Page 47 of Until You

Eric studied him as though looking for signs that he was being tricked. Finally, he said, “Deal.”

Tyler lifted the hand holding his beer. “I’d shake but my hand’s a little full.”

Eric shot a glance up at the section where they’d left Alex, still sitting all by himself.

Tyler set his beer in the cup holder and handed Eric his hot dog. “Don’t look so guilty. I’ll text him.” He pulled out his phone, then sent Alex a text.

Look behind home plate.

“He’s definitely going to kill you,” Eric said as they waited for Alex to respond.

“He shouldn’t have made fun of my shaving skills.”

“What’s under that bandage, anyway?” Eric asked.

“Three stitches.”

Alex was watching the game, but then shoved his hand into his front pocket and pulled out his phone. His gaze turned toward them.

“Wave,” Tyler said and started waving his arm in big sweeps.

Eric laughed and waved Tyler’s hot dog over his head.

Alex held his arms wide as though saying What the hell?

Tyler pointed to Alex and then at the empty seat next to him.

Alex tapped on his phone, then held it to his ear, and Tyler wasn’t surprised to feel his phone vibrate. “I’ll be right back,” he told Eric as he squeezed past the people in the seats toward the aisle. “I’ve got his ticket.”

He was walking up the stairs when Alex answered.

“What the hell?” Alex demanded.

“Just shut up and listen. Eric and Iare in our real seats. While I hoped we could have a good time, I had a feeling you’d act like a dick. So you’re sitting up there until you can behave.”

“Who the hell do you think you are, Tyler?”

“I’m an idiot who hasn’t spent enough time with his brothers, especially his youngest. And while I probably deserve every dick move you want to throw at me, this is bigger than both of us. Eric needs us to be friends.”

“You realize that’s like asking for a unicorn to shit rainbows,” Alex muttered.

“Then pretend. Eric’s clothes look like they should have been thrown away last year, and his shoes are falling to pieces. Does Dad do anything?”

“He’s tired,” Alex said. “He’s ready to be done raising kids.”

“Well, tough fucking shit. He’s still raising one. He can’t just check out because he’s tired.” His father had always been an ass, but this was inexcusable.

A loud cheer went through the stadium, and Tyler plugged his ear. “Eric needs us,” he said when the crowd quieted. “Not to lecture. He needs someone to talk to. He needs to know we give a shit. Can you do that for him?”

There was no hesitation. “Yes. Of course I can do it. I want to do it.”

“Then get your ass down here. I’ll text you the section and meet you with the ticket.”

He stood at the top of the section, waiting for Alex to come down, but a large group showed up, asking the usher for help. Tyler walked down several steps to make room for them on the landing, then turned around to watch for Eric. From his peripheral vision he saw a man in the row one up from him lean over to kiss a woman in a straw hat, and when the guy sat back in his seat, Tyler’s mouth dropped open. Lanie.

Lanie was at the game on a date.

What the hell?

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