Page 83 of A Scoring Chance
“Oh, I almost forgot. Are you coming to my birthday cookout this weekend, Uncle Coop?”
“I didn’t know I was invited.” I turn toward Beauty, searching her face for a plausible reason why she didn’t invite me herself. I thought things were progressing between us, but now I’m not so sure.
“You’re invited,” Darius answers my question, his eyes flicking toward Ramona. “Isn’t he?”
“He is, but it might not be his thing.” Ramona’s eyes are looking anywhere but at me, quickly locking with Alise’s for a few moments before dropping to her lap.
“Barbecue is my favorite kind of food. It’s even more amazing when I’m not the one who has to cook it.” I know I’m not helping, but I want to know why she doesn’t want me to attend.
“Oh, I can guarantee that you won’t be coming anywhere near the grill,” Alise responds, pushing her chair back from the table and heading toward Beauty. The two of them lock eyes again in silent conversation as I turn toward Darius.
“I knew your birthday was in October, but I didn’t think it was so soon.”
“Yup. This is the first time in a while my birthday lands on a weekend. My birthday is Saturday, the same day as the cookout.”
“Do you have a birthday list I can look at? If it were up to me, I’d just get you a signed Timberwolves jersey and call it a day.”
“I would more than welcome any Timberwolves gear you’d like to give me. I’d appreciateanythingyou give me.” Darius smiles at me, his eyes flicking to Ramona and Alise before leaning toward me. “Honestly, the best present would be for you to come to my party. No one believes I know you.”
“I can stop by, even if it's only to drop off your present. Okay?”
“I want you to come to the cookout this weekend, Cooper.” Beauty places her hand on my shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. “It’s just that my family is a lot, and they aren’t my biggest fans either. I really don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position.”
There’s something about Ramona’s family that she isn’t telling me. I completely understand what it is like to have family members you don’t see eye to eye with, but the downtrodden look of hurt in her eyes is something more than just a family squabble. I want to be there for her in any way I can, even if that means dealing with some not-so-welcoming family members.
“I’d love to come join you and your family to celebrate Darius’s birthday, but only if you’re comfortable with it. I know a thing or two about dysfunctional families.”
“He has a point,” Alise responds, giving Ramona’s hand a squeeze. “Cooper is a big boy and can take care of himself. Besides, it will be fun to have a partner in crime to tell your aunt Thea where to stick her opinions.”
“Are they really that bad?”
“Not all of them. But they’re my family, and I love them. We only see each other a few times a year. I just need to make it through this Saturday, and then I have months to repair my self-esteem before seeing them again.”
“I thought you said they weren’t that bad.”
“I’m being a little overdramatic.” Beauty smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Are you coming or not?”
“I’m coming,” I respond without hesitating, and Darius whoops behind me.
“I have to call Chris, Tyrese, and Quinton and tell them the good news. They’re gonna lose it when they meet you, Uncle Coop. Wait, do you think you could convince Beau to come, too?”
I hate to dash Darius’s hopes and dreams, but there is no way Beau can come to the barbecue, but I might be able to convince him to sign some gear for Darius and his cousins. “No can do, Big D. The Timberwolves have an away game this weekend.”
“Bummer.” He shrugs his shoulders without a care in the world. “I’m gonna go make the call.”
I wait for Darius to leave the kitchen before leaning over to Beauty and grabbing her hand. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? I can make up an excuse for Darius and only stop by.”
“No. I really want you to come. It’ll be nice to have another ally there besides Alise.”
That’s strange. I can completely understand why Alise would give anyone who had a bad thing to say about Ramona the what for, but there’s one very important person missing from her list of allies.
“What about your mom? Doesn’t she give them what for when they give you a hard time?”
“She does when she’s around to hear their snide and hurtful comments,” Alise chimes in as she plops down into the chair across from me. “Mostly, they keep their assholish behavior to a minimum in her presence.”
“The two of us have your back, Beauty.” I lean over and plant a kiss on her forehead.
“If you say so,” she mumbles before dropping her head on my shoulder.
