Page 32 of Love on the Waiver Wire

“Do you want to listen?” I ask, suddenly feeling embarrassed. I should have asked last time. I’m not sure what he does while watching me, but it’s probably awkward sitting there in silence while I have my headphones on.

He nods with a smile.

“Okay.”

Grabbing my phone, I hit play on my favorite playlist before connecting it to a speaker I have in my home. The low hum of some 90s alternative rock fills the space, and I hope he’s a fan.

“This is what you listen to?” he asks in surprise.

I swivel in place. “Yeah, why?”

“Just surprising is all.”

“Why?”

“I just didn’t expect you to like divorced dad rock.”

And I can’t help it. I burst out laughing, which causes him to follow.

“It’s not divorced dad rock!” I tell him, feeling a big smile stretch across my face.

“This? This most definitely is. How You Remind Me? Peak divorced dad rock.”

He’s got me there. “Okay well it’s a 90s alternative rock playlist,” I roll my eyes. “It’s just this one in particular.”

“I’m pretty sure this came out in the 2000s,” he deadpans, the corner of his full lips twitching.

“It’s definitely the 90s.”

He shakes his head, whipping out his phone and typing something in. “It’s from 2001 Peaches.”

I rear back at the name, my eyebrows drawing together. “Peaches?”

“You eat a lot of peach rings.” He shrugs.

My lips thin, unsure of how I feel about him calling me that.

It almost feels like a pet name.

“What’s another song on the playlist?” he asks, moving on without a second thought. He can move on, but I’m still thinking about it.

I open the app on my phone, scrolling through my list. “Well, the next one is Semi-Charmed Life.”

He nods, snapping before pointing his finger at me. “Third Eye Blind. See? That song’s in the right playlist.”

I just smile, shaking my head. “Okay whatever. Anyways,” I say, abandoning the painting for now. I spin in place, facing him. “How do you think you’re going to do this week?”

“The team or fantasy?”

“Fantasy.” We already know they’re going to kill it this weekend. They’re up against the Cincinnati Bobcats. Although it’s a big rivalry team, the Bobcats have sucked for the last couple of years.

“I think I’ll do okay,” he says, scratching his chin. “I’m up against Myles. His wide receiver already got hurt week one,” Owen winces. I’m sure talking about tragic injuries means a whole lot more to the guys who are actually playing.

“That’s good.”

“How about you?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t really have any expectations to be honest. I did well last week but we’ll see about this week,” I pause, looking him up and down. “If I’m honest it comes down to how you do on Sunday.”

---