Page 37 of Spring Tide

“Nah, it’s not that. It’s just ... what’s up, Danny?”

“I’m thinking about coming down to visit this weekend.” There’s an air of awkwardness in his tone. “Our team has a bye week. Thought we could grab dinner or something Saturday night.”

“We’re playing the Eagles on Saturday.”

“Fuck, that’s right.” I pin my cell phone against my shoulder, finishing up the catch board as he jabbers on. “What about Friday? We’re only gonna be back for two nights.”

A muscle in my jaw ticks. “We?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m bringing Sofia with me,” he cautiously admits. “It’s just, she hasn’t been back much since her parents moved to Greece.”

“Right.”

“I mean, you already knew that. Sorry,” he manages to spit out. “It’s uh, she’s just gonna stay with my folks while we have dinner. If that’s fine?”

There’s a deep pit forming in my stomach. The contents of my breakfast threaten to spew out, but I take a few seconds to swallow them back.

“She should come with us.”

A long, piercing silence follows my suggestion. “What?”

“Yeah, she should come. We can make it a double date.” My words are nonchalant, but there may be a hive or two that’s developed on the back of my neck. “I’ve been wanting you to meet Harper anyway.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I confirm.

“Alright, Luc. That sounds great.” His words are eager, rushed as he carries on. “And what about Saturday before the game—could you spare a few minutes to swing by your parents’ place? I’d like to say hi to the fam, especially Giorgie.”

I massage my left temple. “I don’t know that I’ll have time for that.”

“Ah, come on,” he urges. “When was the last time you saw them all in person?”

“Yeah, ithasbeen a while,” I admit, the guilt settling deep inside my chest. “But I’ve been busy as hell.”

“No worries, I guess I can catch them next visit. Are they at least going to your game, then?”

“No.” This time, I don’t bother to restrain my frustration. “You know my parents can’t bring Giorgie to the games. She’s not big on crowds. All the noise and people.”

“Damn, I thought she might have grown out of that by now.”

If I wasn’t already irritated beyond recognition, his offhand comment would’ve thrown me over the edge. “Is that a joke?”

“No, man, I’m sorry.” He swears under his breath. “That wasn’t a joke ... don’t know why I said that.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Giorgie’s perfect the way she is.”

“I know.” He speaks slowly, carefully selecting his next words to keep my temper in check. “I wouldn’t want to change anything about her, you know that. Your family’s my family.”

“I’ve gotta get going, anyway. I’m actually at work right now, so we’ll just see you Friday.”

“Friday, it is.” There’s a quick pause, then, “Love you, man.”

“See ya.” I end the call, stuffing my cell phone into my back pocket. Now I’m frustrated with both myself and with Danny—me for making that shithead suggestion and him for making that shithead comment.

I scrub both hands across my forehead and tug at the ends of my hair. Good going, Luca. Now I’m stuck spending Friday night with both my fake girlfriend and my ex-girlfriend.

It’s a two-in-one special.

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