See Me After Class(17)

“Or maybe the camel milk cocktail.”

“Knox is easily in contention for another Golden Glove Award,” Gunner says. “What I wouldn’t give to have him and Carson behind me on the mound again.”

“Nah, I think I’m going to go with the diamonds are forever cocktail.”

“Dude, no one cares what you get,” Gunner says, surprising me. “Just shut up about it so I can hear the announcers.”

“Why are you here if you could have watched the game at home?” I ask, setting my menu down.

“Because you were crying about your desks, and I figured I’d try to lend some support,” Gunner says, turning toward me during a commercial.

“I wasn’t crying about the desks.”

“You haven’t stopped talking about it.”

“Because you did it,” I say. “Figured if I berate you enough, you won’t do it again.”

“Do you really think that’s going to work?” Romeo asks.

I sigh, knowing the outcome instantaneously. “No . . .”

“Then shut up about the desks,” Gunner says right as a waitress comes to our table.

“Good evening, gentlemen, what can I get for you?”

“Three house burgers, two lagers, and a lady finger for this one,” Gunner says, thumbing toward me.

Annoyed, I look up at her and say, “Whiskey, neat. Thank you.”

“Sure.”

Without writing anything down, she takes off. “So how are things with Lindsay and Dylan?” I ask when the waitress is out of earshot.

A few weeks ago, Gunner found out he’s the father of an eight-year-old. We ran into Lindsay Nelson, Knox Gentry’s wife’s best friend—did you follow that?—at a teachers’ conference before the school year started, and not only does she have a kid, but it’s Gunner’s. They have history that dates back to college. I don’t know much about it, all I know is Gunner isn’t going to let Lindsay slip through his fingers this time, especially since he’s the father of her child.

“Slow. Hence why I’m here and not hanging out with them on a Friday night. Trust me, I’d rather be at Lindsay’s place watching the game than here with you two.”

“I can really feel the love,” Romeo says, clutching his heart.

Gunner pushes his hand through his hair. “I wish Lindsay would move a little faster. Hell, Dylan doesn’t know I’m his dad yet, he just thinks I’m the cool guy his mom is dating.”

“At least he doesn’t consider you the douche his mom is dating,” I reply. “Like we do.”

“Good one.” Romeo chuckles.

Ignoring us, Gunner says, “I hate that they’re in that small apartment when I have a goddamn house by the lake. I have so much room for them.”

“Yeah, but one step at a time, man,” Romeo says, growing serious. “You can’t pressure her, and you can’t move fast with Dylan. You have to make sure you build those bonds first.”

“I know.” He sighs. “Let’s not talk about that shit right now, it’ll only depress me. Let’s talk about Arlo’s obvious attraction to Miss Gibson.”

“What?” I ask, just as our drinks are dropped off at our table. “Where the hell did that come from?”

“Dude, it’s obvious,” Romeo says.

“How so?” I challenge him.

“Uh . . . the way you look at her.”

“That’s a generalization and not true. I look at her like anyone else would. I also haven’t spoken to her since Monday, so how would you observe my interaction with her? Plus, I’m fucking over this conversation. It’s like we’re on a goddamn hamster wheel.”

“Jesus,” Gunner says, blowing out a long breath. “Chill, dude. From that reaction right there, it’s clear you have a crush on her.”

“When did you two become so immature?”

Romeo lifts his beer to his lips. “Always have been immature, you’re probably just realizing it now.”

“Unfortunate for me.”

“You put in the time building a friendship without putting in adequate research before befriending us. Very unlike you, Turner.” Gunner smirks.

“It was you two or Kelvin Thimble, and I’m not really into Dungeons and Dragons.”

“Thimble is a stand-up guy,” Romeo says. “He has a thing for Keiko.”

“Everyone knows that,” Gunner says. “He practically writes Mr. Keiko Seymour on all of his notepads.”

Taking a sip of my drink, I say, “Never said he wasn’t a good guy, just not into all of that cosplay stuff.”

“But you’d look adorable all dressed up,” Gunner teases while tickling me under my chin.

“Get the fuck out of here,” I say, pushing his hand away just as I sense two people walk up to our table.

Before I can turn to look, I watch a large grin spread across Romeo’s face as he says, “Well, well, well. What brought you ladies here?”

There can only be one reason for that grin.

I look to the side and find Stella Garcia standing next to us, Greer Gibson right behind her. They must be fresh from practice because both of them have their hair pulled up, Greer’s in a long ponytail, Stella’s in a bun. They’re both wearing Forest Heights Volleyball shirts and black leggings with tennis shoes.