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“Ooh, this is great.” She can’t contain her excitement, her voice rising to a higher octave. “You’re finally letting me meet a girl you’re dating. About time.”
I laugh. “No, Mom, it’s nothing like that. You know I don’t date.”
She chuckles. “Like father, like son. Maybe this girl will be the one to change your mind. I did that for your dad.”
I make a gagging sound, and she laughs.
My parents are so sappy, still so madly in love after twenty-five years together. They showed me a love like theirs is possible, but I’m not ready for all of that. I have my career to worry about.
“She’s not the one, Mom. Her dad is my coach. Coach Bryant already gave me the lecture about dating his daughter. She plays basketball for Strick U. She’s a big fan of yours.”
“Well, I would love to meet Coach Bryant’s daughter. He’s doing an incredible job with you and the team.” I can almost hear the smile crossing her lips. “What’s her name?”
“Bex.”
“Bex? Is that a real name?”
I laugh. “I thought the same thing the first time I heard her name. It’s short for Bexley.”
“Ah, that’s cute. I lucked out and had all boys, so I didn’t have to think of crazy names for girls.”
“John and Peter,” I say. “How unoriginal could you get?”
“Hey,” she shoots back. “Your grandfather’s name was John. The name John Parker means something to hockey fans.”
“And yet you let Uncle Jameson name me after his favorite comic book character.”
“A bet is a bet, Peter Parker.” Even my mom mocks me. “Names build character.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, thanks for that.”
“Hey, sweetie, I have a phone call beeping on the other line. Can I call you right back?”
“No, that’s okay. I have to get going anyway. Jamie’s new girl is making us dinner.”
“Jamie has a girlfriend?” She just about squeals.
“No, Mom, she’s some random chick. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“Okay, love you, baby.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Then, the line goes dead.
ChapterSix
PRESTON
“Hey, dick,” Drake says to Jamie. “Would you stop feeding your girl with your fingers? The rest of us have to eat from that bowl.”
Jamie sets down the bowl of penne pasta on the marble island in the kitchen, his fingers covered in spaghetti sauce. He steps out from between Shannon’s legs and helps her down from the counter. She giggles when he whispers something into her ear.
“We were taste testing,” Jamie informs us with a cocky smirk on his face.
“Great,” Drake growls. “Now that your slobber is all over our food, I can’t wait to eat it.”
I sit at the kitchen table between Drake, Tucker, and Trent, my chair pushed back against the wall. “Give him a break,” I say to Drake, pointing at Jamie and his girl of the week. “Nerds don’t get as many chances to hook up with girls who look like that.”
