Page 86 of Perfect Playbook

I’m not prone to pessimism, though can’t help but think about how old Shay and I are now. We’re in our mid-thirties. Does she want more kids? Are we past the point of it being healthy and in the risky zone now? Thank God we’re already married, because I know she wouldn’t do it again out of wedlock, and we probably shouldn’t wait a year for this discussion.

I help Nino climb into the passenger seat and lock him in his raised seat. We share a smile, and I wonder what he’d think about a baby sister or brother. His mind isn’t on such matters, of course. As soon as I start up the car, he revs up conversation about his day.

“Mr. Alabaster was telling us about Shakespeare, and he put a glass eye inside his eyeball socket and he pretended to be a witch. It was funny.”

I can’t help but wonder if Mr. Alabaster might one day get himself into the same kind of trouble that old Finchley did with hisLord of the Fliesexperience.

“It sounds like a fun day.”

“So fun. I wasn’t bored once.”

“Well, that’s probably the best thing of all. I hate being bored.”

“Me, too, but Mom says boredom is good for me. It feeds creativity.”

I don’t refute Shay, but boredom only ever caused trouble in my life.

My cell beeps, and a message pops up on my screen. It’s Colt.

Big C

Hey come on over tonight for the last BBQ of the season. Everyone will be here. Plus we want to spend some time with Antonio and get to know him better.

And gosh do I want them to get to know this spirited kid better, too.

“Hey, little man, are you feeling up to some grub? A barbecue at my brother’s house? We can see your cousin?”

“I have a cousin?”

Antonio is smart, but equally, there’s no need to complicate things, so I just say, “Yes. Her name is Eve. She’s fourteen and she has guinea pigs and dogs. And lots of games to play, so it should be fun.”

The thought of introducing Nino to my family has my heart pinching again. I can’t believe we haven’t been able to make time for this.

“Yes!” he says enthusiastically.

They’re going to dote on him to no end. Including Eve. She’s always wanted a cousin and in recent years has been getting very vocal, joining forces with my mother who demands to grow the family daily.

I use hands-free commands to send Colt an affirmative, then glance over at Nino who bounces in his seat, and think about Shay, her family… I voice command a text back to Colt.

Can I have a plus two?

An hour later, I’m loaded in the car with not one Mendez man but two.

“Logan, you really didn’t have to invite me to Colt’s. Are you sure?” Luis says in the passenger seat.

“We’re family.Mi casa es su casa.”

“But it’s Colton’scasa.”

“What have you been eating since Shay left?”

“Hey, I eat my veggies.”

My eyebrow cocks.

“I do. Salsa. And the Mexican grocery store has freshly pounded guacamole. Healthy.”

“Tonight’s about protein, Luis.”

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