“Eggs.” I nod up at June. “I’m getting the country Camdenkfast.”
“Got your order in, boys. Let me go to that wild table over there now.” She taps the table twice and then walks over to Stanley’s table.
The country Camdenkfast at Big D’s is three eggs, four pieces of bacon, two pancakes, hash browns, sausage, and a piece of toast.
Stanley, Blue, and Tomasetti are in a different booth on the other side of the diner with Patel, Trent, and Owens. I can hear Stanley at half volume from over here.
Rowan takes a long pull of water.
“Coach was off today,” he says. “Something’s bothering him.”
I shrug. “He’s stressed about Saturday.”
“He’s not stressed about Saturday, Reeve. The man is fifty-four years old and has been to a national tournament. He is not losing sleep over a Big Ten home opener.”
“Then what?”
“I don’t know. AD stuff, maybe. He had that meeting yesterday.”
“Mm.”
The eggs arrive faster than they should. June puts them down without saying anything and walks away.
I eat three bites before Rowan says, “How was your tutor session?”
“Fine. She diagnosed my homework in like forty seconds. I’m reading the questions wrong, apparently.”
“That’s annoying.” He keeps eating.
I raise my eyebrows and keep eating. He’s not wrong.
“And you’re getting tutored by her three times a week till November.”
“Twice. Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
He looks up. “Be careful, cap. I noticed you didn’t answer the hot or not question. Ignoring it makes it sound like she’s hot.”
I set my own fork down. “That’s Stanley and his bullshit. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’m not,” he replies. He goes back to the country Camdenkfast. I go back to the eggs. June refills our waters.
After a minute, Rowan says, “Jess might come on Saturday.”
“Yeah?” I ask, surprised.
He nods, but there’s no enthusiasm in his eyes. “Yeah.”
“That’s good.”
“I just — yeah. She might come.”
“If you like her, bring her around.” I don’t doubt that his taste is bad. She’s probably a cool girl.
“Maybe.”
We finish. He takes the check before I can. I argue, and then Stanley scolds June for taking Rowan’s card.
“You two out of here?” Stanley asks.
