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Now, we’re all one big happy family. True to Charlie style, she wanted to commemorate her engagement at a Bulls game. She’s not your average girl. But that’s one of the things I love about her. Plus, she spared me the task of planning an engagement party. Win-win for everyone.
“Jamie,” Rico whines, pulling on my arm to get my attention. “Please. I’m a growing boy. I need to eat.”
He’s too damn cute to resist. “Okay. Let’s go.” I turn to Charlie and tell her we’ll be back, hoping we can hurry up before the game ends.
Following Rico up the steps, we jog up to the top level, and sprint toward the concession stands. With the Sixers getting their asses handed to them, the halls are starting to crowd. People shuffle about, knocking into us as we pass. Once we reach the counter, I shake my head, disappointed. With the game almost over, the stands are packed up and ready to close for the night.
“I don’t think they have any more nachos, kiddo. Would you settle for soda and another hot dog?”
Rico folds his arm over his chest and pouts. “But I want nachos.”
“They’re all out.” I clamp my hand down on his shoulder and move him in front of me so he can get a better look at what they have left. “You can have a hot dog, pretzel, or ice cream. Which one do you want?”
“I think I can help you out,” a woman says from behind me.
At first, I don’t realize she’s talking to me. Not until she strokes my arm with her fingers, commanding my attention. Her touch sends a chill through me. She smells sweet, like honey, and good enough to eat.
I spin around, holding onto
Rico. The girl smiles so wide that it reaches up to her bright, blue eyes. Tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, she moves closer to me. She has a girl next-door look about her, but she’s also sporty, like Charlie, and is in full basketball gear, looking as though she just stepped off the court.
A girl that reminds me of Charlie is never a bad thing. She’s the coolest girl I have ever known. Despite being subpar at most sports, I’ve always loved them and continue to coach youth basketball with Charlie.
Beautiful beyond words, I have trouble coming up with anything decent to say as I take her in, thinking of all the dirty things I’d like to do with her mouth. As her lips part, her breath hitches. She’s about to say something when Rico breaks the silence.
“Nachos!” Rico demands.
I laugh, as does the girl in front of me. Her laughter is soft and feminine and like music to my ears.
“I can help you out with your nacho problem.” She holds out her hand for me to shake. And I do, mostly because I want an excuse to touch her. “I’m Regan, and you are…” She waits for me to stop acting like a moron and get my shit together.
“Jameson O’Connor. Jamie. My friends call me Jamie.” Wow! Real smooth, dude.
“I like Jameson better,” she says, grinning. “The name suits you.”
“Thanks, I guess.” I stuff my hands into my jean pockets. “Regan isn’t a name you hear often either.”
“That’s my dad for you.” She chuckles to herself as if there’s a private joke behind her name. “How about you two handsome guys follow me, and I’ll get you those nachos.”
“Yay! Thank you!” Rico latches onto her by wrapping his arms around her stomach.
“Cute kid you have here,” she says, staring at me while patting Rico on the back.
“I don’t know about all that,” I deadpan. “Rico is a pain. You can keep him if you’d like.”
“Hey!” Rico finally unhooks himself from Regan to give me the stink eye. “Take it back.”
With my hand on Rico’s shoulder, I walk down the long hallway next to Regan. “I’m kidding. I’d never give my buddy away.”
“Rico,” she says as if thinking to herself and staring down at him to get another glance at his face. “You don’t hear that name often either. Have we met before?”
“No, I don’t think so. You have the kind of face I wouldn’t forget.”
She laughs, blush spreading across her cheeks. But she doesn’t respond to my stupid comment that sounded like a pickup line, even though it wasn’t intended as one.
The crowds are getting heavier as we pass, and the buzzer still hasn’t sounded, which means we have time to get back to our seats. I hope. But I’m also unsure if I want to go back now that I have Regan’s company. After we loop around the corner, she stops in front of a different concession stand.
“Hey, Joe.” Regan waves to a balding man behind the counter. “Can I get two nachos and two Cokes for my new friends?” She winks at me as she says this.
