Page 30 of Big Red

“Sure.” Grabbing my phone from the cupholder, I hand it over to her. I look through the rearview mirror and watch her and her brother whisper to each other in the back seat. Just as I’m about to ask what song she’s looking for, “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Cooliobegins to play.

My mouth drops open, and Alice covers hers as she breaks into a fit of giggles. To my disbelief, my kids don’t just know the song. Theyknowthe song. Cindy starts rapping every word of the verse. AndthenColt follows through, singing the chorus while nodding his head solemnly to the beat.

Just when I think this car ride can’t get any more bizarre, Alice unbuckles her seat belt, turns around, and sings the final bridge with Colton. Little man eats it up, too. He cheeses the entire time, like they are some kind of dynamic duo.

As the final beat of the song plays, I pull into the parking lot. After I’ve parked the truck, I turn to my kids. “Where did you two learn that song?”

Still smiling, Colt says, “Aunt Cara.”

I groan, palming my face. I swear that woman wants to corrupt everyone around her.

“Well, at least she has taste.” Alice shrugs and gets out of the truck. The kids follow suit. As we approach the bleachers, I notice most of the club is already here. We’re taking up a hefty number of seats. Cindy and Colt run over and take a seat next to Hannah. Grabbing Alice's hand, I lead her over where all the brothers with ol’ ladies are seated.

I’m not in the mood for the single guys’ teasing antics tonight. Chains has almost lost his life on many occasions by flirting with Alice, and he doesn’t even know it. So, I’d rather sit somewhere I don’t have to contemplate stabbing someone. After I’ve taken my seat, I tap Cara on the shoulder. She’s seated right in front of us.

“What’s up?” she asks once she turns around.

“Gangsta’s Paradise, Cara, really?”

Throwing her head back, she howls with laughter. “Old school rap is good for the soul, Red. Hey, Alice, I feel like although I’ve seen you, I haven’t spoken to you in a minute. How’s everything been going?”

“Umm, e-everything has be-been great,” she says awkwardly.

Cara squints her eyes, looking between Alice and me. Alice doesn’t realize that by not making eye contact and wiping her sweaty palms, she’s putting Cara in full interrogation mode.

“We heard you and Viper the other night when I was walking her home.”

“Red!” Alice exclaims.

“She was going to keep prying until she figured out why you couldn’t look her in the eye.” I shrug my shoulders.

“Oh, that’s it. I thought it was something serious.” Cara snorts and turns back around.

Alice looks at me with a bewildered expression. I mouth to hertold you. Alice lets out a shaky laugh and shakes her head.

“There is never a dull moment in this group,” she mutters.

ALICE

The game is finally underway.It’s only the second quarter, but I must say, Marco is really good. He’s already scored a touchdown for his team and just made another first down. His position is running back. His speed gives him the advantage every time he has the ball. He looks like that little boy from theIncrediblescompared to how the other boys are running. They simply cannot keep up with him.

Throughout the game, the club has been very boisterous, cheering for him. After his first touchdown, he ran over to the bleachers to dap up a few of the brothers while a group of girls screamed his name. He was eating up the attention with winks and smiles. I noticed that it didn’t sit well with little miss Hannah.

Red explained that those two have been in a puppy-love saga since the day Bear brought Hannah home a couple of years ago. I looked at him like he had grown two heads because I thought they were related. He then broke down the family tree for me. Although Hannah calls Sara and Bear mom and dad, she’s only related to Bear as his sister.

“Dad, can Hannah and I get some snacks from the concession stand?” Cindy asks, walking up to us.

“Yeah, sure. Ask Colt if he wants anything.” He reaches into his wallet and pulls out a twenty-dollar bill. “Bring me the change, Cindy.” He squints his eyes at her before handing over the money.

“Keep the change? No problem. Thanks, Dad.”

Cindy is gone faster than lightning, giving Red no room to deny her statement. Red smirks, shaking his head.

A round of ooohs goes around the crowd, making Red and me look to the field. Marco is dancing in the end zone while another boy is getting up from the ground, dusting off his pants. The replay is shown on the screen. As Marco was nearing a touchdown, another player attempted to tackle him. Marco shot his arm out and pushed the player away, knocking him to the ground.

“That’s right, baby bro! Stiff arm his strong-neck ass!” Torch hollers.

The entire MC erupts in laughter, including me. Crystal removes her sandal, slapping Torch on the shoulder repeatedly. “That’s. Some. Body’s. Child!” she hisses.

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