AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No hurry,” I say.
I can hear a slapping sound and more squealing.
“They’re making it rain,” Lana says. “I have to drain the tub or take cover. I’ll talk to you soon. Everyone tell Uncle Gray goodnight.”
I hear the giggling voices do a sing-song “goodnight, Uncle Gray,” and Lana clicks off.
So, if she can remember, apparently she’ll send me something to make my place look like a human being lives here.
Meanwhile, there are a few changes I can make myself.
Starting with inviting another person to come sit on my fashionable but not very comfortable couch.
‘Want to come over and watch football on Thursday night? I bet if you can find a couple hours you’re free, I can find a game.’
I don’t watch to see if she answers. She’ll answer. She’ll come.
8
SAGE
Afootball game? In his apartment? How do people sit still that long?
Maybe it’s code. Maybe he didn’t mean that we’re actually supposed to spend hours sitting on a couch watching a game on TV.
I decide I have to ask. I text Tessie.
‘Are you still in the library? I didn’t see you leave.’
When she doesn’t answer right away, I finish reading through the preview catalogs for next spring’s book releases, making notes about what I think Desi should order. About half an hour later, I hear Tessie’s laugh and look toward the staircase that leads down to the basements. What were they doing down there?
Never mind. I know perfectly well what they were doing down there. I roll my eyes, but only a little.
Tessie jogs over to me, Hayes on her heels. “Hi. Your text came through halfway up the stairs. It’s a dead zone down there,” she says, all her words coming out in a rush. Laughter tinges all her words and makes it sound like getting my text was the best thing that happened to her all day. She takes up her usual position at the counter, leaning so far over the desk that she must be at least on her toes, if not dangling. Her fingers tap on the counter as if she can’t keep all the happy inside.
But I know it’s not about me. Her whole life glows with Hayes Kline in the picture. She smiles all the time. Everything is beautiful, just ask her. It’s like the whole world shimmers in her eyes. Tessie was made to be in a high school relationship.
I wonder if it’s her, or if it’s him, or if they’re just really good at dating. I’ve never felt like that about anyone. I’ve never been giddy. I don’t giggle. I don’t swoon (except when I think I’m going to pass out from low blood pressure or pleurisy or an unforeseen drug interaction, but I don’t think that’s even the same kind of swooning).
But I am feeling smiley about spending more time with Dr. Grayson Mercer. Even if the thought of football games doesn’t make me giggle.
“Let’s say, theoretically, that someone invited you to watch football on TV. What exactly does that entail?”
Tessie starts to answer, but Hayes leans across the counter so his arm touches hers. His feet are certainly still on the ground, because he has a good six inches on her. But when he leans in, I know it’s only to stay as close to her as possible.
“You should definitely bring pizza and good sodas. The kind in glass bottles. Bags of chips. It’s not really about the game. It’s all about the food.”
“I’m not sure that’s right,” I say.
He nods. “It’s right. Trust me. Football is only a vehicle for eating lukewarm pizza for hours. Oh, and maybe meatball subs. That’s good football food.”
“I thought that was hotdogs.”
A look of confusion passes over his face, like I’ve just said something that is not computing. He says, “Only if you’re at the game. It’s different when you’re watching on TV.”
I probably shouldn’t argue, but I can’t help it. “A hot dog is the same whether you’re in a stadium or a living room.”
He looks horrified, as if I’d suggested I might bring along my latest knitting project to the game. “Have you ever been to a stadium? Stop. Don’t answer that. I know you haven’t. Because nobody who has eaten a hotdog at a sporting event would ever suggest you can get the same experience at home. Just trust me,” he says, his voice gentle, like he’s trying to be patient with me while I take a minute to decide to be reasonable.
