I honestly thought I wouldn't hear from him again, and to get a call the same morning as a visit was so unexpected that I was thrown off. My mind had not had time to process it all. One minute, I was adding the finishing touches of hairspray to my final client of the evening, and the next minute, EJ Deckerwas standing in all his Superman glory, in the entryway of my salon.
EJ was waiting for me when I finished, and I had no time to acclimate to the fact that he was with me before we were heading to my friends' house. We talked the whole way to Vinny and Emma's apartment, but I had been jittery. I made conversation about his trip and my day at work.
He stopped at my friend's apartment and glanced at me after we parked. He was driving someone else's car, but it was nice.What was I doing with this guy?My carefully constructed walls were already feeling so weak. I knew he could break my heart.
I gave him a little smile. "I called Emma earlier when I had a client under the dryer. I told her I would have a friend with me, but I didn't mention specifics. I'm telling you, they're probably going to know who you are. Her husband, Vinny, will for sure. I can't promise anyone will be on their best behavior, either. They're funny. Vinny is not shy. He's probably going to want to talk to you about sports. He and Emma have sports on the television every time I visit them."
"It's okay," he said sweetly. "I want to meet your friends."
EJ stood next to me as I knocked on the door. Emma answered it, and I felt like I was in a movie as I hugged her, and then she hugged EJ, welcoming him into their home. I was in the group chat, and I knew who was coming. Besides me and EJ, therewere seven others. There were two couples and three single people.
Technically, it started at six o'clock, so everyone was already there when we arrived. Vinny came up behind Emma as she was letting us inside, and I said both of their names to EJ.
"What'd you say your name was, bro?" Vinny asked, shaking EJ's hand and checking him out like men do.
"EJ," was all EJ said. And he just smiled back at Vinny, who was now staring at him with a dazed expression. They were still shaking hands, but the motion had slowed considerably because Vinny was lost in thought, gazing at EJ while still holding onto his hand.
He shook it way too long.
"What are you doing?' Emma asked in a light voice as we took in the scene. But Vinny just stared at EJ. "What in the world, babe?" Emma said to him. "Hello," she added, physically interrupting their handshake with her hand. "What'd you say your name was? D-J, did you say?" she asked.
"EJ," I said.
"Not EJ Decker, though," Vinny said, confused. "Dude, you look just like him, though. bro." Vinny stood back, staring at EJ. "What are the chances that someone named EJ would look just like EJ Decker?"
"Who is EJ Decker?" Emma asked.
"Number eight," Vinny said. "This guy looks just like an outfielder for the Cubs. Dude, you're big,too. You could be EJ Decker's twin, bro, I am not even kidding. You had me freaked out."
"Yeah, I'm not his twin, but I'm his brother's twin," EJ said easily, smiling at Vinny, who just stood there, stunned.
"I’m sorry my husband is being so… you guys come right in.
"Of course he has a twin!" Vinny said. He turned and stiffly and dramatically grabbed his own hair, looking up in disbelief. "Of course you have a twin. Youarehim. Dominic is your twin. This dude really is a… " Vinny paused and stared at me blankly. "Are you seriously bringing EJ Decker over to my house right now? Of course you are. What am I thinking? It's Savannah Rodgers we're talking about here. Of course she brings EJ Decker to my house."
"Would someone please tell me what is happeningggg," Emma begged.
"What's going on?" Wyatt asked, coming to see the action.
"We've got tacos in the kitchen, and Vinny's acting crazy in front of Savannah's poor friend.
"Savannah's friend is…" Vinny paused and stared straight at EJ. "You must be EJ Decker, bro."
"Hey Vannah! We knew you had a friend with you, so I'm sitting out. I'm the scorekeeper. I need a team name for you guys, though. We're making the scoreboard." Zoey cut into the conversation, hugging me as she came closer to the group that had now formed around us.
It was chaotic with five or six of us gathering and more than one person talking at once. Our whole group sort of all slowly moved to the kitchen, led by Emma, who was annoyed with Vinny and wanted to show us the tacos. Zoey stared at me, waiting for a team name. She was completely oblivious to the conversation about EJ.
"Savannah brought a friend with her tonight, and his name is EJ," Emma said, looking around and trying to be reasonable. "EJ, this is Zoey, Wyatt, Logan, and my husband, Vinny. I'm Emma. And Grace and Jacob are waiting for us in here. I think that's everybody."
"Hey, EJ, it's nice to meet you. I need a team name for you guys," Zoey said, staring at me like she was in a hurry.
"We're the Real Australians," I said.
"The Real Australians, got it."
"As opposed to the fake ones?" Wyatt asked, smiling at me.
Zoey turned toward the living room and cupped her hand to her mouth. "They're the Real Australians!" she yelled."
