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“Never saytotally hangagain,” I say, winking. “You’re already making us look old.”
Trey slaps me on the back. “I’ll be on popcorn duty. Kyle, make yourself comfortable!”
Gloria plops down on the couch and situates her baby next to her. “The Grinch!” she squeals. “I want to watchThe Grinch!”
I sit down in an abandoned chair across from her. “The Grinch?” I question. “It’s October.”
“Gloria requests to watch it every day of the year,” Chloe says around a sigh. “Netflix won’t take it down.” She sits down and starts carefully unbraiding Gloria’s hair. “It’s your bedtime, honey. How about we put your pajamas on, and I’ll readThe Grinchto you before bed?”
“Okay!” Gloria says with excitement. “Can I wear my princess pajamas?”
“Of course.” Chloe peeks over at me. “Let me get her situated for bed. I’ll be back.”
I nod. “Take your time.”
I’ve never seen this side of Chloe. I’ve seen the competitive, pissed off side of her. All she cared about was her grades in high school, so they called her the ice queen. She went to one school dance—the one with me. She didn’t attend field trips, parties, games—anything. From the looks of it, she had no social life. Also, from the looks of it now, she still doesn’t.
Trey returns with drinks and a large bowl of popcorn. “Here, dude.” He tosses me a can of Coke. “This cool?”
I pop open the tab. “Sure is.”
He takes Gloria’s abandoned seat. “Aunt Chloe’s ex was a Coke drinker, too, which I liked.”
I raise a brow.Not sure why the kid is bringing up Kent the Buzzkill.
“Dude, you’re way cooler than him,” he quickly adds, as if reading my annoyance. “What I meant was, I like hanging out with someone who can have a good time without drinking beer and getting wasted—like all my mom’s boyfriends do. I’ve drunk beer a few times. It tastes like cow piss.” He peers at the hallway, making sure Chloe isn’t within earshot. “Now, vodka, on the other hand …”
Shit.How do I tell this kid not to drink vodka when I was chugging the shit in high school? Fuck, I am not ready to be a dad yet. But, as a cop, I’ve given the same speech numerous times. Bonging a few beers didn’t affect me when I was younger, but I can’t say the same for others.
“This is much more satisfying than alcohol, I promise. Not to mention, safer.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “You have to say that as a grown-up and cop.”
I lean back in my chair. “I’m not trying to be a dick, but look at your mother’s boyfriends. Are they who you want to be like?”
He points his Coke to me and grins. “Good point.”
I hold up my can in a cheers gesture.
He props his feet up onto the coffee table. “Thanks for coming to my game tonight.”
“No problem. I had fun. Thanks for inviting me and letting me crash your pizza party.”
“Crash our parties anytime, dude.”
He pulls his phone from his pocket when it rings. “Shit,” he whispers under his breath when he glances at the screen.
“What?”I mean, watch your mouth.
All playfulness is gone. “It’s my mom.”
He hits the Ignore button and shoves it back into his pocket. Can’t say I blame the guy.
What seems like a minute later, Chloe returns to the living room with a ringing phone in her hand.
“Let me guess,” Trey huffs out. “It’s her.”
Chloe’s smile is gone. “I’m sorry, buddy,” she replies with a strained voice.
