Page 57 of Brews & Bartenders

“That’s fair.” I grab Caroline’s hand and lift it to my lips. “Congrats on the win.”

“Thank you.” She curtsies. “Now, let’s eat. I’m starving.”

I think we all are. Dinner was pushed so we could wait on David. All of us descend on the food. My pork chops are pushed to the side in favor of Caroline’s. I take a bite of hers and they were right. It’s delicious. Clearly, I should stick to pouring drinks. Cooking is not my strong point.

25

Caroline

It’s beenweeks and as I suspected we haven’t heard a peep from Nathan. He likes to parade David around like he’s father of the year, and he can’t be bothered to show up for his son when he doesn’t gain anything from it.

He even stopped coming to football practice. It sucks seeing David look for him in the stands. And it hurts thinking he’ll get used to it, and no longer look. His dad isn’t the only person he tries to find in the crowd of parents. He scans for Carlos, too.

That disappointment doesn’t hit him as hard, though. Carlos is honest with him about when he’ll be there. He doesn’t make promises he can’t keep.

“Mom, can we see Carlos tonight?” David helps me load his football gear into the backseat.

“He’s working tonight, but maybe we can meet up for breakfast?”

“Ooo, I want waffles.” He jumps up and down.

It’s adorable that food makes him happy because…same. “I’ll call him later and see if he’s up for it. But for now, why don’t we grab something to eat then watch a movie.”

“As long as I get to pick. I’m not watching your vampire movies.” It’s like he’s not even my kid.

“What’s wrong with them?”

“There’s too much kissing.” He makes a noise like he’s about to puke. “I don’t want to watch movies about love. Let’s watch a superhero movie.”

He’s just like, that kid in The Princess Bride. Little does he realize almost all of his favorite hero movies also have a romance plot. He just doesn’t know it…yet.

“You can’t stay up all night, though. Especially if we’re getting up to go to breakfast, and we have to get all your stuff ready for your game.”

He fist pumps the air, “Yes, we’re going to win.”

“Now you sound like your Uncle Bryce.”

“Hopefully, him and Carlos come to see me as quarterback.”

“They are.”

“For real?” He bounces around in the backseat.

“Yes,” I laugh at his excitement. “Carlos is working the late shift and your uncle is driving down from school. He wants to see his star quarterback.”

I can feel the happiness emanating off him, and even if his dad isn’t around to give him that joy, I’m glad he has people that make him feel that way.

We pull up to the closest fast-food place. I grab him a kid’s meal and me a burger. Within minutes we’re back on the road. David is already digging into his food, and I don’t blame him. After all the running they do up and down the field, I’d be hungry, too.

David hops out of the car before I can put it in park. “Don’t forget your trash,” I yell after him. He comes back with less pep in his step and grabs the bag.

“Can I take a shower before we watch the movie?”

“Sure thing, kiddo.” He grabs the house key from me and lets himself in. Which leaves me to carry his gear inside. All of this is going straight to the washer. I can smell it at arm’s length. There’s one thing I don’t miss about boys playing sports, and it’s the stench.

My phone rings as I’m opening the door, and I pull it out of my back pocket. “Hello?”

“Hey, Care.” Emily’s panicked voice comes over the line. “You got a minute?”

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