My stomach tightens a little more at the thought of eating with the guys, especially Burton. But I shouldn’t be worried about it, because we’ve already eaten out twice.
I breathe out a long sigh and say, “Okay, but if things get weird, I’m out. Let me change.”
“No time. And roommate night is basically sweats mandatory.”
We put on our shoes and walk across the street.
“Are you ready for FanFest this weekend?” Jessa asks.
I laugh. “Me? Are you ready for it? You’re the one who put most of this together.”
She shakes her head. “Not really, which I know is a surprise. The woman in charge did a great job. I was at the field today as the crews were getting things set up. It’s going to be an epic party.”
“I hope so. The guys can use all the support they can get.” I think of Burton’s words, about the only people who support him are his sister and her family.How hard that would be to have people not there for you, especially as a professional athlete.
Jessa opens the door without ringing the bell and walks in. “Hey, guys.”
“Jessa!” Finny says. “And her roommate.”
I laugh. I didn’t remember his name last time either, so I can’t blame him.
Jessa walks over and kisses Clark on the cheek. “What are we eating tonight, boys?”
“Stack went to get Italian from Vincenzo’s. He and Burton should be back at any time.”
I’m not sure what to do here. There’s stuff everywhere, and it looks like a bachelor’s paradise. Maybe I should go back to the house and have Jessa bring something after.
“Have a seat,” Clark says, waving to the empty spots. There’s one next to him, which Jessa takes, and one on a small loveseat. At least I’ve got it to myself.
The focus is on a lacrosse game on TV, and while I’ve never watched a full game, I’m surprised at how fast it goes. There’s so much action and violence, I can’t look away. A sign I might be too much like my grandpa.
“What happened there?” I ask when the ref blows the whistle.
“The defender pushed him from behind,so it’s a penalty.”
“But I thought you could hit people,” I say, leaning forward to learn more.
Clark nods and gives me a small smile. “You can on the sides and front, just not in the back or on any part of the helmet.”
I nod and watch, trying to take in every bit I can. Clark and Finny explain a few of the plays and what’s happening.
Stack and Burton come back a few minutes later, their arms full of bags of yummy-smelling pasta.
“Let’s eat!” Stack says. He grabs a paper plate from the bag and goes to open one box.
Burton gives him a little shove back and says, “Ladies first, Stack.”
Stack looks apologetically at us and waves. “Sorry about that. It smells so good.”
Jessa nods for me to follow her, and I load up a plate, taking my spot back on the loveseat. There isn’t a lot of room around the table to eat anyway.
A few moments later, Burton walks over with his plate, taking the seat next to me.
“Hey,” he says, giving me a lopsided grin.
“Hey,” I say, grinning back.
“I’m glad you didn’t die in the air,” he says, taking a bite of his fettuccine.
