“I’ve got her,” I said, dashing off ahead of her. “I bet bouncy houses and loose joints aren’t good friends.”
I heard her laughing as I took off to grab Hazel. “Thank you!”
After I containedany dangerous bouncing potential, I spent about an hour of the party trying to make sure Mara had someone to talk to, hovering nearby to make sure they weren’t saying something stupid.
“Where did he play?” Sorrento asked.
“CU Boulder. It’s where we met.”
“Nice,” Sorrento said. “But he didn’t play any more after that?”
“No. It was for the best. He had an inflated sense of his capabilities and loved blaming the rest of the team for his shortcomings,” Mara said with a laugh. “I didn’t even like goingto his games, truthfully. It was hard to watch, they were so bad. And then I knew they’d act like baboons afterward.”
“Thank god you guys grew out of your baboon phase,” Jeanine chimed in and they all laughed.
“You should come to our game,” I said, joining the conversation a little more loudly than I would have liked. Everyone went quiet.
Mara cocked her head with a teasing smile. “So I can see how the pro baboons do it?”
My cheeks got hot and Rome swooped in. “Yeah, we’ve got a Saturday afternoon game this week, right? Those are easier to bring the kids to.”
“Says the guy who doesn’t have to entertain them in the stands,” his wife cut in, setting off a hearty laugh from the group. Hazel pulled Mara away right then and she excused herself.
And there I was, left with the realization that I wanted someone in the stands for me again.
What the hell did that mean?
Pizza was eatenand the kids were watching Harper open her presents. The adults huddled in a semi-circle around the kids, chatting and making sure their kids didn’t swipe a present for themselves.
“You should be glad Mikey’s pre-occupied with their baby,” Rome laughed. “He threatened to send the loudest present.”
“I think maybe I’ve got the loudest present,” Mara said, as Hazel squirmed and started to whine in her arms. “I think we’re going to have to take off. Thought I could push Hazel through her nap, but nay. Aspen, get your shoes, buddy.”
There was a chorus of “been there” and “I get it” from the parents, but my mouth apparently chose a different response.
“No!” It just fell out and every adult around us turned to look. Why was I so embarrassing at this party? It was just the guys and their wives for a casual Sunday afternoon. I was acting like I’d never done this in my life. I needed a cover for my interjection. “We haven’t done cupcakes yet. I have a guest room. She can take a nap there.”
Mara hesitated, so I waved her toward the house. “Come here.”
She had to choose between Hazel and her cane, so I reached for Hazel. “May I?”
Mara shrugged. “Ask her.”
I held my hands out and Hazel flopped into them. “Hey, you. Let’s get you a nap.”
“Jack, you really don’t have to,” Mara said. “Things are winding down anyway. Sometimes her naps run long?—”
I lifted a shoulder but didn’t look at her. “Wouldn’t want Aspen to miss his cupcake.”
“Sure,” she said.
Sure? What the fuck did that mean? I got to work setting up a pack and play for Hazel to sleep in while she and Mara sat in the rocking chair in there. When I was finished, I turned and shifted awkwardly, finding Mara nursing Hazel.
“I’ll just leave you to it.”
I was restless back at the party, but I managed to get a good video of us singing “Happy Birthday.” As soon as every kid had a cupcake, I went back inside to make sure Mara and Hazel didn’t need anything.
I pushed on the door handle right as Mara pulled it, stepping into the hallway and shutting the door behind her. It left one arm tucked behind her, and she leaned her ass against the doorframe, lifting one eyebrow at me.
