Angie burst out laughing.
“He was scared you’d want me on a regular basis. I’ve teased him all morning about your sexy butt and how well Cindy says you ‘dine at the Y.’” Greg blushed. “You’re right, last night was fun, and I don’t think anyone regrets it. I just don’t think this list thing will work for us. I want Greg and he wants me,” Angie reasoned.
“You guys do have one problem to work out.”
They gave me a curious look.
“Cindy loves to tag-team when giving a girl pleasure. We’ve done it before, and I know she likes you, Angie. Are you seriously not going to have a hot threesome with Greg?”
They looked at each other to try to read the other’s interest level.
“You’re all friends, and I don’t have a problem with it.” I looked at Greg. “If you do have sex with her, do me the favor. Let me know.”
Angie looked confused.
“Aren’t you just doing the friends-with-benefits deal?”
Greg answered for me.
“David wouldn’t be with her again if she slept with me. My guess is it’ll end as soon as he knows she’s with anyone else.”
Comprehension came over Angie.
“That’s why you didn’t forgive her right away.”
“Is this between us?”
Greg arched his eyebrows, showing his doubt. Angie thought about it.
“I can keep a secret.”
Greg gave me a little shake of the head to tell me ‘no.’ He was right. Even if she could keep what I said just between us, I had no right breaking Cindy’s confidence.
“You know what? This is between Cindy and me.”
With that, I gathered the sheet around my waist and headed to the bathroom to get ready for school.
GREG GAVE ME A RIDE to school. It reminded me of my first day of high school. I missed our morning talks. The topics were a little different now. Little Kyle was now the center of Greg’s world, and I had never seen him so happy. He told me that he would start a new job this weekend at a local hardware store.
I KEPT MY PROMISE TO Angie and watched Kyle that evening. She and Greg went on a date. Kyle ate something that made him explode. I found out I wasn’t as much of a tough guy as I thought. I almost lost it changing his diaper. Fortunately, we both survived the evening.
Wednesday November 6
CINDY TOOK ME TO THE tailor’s shop after practice. When we got there, we were taken to a back room where I met Alison, who was a stylist. I guess that’s a fancy word for a cute girl that cuts your hair. Cindy wasn’t happy when Alison started cutting my curly locks. She gave me a more traditional look with a part. It was kept youthful by combing it back and using product to give it body and hold it in place. Of course, I hated it, because it meant I’d have to style it every day instead of the preferred wash-and-wear of most athletes.
With my hair done, I was fitted with my new suit, which fit perfectly, so there was no need to come back on Thursday. It was a dark gray and was obviously custom-made. Cindy approved of the look. I was all set for Sunday. At least I wouldn’t embarrass Jennie with my clothing. Phillip took the time to show me how to pack my clothes so that they would arrive ready to wear. He also explained how to hang the suit in the bathroom and use the steam from the shower if I needed to get wrinkles out. My days of stuffing everything in a duffle bag were over.
Cindy had a test tomorrow, so she just dropped me off with a kiss and a promise to see me at school. I decided to go to bed early. It took me a long time to get to sleep because I was starting to get worried about Saturday’s game. We were in a three-way tie for the conference championship. Losing on Saturday was not an option. Everyone was saying that our conference would get just one bid for the state tournament.
History was not in our favor: over the past five years, every time we hit the road and spent the night before a game, we had lost. For some reason, our athletic director always scheduled one of these games. After last week’s fiasco, I was hoping that everyone would focus on the upcoming game and not be partying tomorrow night. I finally fell into a fitful sleep.
Friday November 8
I WAS GOING TO MATH class this morning because Mrs. Sinclair planned a quiz. I got up early to pack and load my bags in Greg’s car before breakfast. I normally took care of myself during the week, but Mom insisted that I have breakfast with the family because I would be gone all weekend. When I walked into the kitchen, Angie was feeding Kyle.
“Looks like Kyle has the old Dawson charm. Work that nipple, Big Boy.”
Mom walked in and overheard my remarks.
“David, don’t tease Angie.”
Angie stuck her tongue out at me.
“Angie, be nice to David. If I have to tell the two of you again, there’ll be hell to pay.”
I swear Mom had eyes in the back of her head.
I gave Mom her morning hug. I stuck my tongue out at Angie over my mom’s shoulder. Angie gave me a dirty look as Kyle finished.
“Come to Grandma,” Mom said.
She took him and threw a towel over her shoulder to burp him. I went to the refrigerator to see what we had. I felt a hand grab my butt. I bent over and I looked under my arm. Angie latched on as she played with my backside.
I arched my eyebrow, and she just smirked and went to make coffee. I decided on bacon, eggs, and toast. I started the bacon, received a hip-check, and heard Angie giggle. Someone was in a playful mood. I tried to ignore her, but a minute later, she walked by and fondled Mr. Happy. Greg walked in and caught her.
“What are you doing?” Greg asked.
Angie gave him her best innocent little girl look.
“He started it.”
“What!” I sputtered. “You were the one flashing your humongous knockers.”
Greg swatted Angie’s bottom.
“If you keep teasing him, don’t come running to me for help when he gets even.”
She put her hands on her hips and stuck her chin out at me.
“I’m not scared of either of you.”
Greg and I grabbed her at the same time and started tickling her. Angie was squealing when Dad came in.
“Help!” she cried, seeing him.
Dad ignored her, went to the stove, and turned the bacon. When she saw that he wouldn’t help, she cried, “Uncle!”
We both stopped. Angie gathered her dignity and held her head high as she sat down next to Mom.
“You both have to sleep at some point. I wouldn’t be tormenting the women of this family,” Mom warned us.
I returned to playing short-order cook and got everyone breakfast. It was nice having family time. We talked about Greg’s new job, and Angie’s plans to get her GED. Come spring she wanted to take some classes at the local junior college. Her goal was to become a bookkeeper. Dad was having problems at work because his best people quit when everyone was forced to go part time. Mom hadn’t been feeling well, so her real estate business had suffered. Money was tight, but manageable right now.
I got to school and went to Algebra. Mrs. Sinclair ignored me until the bell rang.
“Today we’re going to have a pop quiz.”
The class groaned and gave me a dirty look.
“Mr. Dawson fancies himself a math whiz,” she continued.
She smirked and the class laughed. Three middle schools fed our high school, so the majority of the students in my class didn’t know I was a nerd last year.
“I’ll give you a choice today. You can take the quiz I made just for Mr. Dawson; it’s only one question. Or you can take the one I made for the class, which has 25 questions. I’ll allow Mr. Dawson to give you advice on which quiz to take, but he must put it in terms of math.”
Great!
“I’d suggest that you take the quiz Mrs. Sinclair made for the class. The reason is that my question is all or nothing. You get either a twenty-five or a zero. With the class option, you may miss one, but it won’t hurt your overall grade.”