Page 54 of Zone Protection

“What do you think, Arch?” Pitz asks me.

“I mean, yeah, I’m not too worried about this particular game, but we can’t be negligent either. We need to prepare for them. Just because we have a spot in the playoffs doesn’t mean we can slack here, but I don’t think we will. We’re ready.”

“Okay, boys. Dinner is ready. Come help us carry all the food in,” Charlie instructs us, like the bossy little thing she is.

We all walk into the kitchen, and the girls are putting thedishes on the small table in the kitchen that are ready to be brought out to the large dining table.

“Casey, come over here and help me cut the turkey,” Charlie tells him.

“Wait, are we sure we want Casey to use a big knife?” Noelle asks. “Remember that time in tenth grade when he almost cut off his finger in culinary?”

“Oh my God, I completely forgot about that.” Charlie laughs. “Okay, wait. Beck, maybe you should do it then.”

“Char, are you serious right now? I’m not going to cut off my fucking finger. Be so for real. And, Noelle … you’re a traitor. Why wouldn’t you have faith in me, bestie?” Casey looks like a wounded puppy.

“Step aside, Boss. I got this under control.” Beck takes the carving knife from Charlie and drops a kiss on her lips. “Case, why don’t you just grab the plate that I need to put the turkey on?”

Casey mumbles something to Beck when he walks over that I can’t hear.

I grab my dish and take it into the other room and place it on the table.

Bo steps up behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, I saw you on campus the other day. You were with a blonde and were kissing her. Is she your girl or something?”

I turn to look to see who might be in earshot, and then I lean into Bo. “I mean, we haven’t made anything official. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, but I haven’t said anything to anyone about it while we figure it out, you know?”

“Oh, okay, so the other guys don’t know—got it. I couldn’t see her face clearly, but she looked sort of familiar.”

“I’m not sure if you would know her—” I get cut off when everyone starts to filter into the room.

Casey brings in the platter with the turkey on it.

Bo taps me on the back. “I got you.”

“Thanks, man.”

I’m not gonna lie and say that not telling my friends isn’t bothering me. I can’t wait to tell them all about the baby. As we get further along, I not only want to tell them about it, but I really want her to meet my friends, like I have hers.

There is a pitcher of water and some bottles of wine on the table—because we think we’re fancy or some shit. And once everyone is seated, we all start piling food on our plates.

“Wait!” Charlie shouts.

My fork is almost to my mouth, so I pause.

“Sorry, sorry.” She laughs. “I just want us to go around and say something we’re grateful for. We do it at our house every year, so we should do it here too!”

“Oh, she’s right. This will be fun. I’ll go first,” Arbor says. “I’m grateful for being halfway through the school year. It’s been a killer. I’m grateful for my roomie, Lily. And I’m grateful that Charlie finally made her way to Walker. It’s been so much fun, having you here. Also, I’m grateful for getting the chance to get to know all of you. For a bunch of jocks, you’re all pretty great. Cheers!” She holds up her wineglass.

“Okay, I’ll go next. Really just because I’m starving and want to move this along so my sister will let me eat,” Casey jabs. “I’m grateful for all of you and for an amazing season. Beck, you go.”

“Uh, okay. I’m grateful for Charlie.” He picks up his water glass and takes a drink.

“Dude, that can’t be the only thing you’re grateful for. You’re having a killer season, and we’re awesome roommates, so there’s that,” Pitz says.

“Okay, sure. We can add all that in there too.” Beck shrugs.

“I love you, babe.” Charlie leans over and kisses him.

Everyone else says something they’re grateful for. Mostly each other, passing classes, winning the regular season.

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