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Thing is, I know exactly what I’m talking about because Noah Jackson—the alleged crush—is my gym buddy. But clearly, that doesn’t matter. There’s a precise, highly-intelligent, strategized system of crush-hunting in girls’ minds that I could never wrap my own head around.
I’ve sometimes wondered if that’s how Val got me wrapped around her finger. Then realized that I’ve been wrapped around her finger as long as I can remember.
I take a teaspoon to try a small bite of the batter. After considering it for a few moments, I add a couple more shakes of salt to bring out the flavors of the chocolate. Nana always leaves me with the batter before we stick whatever we’re making in the oven. She says I should be a baked good sommelier.
Dream job, if I ever heard one.
Being a chef sounds great, but it’s also the practical choice. Working in fine dining restaurants brings in a good buck, which means that I’ll be able to help support my family and take some of the stress off my mom. She’s put on a brave face over the years, and I wanted for nothing, but I saw the toll it was taking on her. Noticed the late nights she spent going through bills and pinching pennies where she could. Being able to take some of the burden off her shoulders is important to me.
“You two…” Pops chuckles, shaking his head. “You remind me of Nana and me.”
His eyes dance and my neck gets hot as I remember him knocking on the car window earlier. Anytime I so much as think about having Val on my lap when we were driving, it’s all I can do not to want to take her in my arms again. Or take a cold shower.
I’m so drawn to her sometimes. I can hardly believe my luck that we’re together.
“She’s alright,” I say, playing it cool.
Pops makes a “psh” sound, not falling for it. “She’s wonderful, son. One of a kind. Why she puts up with the likes of you, I’ll never know.”
He elbows me teasingly and I laugh with him. Then my stomach squeezes with nerves. “Thanks for your help getting things ready for tonight.”
“My pleasure. And you should thank Ray, too. It’ll be quite the surprise.” Pops smacks my shoulder good-naturedly, but I see the emotion in his blue eyes. “You and Val are wonderful together.”
“I think so.” I smile. “I hope she feels the same.”
“I’m sure she does. Life has its ups and downs, but with the right partner, you’ll make it through. That’s why it’s so wonderful that you and Val are such good friends. You have that solid base to fall back on, and you don’t want to lose that, son. Chemistry, passion, all that will come and go. But a rock-solid friendship will carry you through the hard times.”
“So you think I’m doing the right thing? With this pre-posal, I mean?”
Pops smiles. “I think that life’s too short not to take a chance on the things that make you happy.”
11
Val
I am NOT happy about this.
When I get up there, I’m coming for you, Alfie.
I’m in the change room at the paintball field, grunting and struggling into the horrendous navy overall things we’re required to wear. Mine are too small in the butt and shoulder regions, but apparently, beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to stiff and over-starched paint-covered jumpsuits.
Seems they don’t get many girls here as this is a “Boys Youth XL” size.
I’m choosing not to read into that.
Ethan’s in the change room next to mine, but from the lack of sound, his coveralls fit just fine. Or maybe he’s out already and chatting with the heavily-bearded guy behind the counter. Beardy seemed mildly surprised that we arrived in time for our “appointment.”
Yeah, he called it that. As if this was a doctor’s office and not a big, industrial warehouse that smells like feet and tears.
I know, I’m being grouchy. But if I’m honest, what Ethan said in the car is still bothering me.
I’m trying so hard to be put together these days. To be the “New Val”—the adult who wears nice suits, and is bravely herself, and is that enviable Girlboss level of cool, calm and confident. Ethan mentioning my “streak of bad luck” made me feel like I was back at square one.
But I will lift my head high and “fake it ‘til I make it,” per Rih Rih’s wise advice on TikTok. Because this is a one-time paintball situation, and if that isn’t the case (unlikely), New Val will certainly purchase her own cute and clean paintball outfit before setting foot in a place like this again.
With that thought in mind, I stick my arm through the left sleeve of my stupid “Boys XL” coveralls, determined to play it as cool as I can given the circumstances.
At that moment, I notice something in the corner. Something that I thought was just a patch of algae (don’t ask why I thought algae would be found in the midst of the Colorado mountains).
