He rolled his eyes and slipped out the car door, and the madness officially began.
At first, it was just Kelly telling me I looked like I gave good hugs, and could she get one.But then Annie decided she wanted one, and by the time I got to Diego’s dad, I was a little bit rumpled from hugging all the women in the house.(So far, no Kacey.Hated to think it, but thank god.) I held out my hand and said, as respectfully as I could while flushing slightly, “Mr.Marsh.”
He took my hand and squeezed it while we shook.That was what my dad would’ve called a firm handshake, all right.I couldn’t look at Diego, because if I did, I would laugh out loud.And that was not the impression I was trying to make.
“You can call me Val.I graduated with your father,” Mr.Marsh said.“Good man.”
“Thank you, sir.”My dad thought your family was absolute garbage,I didn’t add.And he’d probably thought my dad was a stuck-up prick.Nice of him not to say that, too.
“Miss him on the sidelines at home games still,” he added as he let my hand go.
And that, at least, made me smile genuinely.Even after I graduated, he was into those Friday Night Lights, that was for damn sure.
Sad?I don’t know.Maybe.But everyone needs a hobby.
“Yeah, Mom doesn’t go unless it’s homecoming,” I said.
“You ever go?”
I shook my head.“But she keeps me updated.”
“Could use an assistant coach,” he said, eying me up and down.
“Ooookay, we’re not talking about Stanley County football all night, Dad,” Diego cut in with a little smirk, taking my arm.
Mr.Marsh—Valsmiled.His eyes were a little bit hazel, not as bright and green as Diego’s, but still a nice contrast with his dark, rich skin and hair.He was a good-looking guy, actually.Funny, how I used to think he, my dad, all the dads looked ancient just a few years ago.
Couldn’t wait to irritate Diego by telling him his dad was hot.
Annie was clearly the center of the household, though, directing traffic and conversation, making sure everyone had a drink in hand, settling us all in the living room.She told the speaker to play some music, and pop spilled out into the cozy room.Tom cornered me and asked how business was—he was a finance guy, apparently, and looking for a new job, and Diego sat next to Kelly and described plans for tomorrow’s party.
Diego kept shooting me worried looks, like he thought I might need rescued from his relatives.I just kept smiling encouragingly, chatting with Tom, then telling Annie dinner smelled great, and could I help with anything?
And then the door burst open and Kacey lumbered through, her nose bright red, her eyes watery, and said, “I made it!”
Annie jumped up.“Oh my god, honey, no!”
I looked around for some help; last I heard, everyone was coming tonight.Including Kacey.I’d been warned to prepare for inevitable drama.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Kelly said with a frown.
“What’d you do?”Diego asked with a snort.
Kacey shot him a vicious look, shrugging off a cropped knit sweater it was way too hot for.“Nothing.I just had a little cold.”
“You look like shit,” Tom said, deadpan.
I had to take a drink from my iced tea to keep from laughing.
Diego and Kelly weren’t anywhere near as polite, both of them having some version of an outburst on either side of the room.
“Thanks, bro,” Kacey said sarcastically.Then coughed into her sleeve.
I shot Diego a look.He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Annie went to Kacey at the door, saying something under her voice so the rest of us wouldn’t hear, and Kacey whined back at her.
“Great.Can’t wait to have coronavirus for the rest of the summer,” Tom said into his drink.
