“Playing whatever sport you’re going to play,” I tell him, trying to not sound so out of breath but failing miserably.
Reid walks into the kitchen next, and it’s official. There are too many people in this kitchen. Specifically, too many athletes. I find Evie in the chaos. “Can I help with anything?”
“No, we just ordered out today. All we have to do is take the lids off.”
“I’ll help.” I need something to do with myself. I start taking the foil lids off the large catering foil pans. “That’s a lot of chicken.”
Evie laughs. “Have you forgotten how much these guys put away?” She opens another pan filled with onions and peppers and another filled with rice. There are containers filled with tortillas, limes, shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh salsa and guac.
“That smells so good; let’s eat,” Quint says, grabbing a plate. Zane smacks his plate out of his hand. “What was that for?” Quint asks.
“Girls first,” Zane says, handing a plate first to Evie and then to me.
“Really?” Quint whines.
“Do you have no manners?” Reid asks.
“Nope, not when I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Reid reminds him.
“I know.” Quint pats his biceps. “I’m a growing boy.” Instead of filling a plate, Evie wanders over to the fridge. “Evie,” Quint whines. “I’m starving.”
Zane smacks the back of his head, and Evie laughs. “Just a minute, Quint. I just need,” she pauses, looking for something in the fridge. “This,” she says triumphantly, holding up a bottle of sauce.
Quint groans. “Seriously, that sauce again?”
Evie grins. “It’s my new favorite. I just discovered it.”
“What is it?” I ask curiously.
“It’s Guy Fieri’s secret sauce, and it’s amazing! I put it on everything.”
“Literally, everything,” Quint says behind her back.
“Leave my girl alone,” Zane growls at him.
Evie finally starts making a plate, and I follow after her. I go quickly, so Quint doesn’t murder me. To no one’s surprise, he starts filling his plate right behind me. When I finish, I look over at the small kitchen table, wondering where everyone is going to sit. “Here, Tess,” Evie pats the spot next to her. I wisely don’t take that seat, because I know Zane will want it. I end up sitting across from her. Quint moves to take the last available seat, but Slater slides into it, beating him to it.
“What about us?” Quint asks, looking like a dejected puppy. Slater just gives him a look that Quint must read all too well because he caves immediately. “Fine. Rejects out here, Reid.”
“I can sit out there,” I offer, starting to grab my plate.
Slater puts a hand on my arm. “He’s fine.”
“You guys need a bigger table,” I offer.
Evie nods. “Yeah, I keep telling Zane that. We need to find one on the marketplace.”
“And put it where?” Zane asks.
Evie shrugs. “I don’t know, but we need to figure it out.”
“We will,” Zane reassures her.
I take a bite of my fajita and promptly lose about half of it out the other end. I moan and finish chewing. “These are so good. Where are they from?”
“Aren’t they the best?” Evie asks. “They’re from a Mexican place around the corner. We get them all the time now.”
