Page 2 of My Song for You
“Maybe so, but up against my athletic prowess,” Kirk said, “you’re toast.”
Mason smirked. “Bring it on, puck boy.”
Rebecca jotted on her clipboard, then counted the beanbags in Aaron’s bucket.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Jared?” asked a girl who could best be described as jailbait. The rest of my team waited for the answer with bated breath.
I shook my head. “Not right now.”
“So you aren’t dating Tiffany Grainger anymore?” the girl with giant tits asked.
“No. We’re just friends.” I almost snorted at the “friends” part. I didn’t think we had ever been friends. Just on-again, off-again whatevers.
“That’s too bad. You guys were perfect together.”
I shrugged. “With our work schedules as they are, it was too difficult to spend time together.”
The only other guy in my group chuckled. “Must be a tough life, dating a supermodel.”
He didn’t realize how right he was, even if he had meant it another way.
“And the winner of the beanbag toss is…” Michael paused for dramatic effect. “Kirk Helmson’s team.”
Kirk’s group cheered, the girls jumping up and down like hyped-up cheerleaders. One actually did do a cartwheel, but her technique was far from impressive.
“I demand a recount,” Mason yelled. His fans giggled. The rest of us laughed.
“Man up, Mas,” Kirk replied. “My team won and you know it.”
Mason folded his arms, chin raised. “You just watch. My team will destroy yours in the next game.” Mock defiance gleamed in his eyes.
“Bring it on, drummer boy.”
Welcome to what it had been like touring with them for the past year. They were always trying to outdo each other in whatever competition they had going. The rest of us had long since learned to ignore them…and maybe place the occasional side bet.
“Good to know nothing has changed between those two,” Nolan said to me as we waited for the next game to be set up. “I’d hate to lose our entertainment for the next tour.”
“You mean you’d hate to lose out on winning more money from me.” He and Aaron, our keyboardist, beat me hands down when it came to our little side bets. The little side bets that neither Mason nor Kirk knew about.
“Damn straight.”
“So, Hailey,” I said, “you’re coming with us on our promo blitz, right?” Maybe then I’d have a chance of doing better in our betting game. She would unintentionally distract her boyfriend and he would screw up his bet. Or that was my plan, at least.
“I hope so. Depends on if I can get the time off. Plus we’re expecting…a new family member.”
Holy fuck! That was the last thing I’d expected. They had only been together for a few months, but who was I to judge? If anyone should know how easy it was to get a girl pregnant, it was me.
“Well, um, congratulations.” I hugged Hailey and gave Nolan a one-armed hug. Fortunately, the fans were too busy listening to the sideshow entertainment between Mason and the radio personalities to notice our conversation.
Nolan burst out laughing. “She’s not pregnant. We’re adopting a puppy.”
Hailey laughed. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist.”
“Not funny,” I grumbled, doing my best not to let them know how I really felt. Joking about pregnancy was never a funny matter.
Shoving away the pain and betrayal from my past, I smiled. “So, when are you getting the new addition?”
“Today,” Hailey said.
