“Playing,” Alex interjects.
Everybody looks at him.
“What?” Ingrid asks.
“We wereplayinghockey tonight. Not performing.”
She waves her hand. “Tomato tomah-toh. But really, it was more of a performance, don’t you think?”
Alex looks at me, and I can tell he’s thinking,yes, it was,and it’s all your fault.
I just grin at him.
“So you’re all fine with it?” he asks, looking directly at Lawson. “Nobody’s frustrated? We don’t need to talk about anything that went wrong? Anything that was confusing orchaotic?”
Of course, he uses his favorite word.
Everyone shakes their heads, and Zeke sets his fork down, his plate clean.
He starts to dig for his wallet, but I stop him. “It’s all on the house.”
Zeke gives me a smile. “You don’t have to do that.”
“It’s not like you’re all making millions playing here. I think we can throw in pie once in a while.”
“But wecouldmake a lot more,” Beckett says. “If this catches on, we could get sponsorships and all kinds of stuff. When we fill up that arena, money is gonna be pouring in.”
Alex sighs but doesn’t say anything. I don’t say anything either, but I want to say, “Damn right.”
“Do you want something to eat?” I ask him.
“Sure. Just… bring me something. Anything.”
I love that answer. I actually have a surprise for him. “Okay, I’ll be right back.”
I gather up the used dishes and head into the kitchen. I have stored my surprise in the refrigerator, planning to give it to him before he goes up to his apartment. I grab it, unwrap it, and grab a spoon.
Back at the table, I set it down in front of him.
“Oh,man,” Beckett moans when he sees it.
“I didn’t know that was an option!” Teddy protests.
“It wasn’t,” I say with a wink. “This is just for Alex.”
Teddy slumps on his stool. “Damn my love for dick. I don’t think I can do the things to you that got Alex that pudding.”
Everyone laughs.
Except Alex. When I look at him again, he’s staring at the bowl in front of him with a pained expression. When he looks up and meets my gaze, he tries to cover his horror, but I see it.
I frown. “It’s banana pudding.”
He nods. “I figured.”
“Wait, you don’t like banana pudding?”
“I don’t… I’ve never had it.”
