Page 82 of It's Always Sonny

“And put your coats on,” I tell them.

“Bruh. You’re not wearing your coat,” Noahsays.

“Bruh,” I say. “We’re in the middle of a polar vortex. It’s going to get down below freezing, and you’re from Florida, not Alaska. And you’d better believe I’d wear it if I were planning to walk around for longer than twenty seconds. Put on your coat.”

Noah rolls his eyes to the other teens, but they all put on their coats.

Turds.

I turn back to see Gabe and Lauren assessing me. “That was a very adult thing to do,” Gabe says.

I bristle. “I am an adult. I have health insurance and own a home.”

“But you left your coat back at your tent, didn’t you?” Gabe asks.

I grin. “That’s not the point.”

“Isn’t it?”

We brought the hot cocoa bar over to us, and I grab a straw, peel off the paper on one end, hold the straw up to my mouth, and spit the rest of the wrapper at Gabe.

As brothers do.

Mom pulls out a deck of cards, and soon, we’re into a rousing game of Crazy Eights. And just as soon, the subject is back on me. Again.

“So, you and Parker were on fire,” Anthony says.

“Yeah we were. I’ve never seen her do anything like that.”

Sienna shrugs. “She’s the best, Sonny. We’re a lot, and she doesn’t even have cousins. I can’t believe how well she’s handling all of us.”

“She told you about her family?”

Sienna looks at Amber and Lauren. “We talked. She’s a lot more open than she was when you two were dating.”

“She is, right?”

“You’ve both grown up,” Mom says. “Maybe it’s time to put aside you leaving her—”

“What? I didn’t leave her.”

Mom grabs my cold hand with her warm one. I really should have grabbed my coat before we came to the pavilion. Even with the space heaters, it’s chilly.

“I don’t mean you wanted to. You were in an impossible situation. No one blames you for choosing a future career, but—”

“Wait.” I look at my family, at the concern and understanding on their faces. “All these years, have you thought I chose football over PJ? You know she broke up with me.”

“Because she didn’t want to keep you from your dreams,” Sienna says. “It’s noble.”

“Why does everyone act like it was always the NFL or bust for me? You guys were in every country I was. The only way I could make friends fast was to join a team. That was what football meant. I didn’t even think about playing professionally until PJ pushed me into it! I would rather have stayed with her than play a stupid sport that doesn’t let me play pickleball with my siblings at a family reunion! I’m not even a person to the league, I’m a commodity, and I’m sick of it!”

“Whoa, I’m sorry, man,” Anthony says, reaching across the table to slap my shoulder. “I didn’t realize you felt that way.”

“Me either. That sucks,” Gabe says, taking his turn.

Mom pushes my brothers away and hugs me tightly. Man, she gives the best hugs. They’re warm and firm, but soft and accepting. They’re a million times better than a sideline cape.

“Why didn’t you tell us about Parker?” she asks.

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