Page 20 of Lavender and Linebackers

The social media team has brought in a large barnwood background with a sign that says, “Tarpons Team Barbecue.” In front of it are two teal Adirondack chairs. There’s a round red grill next to one chair and a Tarpons cooler next to the other with a football propped against it. Between us is a small table covered with a teal-and-white-checked cloth and two large glasses of lemonade, complete with sliced lemons and a straw. Around us is staged lighting, and in front of us on the ground is a microphone.

Ryder and I both take a seat, and Danica sits diagonally to us.

If I weren’t so emotionally thrown off balance, I’d appreciate all of this more. This really is a cute idea.

Danica doesn’t explain anything. She just dives right in.

“Welcome to our first episode of five of Barbecue Showdown. First up are our hometown heroes Alice and Ryder. How this game works is I’m going to ask you both a series of five questions about each other, and you’ll each write your answer on your chalkboard. Since you two have known each other for quite some time, let’s see how you do. Whoever gets the most questions right will win a prize.”

This is going to hurt. I don’t want to go down memory lane.

“Ooh, a prize. This sounds fun,” I tell her, playing the part and making sure my presentation face is fully on. Ryder stretches his long legs out in front of him as he gets more comfortable in his seat. Meanwhile, I make sure mine are crossed, and nothing is showing from the camera’s point of view.

“Okay, first question.” She leans forward a little conspiratorially. “Of course these have to be football related, but viewers are still curious to know more about the two of you. How well do you two actually know each other? Write down what you think is each other’s favorite concession food.”

I know this, and a large smile takes over. He’s predictable in a way that I don’t see this having changed. I write out that if there’s candy, he would get Reese’s peanut butter cups, and if there’s not, cheesy nachos. It didn’t matter what sports event or concert we attended. He always ordered this.

He’s writing as confidently as I am, and we both set down the chalk. Danica is pleased. I wonder if she forgets that she’s invited competitors? We both love to win.

“That was quick. Tell us, Alice, what’s your favorite food?”

“Fries.” I glance at Ryder and smirk. There’s no way he got this right. I used to order all kinds of things based on my mood, but I’m a sucker for good french fries.

He flips the board, and sure enough, it says, “Fries with mustard.” My jaw drops, and he grins. His grin throws me a little off kilter, and I swallow hard.

“Wow, look at that! We have a match. I’m very impressed. Alice, you eat mustard on your fries?”

Hearing my name has me tearing my eyes off him and over to her. “Oh, yes. There’s something about crispy fries with salt and mustard in one of those little paper boats. It’s the best.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it.” She laughs. Her hair today is slicked back into a high ponytail, and her makeup is flawless. She looks beautiful. I wonder if she did it herself or if she had it done. “That’s one point for Ryder. Does Alice know you too? Ryder, what’s your favorite?” Danica asks.

I think about how she just said, does Alice know you too, but that’s the thing: I don’t really know him anymore. And he doesn’t know me. We’ve both changed, as one would expect going from eighteen to twenty-two. Well, he’s now twenty-three. As much as I don’t want it to, given all the circumstances, this makes me sad. He was the one person I thought I’d have in my life forever.

“Reese’s peanut butter cups and nachos,” he tells her.

I flip my board and smirk right back.

“I knew you would know this.” He smiles at me, but it’s strained.

Smiles.

I haven’t seen him smile at me in a long time. In a way, it’s nostalgic, and my breath catches in my chest.

Whatever. There can be no time or space in my head for nostalgia. I have to remember who I’m talking to. What he’s capable of.

“Well, look at that!” Danica is excited and I shift in my chair at her exuberance. I know she’s putting on an act as much as I am, but still. “We’re starting off strong. We’re one to one.”

One. One down and four to go.

How long do we have to stay at this event once this is over?

“As we all know, next week kicks off the preseason games. Fans have been waiting months for the return of their favorite sport. Tell us, what’s your favorite thing about football season?”

We both answered the same: “Being on a team.” I actually wasn’t sure what he would put here, but this was my answer, so I was thinking maybe I wasn’t far off.

“How is it that you both knew and both have the same answer?” Danica shakes her head in exaggerated disbelief. “Ryder, tell us what it is about being on a team?”

There are two cameras. One is directly in front of us, and Ross is carrying the other. He angles himself to zoom in on only Ryder.