“Noah, Matt and I are just friends. You’re the number one guy in my life. Always.” I reach back and ruffle his hair a bit and then laugh when he shoves my hand away.
“Okay, fine. But he stares at you and smiles. It’s weird.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “I don’t know about all that, Noah, but Matt and I are friends. That’s it. I’m just making dinner because we have to eat, and it would be rude if I just sent them away after they brought you home.”
“I guess it’d be kind of rude. Can Dane spend the night?”
“Nice try. It’s a school night. You know the rules.”
“It was worth a shot.”
Rolling my eyes, I take the last turn into the park. Looking around as I drive past some tennis and basketball courts, I notice a chunk of grassy area. Towards the top, I see nets and kids. Doing a quick scan, I find Matt and some kids running around.Perfect.Parking my car, I hop out and grab his bag.
“You sure you got this, Noah? I know you love sports and all, but are you ready for this?”
He looks at me, slightly confused. “Yeah. What’s not to get? I kick the ball and score goals.”
Laughing, I agree, “Okay. Just making sure.”
“Hey, guys!” I turn and see Matt walking towards us. He’s wearing a hoodie, and joggers with a beanie. There’s a group of ten or so kids running around on a field behind him, but his eyes are fixedon me. The grin that spreads across his face makes me think back to Noah’s question on the way over.
“Shouldn’t you be wearing cleats?” I ask him, pointing to his sneakers.
“Ha. Funny. I don’t need cleats. These work just fine.”
“Then why did I need cleats?” Noah asks.
“Because”—Matt smiles down at him—“they help you run through the field easier, and all players have to wear them. Plus, they protect your feet.” The way he says it is so matter of fact. He’s not talking down to him, more like sharing an inside secret. “Besides, they look cool.”
Noah looks down at his neon green and silver cleats, then nods. “Yeah. Mine are cool. Later, Cora.” He waves and takes off.
Laughing, I watch as he joins Dane on the field. They really are like two peas in a pod. I hope soccer works out because Noah is the type to stick it out even if he’s miserable.
“Looks like you have a lively group over there. Good luck with that.”
“Luck’s got nothing to do with it. I have the whistle.” Matt holds up a small metal whistle attached to a lanyard.
“Does the whistle really work on them, though?”
He tilts his head as if contemplating the answer. “Well, I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?” He laughs. “Hey, Cora, I was thinking.”
“Matt! I’m bored,” Dane yells from the field.
Saved by a seven-year-old.
When Matt turns to glare at his brother, I almost laugh at his expression until I notice Noah. He’s standing next to Dane, and the whole team is watching us.
“I should probably go. I’ll see you later. Have fun.”
“Bye, Cora. See you soon.” He smiles and then jogs toward the kids. “Alright! Who wants to run laps since everyone seems to have all this energy?” he shouts.
All the kids groan and shout in disagreement.Better them than me.
I’ve just gotten dinner finished when I hear the front door slam open. “Cora!” Noah’s voice booms through the house.
“In here,” I holler back. “How was practice?” After setting a salad bowl on the table, I turn to find a dirty-faced Noah, along with Dane and Matt. “What happened to your face?”
“Nothing.” Noah grins, then runs out of the kitchen with Dane hot on his trail.
