Page 79 of Stick Play

Zoe hasn’t been asking too many questions, but she’s been using her wishing stones every morning and every night. I message Ash back to let him know that I can take tomorrow morning off since I’ve brought in new staff. If the roads are bad enough, school will be closed and the café won’t open until late anyway.

With that settled, I pick up the next order and head to the dining room. After I deliver it, I spot the woman and her two teenage sons sitting at a table, the man no longer with them. The woman has her eyes glued to me and once again, the hairs on the back of my neck tingle. Which is crazy. This woman clearly isn’t here to get social media dirt. Her sons are both on their phones as I step up to them.

“How are you all doing today?”

She gives me a rather nervous smile. “We’re good.” She looks around. What or who is she looking for? Is it possible that she’s here to see Ash? “How are you?”

“I’m good. Can I start you with coffee?”

“I would love that.”

“Boys,” she orders in a stern voice. “Put your phones down please.”

They do as she asks, and their weary eyes narrow in on me, not with suspicion, but with…anger? What the heck? The bell over the door jingles, and in walks Elias and Tuck. I lift my head and smile at them. They nod back and take a table near the side window.

The older teenager nudges the younger one. “Shit, Josh, that’s Elias Ariti and Tucker Delray, the team’s captain.”

The younger boy, Josh, looks around, his eyes widening. “What, where?”

“Right there, sitting by the window.”

Josh’s eyes practically bulge out of his head. “Shit.”

“Boys, language.” The woman gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry. Things have been…” She lets her words fall off.

“Parenting. I get it.” I have a girl, not a boy, and I know it can be different, but still, parenting…

Deciding to help the woman out, I lean in. “Tell you what. No more bad words, and I’ll introduce you.”

“No way,” the older boy says.

I give a casual shrug, and gesture for Carla to bring coffee. “Sure.”

“You know them?” His eyes narrow in on me, suspicious, but no longer angry.

“Lucas,” the mother warns. “Manners, please.”

Lucas sits up a bit straighter, and it’s odd. There’s something familiar in his features. “You really know them?” he asks, in a nicer tone.

“I do. Do you want to say hello, maybe get an autograph?”

“Yes,” they both shout in unison, and I laugh.

I glance at the woman. “If it’s okay with you?”

She fidgets with her purse straps. “I don’t want to bother them.”

“They’re great guys and they love their fans.” She gives me a grateful smile, like my gesture means a lot.

“You’re very nice.”

I chuckle. “Thanks,” I say for lack of anything else. I guess if she’s here to find dirt, it will be good dirt.

“Come on, guys.” They jump from their chairs so fast, they nearly topple backward. Carla comes to fill the woman’s coffee mug as I lead the boys to Elias and Tuck.

“Hi guys, I hope you don’t mind.” I put my hand on Josh and Lucas’ backs to guide them forward. “Two fans who’d love to say hello.”

“Hey,” Elias greets and holds up his hand for a high five.

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