Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Emil devoured his first taco as quickly as I did, but this time, we weren’t competing. Or maybe we were and just didn’t realize. “This is so good,” Emil said.
“Especially after all that practice.” Mom smiled. “Where do you put it?”
“The question is, where does Bruce put it?” Emil smirked, motioning toward my smorgasbord of tacos. “His portions are ginormous.”
“I burn a ton of energy on the field.”
“It’s true. His brother was the same,” Dad pointed out because, of course, he did.
“Brody, right? He played sports at Roosevelt too?” Emil asked, though he knew the answer.
“Football and baseball.” I balled up the wrapper from my third taco. “He was good at everything.”
“Everything he touched was gold,” Dad said in that melodramatic tone his voice took on when he spoke of my brother, and I noted the pain in my mother’s eyes.
“It must be in the genes,” Emil replied. “Bruce is good at football too.”
There was an awkward beat of silence, and just as I was about to change the subject to Parents’ Day, Mom said, “Yes, Bruce favors him.”
I swallowed roughly, deciding that the remaining half of the fourth taco wasn’t worth it, so I pitched it.
“How are your parents doing?” Dad asked Emil. They’d met a handful of times in passing last year.
“Very well. I’ll tell Mom and Dad you asked about them.”
“Good because we won’t be able to make it to Parents’ Day this year.”
“Bummer.” Emil tried to catch my eye, but I wasn’t having it.
“But Bruce understands how important this fundraiser is for service members overseas.”
“It’s dedicated to Brody,” I added, and Dad smiled.
“My parents would probably like information about it,” Emil said. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep Bruce company on Parents’ Day.”
My eyes sprang to Emil’s at that declaration. What the hell did he mean by that? Was he inviting me to hang with him and his parents?
“I’ll have Bruce pass along the information.” Mom smiled. “I’m glad you two decided to room together again.”
Emil returned the grin, then lifted his hand in a wave when he saw Henners and Lark walking hand in hand in our direction. They were coming from the bell tower, and from how messy Lark’s hair looked, I could only imagine what they’d been up to. It was their little sanctuary, apparently. We’d even played a practical joke on them end of last year by tossing a water balloon up there. But it didn’t break, and they tossed it back, drenching Flash in the process. We laughed about it for days.
They waved back, then turned toward the food trucks.
“Isn’t that your quarterback, Henry Albrecht?” Mom asked.
“Yeah, and his boyfriend, Lark,” Emil said. “He’s in dance with me.”
“I didn’t realize…” Dad’s voice trailed off as he watched them, and my stomach tightened.
How could he not? They’d been the focus of quite a bit of gossip last year as we moved into the playoffs. But I supposed they’d never directly asked me before.
“They’re a sweet couple,” Emil said, which I appreciated since I seemed to be momentarily mute.
Mom cast her gaze their way again. “Looks like it.”
What would my parents think if they knew Emil and I had hooked up and that I wanted to do it again? Especially since they were always opining about my future and marriage and babies.
Just like Brody wanted. Nothing like living for Brody’s dreams instead of my own. Though I didn’t really have any to offer, so what did I expect?
Once we were finished eating, we walked toward the parking lot with my parents. “Thanks for the visit.”
Dad gave me a hug, and Mom bussed my cheek. I knew they loved me and meant well, but I still saw grief written all over their faces.
“You okay?” Emil asked as we watched them head toward their car. “And I’m not just talking about your shoulder. Though that concerns me too.”
“Yeah, sure. Injuries happen.” I shrugged to show my shoulders were still functional. “But I’m perfectly fine. Guess I got a little carried away out there.”
He grimaced. “Because your parents showed up?”
Was I that easy to read, or did he just pay attention?
“Maybe,” I muttered. “Thanks for running interference, by the way.”
“No problem. Anytime.”
I motioned toward the stadium. “I’m gonna grab my watch. See you back at the room.”
11
EMIL
I didn’t like how downtrodden Bones seemed after the visit with his parents, and now I understood why. They appeared to still be grieving his brother, and whenever the subject was brought up, it was painful for all of them in different ways.
Instead of thinking it through, I jogged to catch up to Bones, wondering if he still needed a friendly face or more distraction.
“Can you still get in?” I asked, coming up behind him.
His body tensed as he glanced over his shoulder. “Yeah, the club manager should still be here.”
“I thought I’d tag along in case you wanted company.”