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But I also take heed of the serious undercurrent within Bishop’s tone, so I say, “No plans What do you want to do?”
“Let’s go to Tacker’s place and talk to him”It takes us about twenty-five minutes to make it to Tacker’s crappy apartment We can’t tell if he’s home because he hasn’t responded to the text Bishop sent hi as to his whereabouts before we left the arena Of course, there is no telltale sign of his truck in one of the parking spots since he totaled it I i to be one of Uber’s best custoiven details, nor would I ask for such, I’ to lose his license for that little stunt he pulled
Since I have been here before, I lead the way up to Tacker’s apartet there I glance overon the balls of his feet No clue if this is going to be confrontational or not, so there ht be a little anxiety involved
We hear the snick of the door unlocking fro out at us He keeps one hand on the doorknob and the other up on the door casing, with no invitation to invite us in
That’s really not going to work for what Bishop and I intend to talk to him about, so I say point blank, “We’d like to come in and talk”
Tacker sighs long and heavy, appearing incredibly put out as he turns to the side to grant us entrance I enter his living room, completely stunned by what I see
He’s such a recluse and doesn’t give a shit about anything, I expected his holance into his pristine kitchen I thought there would be a arbage can is empty, and I expected it to be filled with empty liquor bottles I sniff hesitantly at the air, but only find it clean and lemony
What actually doesn’t surprise et apartment orn and threadbare carpet It’s clear to see this because he has no furniture except for a single reclining chair in the corner with a floor lamp beside it There’s no TV, no couch, no coffee table In the kitchen, there’s not even a table to sit at to eat, nor are there any appliances out on the counter In fact, as far as I can see, his apartment consists of only the chair and the lao out on a lile air mattress on the floor
Tackerroo his arry to see us, but he doesn’t look friendly either “So what’s up?”
“Do to be co back to the team,” Bishop says
Tacker doesn’t respond, but that is hardly surprising He isn’t theperson I’ve ever met in my life The only exception to that is when he is out on the ice Then he is like a different person who has no proble critique or encouragement If there was ever any reason why this man needed to come back to the team, it’s because of that It’s the only place he truly seems to have any life left in him
“We want to knoe can best support you,” I say, taking over the efforts to get a conversation going “While they didn’t tell us any details, the only thing they did make sure to reiterate is you are not allowed to have any alcohol What can we do to help you with that?”
There’s no anger or offense froht annoyance in his tone “I’oddaot drunk one lousy time and made a stupid decision to drive”
“Technically,” Bishop drawls “That’s still an abuse of alcohol”
“No shit, Sherlock,” Tackerin a breath “But I don’t need any supportive help if that’s what you’re asking I don’t crave alcohol I’ve never been a big drinker to begin with I certainly don’t need the rest of the teao alcohol in some form of stupid-ass solidarity with me I just want everyone to be normal around me when I come back”
“But everything isn’t nor to be a lot of people walking around on eggshells with you, brother People aren’t going to kno to act around you”