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“That sounds good,” I replied as I took notes on my phone. “So, five tournaments … Should we have a male and a female winner?”
“Yeah, that will make it fair, and with two prizes each game, there’ll be a better chance to win.”
“I can get the prizes,” I said, my head working as I tried to brainstorm what would fit both Gabe and Zoey. “I’ll do smaller ones for the board games and darts, then build up with pool and poker being the big winners.”
“I can talk to Dillon about getting a few items from the sporting goods store,” Reardon added, and I smiled at how easily we seemed to work together.
“Yeah, maybe some football-themed stuff for the guys, since that’s a big part of Gabe’s life, and I can get some collectibles and bookish things for the women to play into Zoey’s passion.”
“Well,” Reardon argued, “I don’t think that stuff should just be for the girls. If I win, I’d rather have collectibles than football stuff.”
“You’re right,” I amended. “I’ll get a mixture of stuff that the bride and groom like, and the winner can pick a gift from either side.”
“Perfect.”
“Not that you’re going to win anyway,” I taunted with a grin. “I’m pretty good at all of those games.”
“Oh, really?” Reardon countered. “Care to make a side bet?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll think of something. We can do a best of five bet, whichever of us wins three out of the five games will win, and can choose what they want from the loser.”
“An open-ended bet?” I asked, wondering what he’d want from me if he won.
“Scared?”
With my hands on my hips and a glare in my eyes, I said, “You’re on.”
Reardon stuck out his hand and I shook it, then I grinned and said, “I hope you like unpacking boxes.”
Chapter Seventeen ~ Reardon
I’d cleared my schedule and talked Dillon and Shane into doing the same. Gabe had roped Jed into helping as well, and we’d all met the moving truck bright and early to begin unloading all of the boxes and furniture that Chloe had been keeping in storage.
Chris was in school, and Chloe was multitasking by helping out and telling everyone where to put her things.
I was surprised when my dad pulled up, with Gabe’s father, Zeke, in the passenger seat. I gently placed the box I’d been caring on the ground and went to greet the older men.
“Hey, Pop, I didn’t know you were coming out,” I said as they eased out of the truck.
“That’s because you didn’t tell me Chloe was moving in today. You know family always turns out for family,” my father chided, managing to make me feel like I did something wrong, even though I hadn’t, in the way only a father can.
“Sorry, I didn’t think…”
“You didn’t think us old timers could lend a hand?” my uncle prompted, cutting me off mid-explanation.
“No, of course not,” I began, then noticed they were both grinning at me and shook my head. “Come on, there’s plenty left for you to do,” I said, then added, “I’m sure we can find something light enough for you to lift.”
My pop laughed and clapped me on the back, then I showed them to the back of the truck and picked up the box I’d left behind. I heard the men greeting my dad and Uncle Zeke as I went inside and headed toward the office.
“Box says books; office, right?” I asked as I passed Chloe in the hall.
“Yup,” she replied with a smile, causing me to think again how great happiness looked on her.
“Oh, hey, my dad and Zeke just showed up to help.”
I caught her slight stumble, but the smile remained as she replied, “Oh, that’s sweet of them. I’ll go out and say thanks.”
