“You can’t ‘mom’ me at a time like this Greg. You just told me that you are going on a date with Lilly. The same girl you have loved for years and don’t try to disagree. A mother knows her son.”
“Mom, we have to go.”
“Why don’t you come here for your date?!” I held my hand over my mouth at Margaret’s suggestion, trying to hide the laugh I wanted to let out. She was a crazy woman, but this was just insanity.
“Not tonight mom.”
“You’re right son, next week. We can do dinner and board games and catch up. I’m so excited to see where this is going to go. You two are seriously the cutest couple, except for your father and me. No one can beat-” Greg pressed the end button on the phone call and the car became silent again.
“I’ll take the yelling later when she finally realizes the line is dead.” Greg shot me a wink and got out of the car and jogged over to my side and opened the door before I even had the chance to. He reached in again to unbuckle my seatbelt and held his hand out to support me in maneuvering out of the car. “Tonight’s about us.”
Once again, he leaned down to whisper into my ear, but this time I was prepared and had a response.
“I look forward to it.”
I took my hand from his and led the way into the bar, knowing that if we were here, Greg had already made a reservation and our favorite booth was available. I walked into the chaos of waiters running around and tables full everywhere. I eyed our booth in the very back corner with a reserved sign on it. I caught eyes with Tony, our regular waiter, and he motioned us through, causing quite a few moans from other patrons who were waiting for a table to free up.
I had no idea what game was on TV until I looked up and saw the pregame set up for the Hellions, my favorite football team. I looked around and saw other customers decked out in Hellions’ and Snakes’ gear, which happened to be Greg’s favorite team.
I turned my attention back towards Greg, who had a knowing smile on his face.
“Shit, I forgot tonight was the rival game.” I said as I marveled at the TV screens. I shrugged out of my coat and sat on the good side of the booth. Greg made himself comfortable right next to me.
“I didn’t.” Greg shot back and gave me another wink before he waved down Tony that we were ready to order. From where we sat, we got a view of every single TV in the bar. This worked to our advantage, because they set the TVs to all the different channels that were broadcasting the game. So, if we missed something, we could always look to another TV. “I felt like this made for a good date, since we haven’t watched a rival game together in some time.”
Greg grabbed for my hand and lifted it to his lips, giving the knuckles a light kiss before Tony reached our table.
“Well, isn’t it nice to see you two here again.” The smile on Tony’s face brightened the second he eyeballed our hands intertwined. “The usual?”
“Please.” I answered for both of us. Once upon a time, Greg and I used to come here at least three times a week and, when it was football season, I would say more than that. We didn’t always come alone, but when we brought friends, we still made sure we used our booth, and only our booth.
I checked back to the TV and saw that the game would be starting in five minutes. I could feel myself getting antsy.
“Relax.” Greg placed a hand on my leg and I cooled instantly. “You know it’ll be a good game. I know it’ll be a good game. So let’s just watch, have fun, eat, catch up a little, and make it seem like old times.” I tried to take in what Greg was saying, but all of this wasn’t like old times. Greg wouldn’t have put his hand on my leg before. He wouldn’t have told me I looked gorgeous in this dress. Hell, I wouldn’t normally have worn something like this around him unless it were for a work function.
“Okay.” I stopped bouncing my leg and shifted my attention toward him.
“How’s the Howard account turning out?” A client whom we used to represent decided six months ago that they wanted to “spread their wings,” and, after not being able to perform as well on their own, decided to come back to us. But their three-month leeway had already expired, so we were in negotiations for a new account.
“Max and I are considering doing a test launch to see if the traction is still there. We’re drawing up the contract this week and pitching on Monday.”
“I think that’s for the best.”
“We thought so, too.”
“I figured we would start with light drinks before the game begins.” Tony interrupted us with two glasses of sweet tea and a plate of teriyaki wings. “The extra ranch is on its way out.”
Tony shot a wink over to me.
“Thanks.” Greg’s response was clipped. He moved so that he was blocking a majority of my body from Tony’s view.
I laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. “What’s your problem?”
“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.” I looked down to what I was wearing and smiled. I never thought I would want someone to be jealous over me, but the way Greg was becoming agitated amused me. He made a grab for napkins, setting one on my lap before taking a few wings from the basket onto a separate plate. He served us both as another waiter came over with two bowls of ranch dressing. Greg and I would clean those bowls spotless by the time the game was over tonight.
I reached over to touch his arm and his left hand immediately covered mine.
I tried to distract him with something fun. “Why don’t we make a bet, for old times sake?” We used to bet on something every time we watched a rival game. We had bet dinners, desserts, who got to choose the music to play in the office for a day, so many random things, but it was always in good fun.
