“You boys make yourselves at home. Maybe you can watch the game with Tom. He’s in the den.” She gestures down the hall and makes her way into the kitchen.
My mother is a short and plump but beautiful woman with bright, red, wavy hair and rosy cheeks. And she insists on wearing red all the time, which makes her stand out even more.
Today is no different.
“Should we see if she wants help?” Trey offers.
“I don’t know which is worse,” I mutter, tugging on the collar of my shirt. I’m already sweating. “Let’s just go see Tom.”
I knock on the door, pulling his attention.
“Hiya, son.”
I try not to roll my eyes. I’m not his son. Well, step-son, but he never says that.
“Hey, Tom.”
“Your mom threaten you two to stay out of the kitchen too?” he asks with a chuckle.
“Something like that.”
“There are beers in the fridge there, if you want one.”
Trey raises a brow at me.
“Please,” I answer.
He gets us both one, and we take a seat on the couch, popping the caps off and taking a sip.
Tom glances over at us from his recliner, appraising Trey with a curious look.
“Trey, this is Tom. Tom, this is Trey, my best friend from college.”
“Nice to meet you, Trey,” he says. “You like football?”
Trey smiles, and I swear it’s the most attractive smile I’ve ever seen on anyone.
Did I mention my stepdad is obsessed? And always trying to get information out of me that I can’t give while telling me things that aren’t true?
“Of course I do, sir. I played tight end in high school and college. It’s how I met Huds.” I watch as he takes a drink from his beer.
Tom grins, nodding. “I tried to get Mandy into sports, but she turned out just like her mama. Hair, nails, boys.” He laughs again.
Always making jokes about how his ex wife cheated on him… with multiple men… at once.
“Ah, well, I suppose that’s a good thing, considering she’s one of the best agents Power Play has to offer.” He chuckles. “You know she signed Allen Loebill?”
Tom beams with pride. “That’s my girl.”
“Didn’t know you two knew each other,” he says. “What a small world.”
“We work a lot of the same events.” Trey says. “The Sports Nutrition industry isn’t that large, believe it or not.”
“It’s too bad she got called in at the last minute.” He tips his beer to Trey. “Lucky you didn’t.”
“I am very grateful for it,” Trey says warmly.
He nudges me with his shoulder discreetly, and I smile.
