys. They play pee-wee football,” Randy said proudly.

As they chatted, they were joined by another man. He was tall and slender, with a prominent beer belly.

“Stewart!” Shay said, and the two men hugged.

Melissa was introduced to Shay’s former teammate, and the four talked for a while.

The room was now filling up. Soon a voice came over the speaker system. It was Tommy. Shay was pleased to see Tommy hadn’t let himself go as Shay’s football buddies had.