Page 10 of The Waiting Game

Felix grinned, still staring at his screen.

But who could blame Felix? His own family was the polar opposite of Jonah’s. Polar being the operative word. They were downright frosty.

“And we’ll talk about your fighting,” Ji-min said, staring at Jonah again, pinning him in place like one of those butterflies in a natural history museum.

“I was sticking up for Felix!” he protested. “The guy was calling him … um, things I didn’t like.”

Felix muttered something under his breath, though he didn’t look up from his phone screen.

“Oh.” Ji-min softened. “Well, if it was for Felix …”

“And maybe you shouldn’t talk about fighting, Grandma Ji-min,” Felix teased. “I heard a rumor about you almost getting thrown out of the game tonight.”

Jonah mentally facepalmed. It wouldn’t be the first time but Jesus. She’d been an absolute terror during his Pee Wee games, but he would have thought she’d calm down with age.

No such luck.

She pursed her lips. “That ref was blinder than Stevie Wonder.”

“Grandma!” both Jonah and Felix exclaimed.

That was definitely insensitive, but it wasn’t like she’d ever listened to Jonah when he tried to gently correct her about things like that. Progressive in so many ways but stubborn and inflexible in others. Still, he’d keep trying.

“Well, that ref was wrong about that call and he should know.”

Jonah sighed. He supposed he came by his fighting spirit naturally. And to think, he’d been a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner for his sportsmanship.

So much for that.

At this rate, he was going to lead the league in penalty minutes this season. That would be a fun new stat for him to collect.

“Okay, we’ll be here for dinner the Thursday we get back from the road trip,” Jonah promised.

“You could come in now for some bulgogi,” she offered. “I have leftovers from bridge club.”

Felix made a noise that sounded uncomfortably pornographic. “Please, Jonah, you know how much I love it.”

“We can’t tonight,” Jonah protested. “We promised the guys we’d meet them at a club. It was an early game so we’re going out as a team.”

Felix let out an annoyed grumble. “But bulgogi …”

Jonah rolled his eyes. Yeah, Felix loved barbeque beef, and so did he, but Jonah was pretty sure Felix was also trying to avoid socializing.

“We’d love to have some next Thursday, Grandma,” Jonah said, putting his hand on Felix’s back and nudging him toward the side of the house.

“How are you going to meet a nice boy if you’re going to clubs?” she protested, following them.

“It’s a gay club,” he offered her with a smile, knowing she wouldn’t be fooled.

“I said a nice boy. The kind you marry.”

“Hey, we go to clubs and we’re nice boys,” Felix protested.

Grandma Ji-min waggled her hand as if to say so-so. “You’re okay.”

“Hey!” Felix protested, but he was laughing.

“You sure you should be going to clubs?” she said, studying Felix’s face intently.

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