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“I see you party animals are enjoying your Friday night,” I say. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Dude, what better way is there to spend a Friday night than watching high school kids kick ass in football?” Gage replies with a grin.
“The better question is, what are you doing here?” Lauren says. “Normally, you spend your Fridays at Down Home with the guys.”
I nod toward the field. “Chloe said Trey asked for me to come.”
“Trey as in Chloe’s nephew?” Gage questions, the words slowly leaving his mouth.
“Yes.”
“You’re so damn screwed,” he mutters.
“She agreed to a double date,” I inform them. “So, please act normal for once.”
Lauren fakes offense. “What? I’m always normal.”
Gage snorts while I chuckle.
She rolls her eyes and slaps Gage on his shoulder, resulting in a laugh and kiss from him.
I sit back and watch the game.
Trey is the JV quarterback and has talent. I watch him play while also keeping my eye on Chloe. She’s trying but not doing a great job of hiding how miserable she is with her sister and Roger.
* * *
“Pizza! I love pizza!”Gloria sings while skipping into the pizza shop with Chloe at her side.
Trey’s team won. After the game ended, Chloe texted, saying Gloria was hungry and cranky, so they were leaving, and she thanked me for coming. As soon as I saw them get up, I jumped up from my seat and followed her down the bleachers.
Not in a stalker way, I swear it.
I stayed to the side while Chloe and Claudia talked near the entrance, but Claudia’s loud mouth made it possible for me—along with everyone around—to hear her every word. From what it sounded like, she was skipping out on Trey’s celebratory pizza dinner in exchange for having a drink with good ole Roger. I’m a drinker. I don’t care who else drinks, but don’t ditch your kid who played his ass off for a few beers.
Because crazy Claudia bailed, I had the opportunity to invite myself.
So, here we are.
Pizza-ing it up.
Gloria and Trey squeeze into one side of the booth while Chloe and I do the same across from them. I rub my hands together after ordering drinks and study the menu even though I’ve eaten here hundreds of times. It’s the only pizza joint in town.
“So,” I say, setting the menu to the side, “your aunt Chloe said we’re getting extra anchovies on our pizza.”
I’m good with kids. We hold events and fundraisers at the station all the time, and when my siblings and I were growing up, my mom insisted we do our fair share of charity, most of them involving children from bad upbringings.
“Heck no!” Trey exclaims, shaking his head. “I’m not eating that nasty crap.”
Gloria peers up at me, her blonde hair back in French braids and finished off with red bows. “What are anchovies?”
“Dead Nemos,” Trey replies.
“Trey!” Chloe warns. “Not funny.”
“What?” Trey questions. “I’d prefer not to enjoy Nemo with my extra cheese.”
Gloria appears close to tears.
