That’s where Nick finds us, the men folk at the grill. He hands each of us a beer, and we stand around talking about nothing. It always amazes me that women can talk for hours while men just mumble and nod.
“So, I’m looking for some advice,” Nick says, thinking he’s funny. He’s not.
“I’m off duty,” I tell him. “Call-in like the rest.”
“Wait, we can’t ask you for advice?” Noah asks.
I shake my head. “I need a break,” I say, then look at him. “Well, except you. I’ll give you advice. But you’re the only one that gets a pass.”
“Rude,” Quinn says.
“Especially since I’m the one with cancer,” Ben blurts out.
We all pause and everything goes quiet as we stare at him.
His eyes widen. “No, not now. I mean, my scans have been clear. I was just saying.”
“Not fucking funny, man.” Quinn shakes his head. “Don’t even joke about this shit.”
I’m still taken aback by what Ben said, and it makes me wonder if he’s telling the truth. This is one of those moments where I lock this away to circle back.
We go back to mumbling, mostly about football, the Beaumont High team, and Mack as the quarterback. Nick says he hasn’t decided which camp he wants to go to and is weighing his options and is considering doing multiple camps, as most are two weeks now instead of the intensive one my father had sent me to. I’m convinced I was gone all summer because he wanted me far away from Mason and Katelyn, but mostly Josie.
When we come in with the meat, Teagan is here and surrounded by the twins and Bex. They’re chatting like they’ve known each other for years, and regardless of why everyone is here tonight, I like this . . . people at my house, having a goodtime. This is also giving Bex and Teagan a chance to meet other people in the community.
Somebody puts on a record instead of a playlist. It’s one of mine from a lifetime ago. I catch the twins singing along. I love them for that. The house gets loud with people who get to be free of any obligations for the night. I’m not sure this happens often for most of us, so we need to take advantage.
I make my move early, while everybody’s still chatting. I walk Nick toward the living room where Teagan’s got herself into a corner with a glass of wine. But before I can open my mouth to make the introduction Nick says, “Teagan.”
She says, “Coach.”
And I’m left standing there with my hand half-raised for an introduction between two very frigid people.
“Oh, right, you already know each other,” I say, playing oblivious. Still, I’m hoping Nick’s picking up what I’m not putting down. He doesn’t and rocks back on his heels.
Shit. This is going to be harder than I thought.
“Nick and I are old high school rivals,” I begin. “And he dated my wife.”
Teagan’s eyebrow arches. “Oh.”
Nick glares at me.
What else was I supposed to say? Admit he raised my son for his first ten years? Nope, no thanks.
“Really? That’s a hell of a thing to hand somebody,” Nick says, to me, not to her.
Josie’s at my elbow before it turns into anything. “Food’s ready,” she says and steers me away.
“Liam, was that seriously the best you could’ve led with?” she says under her breath.
“I put him in front of her and they’re cold to each other. He did something to piss her off.”
“You only think Nick did something wrong because you don’t like him.”
“That’s not true. I tolerate him. He’s my frenemy.”
Josie shakes her head and leads me toward the buffet she has set up. “For someone dishing advice over the air, you’re clueless when it comes to people.”
