Page 55 of Overtime

I scramble out of my chair, but it’s too late. My family huddles around Tini’s phone—effectively blocking the screen from my sight—but the sounds of Rob and I singing to each other ring in my ears clear as day.

How many people have seen this?

Mama raises her head, a soft smile on her face. “You two are so cute together.”

“I like this young man.” Papou nods before returning to his post at the stove top. “I think we will keep him.”

YiaYia continues to watch the scene play out as Tini aims her bright expression my way.

“This clip has gotten so many hits, Evie! After Rob’s win at the bowl game, the Miners were already trending. This pushed it over the edge!”

My head pounds a steady rhythm. So much for sneaking a decent night of sleep during break. “Rob’s going to kill you when he sees this.”

“Why?” She scrunches her brow, truly confused.

“Do you really think an NCAA quarterback wants the whole world seeing how adorable and romantic he can be? It doesn’t exactly scream football god.”

Tini purses her lips, seeming to think it over. “Nah. Everyone loves a cream puff hiding inside a big, buff dude. Ovaries are exploding all over the Twitterverse this morning.”

“Why, oh why do I walk in at the mention of ovaries?” Rob’s sigh is heavy before he glances at me with a worried expression. “Are you sick? It’s not time yet…”

YiaYia strides right up to him, still holding onto Christina’s phone. “Perhaps you would care to explain this.”

Without looking at the screen, Rob’s eyes widen, and his face visibly pales. I can only imagine what he must be thinking, but frankly, I’m too busy reining in my laughter to help him out.

We’re not the ones in hot water this morning, and YiaYia’s distraction efforts are admirable if not merely postponing the inevitable.

“I…” Rob doesn’t get any further with his potential excuse before YiaYia presses play on the video.

His shoulders slump. He damn near closes his eyes in relief but manages to reel it in at the last second. “Who did this?”

“Me.” Tini giggles. “You two didn’t even notice me standing in the doorway.”

Yeah, and we wouldn’t have about twenty minutes before that either.

Thank God for small disasters.

Much like YiaYia, Rob grasps the out with both hands, deflecting attention away from less savory issues. “And you felt the need to post it on Twitter? Why would you do that? That was a private moment.”

The moment the words leave his lips, he realizes his gaffe.

“I mean,” he verbally stumbles. “Not that anything indecent happened or anything like that, but it’s just…that wasn’t meant for other people to see or hear.”

He squeezes his eyes shut and gives up.

“Speaking of things that other people aren’t meant to hear,” Mama leads.

My body trembles with both excitement and rapidly increasing nausea. I can only imagine what’s about to be said, but if it gets me and Rob off the hook, I’m all for it.

I’ll deal with the social media shitstorm later.

YiaYia’s entire face purses like she’s sucking on the sourest of lemons. “Diana! Enough! This is improper to speak of!”

For his part, Papou just laughs as he continues to cook, not interacting with anyone.

“Nothing happened!” Rob yelps. “We fell asleep on the couch! That’s all!”

Like earlier, all eyes turn toward him, the temperature of the room seeming to chill a few degrees.