Eve had gotten better on stage. She’d learned how to play to an audience and get them involved in her songs. The band was also more polished. I thought that made up for the now-replaced younger guys who would appeal more to the younger girls. Eve no longer had to worry that her band might do something that would come back later to haunt her.
Tomorrow, when we opened for real, would be the test. I walked around and reminded everyone that even though the food was free, they needed to tip their server. I knew some of my high school friends would think the whole night was free and forget.
◊◊◊
When I came home, I found Pam and Tracy eating ice cream with my mom and dad. I got a bowl and joined them.
“That went well tonight,” Dad observed.
“Granny and Mary said there were a few hiccups, but nothing that can’t be fixed.”
“Peggy’s gone out, so Pam’s spending the night,” Mom told me.
That explained Pam. She usually spent a few nights a week here to spend time with our son and Little David. It allowed Peggy some freedom and helped her keep her sanity. I honestly couldn’t imagine how some parents did it when they were with their little ones 24/7.
We caught up on our day. I told them about Cassidy and Alan.
“Do you want me to talk to his parents?” Mom asked.
“While that would make my day, I need to talk to him. He’s just acting out in typical Alan fashion.”
I gathered up everyone’s bowls and put them in the dishwasher. Somehow, it wasn’t a surprise when Tracy followed me up to my apartment.
“I understand that you’ve decided to get a girlfriend,” she announced.
“Who said that?” I asked to play it off.
“Tami told me, and your mom just confirmed it.”
“Jesus,” I hissed, using the Lord’s name in vain.
I need to stop doing that. After all, I was a dad now and wanted to set a better example.
“I was sent to talk to you,” Tracy admitted.
“Tracy, I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but your help isn’t wanted. I’m capable of deciding if, when, and who I date or have as a girlfriend.”
“You poor ‘stupid boy.’ You know it’ll go better if you let us help you out,” Tracy said.
“Sorry, but the days of you girls controlling my life are over. You’ll have to get that notion out of your pretty little head.”
“I wouldn’t call it controlling,” she said, tapping her finger on her chin. “I would describe it as helping you avoid a horrible mistake.”
“Really?” I asked incredulously.
“I suspect even you would admit you don’t have the best track record.”
If I hadn’t seen the twinkle in her eye, she might have ended up turned over on my lap, getting her butt spanked.
“Maybe I should just pick you,” I baited her.
“Now you’re talking,” she said, perking up.
“I think I should take you for a test drive first, though,” I pondered.
“I think you just want to take advantage of me,” Tracy pouted.
“Yep.” I grinned as I grabbed her and pulled her into my bedroom.
Not that she fought me. We did what we always did best together. We also knew that we would never be anything more than friends. Once we’d worn each other out, we continued our conversation. I knew that Tracy had my back.
“Mom is team Brook. Who are you backing?” I asked.
“I’ll always be team Pam, but she isn’t anywhere near ready for a relationship right now. She needs to work on her self-confidence and figure out what she wants before she could ever handle you. I’m sure you would treat her right, but it’s all the other drama around you that would cause her problems.
“Considering the attention you get from fans and the press, I would agree that Brook is a good choice. I would also say that Halle could handle the gossip and spotlight. I think she’s actually your girlfriend if what I read on the net is true.”
“We did that for the movie,” I said.
“Whatever lets you sleep at night,” Tracy said as she gave me a disbelieving look. “What about Beth?”
“I talked to Brook about all this, and she pointed out the long-distance problem. Otherwise, it would be no contest,” I admitted.
“That leaves either Zoe or a dark horse I don’t know about,” Tracy surmised.
“Cassidy,” I threw into the mix.
“What about her dad?”
“I expect he would support it if he knew we were serious. If not, he wouldn’t be the first dad who didn’t approve of me.”
“The last one tried to get you arrested and steal your baby from you.” Tracy said to remind me of what Cal, Pam’s dad, had pulled.
“Coach Hope would be more direct,” I admitted.
“Let’s ignore Cassidy for a minute. Where do you stand regarding Zoe?”
“I like her a lot. She and I have many of the same values, and then there’s the farm. I could see spending the rest of my life with her.”
“I can’t,” Tracy said, and then explained herself. “You’re not going to end up on a farm anytime soon. If you make it to the NFL or Major League Baseball, you’ll be living in a large city. If you make movies, you’ll probably end up in LA. Zoe isn’t going to be happy without her horses.”
“They have horses in big cities. I went horseback riding in LA, Miss Smarty Pants.”
I stuck my tongue out at her.
“Okay. If there were no obstacles, which one would you pick?” Tracy asked.
“I dunno. When I step back and think about it, I realize that I like them all for different reasons, and I can see myself happy with any of them. I just know that for me, I need to pick one. It’s time. I’m ready to have a girlfriend,” I said.
“If I didn’t know you, I would think you were pulling my leg. What guy gives up several willing women to spend time with just one?”
“It’s not like we won’t still be friends,” I said.
“I know that. Despite what some may think, I believe it’ll help because it’ll allow the rest to move on and find someone,” Tracy said.
I’m not sure what I’d been thinking. Did I expect them to remain single and wait for my relationship to die? Shouldn’t they be free to find someone else? I wanted to say ‘no,’ but all I had to do was look at Tami. She and Tim seemed to be happy. To be honest, it was hard for me to see them together, even though they were two of my favorite people. Some part of me still felt a claim on Tami.
My talk with Tracy helped me clarify something. I was okay with Beth and Cassidy finding someone else. The Alpha Male wanted to claim Brook, Halle, Pam, and Zoe. Unless someone appeared unexpectedly, I suspected that I would choose one of those four.
Tracy had to go home. I thanked her for her help, but I needed to decide this. She offered to be a sounding board. Unlike my mom and Tami, I knew I could count on Tracy to keep my confidence. She might actually be my best friend.
◊◊◊
Chapter 28 – Get A Copy of The Mug Shot Saturday July 23
After my run, I walked into Coach Hope’s office and found Alan already there. I could tell from how smug he looked that he’d been flapping his lips last night and probably this morning.
“Have a seat,” Coach Hope said, and then got right to it. “Alan has taken the liberty to inform me that you and he are no longer friends. Would you agree with that?”
“It all came to a head with the stunt he pulled during baseball that caused the opposition to throw at me. He did it even after I’d asked him not to,” I said.
“Moose told me about that,” Coach Hope said.
Alan had played Thunderstruck when I came up to bat. The opposing teams had thought I was showing off, and I’d been beaned a couple of times. Well, more than a couple. He hadn’t stopped until my mom had dragged him out of the stands and told his parents what was going on. That was something no high school boy wanted to face.