Hutch

20

Daisy

He seemed nervous and it makes me nervous for him. I can't even imagine what's going through his head. He said he was terrified, but it has to be so much more than that. His mom is going to be over the moon.

I threatened everyone who made a single peep while they came upstairs to get their food that I'd never cook for them again.

Carson and Dylan were invited in to talk to the Raptors' guy as well. Jenny is biting her nails along with me. The rest of the girls are downstairs controlling the noise.

"What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall," she whispers and stares down the hallway like she can make them appear. I'm right there with her. They've been in there for over an hour.

I'm excited for Hutch. I'm allowed. We're friends.

"What do you think they're talking about?"

Jenny shrugs. "Could be anything since they asked Dylan and Carson to come inside."

He could be giving them pointers on what they're looking for if they're really interested in joining the team. Or how to get any team's attention for that matter. I don't really care that much about all that. I'm on pins and needles waiting to hear what they said to Hutch and Collin, the big lug. I've gotten as used to him as I have Hutch. He declared us besties and true to his word, he calls and checks on me as much as Hutch does.

"Why am I so nervous?"

"Because this is important." Jenny starts to pace. "They don't even want to sign Dylan and I'm still a mess."

I remember how excited Joseph was when he was debating which school to attend. He went around and around for weeks with his parents on where to go, who would give him the most playing time as a freshman, and who would help him get to the NFL the fastest. He even asked me my opinion at one point. He was never afraid or nervous. He knew what he wanted, but he was unsure of how to get there with the easiest route.

And you know, I never felt nervous for him, not like I'm feeling right now. And Hutch actually got picked by the team he wanted so there should be nothing to be nervous about. Yet I am. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's simply because he's nervous and a little scared.

This is ridiculous. I huff and hot foot it to the kitchen to start cleaning up. College guys sure do make a mess. We should make them clean up, but I don't want the noise they'd create to disturb the meeting going on in the office.

I start putting things in containers and Jenny joins me. Like me, she needs something to do with her nervous energy. We have the food put away and the kitchen completely cleaned by the time the office door opens and we hear voices coming down the hallway. Looking at each other, we both let out a breath.

"Daisy, I wanted to thank you for a wonderful meal." Mr. McClare comes over and shakes my hand. "We'll be looking forward to seeing you at the arena during home games."

Before I can say no, Hutch buts in. "Do you want anything to take home with you? I'm sure there's food left."

"No. I'm full. Two chicken burgers and those homemade fries were more than enough. I appreciate that you did what you could to make it all healthy. Got to keep these men on the proper diet. Especially since we're thinking of changing the team diet."

"Changing the diet?" Hutch and Collin look at each other, alarmed.

"Well, we've seen what a non-meat diet can do for teams. We're considering trying it out. There will be a cheat day for our athletes, of course."

"No meat?" Collin and Dylan both look horrified, while Hutch just appears resigned.

Mr. McClare laughs. "Don't worry boys. Almost every single member of the team had the same reaction with the exception of Kramer. He's a vegetarian."