“I don’t know.” I pick at the cheese strand that never ends as I try to politely nibble it off my slice. “You know how he is. He has a chip on his shoulder, and he doesn’t let anyone talk to him.”
“I know.” Dad lowers his lashes, hooding his eyes, being hard on himself. The truth is, Dad has done about everything he can think of to help both Rocco and me succeed in life, but he’s only one person. It was certainly easier when Mom was around, but she passed unexpectedly last year after a very short battle with breast cancer, and Rocco has had anger issues ever since. “I sure wish he’d talk to me.”
“Maybe someday he will.” I dab the corner of my mouth, ignoring the knot in my stomach that always buds when we talk about any of the changes our family has gone through this last year. I change the subject, “Hey, I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?” One of his bushy brows spikes over the other.
“Something happened to Rosie, my axolotl. I had her when I fell asleep last night, but when I woke up, she was missing. Ilooked all over for her, but with my knee throbbing to its own tune, I had to give up. Have you seen her?”
“I have not.” Dad tilts his head, thoughtfully. “Not aside from the fact that every time I’ve seen you this week, you’ve had her on your lap.”
“Right,” I exclaim, as I love her so much. “I never let her out of my sight, and now she’s gone.”
“I’m sure she’ll show up.” Dad pats his hand on top of mine, just as a crowd of teens walk up outside the window. It takes a moment for me to recognize the Bulldog blue, red and white. “Oh, look at that. The team must be home early. It looks as if they are all headed to the coffee shop.”
I recognize my whole cheer squad and several of the players. My heart skips a beat when North passes in front of the window, with Rocco behind him. The crowd rushes across the street, and I feel a pang of envy as they all file into the coffee shop.Just another thing I’m missing out on.
“You should go.” Dad coaxes softly. “I’ll help you across the street.”
Pulling one side of my mouth up into a lazy smile, I hate to leave him, but he understands. “Do you think I’ll be crashing?”
“Not at all. You may not be able to cheer anymore, but you can sit at the coffee shop to hang out. You need to at least be able to do that much.” Dad jumps to his feet and holds his hand out to help me up. “Besides, then you can keep an eye on that brother of yours.”
“Thanks Dad.” I take his hand, and limp forward, favoring my swollen knee as a bubble of excitement fills my chest. Finally, after a solid week of being left out, there’s something I can do, too.
six
North
Due to the forecasted sleet, our game got called after the third quarter, giving the win to us, and we make it home before eight. We’re all hyped up, and head to our favorite spot, the old coffee shop by the school, for a celebration. It’s nothing fancy, and the old guy who works here gives us a side eye more than a smile, but it’s big enough we can all go, and it fits a teenager’s budget.
Although, one thing about me is, I despise coffee. I love the smell, especially if it’s freshly roasted, but I will gag on even the lightest coffee flavor. Blah, no thank you!
I order my chai tea, and head to the back booth, sliding in next to Rocco, who’s trying to flirt with one of the cheerleaders. I forget her name, or maybe I never knew it, but she’s the red-headed girl who’s always next to Gia on the bottom of the pyramid.
“I think we lucked out tonight getting the game called,” I say, trying to get in on the conversation.
“We wouldn’t have to rely on luck if you could catch the ball.” Rocco teases a smug smirk with both corners of his mouth. Sometimes, he doesn’t know when to shut up. I had dropped two passes this game, and I admit I can play better, but it’s not like it’s on purpose. Swallowing, I bite back a rebuttal as every day it gets harder to be on a team with Rocco. I know he’s been through a lot this last year, losing his mom, but that didn’t slow him down on the football field, or with the ladies. If anything, he’s gotten more popular, and it often seems like my presence is annoying to him, and he uses me as a verbal punching bag to inflate his own ego. Don’t get me started on the weird threats to stay away from Gia. As if I’m some predator. I’ve known them both for over a decade.
I don’t care to sit here with Rocco and be insulted. My gaze slides back to the counter, and I see my drink waiting for me. I slide out of the booth and stroll back through the narrow row of tables. Out of the corner of my eye, I recognize Gia standing next to her dad, both waiting at the counter as well. I quickly scan her body and let out a giant sigh of relief that she’s standing. Engrossed in conversation, neither one of them notices me.
I slip my tea off the counter, raising it up and pause for a quick temperature check against my lip. It’s perfect—not too hot or too cold—the Goldilocks of temps, and I take a giant sip before my taste buds register the bitter afternotes and a tornado of a dry heave spirals up from the bottom of my gut. I gag so hard, all while trying to avoid vomiting. “Blah,” I choke out. “This issuper strongespresso.”
“Oh no!” Gia’s gaze perks back at me as she registers what’s happening. “You must have gotten mine. It was called, but I was letting it set for a while to cool.”
It’s too late, the espresso is making me feel ill, and I grab my stomach and gag again. “That has to be the most disgusting thing I ever drank.”
“I’m so sorry.” She reaches out, placing her hand on my back, giving it a sort of motherly pat, but the chemicals her touch ignite in my body sends a whirlwind of sparks to rapid fire in my heart. Add that to my near-vomiting and I’m about to lose my balance.
“Here’s some water.” Mr. Bella presents a glass, and I eagerly accept it, swallowing all of it while closing my eyes. The water cools my gut and resets my tase buds.
“You guys got back early tonight?” Gia’s look of concern is still pinned between her brows. She’s so unbelievably beautiful, but my gaze drifts to the back booth, and sure enough Rocco’s glaring at me with narrowed eyes. He’s never going to let up about this. I can’t even have a simple conversation with Gia without him hovering.
“The game got called due to the weather forecast,” I say with a concise grin as I slip my foot back away from her. “Let me pay for a new drink for you since I ruined yours.”
“Don’t mention it,” Mr. Bella cuts in. “I took care of it.”
The barista places another cup on the counter calling out, “Spiced chai.”
