Page 63 of I Want to Know What Love Is

Mom texts me that she got a job in a bakery in Vermont. I call her back and she sounds happy.

“I am happy, but you don’t sound so happy, sha? What is it? Girl trouble?” I laugh.

“How’d you know?”

“You forget I’ve been around that block and I can tell when sorrow has that romantic aurora around it.”

“You going to tell me everything will turn out okay?”

“No, Dylan. I can’t do that. But I know you’re strong and a true man, so I know you’ll handle whatever it is, in the right way.” I blow out a breath and swear at myself because I’m not so sure I can live up to Mom’s expectations. I only hope she’s right about me. Hope I don’t blow my chance to bail her out of money trouble so she doesn’t have to sell our home.

There’s a knock on my door and I tell Mom I have to go. Shelby and Trey walk in.

“Did you tell her to send another cake?” Shel says.

“How is she?” Trey asks.

“She’s good. She got a job at a bakery, so you’re going to have to pay for her cakes now.”

“It’s about time,” Shelby says. “So what’s this meeting about? It’s not about football or you wouldn’t have invited this hockey jock.” He jabs Trey with his elbow. Trey rolls his eyes.

“Let’s wait for Dooley.”

“Really? Didn’t he already mess things up enough for you?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Trey says.

“Never mind.” I give Shel a look that says shut the fuck up and don’t make me regret sharing my shit with you.

“This fuck brain has a thing—let’s call it an obsession—for a coach.” Shel watches me with a challenge on his face and I know he thinks I’m the stupidest idiot on the planet, but this isn’t about him. And it’s not an obsession.

“It’s more serious than that,” I say.

“Is this about—”

“Amanda Lake.”

“Coach Lake,” Shel says. Trey looks at me, his eyebrows joining his hairline in an impressive gymnastic feat.

Dooley flies into the room then, jacket open and cheeks flushed red. You’d think we lived in the tundra.

“Where’d you come from?” I ask a flicker of guilt stinging me.

“I was packing for a weekend in north country. One of the guys has a chalet—never mind. I got your call and it sounded important.” He grins. Shit.

“I’m sorry, Dools, guys,” I push my hand through my hair and shove them in my pockets. Maybe I need to re-think this whole shit show plan.

“We’re here now—get on with it.” Trey sounds more worried than annoyed and I look at them, realizing what good friends they are.

“I have no right to ask this favor.”

“Ask. You’ve done enough for us, got us tickets, covered for trouble—” Shel says.

“Introduced us to love interests,” Dools says. “And was that ever fun while it lasted.” I laugh as he puts a hand to his chest and looks skyward. I’d introduced him to a guy from the spirit team last year and they had what could only be described as a torrid affair that lasted until the summer. It’s funny, but I’d felt bad that it didn’t end up working out for him.

“I can’t ask you to cancel your weekend plans—”

“Depends on what you’re asking,” he says. “Does it have to do with a certain lady?” He grins and wiggles his eyebrows. I whoosh out a sigh.