‘You could’ve told me,’ I start to say, but I decide to swallow my words. She doesn’t need me to try and be some sort of caretaker right now. She just needs me to be.

‘Personally,’ I say instead, ‘I wouldn’t have given a shit about lacrosse, either.’

‘You’re not all terrible when you sit and listen.’

‘I guess I do that, sometimes,’ I joke lightly. ‘I’m sure I’m not that mean.’

That gets a quiet chuckle out of May. ‘You didn’t talk to me for five years. You’re pretty mean.’

‘I’m sorry.’ I set my beer down beside me so I can look her in the eye – really look at her. Past the stunning face I fell so hard for back in high school, and into the brilliant mind that can come up with plays on a dime, but is also so burdened, all the time, with everything that whirls about in her life – a mental cyclone. ‘For trying to be something I’m not.’

She shakes her head. ‘I’m sorry, Colt. I took my anger out on you. It’s just … to be hit by a storm twice in two years, it’s a lot. You know? We have seasons where this stuff comes and hits us over and over, but you get desensitized. Not having a minute to think in between the storms is different from getting a year to get your shit right, and then …’

‘That’s fair.’ I raise an eyebrow. ‘But you’re allowed to be angry at me. I hope you know that. You’re right. It’s not okay, the way I was trying to be something I’m not.’

‘I’m not totally right, thought.’ May waves a hand out towards the crates of stuff we pulled out of the rubble, crates that now sit on a flatbed attached to the back of my truck. ‘You don’t have to say anything for us to know who you are. And you’re not pretending to be anyone you aren’t. You’re Oklahoman. Maybe New England turned you into a terrible person, but you’re still Oklahoman.’ A smile sneaks out from the gloom that had settled over her face throughout the day. ‘The Colt I remember, at least.’

The Colt you remember is the Colt you made me. A better man.

My cheeks are warm, either from the alcohol starting to fill my body, or from the compliment, but I get the feeling it’s the latter considering I’ve only had a few sips.

‘So.’ I clear my throat awkwardly. ‘On the topic of the Colt you remember. This whole shitshow’s gonna get into people’s heads. They’re going to expect us to get even closer. The crowds are going to keep growing. People love an underdog.’