The fans were rowdy and the beer overflowing at the tavern. Charlie and Stub kept me close, and I had no chance to slip away before the team arrived. Charlie handed me a beer and I downed it quickly. It felt good to drown my sorrows. Going back on my word to never drink again was like thinking I could cast away my self-doubt because of the thrill over a ball game.
The shouts suddenly grew louder and people began cheering. The team had arrived. Fans passed beer hand to hand over heads until the players were guzzling their first glass. This went for both teams. Everyone just seemed- happy. Everyone but me. I downed the second half of my third beer like it was a shot of whiskey.
Charlie and Stub started a serious conversation with Ron and I saw my chance to get away. I turned and ran straight into Joel's chest. God, he smelled goodclean with no dirt anywhere in sight.
He leaned in, his breath hot across my ear, "You okay?"
