Page 35 of The Legend Next Door
“Well, here’s the thing, Luca,” says Jeremiah. “I was wondering if you’d let me take you to the game. I know it won’t be the same as if your dad took you, but I think we’ll have a good time. We could get some snacks and you could teach me the Blackeyes goal song? What do you say?”
“What do I say?” yells Luca. “I say it’s a great idea!”
From there, things happen quickly. Luca rattles off questions like he’s reading them from a list, and Jeremiah responds the same way.
“Do you have a jacket, Jelly?”
“No.”
“A team jersey?”
“No.”
“A Blackeyes hat or scarf?”
“Also no!” Jeremiah starts laughing, and Luca follows suit. “I have nothing. I am literally completely unprepared for the fun we’re about to have!”
“It doesn’t matter! My dad has everything. You can use his things.”
By the time they’re at the door, I feel like I’ve been spun in a tumble dryer set to a long cycle. Luca is ready and pumped, and Jeremiah is wearing my black jacket and one of my beanies. The jacket is a little big on him, covering his hands to his knuckles, and the beanie was pulled on in such a hurry that the logo is off-center.
It makes him look boyish and silly and sweet at the same time.
It makes me want to hug him. So I do.
He isn’t expecting the embrace. He’s turned away from me, and one shoulder juts into my sternum when I pull him toward me. He shifts, turning to face me, and as he does, my other arm finds its way around his waist. Low around his waist. Firm around his waist. Without meaning to, that arm, the low one, tightens.
I squeeze a soft puff of breath out of him.
If I were someone who gave a lot of thought to things like what it would feel like to hug my very nice male neighbor, I’d say he felt stockier than I had expected. Stronger. More muscular. More solid.
I step back and release him quickly to stop it from becoming one of those hugs where neither party is sure how long it should go on for or whose job it is to end it.
“Buy him anything he wants,” I say. “I’ll reimburse you.”
“Anything I want?” cries Luca.
“Buy yourself anything you want too—on me. Seriously, I mean it, Jeremiah. I owe you big time. Anything you want. I’m not just talking about at the game. I’m talking a crate of salted caramel ice cream delivered to your door. An entire shelf of books. Two shelves. A Caribbean holiday for you, Marcus, Vanessa, and your aunt. And her dogs. Name it, and it’s yours.”
He gets a funny look on his face. “A sun-drenched beach holiday?” His chin tilts down and his left shoulder raises slightly. “Not unless you come with me, Ben Stirling.”
21
DearLiz,
Icouldn’tmakeit to the game. I tried, and I couldn’t do it. I feel like shit now. I don’t know if I did the right thing for me or if I let Luca down badly.
I’m confused about more things than I’m sure of tonight.
I love you and I miss you, and I could really use a goddamn reply.
Love,
Ben
PS Hypothetically, if someone says your full name a lot, would you consider that flirting?
22
