“If that doesn’t solve ninety percent of life’s problems, nothing does.” She raises her eyebrows at me with a knowing look. “We got some good genes.” She grins, and her eyes crinkle at the corners, reminding me of someone else. “Even better, the boys are late bloomers, so they don’t get too cocky about it when they’re young,” she says as she squeezes me. There’s nothing left but to shake my head in defeat. I’ll hear about this for the foreseeable future.
He knowsexactlywhat he did.
He comes back wearing a vintage Cheap Trick T-shirt that looks like it could be an original. His defined chest and shoulders show through the worn material more than the one he had on before. “I Want You to Want Me” plays from the soundtrack of my inner thoughts, and it’s just so wrong.
My friend’s mom collects vinyl, and she played the heck out of Cheap Trick’sBudokanalbum when we were in high school. I loved it up untilright now.
NowI hate it.
“We should get going. I have to load our gear for the coffee shop, Punk.” He plops down with an arm behind me, which wouldn’t have affected me an hour ago, but this day has gotten way out of hand, and we still have a long evening of togetherness ahead.
“Okay then!” I jump up like the couch is on fire. “Thank you so much for everything. I’ll get my wallet to pay the guys.”
Aunt Judy and Daniel stand. She hugs Daniel and reaches for me.
“Lucy, I just know we’re going to be friends for a long time. Let’s exchange numbers and keep in touch!”
“Do you text?” I ask, before thinking.
“Of course, sweetheart. I can manage all sorts of strings, keys, and buttons. I’m a professional.” She smiles knowingly.
I pull my phone out to type in her number and send her a text with my name, so she’ll have mine too. “Thank you again. This was so much fun.”
She picked me apart, but I can’t help but love her. She wants what’s best for us.
“Wait, Lu.” He tugs my arm. “Come here.”
He pulls me to a keyboard, caging me in front of him, and pulls my right hand up to the keys.
“I meant to show you this earlier. The basic hook is C major. Thumb on C, first here on E and middle here on G.” He rests his chin on my shoulder and guides my hand under his for a rough tutorial of “Home Sweet Home.”
Any other day, this would be completely educational and not at all sensual.
Okay,even Iknow I’m lying now. We might as well make out right here in front of his aunt.
It’s like he has the key to the mental diary of all my nerdy fantasies, and he’s determined to check off the whole list in one day.
I feel every syllable he says near my ear and every degree of heat rolling off his body behind me. I’m trying to focus on the subject at hand, but I haven’t had much sleep in the last twenty-four hours. His proximity starts an internal war. I’m fighting equal urges to get away from him and climb inside his shirt like a baby kangaroo.
He knows it, too.
This is probably payback for the hallway.
“It’s easy. Remind me to teach you the rest later. I bet you’d nail the vocal.”
I could sing it well enough if he’d back away, but I can’t do anything except grunt in cavegirl with him standing so close.
“Yeah, I can sing it,” I mumble, wondering what caused this sudden tension. Maybe the strip show I can never unsee.
I retrieve my wallet, though Daniel insists they will not take my money. The uncles are taking it easy in the air-conditioned garage, watching a day game in recliners next to a mini fridge and a pool table.
“This is a sweet setup. I really appreciate you both. What do I owe you?” I ask, relieved to distract myself with baseball for a minute.
The men scurry to their feet to say their goodbyes.
“You don’t owe us nothin’,” Uncle Pete says. “The parts were covered. We got to harass our boy for a bit and meet his pretty girl. A little work keeps us old men sharp.”
Uncle Dale side-squeezes me and gives Daniel a manly handshake and one-armed hug. “He says you like baseball, so we made him promise to bring you back soon for dinner and a game. So that’s what you owe us, Princess. As long as you’re not a Yankees fan.” He tips his head down to study my reaction over his glasses.
