Page 30 of A Protector For Phoebe (Love will OUT 2)

The noises get louder. The uncles are chuckling and staring at Pops who is fidgeting and shifting from side to side in his chair. Poor guy must not be feeling well. I’m wondering if I should offer him a Tums when his phone rings.

He grabs it from his back pocket and starts cussing. “You fuckers! A fart app? How old are you?”

Suzie dissolves in giggles next to me while the uncles clap their hands and stomp their feet in glee.

I take my phone from my pocket to make sure no one has put any apps on it and notice there’s a message from Ryker. He made sure I had his number programmed into my phone after our date at the pub a few days ago. Wait. No. It wasn’t a date.

Do you want to go to the Packers game on Sunday?

“The Packers are football, aren’t they?”

Everyone at the table freezes and then their gazes zero in on me. Oh no. What did I do wrong now?

“She’s not from Wisconsin and she’s a girly girl. Leave her alone,” Suzie declares. “Besides, there are more important things to discuss. Why do you want to know?” she asks me.

I shrug. “I’m curious is all.”

“Curious right after you checked a message on your phone? Sell it to someone else, sister, ‘cuz this girl ain’t buying it.”

My face heats and I confess, “Ryker asked me to go.”

Wally leans forward. “To Green Bay?”

“I don’t know. Is Green Bay where they play?”

The men gasp and clutch their chests.

“What?”

Aiden explains, “The Green Bay Packers play football in Green Bay.”

In Green Bay?

At least I can’t see if Ryker thinks I’m a total idiot for asking.

Yes.

Ok.

I give him a simple answer even though I’m squealing like a little girl inside. This is definitely a date, right? Oh wait. I’ve sworn off men. Butterflies, clip your wings, we are not excited about going to the game with Ryker. They ignore me and continue to flutter away.

“We’ll all go,” Wally announces.

“How are you going to get tickets?” Aiden asks and then thinks better of it. “Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”

Suzie claps. “We can tailgate.”

“What’s tailgating?” The question slips out before I realize I’m showing my ignorance again.

“It’s awesome. You are going to love it. We’re going to pop your tailgating cherry.”

Um, she didn’t answer my question.

Hailey leans forward, so I can see her. “It’s basically a party in the parking lot of the stadium. Everyone brings food and drink.”

“And we can barbeque. Do you still have your travel barbeque?” Suzie asks Pops.

I tap Hailey on the shoulder and motion to the restrooms. She stands and we sneak off while Suzie is chattering away making plans.

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