“A club.” Waylon looked at Gabe, hoping for some insight.
“An adventure buddies club! They meet every Saturday for the next six weeks. It’s for members who maybe wanna go do activities and don’t have a buddy to go along with them, thus the name.” She pointed at Waylon. Andyou’resigned up.”
“Wait, what?” He looked at Gabe to see if this was some kind of joke, but going by his brother’s confused expression, this was news to him. “Ihavefriends. There’s one of them now.” He pointed at Gabe, who did him the courtesy of nodding. “If I wanted to go hiking and asked him, he’d come with me.”
“That’s true, I would,” Gabe confirmed.
“So I don’t need to be in a, what’d you call it? Activity Bros Club?”
“Adventure Buddies! Sheesh. I know you have friends, but it’s this Saturday and I’m one person shy and I haven’t had any takers. So, tag, you’re it.” Stephanie picked up a pen and wrote down Waylon’s name. “I’ve got you paired up with Frank.”
“Who’s Frank?” Gabe asked.
“Frank hasn’t been into the rec center since before you started here, Boss.”
“Why do you need to pair people up for your club?” Waylon asked.
“The Adventure Buddies Club is done in pairs so that everyone has someone watching their back since some of the activities are gonna get rigorous. And since I’d hate to disappoint Frank after being gone so long, I’ve signed you up, Ram. Problem solved.”
“Why me? Why doIhave to do this?” Waylon asked.
“Because you don’t want to let down an old lady, do you?” She stuck out her bottom lip into the biggest pout ever and fluttered her eyelids at him.
Waylon crossed his arms. “You have never once in your life thought of or called yourself an old lady, Stephanie.”
“No, but I will do whatever it takes to get my way. Just ask Gabe.”
“She’s a monster.”
“Thankyou. You’re my favorite boss again.” Stephanie beamed at Gabe. “Now what do you say, Way?” She grinned at her own rhyme. “Are you on the bus, Gus? Is it a new plan, Stan?”
“Stop.” Waylon looked at the rec center ceiling then back at Stephanie.
She’s going to be insufferable if I say no.
“Fine.”
“Yes!” Stephanie fist-pumped the air.
“But only one time. This Saturday, and then that’s it. I’m not doing this for six weeks.”
She narrowed her eyes. “So then you’re gonna leave Frank high and dry? Not cool. Actually, worse than not cool.”
Dammit. He hated the way Stephanie was appraising him.
She’s thinking of ways to make my life about as fun as jock itch if I don’t agree to help.
“Fine. But, you have to promise me that you’ll keep looking for a replacement, and the minute someone else signs up, I’m out, free and clear.”
“Hmm.” She continued to study him like he was a frog pinned to a board and she had a dissecting kit. Then she smiled. “Okay. Deal.”
Waylon didn’t trust that smile one bit. “Youhaveto look for a replacement.”
“Okay.”
“Activelylook. You can’t hide the sign-up sheet.”
“Fine.”
