I raised my eyebrows. “Yeah? I’ve never had any coaching experience. But it was fun. Thanks for letting me come.”

“You’re welcome. I hope you come back next week. I’ll even let you keep the shirt.”

I glanced down at the bright-orange T-shirt Jamie had given me at the start of the evening. The word COACH was printed across the front in big white letters, with the name of Simon’s accounting firm on the back. “I’ll cherish the shirt,” I joked. “Truly. I might even wear it to work tomorrow.”

He laughed. “If anybody can pull it off, it’s you.”

I froze. I probably should have just played it off. It was nothing. A joke about a T-shirt. But the compliment still gave me pause.

“I’m sorry,” Simon said quickly. “Was that—”

I shook my head. “No, it was fine. It’s not—”

“Cones,” Jamie said, dropping them at our feet with a flourish. “Every last one of them. Cooper didn’t help though, just for the record.”

“Thanks,” Simon said. His eyes met mine one last time before he leaned down, organizing Jamie’s haphazard pile of cones into neat stacks. Poor guy. He probably figured he’d made me uncomfortable, when really I was mostly just flattered. I mean, orange was a good color on me. It felt nice to think someone had noticed.

Right?

Right?

Cooper: BROTHERS. The white envelope has arrived.

Dave: Sweet. Where are you headed?

Cooper: That’s it? No ceremony? No film footage to share with all the Internet? Just, where are you headed?

Simon: We know you had Mom open it and read it to you over the phone.

Cooper: She told you?

Jamie: Nope. We just know you. As patient as . . . wait. There is actually no living creature on this earth as impatient as you.

Cooper: Whatever.

Jamie: Spill it, Coop. Where are you going?

Cooper: Sierra Leone. I’M GOING TO AFRICA, BABY.

Simon: That’s incredible!

Dave: And you’ll only come home with a little Ebola.

Cooper: Seriously? Is there still Ebola in Africa?

Dave: Pretty sure missionaries have to wear masks and gloves their entire mission. Even while sleeping.

Cooper: Simon. Tell me Dave is joking.

Simon: He’s joking.

Cooper: You’re sure?

Simon: The World Health Organization declared Sierra Leone a safe zone awhile ago. They wouldn’t send missionaries there if Ebola was still a legitimate threat.

Cooper: AFRICA. I’M GOING TO AFRICA IN THREE MONTHS.

Dave: You’re going to be great. Dinner tonight to celebrate?

Jamie: Burgers at Simon’s. I’m not cooking.

Simon: I’m working late. I can eat, but I can’t cook.

Cooper: I’m feeling the love, guys.

Dave: You’re both jerks. Rib eyes. My house. 7 pm. I’ll grill. Katie will help.

Jamie: If Katie’s coming, I’m bringing Lane.

Dave: Sounds like a party.

Chapter 6