I guess I’m doing this.
Chapter 10: TJ
The end of the game was absolutely nuts.There’s speculation about whether Brandon Nix will be fired or if he’ll just have a massive financial penalty.Any other time, if you’d asked me about Brandon, I’d have said he was a loose cannon and a major asshole.
His actions today, beating Seamus O’Marra to the ground, were totally reasonable.We all saw what O’Marra did to Andi Nichols.He probably deserved worse.
I’m sure it’s all over social media.My fingers twitch, jonesing to check ClikClak.I spent the break between Soccer for Sibs and the game posting my videos from the event.As much as I’m tempted to open the app, my family is waiting for me.Win or lose, unless there are extenuating circumstances, we go out for ice cream after games.They make the effort to come to the games, driving almost an hour each way.The least I can do is debrief with them for a few minutes after.
It keeps Ma happy, and that’s all that really matters.
I check my phone for the confirmation text.Because most ice cream places close before the end of the game, Ma or Dad calls ahead and asks them to stay open.We pay the staff handsomely, of course.Most are accommodating, and they love the social media exposure I give them.With approximately seventeen home games, we’ve found a list of nearby places that we rotate through.Improving the local economy one ice cream sundae at a time.
Tonight’s location is Three Pugs Creamery, located about four miles from the stadium.I don’t even need to look at the menu to know that I’ll be ordering The Enzo, which is a hot fudge sundae built on chocolate chip cookies.My mouth salivates in anticipation.
Once showered, I head for my car and drive to the ice cream shop.I see Dad’s Jeep Compass parked next to Joey’s Dodge Charger.Nick rode down with one of them.There are two other cars in the parking lot.They must have two workers staying for us tonight.
Probably fans who want details about the fight at the game.
If I’m lucky, Ma will have ordered my sundae already.When I get home, I’ll heat up leftovers for dinner.I’d prefer to get my protein in before I fill up on fats and sugars, but some traditions are worth messing up my macros.
It wouldn’t feel like a game day was complete without this.
As I walk in, I’m immediately confused.There isn’t a lot of table space inside to begin with, but there are more people here than should be.No one will ever accuse me of being a math wizard, but even I know there are five people here when there should be four.I look closer.
It’s the woman from Soccer for Sibs!
"What are you doing here?Are you stalking me?"The words come flying out of my mouth before I can stop them.Okay, probably not the nicest thing to say, but what else am I supposed to think?I’ve never needed security before, but I might have to look into it.How’d she connect with my family?How’d she even know they are my family?
"Tyler, don’t be rude!I invited Rachel."My mom stands up and whacks me on the back of the head.
Rachel’s mouth hangs open, her eyes equally wide.If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was truly surprised to see me.Instead, I think she’s a fantastic actress.I grab her elbow and pull her up to standing."That’s it.Time to go."
"Wha—" she manages to splutter before Joey jumps in.
"Ty, let go of her."He pries my fingers off her arm and shoves me back.I’m not expecting that—partially because I’m two inches taller than Joey, but also because we’re grown-ass adults, not little kids who fight over their favorite toy.It gets even worse when Nicky joins, and the two of them drag me across the shop, pushing me into a chair.
It’s a teeny shop, so it’s not that far.
And for the record, I’m way more muscular than either one of them, so if I’d been prepared, I could have kicked both their asses.
Nicky still views me as a threat, so he sits on me.That’s right.Mr.Harvard himself sits on me.
"Ma!"I shout."Tell Nicky to get off of me."I thrash to get out from underneath him.I almost manage to buck him off, but then Joey comes and sits on top of Nicky, and there’s no way I can thrust 400 lbs.off of me.I should have worked harder on leg day.
"Oh, the baby’s crying to Mommy again.We’re gonna sit here like this until you can remember what it’s like to be a human being," Joey says.
I feel like I’m six.
I cannot believe my brothers are sitting on me for punishment, and my parents are allowing it to happen.
No matter how humiliated I might be, I still have to protect my family."Ma, you don’t understand.I think she’s stalking me."
"Oh honey, no.Rachel’s not like that.She wasn’t at the game for you."
I peek out around the sides of my brothers to see Rachel’s gaze drop to the floor.I point in triumph."See!Look at her.She’s lying to you.She was at the game because of me."
Her gaze slowly returns to mine.Her cheeks are bright red.Her big brown eyes remind me of the hot fudge on the sundae I’m not currently eating."I … I was kind of there because of him."
