Oh no. I’m going to get a pity invite to Christmas dinner, or something, aren’t I?
They hustle out of the room before I can ask a clarifying question. I wait next to the Christmas tree while TJ walks them to their car, looking around to see if I can make myself useful, but there’s nothing left to tidy up.
TJ returns, bringing with him the scent of awkwardness.
“You sure you’re okay?” I ask, suddenly worried that all this Christmas was too much for him.
“Yeah, um. Yeah. I’m good.” TJ finally meets my eye. He straightens his shoulders, as if making up his mind about something. “I was wondering if you wanted to come to my game this weekend.”
Does he sound nervous?I’mnervous, so maybe I’m projecting.
“We play on Christmas morning,” he adds, which is helpful for me because I didn’t know they did football on Christmas Day.
“Oh, I—”
“No pressure. I know football isn’t really your thing, and it’s a huge crowd, and it’s a home game, so it’ll be freezing because it’s December in Wisconsin. But”—he shrugs—“it’d be great to play for you. I mean”—he looks like a deer in the headlights as he course-corrects—“to play while having you watch, in person.”
I chuckle softly.
TJ shakes his head. “I’ve been reduced to a babbling buffoon. This sort of behavior would be perfect for your book, wouldn’t it?” He shoots me a wrygrin.
“Well, now that you mention it.” I tap my chin playfully. “Yes, it would be.”
“Glad to be of continued service.” He bows in an overdone way, and I laugh.
“Seriously, though.” He pins me with his gaze again. “You’re more than welcome to come to the game and the afterparty, if you want. My grandparents will be there.”
“At the game or the afterparty.” I raise a brow.
“Both. Gram and Pa can throw down.”
“I never doubted them.”
He smirks. “Honestly, the afterparty is a bunch of food ordered in at my friend Poe’s condo. He has a huge gathering room he can rent, so we’re all meeting there. Just my closest friends and their families—anyone in town for the game.”
I nibble on my bottom lip as I turn this over in my mind. I want to be there for TJ. I’d love to spend more time with his grandparents, because I find them the perfect blend of hilarious and homey. It would be nice to meet his friends, too. But the thought of being surrounded by a bunch of other people I don’t know and having them look at me makes me want to crawl out of my skin.
“I’ll come to the game for sure,” I say slowly, already thinking of my cold-weather gear. I can disguise myself well enough with something like what I wore today. “Can I let you know about the afterparty?”
TJ nods. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. If it helps, know that my teammates would be cool. Rose Kasper will be there, so you’d know at least one other person. Plus me and Gram and Pa, of course.”
“Of course,” I say with a smile. “Thank you.” I turn serious. “I was planning to spend a quiet day at the Inn, working on my story. I’ve got a lot of words to catch up on.”
TJ assesses me. “Maybe you could get some inspiration from the game and the party.”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
Truth be told, I haven’t thought much about my character, Theo, while spending the day with TJ, the real deal. The only time my book has been top of mind is when TJ has brought it up. Otherwise, I’ve been too busy savoring good times with good people. This must be what it feels like when reality is better than fiction.
Staring at TJ here in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, I’m half terrified, half thrilled to realize I want more of this real-life living. Interestingly enough, I’m also suddenly hit with ten plot ideas for my book.
“You alright?” TJ steps closer to me.
I blink. “Yeah, I’m good. I want to get to my computer. I have a story thread I need to tug on.”
“Oh dang. This is it. This is how the magic happens, isn’t it?” He crosses the room and retrieves my coat from the closet. “I feel like I’m witnessing the artistic process unfold before my very eyes.”
I bundle up. “I don’t think it’s anything too crazy. Unless you think it’s crazy that I’m going to type in my notes app while you drive me home so I don’t forget this idea.”
