He lifted her face and peered into her eyes. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Uncle Rocco! Where are you?”
He groaned.
Those girls have the worst timing.
Nico opened the door.
“There you are,” shouted Beatrice.
The girls stepped inside and looked around.
“What are you doing in the girls’ restroom, Uncle Rocco?” Sofia asked.
He frowned. “The girls’—”
“Most definitely,” said Beatrice.
He looked around. No urinals.
Sofia waved her hands. “Forget it.”
Beatrice did likewise. “To be sure. We need to talk to you, and it’s private.”
Sofia held the door open, and Beatrice shoved Nico out.
Nico stood with Charles. She held Templeton in her hands and was petting him. Charles had driven to Texas so that Templeton could join them for the last race of the season.
“So, he’s going back to Blue Jet Lightning.”
Nico nodded. “That’s what everyone’s saying. You can hardly blame him. It’s like playing for the New York Yankees instead of the Bad News Bears.”
Charles sulked. “Yeah but the Bears are so sweet. You want to root for them.”
“Well, good, because I’m still here.”
“Right!”
“Nico!”
Nico turned around to see Celeste and Dario. She made a move to hug Celeste, but then realized she was holding Templeton and handed the rat to Charles.
After hugging them both, Dario pointed at the rat. “Is that Templeton?”
Nico nodded.
Celeste gave Dario a look. “I told you there was a Templeton.”
Dario shrugged. “Okay, you were right.” He paused. “You did really well, Nico. That was just some bad luck there toward the end.”
“Yeah. But I think it might have been partly my fault. I really wanted to pass Clarke to be up on that podium with Rocco. I think I went for too much. But I feel good about the season overall. I’m just happy I’ll be coming back next year.”
“And you won’t be a rookie,” Dario said.
“That’s right.”
“And you won’t have to worry about Mickey,” Celeste said.
